Author Archive
Actually, this is not a railroad story. It is about a grass-roots community organization that runs a railroad. A real one, as you can see for yourself in this film about one of their seasonal theme rides, The Polar Express.
Enjoy!
A fun way to get some fresh air, some good food, and get to know a local farmer — visit a local farm! Here, at Rocky Reef Farm, the public is welcome to enjoy the bounty of the Hudson Valley. There are many local farms in our area to visit and Hudson Valley Grows…
One of the best things about this track is that it really is a park. You can sit under the trees on the side of a hill without being confined to a grand stand. Or you can get up close and mingle with all sorts and ages of cars and drivers. There are a few…
After a four-year run, the Wild Hive Farm, Store & Café Bakery closed. I made this film of its last night in order to preserve how its customers celebrated its contribution to the community. I could ramble on about how much this place meant to all of us, but I think the film shows it….
This is about the Howe family. And their farm. In 1939, Carolyn Howe got married. One of her wedding presents was a 16mm movie camera. She took pictures of life around her in Falls Village, Connecticut. http://shirson.com/pineplainsvideos/howe/firstshots.mp4 She became interested and started experimenting with color and composition. http://shirson.com/pineplainsvideos/howe/improving.mp4 There is no telling where her talents…
Every year the Stissing Mountain High School chapter of the Future Farmers of America runs an ag fair. I’ve filmed different parts of it before, but this year I pretty much stuck to the tractor-pulls and the barn where kids show cows. This year a new agricultural business introduced itself to the community: Dutch’s Spirits….
It’s time to shear the sheep! There are all sorts of signs of Spring, but I’ve picked this one to show: the annual sheep shearing on Black Sheep Hill farm. These American Black Welsh Mountain Sheep are special for many reasons not the least of which is that they decorate Route 83 right outside of…
I often drove by an old building on the outskirts of Pine Plains and wondered about what it used to be. It was by a mill pond so I naturally assumed it was some kind of abandoned water mill. One day, when I saw some activity going on around it (actually more underneath it) my…
3D printing. Not only will this will be coming on this website, but I am sure it will be coming into your life, too. This is a game-changer. Disruptive technology. The latest whatever. I had to see it for myself, so I went with Re>Think Local on visit to Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center at the State University of…
Burgers with the cows at Chaseholm Farm. The first in what I hope will be an on-going event. We had a great time, hung out with our favorite herd of cows, some old friends, and met new ones. If this farm looks at all familiar, perhaps you have seen it here on Pine Plains Views! You…
Our own Job Yacubian, of The Farmer’s Wife, changed roles and served up some music the other night at The Lantern in Wassaic and sat in with some of his pals from Martha’s Vineyard, The Rattleslacks, consisting of Shawn Barber, lead, and Josh Campbell and William Thomas Lawrence. Job can usually be found in the…
Here in northeast Dutchess County, it was dairy farms and we were the Milk Bottle of New York City. But the dairy farms closed and different animals were brought to graze our pastures — horses. Now we’re Horse Central. And along with the new animals came new people and traditions. And new trades. One of…
For the second year, Will Carter, of Pine Plains Fine Wines and Spirits, hosted a tasting of South African wines and food to raise money for the Pine Plains Food Pantry. We hope it becomes an annual tradition! [vimeo 100674627 w=900]
It was advertised as Dim Sum 101. Chef and caterer, Michael Chesloff, would be coming down from Hillsdale — it’s actually just up the road — to give a cooking class at Hammertown Barn. I love Chinese food anyway but the whole situation intrigued me. I asked if I could film it. The first dish was shao…
Seems like they had everything! Particularly, a large crowd on a sunny October day at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds.