Beaconites!
Beaconites! is a podcast about Beacon, New York and the people who live here. Interviews with artists, business owners, educators, students and other local figures provide a window on Beacon and a point of entry for listeners to get involved.
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Shane Killoran, dramaturg and performing arts curator
04/30/2024
Shane Killoran, dramaturg and performing arts curator
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 LitFest. After studying acting and women’s studies at NYU and doing post-graduate work at the University of London, Shane worked as a dramaturg on productions such as August Strindberg’s Playing With Fire and Tendulkar’s Sakharam Binder. In our episode, she talks about her journey in theater and talks about upcoming shows, screenings and readings.
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Fifty-plus years of music, with the Towne Crier owner Phil Ciganer
04/12/2024
Fifty-plus years of music, with the Towne Crier owner Phil Ciganer
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 birth. This year’s event will be hosted by David Bernz, a dear friend and collaborator Pete’s who has authored a new book called “Pete Seeger - Chopping Wood, Thoughts and Stories of a Legendary American Folksinger." This episode is sponsored by , a purveyor of delicious and healthful salads, breakfast options, wraps, warm bowls located at 259 Main Street. Photo by .
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Adam McKible on his book, ‘Circulating Jim Crow’
03/29/2024
Adam McKible on his book, ‘Circulating Jim Crow’
Adam McKible is an associate professor of English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He grew up in Newburgh and moved to NYC, where he met his wife Julie and started a family before moving back to the area. “We spawned then swam upstream,” he says. Adam’s new book, “Circulating Jim Crow,” examines how The Saturday Evening Post advanced a racist ideology that supressed Black modernity through dialect fiction authored by white writers. In our interview, Adam talks about his research, the major themes of this book, and the freakish popularity of black minstrelsy in the first half of the 20th century (including in Beacon). Photo credit: David Sampliner
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Ruth Danon, Poet and Literary Instigator
02/22/2024
Ruth Danon, Poet and Literary Instigator
Ruth Danon grew up on the grounds of a mental hospital where her mother was a psychiatrist and many neighbors were European immigrants fleeing the devastation of World War 2. She forged a winding literary path, publishing four poetry collections and developing a style of teaching that treats writing as a studio art. She moved to Beacon in 2020 and now teaches privately and curates literary events such as the Spring Street Reading Series at Atlas Studios in Newburh and the Beacon Lit Fest, In this interview Ruth talks about her life and reads a cluster of poems from her new collection, “Turn up the Heat.” Photo credit: Meredith Heuer
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Should we build vertically or protect the view? With council member Pam Wetherbee
02/06/2024
Should we build vertically or protect the view? With council member Pam Wetherbee
Pam Wetherbee grew up in Newburgh and moved to Beacon in 1986 for an almost unfathomable reason: affordability. In this episode, she talks about changes to Beacon in the 38 years since she moved here and her hopes for the city now. In this episode... Affordability. Pam also shares her perspective on housing affordability, including a recent study that found the city needs more of both lower income and luxury homes, but not necessarily middle-income homes. Can this be believed? Views. And, Pam wants to preserve views of Mount Beacon for as many residents as possible. “Looking at the mountain from Fishkill Avenue, to me it’s just a gem, and to lose that because we’ve built higher and blocked it? That needs to be considered.” Social services. How many people in Beacon are in need, but we don't know? Pam is concerned that older and poorer resident may be experiencing isolation and health risks, and she sees a role for the city in identifying and helping those in need. Want to support local media? . This episode was recorded and edited by Beacon AV Lab. Photo courtesy of Michael Isabell. to hear past episodes, subscribe to our newsletter and more.
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Confronting Beacon's housing crunch, with Ward 1 council member Molly Rhodes
01/12/2024
Confronting Beacon's housing crunch, with Ward 1 council member Molly Rhodes
As she kicks off her second term, Molly Rhodes comes on the podcast to discuss the major issues facing Beacon and her Ward. Molly grew up in New York City, the child of UK immigrants. Her first exposure to the Hudson Valley came when she was young and her family rented a house in Cornwall. This episode includes a lengthy discussion of the Fishkill Avenue Corridor zoning process, which could have a huge impact on Beacon's future building stock.
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Art, archeology, and the 'neolithic package,' with Greg Slick
12/06/2023
Art, archeology, and the 'neolithic package,' with Greg Slick
Greg Slick is an artist whose work reflects a fascination with late stone age art. In this interview he shares childhood memories of neolithic ruins and how their “muteness” provided fodder for his creative practice. Greg also shares memories of Beacon’s gallery scene in the years after Dia:Beacon opened and assesses the Hudson Valley art scene today. Greg was the co-owner of a celebrated gallery, Go North (2006-2009), and his wife Karlyn Benson operated her own gallery, Matteawan (2013-2018). Learn more about Greg and his art at his .
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Zandy Mangold, ultrarunner and coach
10/28/2023
Zandy Mangold, ultrarunner and coach
Zandy Mangold is an ultramarathon runner, running coach and high-spirited guy who has completed — and in some cases won — some of the world's toughest endurance races. Zandy shares experiences running the Spartathlon (153 miles), Western States (100 miles), Badwater (135 miles) and the Atacama Crossing (155 miles). In his coaching life, Zandy works with people of all ability levels at any stage of their running journey. On the side, he has a business baking plant-based cookies. Even if you aren’t an endurance athlete, you’re likely to gain something from this episode and be drawn in by Zandy’s worldview. Zandy is organizing a 10K race in association with the upcoming Beacon Bonfire festival on Nov 4-5. The Beacon Bonfireball 10K will take place the morning of Nov 4 and is sure to be a great excursion for both competitive and casual runners. Find the registration link at
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Episode 100! With Beacon High School principal Corey Dwyer
10/04/2023
Episode 100! With Beacon High School principal Corey Dwyer
Corey Dwyer has just started his second full school year as principal at Beacon High School. Corey attended BHS himself and has an interesting story to tell about his journey as an educator and administrator. In this interview he talks about many facets of the high school experience - including academics, clubs & extra-curriculars, mental health support, college advisory services and more. Corey has a hearing impairment and has worn hearing aids most of his life, and I think this makes him a great leadership figure in particular for students who may face physical and other challenges as they try to learn, make friends and speak up for themselves in a big school of 850 students. Thanks to for sponsoring this episode of Beaconites. Check out their Factory Sale on Oct 7-8. This episode was recorded and edited by Beacon AV Lab. Photo of Corey by Michael Isabell. Our deepest thanks to all the Beaconites listeners, guests and other supporters who have helped us get to 100 episodes.
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Soon Is Now, with Eve Morgenstern and Gary Hilderbrand
09/20/2023
Soon Is Now, with Eve Morgenstern and Gary Hilderbrand
Eve Morgenstern is the founder of the Soon Is Now festival, taking place Saturday September 23 at Scenic Hudson’s Long Dock Park. Gary Hilderbrand is a renowned landscape architect and founding partner of Reed Hilderbrand, which oversaw the design and construction of the park. In this episode, Gary, who grew up in Wappingers Falls and whose dad worked at the Nabisco box plant, shares memories of Beacon's waterfront from the 1960s and 1970s. And Eve and Gary talk about how artists, landscape architects and others are responding to the environmental violence wrought by climate change. For more on Soon Is Now and how to experience this immersive day of climate change and eco-themed performance and art, visit
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George Mansfield moves on from Dogwood and city council
09/07/2023
George Mansfield moves on from Dogwood and city council
George talks about his decision to sell Dogwood to Brendan McAlpine nearly 11 years after opening the bar. Going forward, George plans to spend more time making art and focus on his other two ventures: Quinns and Untouchable (a new bar set to open in Newburgh), both in partnership with Tom and Yukie Schmitz. He also discusses his seven terms on city council, his proudest achievements and the work that remains to be done. Dogwood's closing weekend (September 16-17) will feature upwards of 35 bands. Be there!
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Twenty years of change, with Beacon beat reporter Jeff Simms
08/22/2023
Twenty years of change, with Beacon beat reporter Jeff Simms
The Highlands Current recently published a series of features on the profound changes to Beacon, including demographic shifts, surging tax revenues, crime and policing, spiraling housing costs and other aspects of civic life. The package culminated in a conversation between Beacon's four living mayors: Clara Lou Gould (Beacon's Moses), Steve Gold (the recession mayor), Randy Casale (our first ever guest on this podcast) and current mayor Lee Kyriacou. To recap that coverage and share his perspective on all the dizzying changes to our city, we're glad to welcome reporter Jeff Simms back to the podcast. Jeff has attended more council, planning board, zoning board of appeals and school board meetings than perhaps any other resident and shares his informed perspective on current city business and the forces that will shape Beacon in years to come.
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A passion for movement, with Calli Rothberg
07/31/2023
A passion for movement, with Calli Rothberg
Calli Rothberg is the owner of Passion - The Adult Dance Studio on Main Street. Calli grew up in Beacon as part of a big family. When the pandemic hit, she and all her siblings moved home to Beacon, living again in the house where they all grew up (which happens to be the second oldest home in Beacon, after the Madam Brett homestead). This disruption of her life led to a period of soul searching that in turn inspired her to open her studio in early 2022.
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Singer-songwriter Noga Cabo
06/27/2023
Singer-songwriter Noga Cabo
Noga Cabo is a talented songwriter and guitarist who grew up in a family of dedicated musicians. She has been writing songs since she was a young child, and still collaborates musically with her brothers Adam and Zohar and her mother Dassi. Her music straddles the line between folk and jazz. Noga released her first single “Catch Me,” in June and will release her debut EP “Lady Sun” in July. Her upcoming performances include an EP release show on Sunday June 30 at the Howland Cultural Center. Learn more about Noga and hear her music at and on .
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Building a pollinator highway through Beacon, with One Nature’s Blair Patterson
06/21/2023
Building a pollinator highway through Beacon, with One Nature’s Blair Patterson
On the surface, One Nature is a landscape design business and nursery, but that doesn’t fully describe it. Its real work, as you’ll hear in this interview with Blair Patterson, is the engineering of outdoor spaces that build community and biodiversity. Blair started working at One Nature in 2016 as a temporary nursery hand after deciding that her career in metal fabrication was not worth the physical toll. In the years since she joined, One Nature has designed more than 100 gardens in Beacon, helping to create an interlinked network of pollinator friendly zones full of native plants. And its public projects in Beacon, Newburgh and surrounding areas have brought people together. In this episode she describes some of One Nature’s projects, and shares simple things listeners can do to create habitat in Beacon and the Hudson Valley. Learn more about One Nature at . Follow them on Instagram at . Photo credit: Michael Isabell
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Building a climate movement in Beacon, with Thomas Wright and Erin Ashoka
05/30/2023
Building a climate movement in Beacon, with Thomas Wright and Erin Ashoka
In March, Beacon's city council passed an that will eliminate the use of gas hookups in new construction. Thomas Wright and Erin Ashoka, two founders of Beacon Climate Action Now, discuss how this legislation came to pass and what it will mean for the city. They also share BCAN’s mission and talk about which sustainability issues theroup plans to tackle next. After recording this interview, NY state passed similar legislation taking effect in 2026 so this interview offers a nice overview not only for what the law means for Beaconites but also for residents across the state. Learn more about electrification at . Want to get involved with BCAN? Visit their website at and follow them on Instagram at .
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George Atkinson, 96-year-old lifelong Beaconite
05/03/2023
George Atkinson, 96-year-old lifelong Beaconite
George Atkinson still lives in the same house on Locust Place where he was born in 1927. In this episode he shares memories and historical anecdotes spanning nine decades, recounting the city’s changes through the Great Depression, World War 2, the economic doldrums of the 70s and 80s, and eventual renaissance. George talks about the factories that employed his father and brothers, two plane crashes on Mt. Beacon that shocked city residents, how it felt to ride the old incline railway and more. And he grapples with the meaning of “progress” as Beacon absorbs new residents and revenues. A must-listen for any fan of local history.
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Chocolatier Håkan Mårtensson (Interviewed by Alana Semuels)
04/04/2023
Chocolatier Håkan Mårtensson (Interviewed by Alana Semuels)
Håkan Mårtensson is a Sweden-born confectioner and pastry chef who opened his Beacon storefront Håkan in 2021. At age 15, Håkan (pronounced Ho-kan) enrolled in the Culinary Institute in Kristianstad, Sweden. At 22, he was recruited as a sculptor on the Swedish National Culinary Team. Despite competing against chefs with decades of experience, Håkan brought home gold medals from the World Cup in Luxembourg, and the Culinary Olympics in Erfurt. He moved to Beacon by way of New York City, where he was master chocolatier at FIKA NYC before that company went under. In this interview Håkan talks about his culinary philosophy and what he’s trying to accomplish with his Beacon storefront. Evident throughout the episode are his incredible work ethic and deep love of chocolate. Håkan is interviewed by Alana Semuels, a journalist from Boston who spent more than a decade as a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times and then The Atlantic. She is now senior economics correspondent at TIME magazine. She’s done podcasting work for Marketplace and Planet Money, and has co-hosted NPR's The Indicator, sometimes recording audio from the closet of the Beacon house she is renting. She moved to Beacon with her husband and toddler in summer 2022 from San Francisco. Thank you to Alana for leading this interview!
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The life of Harry Van Tine, with Diane Lapis
03/21/2023
The life of Harry Van Tine, with Diane Lapis
Diane 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 for more stories, photos, and upcoming events. The historical society is open to the public Thursdays.
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Helping queer youth and other people, with Kk Naimool
02/21/2023
Helping queer youth and other people, with Kk Naimool
Kk Naimool was born in Trinidad and Tobago and followed a winding path to Beacon. Kk, who uses all pronouns, has worked closely with Newburgh's LGBTQ Center and the Cornwall school district to support gay and trans people. She is also on Beacon's Human Rights Commission and helped found a consulting group called that works with mutual aid pods and other community nonprofits. “Wherever you start is a good place to start,” Kk says in this surprisingly hilarious interview.
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Barnaby! With Mimi Sun Longo and Mike Rasimas
02/04/2023
Barnaby! With Mimi Sun Longo and Mike Rasimas
Mimi and Mike, two members of rock trio Barnaby!, talk about the band’s formation, how its sound has evolved and what it means to live a life dedicated to music. Sadly missing from this interview is bassist Harrison Cannon, who was out of town on the day we recorded. Follow and listen to Barnaby!: , and . Live show: Catch Barbaby! at Boughton Place in New Paltz on Saturday, February 11. Thanks for listening. Please share this episode with someone who might enjoy it. And to receive occasional email newsletters about Beacon and the people who live here. Photo by Michael Isabell.
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Beacon in 2023, With Mayor Lee Kyriacou
01/19/2023
Beacon in 2023, With Mayor Lee Kyriacou
In this "state of the city" episode, Beacon's senior-most elected official offers a preview of key issues that are bubbling up this year. The interview is broadly grouped into four areas: affordability, sustainability, infrastructure and community. Additionally, Lee discusses the house fire at George Washington's head; his interactions with a younger, more progressive city council; proposals to ban or restrict gas hook-ups; a major roads project that will replace Teller Ave and Route 52 all the way to the Fishkill border; prospects for a community center; the ghost bridge at Madam Brett Park and more. And as a bonus for those who listen to the end, the mayor announces whether he'll run for re-election this year. Thanks for listening. Please share this episode with someone who might enjoy it. And to receive occasional email newsletters about Beacon and the people who live here.
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Donna Minkowitz, Queer Activist and Multiple Memoirist
01/10/2023
Donna Minkowitz, Queer Activist and Multiple Memoirist
Donna Minkowitz is a journalist, activist and memoirist who has written extensively about LGBTQ politics and culture. She covered gay issues and AIDS activism for The Village Voice from the late 1980s through the mid-1990s. In her book “Ferocious Romance: What My Encounters With the Right Taught Me About Sex, God, and Fury,” she describes how she went undercover as a 16 year old christian evangelical boy to investigate Focus on the Family and other anti-gay groups on the Christian Right and surprisingly found she had a lot in common with them. Donna was a lifelong resident of New York City before moving to Beacon a number of years ago. Episode recorded at . Photography by . Hear more interviews and sign up for our newsletter at .
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Emily Murnane Channels Eliza Howland
12/07/2022
Emily Murnane Channels Eliza Howland
Eliza Woolsey Howland was a Civil War nurse, philanthropist and historical writer who was a member of the upper crust in Beacon during the middle of the 19th century. Among other contributions to the city, she co-founded the Howland Library, which celebrated its 150th anniversary this year. In honor of that anniversary, historian Emily Murnane comes on the podcast to talk about Eliza’s life and legacy in this community. Emily is a lifelong Beaconite who has worked as a teacher, gardener and historical reenactor, among other things. She portrayed Eliza in a recent presentation at the Howland Cultural Center. For that event she wore formal period garb and adorned the stage with historically significant props while guiding her audience through the life of this fascinating nurse and benefactor. Episode recorded at . Photography by . Hear more interviews and sign up for our newsletter at .
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The Beacon Bonfire Festival, With Jeremy Schonfeld
10/26/2022
The Beacon Bonfire Festival, With Jeremy Schonfeld
The Beacon Bonfire music & arts festival is coming up on Friday Nov 4 & Saturday Nov 5. This is a citywide event featuring upwards of 100 performers at venues across the city. This week's episode features Jeremy Schonfeld, one of the festival’s organizers and an accomplished musician and composer. Jeremy grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, the child and grandchild of holocaust survivors, and made his way to NYC as a young man before moving to Beacon with his family. To learn more and buy your pass, visit BeaconBonfire.com and follow the festival on Instagram. The handle is Beacon Bonfire.
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Documentary Filmmaker Anne Alvergue
10/13/2022
Documentary Filmmaker Anne Alvergue
Anne Alvergue’s film The Martha Mitchell Effect, now streaming on Netflix, a funny and fascinating documentary centered on the wife of Nixon attorney general John Mitchell. In this episode Anne describes how she got into non-fiction TV and film and how Nixon-era politics connects to our current discourse. Plus: Craig House anecdotes, Beacon's filmmaking community.
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Julie Shiroishi Wants More Than Your Vote
09/03/2022
Julie Shiroishi Wants More Than Your Vote
Julie Shiroishi is running to represent New York’s newly created 39th Senate District. Dismayed by the 2016 election outcome, Julie began attending meetings of the Beacon Democrats and quickly rose through the ranks in Dutchess County progressive politics, volunteering her time to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot. In this episode she tells her story and makes an appeal for more community involvement in the electoral process.
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Mountain Running, With Greg Buzulencia
08/18/2022
Mountain Running, With Greg Buzulencia
Greg Buzulencia is a backcountry skier and trail runner who has explored wild places around the world. He’s also a startup founder who runs a travel company called ViaHero. In this episode, Greg tells the story of an alpine skiing expedition outside Tehran and offers advice for those curious about the trail running experience in the Hudson Highlands.
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Interdisciplinary Artist Steve Rossi
07/23/2022
Interdisciplinary Artist Steve Rossi
Steve Rossi is an interdisciplinary artist and the sculpture program head at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. Among other topics, we talk about Steve’s time at the Tallix art foundry in Beacon, a fine art metal fabrication business that was one of this city’s last connections to its industrial past before it merged with Polich Art Works and moved away in 2006. Steve established the scuplture program at St. Joseph's with the goal of building hooks into other departments. And Steve has brought digital fabrication technologies like 3D printing, laser cutting, and digital rendering into the curriculum there. Listeners to this episode may want to follow along on steve’s website at steverossisculpture.com
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Talking Trash (And Composting) With Amber Grant
06/30/2022
Talking Trash (And Composting) With Amber Grant
Amber Grant is a two-term former city council person and an advocate for local sustainability initiatives. We talk about Beacon's trash and waste streams, and we learn more about a new citywide composting pilot program that's giving Beaconites access to subsidized compost bins and new dropoff sites that will accept things you probably don’t want to throw in your backyard - including bones, dairy and meat.
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