A Word from the Co-Publisher

Exciting news for the fall is the debut of AboutTown’s co-publisher and editorial director Paul De Angelis’s new book, Dear Mrs. Kennedy, The World Shares Its Grief Letters November 1963. It is a collection of letters sent to Jacqueline Kennedy following the assassination of her husband. The letters which have been stored in the Kennedy Library for almost 50 years are echoes of the extraordinary emotion felt by people the world over, from world leader to school children. Reading them reminded me of the heartbreak and horror I felt at age 13 upon hearing of JFK’s death. Paul’s love of history, background in the NY book world and his exquisite ability to see the story behind the letters makes it an absolute treasure. Two local book signings are scheduled, one at Oblong books in Rhinebeck and another at the Cornwall library in Cornwall Ct. For more information visit pauldeangelisbooks.com.

This fall, also check out AboutTown’s Sports Blog, also making its first appearance. Welcome Quinn O’Callaghan, who will follow local sports and update the blog on a regular basis. Scores, information on local sports personalities, and interesting facts will be featured. Look for it at blogs.abouttown.us/sports/. To become a sponsor or run an ad, contact Gail J. Bennek at 758-3616 or gail@abouttown.us.

New businesses seem to be sprouting up in the area. Is this a reason to be optimistic? In Red Hook alone there is Me-Oh-My Pie Shop and Café which has scrumptiously delicious pies, for the treasure hunter looking for zany clothes, curios and good conversation check out the newest secondhand shop called Karma, and Mondello Real estate has opened a new office in the center of town, which in addition to being a real estate office has a revolving art show. On Rt. 9 between Red Hook and Rhinebeck is the beautifully decorated O’Leary’s restaurant, well worth a visit for lunch or dinner. On route 9 in Clermont the Friday Clermont Country Farmers’ Market is a wonderful addition to the area for fresh, local produce and more. As for Rhinebeck don’t miss Kimberly’s crepes at the farmers market and visit the new eclectic Zen Dog Café which rumor has it is the place to eat, hear music, and enjoy a beer or glass of wine.

—Gail

Guest Artist
Lisa Keskinen, an architect by training, draws on traditional techniques of drafting and model making, and also a love of a wide variety of artistic media. She writes: “A visit to my studio may reveal undulating constructions of wood and metal, an Alice-in-Wonderland trip through a scale model sculpture park, experiments in paint and color that prompt the question, ‘Is this really flat?’ and unique household items that shout, ‘Just say yes to whimsy!’” Lisa lives in Cornwall, Connecticut. She can be contacted at lisakeskinen.com.