Beacon Dispatch

Book Review: The $64 Tomato

How One Man Nearly Lost His Sanity, Spent a Fortune,and Endured an Existential Crisis in the Quest for the Perfect Garden

by Meredith Heuer

I opened William Alexander’s $64 Tomato reluctantly.  After finally purchasing my first home, I was about to achieve my long held dream of having my own little patch and I was afraid that this garden memoir that concludes how incredibly unprofitable a home garden can be would squash some of my enthusiasm.  On the other hand, I had to know.  My desire to grow my own food was for purely financial reasons; I liked the idea of growing organic, watching the whole process and being able to teach my son where food comes from, but I certainly wasn’t going to complain if it saved me a few dollars along the way.  Both afraid and intrigued, I took a peak.

Book Reading Tonight

At 7:30, World’s End Books & Music & chThonic Clash Coffeehouse are hosting Four Hudson Valley Writers reading and talking about selected short fiction from their book, PRIMA MATERIA, Vol 3, Stories We Tell Ourselves: Writings from the Hudson Valley.

Juicy Hosts Monthly Book Club

This just arrived in my Inbox, and it sounds pretty interesting. (In the interests of full disclosure, I'm working with some friends on a new publication for Beacon, which includes the Community Calendar.)

"A few words about the book club that gathers at Juicy.  It was launched by C.J. of Allagash (some of you may remember it).  After Allagash had closed, we migrated to Juicy at 502 Main Street, where the book club is still alive and well.  Our next meeting is on May 20, the book is Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake.  I realize that it may be too late for this month, but for those of you who are interested in joining in the future, here is the info. 

We usually meet monthly, on a 3rd Thursday around 7:15.  To give you an idea of what we have been reading and discussing, here is a few of the books from the past months: Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran, Journey by Moonlight by Antal Szerb, A Cool Million by Nathaniel West, Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee, Tishomingo Blues by Elmore Leonard, and Soul Mountain by Gao Xingjian. 

If you are interested, stop by Juicy to find out what our read is for June.   You are welcome to join us next Thursday, May 20 at 7:15.  Also, I will be updating the book club info in the newly created Beacon Community Calendar, which will be a great help in our growing and happening community.  Hope to see you if not next week, then next month. "

Personal Diary Recovered

It's nice to know that in this age of Homeland Security, you can still count on the kindness of strangers. In order to return the personal diary (see below) we found at the train station, we had to do some detective work. Turns out Jaimie's chiropractor works out of Fishkill. Anouk called his office, told the receptionist that we had the diary of a patient of theirs, and left our contact info. The receptionist promised to call Jaimie, and forward out info. Well, she did just that, and this story has a happy ending. Jaimie called us a few days ago and left her address so we could return her diary. She seemed embarrassed, but grateful. Jaimie, your diary is in the mail...

Found: The Personal Diary of Jaimie Phillips

Last night, as Anouk was waiting for me to arrive at the station, she spotted a couple dashing for the NY-bound train. They were in such a hurry, the woman hadn't properly closed her bag, and some of her belongings spilled out. They recovered her water bottle, but didn't notice the small, black book that was left behind. Anouk, being the good samaritan, picked up the book, but couldn't run after them with our two kids in the car. When I got in the car, Anouk showed me the book, and it turned out the be the woman's personal diary. As there is no return address or ID inside the cover of the diary, we've had to do a bit of detective work to find out who she is, so we can return it to her. (She must be going mad right now wondering who found it.) We've been able to learn that it belongs to Jaimie Phillips, and we think she lives in Beacon, or at least near by. And she's quite a talented photographer. Jaimie, if you're out there, send me your address and we'll send you your diary as soon as we hear from you...

Rip Van Winkle Slept Here

As we were leaving the I-84 Diner today, I noticed a Rip Van Winkle postcard by the cash register. Turns out old Mr. Van Winkle slumbered right here in the Hudson Highlands, and the wood folk he encountered are native to this area. Which reminds me, it's been too long since I've picked up a Washington Irving novel. Make that the first goal of a warm afternoon in Spring: hiking to a secluded spot in the Highlands where I can enjoy a good read overlooking the Hudson River. Merry Christmas, everyone. Hope Santa brings lots of good cheer this year...

CORRECTION: As pointed out by kiphart, Washington Irving clearly mentions the "Kaatskill Mountains" in "Rip Van Winkle," not the Hudson Highlands. That's the last time I rely on facts from a truckstop postcard...

Illustration by Arthur Rackham