Hudson Valley & Catskill Mountain Examiner

I just accepted for the position of Examiner for the Hudson Valley & Catskill Mountain region on Examiner.com. It is something I applied for over a year ago, but it just became available and LinkedIn thought I should apply. (Really – when I logged in to my account on LinkedIn there was a message that they had a job listing they thought I might be interested in!)

It couldn’t have come at a worse time. My client in NYC found about 50 “lost” cruise tour descriptions they needed me to write ASAP, Saugerties Pro Musica needs web work and programs for 2 concerts in the last half of February, the wife of the other baker at Hudson Valley Desserts is pregnant and due on February 16th (TOMORROW!) so work will be upside down, and the bookshop really, really needs my attention.

Nevertheless, on opportunity missed is an opportunity lost – I’ll write a few articles (at least 2-3 are expected) each week while juggling the rest of my obligations. But, if you don’t see me around as much you’ll know why!

All Bark & No Bite

This Valentine’s Day Say I LOVE YOU With Easy Homemade Chocolate Bark Candy

If you can boil water you can make this candy!

Chocolate is a traditional Valentine gift and it is easy, too! While the majority of women say they crave chocolate, many men do as well.  If your guy or gal is a chocoholic, Valentine’s Day is your opportunity to make something from the heart for your lover.

To see the recipe go to:

Valentine’s Day Easy Chocolate Bark Recipe

My chocolate bark with candy hearts

It was a two tagine Christmas.

Tagines seen here in and on my 110 yr old wood-fired cooking range – perfect for cooking!

It was a two tagine Christmas. I bought a brown 10 inch Spanish one (identified by a small steam vent on top) and received a blue 12 inch Tunisian one as a gift. What an embarrassment of riches! Included in the gift were 2 cookbooks and a selection of Moroccan spices. I’ve probably cooked 10 different meals in them already.

Simply put, tagines are covered cookware for use on a stove-top, similar in principle to a dutch oven, only they are conical in shape and made out of clay. Using olive oil and butter, I brown small pieces of meat, then stir in red onions and garlic until soft. Add a dried fruit, such as apricot, and some stock and seasonings and simmer covered until done. Served with rice, couscous, or flat bread, it is an easy way to prepare a complex dinner, and it only takes an hour or so. (Most of that is cooking time!)  Coriander, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and saffron are the diverse spices that combine with the other ingredients to create a delicious North African taste.   mmmmm I love it!

Hope Farm Press February 2012 NY Books Newsletter

Hope Farm Press February ’12 NY Books Newsletter

2011 February Vol XIV Issue II

New York State Books Newsletter

from Richard Frisbie of Hope Farm Press

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     FROM THE EDITOR

Strange “winter season” we’re having. I had a Great Blue Heron on my pond on Jan 25th! Granted, there was still much ice on it, but the Northern edge was clear and he walked along the shore looking for food the way he does all summer. I thought they migrated south … apparently some do, others don’t. Or, at least didn’t this year! Otherwise, it is a relief not to have to spend energy shoveling snow, or money on a snow plow cleaning of the driveway.

 Just so you know how I stay so busy – I volunteer my time as the chair of the Saugerties Village Historic Review Board overseeing a 28 year-old, 8 block National Historic Register District and the Waterfront Historic District. I’m also in charge of publicity and promotion for Saugerties Pro Musica (includes web work http://www.saugertiespromusica.org) and occasionally I’ll do design/editorial work for various not-for-profits in the community. That’s all for free.

To earn an income I’m contracted to one of the largest packagers of cruise destination tours, writing approximately 400 tour descriptions each year between waiting on customers while I sit at my desk in the bookshop.  Finally, I’m at the bakery (Hudson Valley Dessert Company) more than I’m in the bookshop.

But, the website, http://www.hopefarmbooks.com,  is open 24/7. I’ll try to be physically in the shop Weds 1-6 (or so) and after 2 pm other days, but it is a rough schedule, especially with my bakery hours. The books are still here (or on order) but I’m not. Please make the digital, virtual shop work as much as possible. Your patience with me is appreciated. Thank you!

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SALE! To celebrate the 4th anniversary of reprinting Picturesque Catskills by De Lisser, it is on sale for $19.95 – that’s $10 off the list price – the whole month of February. You’ll find it listed here:

http://www.hopefarmbooks.com/product_info.php/pName/picturesque-catskills-delisser-2007-edition

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NEW BOOKS

Portrait and Biographical Record of Orange County, New York – Chapman Publishing Company. “The time has arrived when it becomes the duty of the people of this county to perpetuate the names of their pioneers, to furnish a record of their early settlement, and relate the story of their progress.” So wrote the compilers of this huge undertaking, whose efforts have produced an extensive collection of over 1,100 biographical sketches of the residents of Orange County, New York, at the end of the nineteenth century. In 3 vols – 5½x8½, paper, new surname index, 1460 pp.  $112.00

 

Ranger: North American Frontier Soldier, Volume II

By Matt Wulff. Historians of Colonial North America, particularly the military conflicts of the 17th and 18th centuries, will enjoy this look at the development of Rangers in the military organizations of the English colonies and later the United States of America. With maps, illus., and photographs.  – $32.50

 

The Patriot War Along the New York-Canada Border Raiders and Rebels

During the Patriot War, fought between 1837 and 1842, hundreds of men on both sides of the New York-Canadian border took up arms to free Canada from supposed British tyranny. Infused with the Spirit of ’76 and inspired by the recent Texas revolution, they fought bravely in battles, skirmishes and attacks, including the November 1838 Battle of the Windmill. Many sacrificed their lives, while others became slave laborers of the British in Tasmania.  This book recalls the stories, triumphs and sacrifices of the brave on both sides of the border.  6 x 9 208 pages Over 60 Images  Paper $19.99

 

Wicked Mohawk Valley

By Daniel Webster. Would a decorated lawman risk his career for garden-fresh vegetables? What crime family terrorized chickens in two counties? What dastardly murder happened on Potato Hill Road? And why would anyone dare guzzle the “Creeping Death”? Be prepared to have these questions answered, and discover a dossier of some of the most notorious and unbelievable criminal cases in the history of the Mohawk Valley. From bootlegging to brothels to racketeering, local author Dennis Webster has collected the most thrilling stories of deception and mayhem within the Mohawk Valley. 6 x 9 128 pages 25 Images  Paper $19.99

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BACK IN PRINT

The Personalities of Melvin Hill Cemetery, Phelps, Ontario County, New York  $33.00

 

Otsego County New York Geographical and Historical: From the Earliest Settlement to the Present Time With County and Township Maps From Original Drawings $15.00

 

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Visit Hope Farm Press & Bookshop on facebook -

http://tinyurl.com/yzj498p

 

Well, that’s all for now. Thank you again for your indulgence and attention. To unsubscribe simply send me an e-mail from the address you are subscribed under with Unsubscribe in the Subject line.

Richard

  – -

Richard Frisbie

dba Hope Farm Press & Bookshop

15 Jane Street Saugerties NY 12477

http://www.hopefarm.com    hopefarm@hopefarm.com

Specializing in New York State Books since 1959

Secure & up-to-date shopping-cart http://www.hopefarmbooks.com

Follow me on twitter – http://www.twitter.com/richard_frisbie

Obama promotes Monsanto over organic farmers

On Tuesday, January 31st, in Foley Square, NYC at 9:00 am, there is a rally to support.family farmers who will enter a courtroom in Manhattan in the first phase of their landmark court case challenging Monsanto’s abusive patent infringement lawsuits against America’s family farmers. They seek to protect themselves from Monsanto’s unwanted genetic trespass of their crops, which exposes organic and non-GMO farmers to needless patent liability and frivolous lawsuits.

Recently, President Obama named past Monsanto Vice President Michael Taylor as Senior Advisor to the Commissioner at the FDA. Taylor is the same person who was Food Safety Czar at the FDA when Genetically Modified Organisms were allowed into the US food supply without undergoing a single test to determine their safety or risks. (Subsequent tests strongly question their safety)

I don’t know what to make of our President. It is two steps back for every one forward.

SNOW DAY!

A snow skiers will love – light and powdery – blankets the region. Firewood is in, rye bread is in the oven, (Thank you for the recipe, Chef Kevin Weeks) and black beans are in the slow cooker. All is right with the world. My kindle fire just downloaded Barbara Kingsolver’s “Food”, so there is something to read. When I tire of that I’ll watch Midnight in Paris. What a GREAT day! I love the chance to just kick back and enjoy an honest day off. Go to work? Can’t! It is beyond my control. Stay safe and warm everyone – and – if you have to drive, drive circumspectly.

Culinary Cruises Feature Sustainable Hudson Valley Agriculture

Today Empire Cruise Lines announced expansion of its culinary cruises featuring sustainable Hudson Valley agriculture.

After a successful 2011, carrying more than 3500 passengers from 40 states and more than 20 countries, Empire Cruise Lines is deepening its commitment to Hudson Valley sustainable agriculture and the tourism economy.

According to Captain Pyle, “2011 saw a tremendous desire on the part of the inbound tourism market to support local sustainable agriculture. As a veteran owned and family run business, we’re striving to strengthen the connection with local chefs who truly embrace the sustainable agriculture ethic in the City of Poughkeepsie and the Hudson Valley.”

“Empire Cruise Lines has a great partnership with Crave in Poughkeepsie. We want to expand our culinary options. One of our goals is to showcase Hudson Valley produce and culinary skills. With passengers coming from as far away as Asia and Australia, it can be very challenging to find a chef who can do this.”

Captain Pyle’s travels around the region lead him right back to the City Of Poughkeepsie for a surprising and very informative contact with Erik Morabito, a Poughkeepsie native who established Café Bocca in the Mount Carmel section of the city.

“When I went to Café Bocca I noticed that people were frequently stopping in with vegetables and produce directly from the farm.” According to Capt. Pyle, “This direct connection to the farmer is what we are looking for in our dinner and lunch cruises. The chef’s commitment to utilizing local produce, and Café Bocca’s demonstrated flexibility are what we are looking for, so we approached the chef to see if he would be interested in working with us.”

According to Erik Morabito, the owner of Café Bocca, “Word of mouth has always been regarded as the best form of advertising.” This proved to be true since it was Mary Kay Vrba, the Director of Dutchess Tourism, who first made the connection between Empire Cruise Lines and Café Bocca.

“The partnership between the two businesses seemed like a natural fit” said Ms. Vrba. “Café Bocca is a restaurant close to the Poughkeepsie waterfront that promotes local farm fresh foods. Combining Café Bocca with a cruise on the river allows Dutchess County visitors to enjoy the beauty of the river and the taste of the Hudson Valley.”

The 60 foot, double-decked passenger vessel cruises the Hudson River May through October from the City of Poughkeepsie’s Waryes Park, 29 North Water Street. Visit  www.empirecruiselines or contact 866-797-9024 for more information.

 

 

Stephenie R Pyle, General Manager

Empire Cruise Lines

Email stephenie@empirecruiselines.com

www.empirecruiselines.com