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MAINstreet
COMPLIMENTARY | NOVEMBER 2021
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MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 3
editor’s note & content
NOVEMBER 2021
MAINstreet
COMPLIMENTARY | NOVEMBER 2021
TO ALL OF THE ARTISTS…
The biggest artist of all: Mother Nature
As has been our way for a few years herself. We devote this issue to the art-
now, our November issue is devoted M A G A Z I N E ists in our lives.
to all of the artists out there. And we
brush the “artist” subject with a broad Cover photo by
stroke, because art is a very subjective Olivia Valentine
term. This conversation was one that
we often had when I was in college. I
was in the Graphic Design program,
Art
which was within the Art School, but
the “other” artists in the Art School felt
that us graphic designers didn’t be- The
long. We were “sell outs” because our
Design
“art” was being crafted for a client – a
job – a price. Of course some of their and
paintings, sculptures, and what-have-
you, were being commissioned – and
so on and on went the conversation.
But this exchange goes to the core of issue
defining who an artist is and what art
itself is. Do you view an artist solely as
being a painter? A sculptor? Or how
about a knitter, or a blacksmith, or a
photographer? In my mind’s eye, they
are all artists, as are so many others. CONTENTS
For me, anyone who is “creating” could
be dubbed an artist. Why not? And it 6| STORYTELLING WITHOUT WORDS 32 | GETTING (MORE) SOCIAL ON
is with that mindset that we approach artist profile MAIN STREET
our “Art & Design” issue every Novem-
ber. We are not solely examining “fine 9| FRIENDLY FACES 39 | FORGING WILD IRON
artists” but we are profiling artists who william troubridge, blacksmith
are creators. 11 | AMENIA’S NEW TENT
With all of that said, this issue is quite entrepreneur feature 43 | ROBBIE COOPER SPARKS YOUTH
diverse from sharing the work of inte- MOVEMENT IN SHEFFIELD
rior designers, photographers turned 15 | CARAMEL CORN
brewers (artists are always creating), to baking 49 | OF MAGIC AND MEMORIES AND GIFTS
blacksmiths, even our political profile is the stissing center, pine plains, ny
of a man who is helping to create new 17 | TOP 5 REASONS WHY HOUSES
visions and pathways for the commu- DON’T SELL QUICKLY 53 | A WINE STORE YOU CAN SINK
nity that he represents. Whether you real estate YOUR TEETH INTO
consider yourself an art aficionado or
not, we can all appreciate artistry that 21 | BUILDING AND HEALING 57 | HELP WANTED
we find all around us. The architecture COMMUNITY THROUGH ARTS
and design of the house that you live in, 61 | BUSINESS SNAPSHOTS
the furniture and keepsakes that make 23 | ROCK SOLID sugar hill farm, llc.
up your home and help define who you soyork photography
are – those were all imagined and cre- 27 | IN GOOD TIMES equis art gallery
ated by someone. Your automobile was willey design, llc.
designed and created by a team of vi- 31 | CREATIVITY IN THE HUDSON
sionaries, designers, and engineers. VALLEY 62 | MONTHLY ADVICE COLUMNS
Take a look at this very magazine
that you are flipping through now: ev-
erything that you see (and don’t see or PUBLISHER, EDITOR, ADVERTISING, WRITING, PHOTOGRAPHY, & OTHER DUTIES
notice) is a design element that makes Thorunn Kristjansdottir publisher, editor-in-chief, designer, etc.
this magazine what it is. I had to com- Ashley Kristjansson & Griffin Cooper directors of advertising.
Contributing writers: Betsy Maury | CB Wismar | Christine Bates | Lindsey Clark | Lisa LaMonica |
bine conscious thought and feel the in-
Dominique De Vito | Griffin Cooper | Ian Strever | John Torsiello | Joseph Montebello |
spiration within me to choose the size, Mary B. O’Neill | Olivia Valentine & Caroline Markonic | Regina Molaro
colors, fonts, white space, and layouts Assistant proof-reader: Pom Shillingford. Photographers: Lazlo Gyorsok & Olivia Valentine.
that fit each page. These are all de-
sign elements, and part of my artistry. ADVERTISING
I may not be able to paint like Vincent Ashley Kristjansson & Griffin Cooper call 518 592 1135 or email info@mainstreetmag.com
van Gogh or take photos like Annie Lei-
bovitz or mold clay masterpieces like CONTACT
Office 52 Main Street, Millerton, NY 12546 • Mailing address PO Box 165, Ancramdale, NY 12503
Kathy Wismar, but these pages that
Phone 518 592 1135 • Email info@mainstreetmag.com • Website www.mainstreetmag.com
you’re flipping through – they are my
artistry. And with that said, we implore PRINT, LEGAL, ACCOUNTING, & INSURANCE
you to take a minute to enjoy all of the Printed by Snyder Printer, Inc. • Legally represented by Davis & Trotta Law Offices
artistry that surrounds you and your Accounting services by Pattison, Koskey, Howe & Bucci CPAS • Insured by Kneller Insurance Agency
life. We hope you enjoy the “Art & De- Main Street Magazine is a monthly publication, coming out on or around the 1st of the month. It is published by Main Street Magazine, LLC. Main Street Magazine is
sign” issue. not responsible for advertising errors whereas all ads receive final approval by the advertiser. Advertisers are legally responsible for the content and claims that are
made in their ads. Main Street Magazine reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. The entire contents of Main Street Magazine are copyrighted and may
not be reproduced without permission. All rights reserved. The views expressed in the articles herein reflect the author(s) opinions and are not necessarily the views
of the publisher/editor.
– Thorunn Kristjansdottir
4 MAIN STREET MAGAZINE
MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 5
artist profile
Storytelling
By CB Wismar
info@mainstreetmag.com
Amber Maida does not simply enter If that fusion of heritage and
a room. Fully aware of her surround- awareness appears complex, then
without words
ings and sensitive to the energy found viewing her work, currently on display
there, she moves like the dancer she at the Souterrain Gallery in West
was trained to be. As an artist, her Cornwall, CT, creates a powerful at-
work is fully reflective of her spiritual traction for the viewer that unifies the
and physical journeys, the triumph experience. Bianka Langner-Griggs
she had over what could have been who with her husband, Richard
ARTIST PROFILE: AMBER MAIDA debilitating disease and an intense Griggs owns the gallery said of Am-
connection with her Native American ber’s work, “These primarily abstract
heritage. artworks give life to found and
discarded objects that are both rich
The rhythm of routine in symbolism and texture.” The solo
“My work begins with a spiritual exhibit, quizzically named Oubliette,
ritual of Chi-cultivation, grounding will be on display through Sunday,
me deeply into the earth; embody- November 21. The French word
ing its energy and guiding my hands describes a dungeon accessible only
like a dance, while simultaneously through an entrance at the top.
building the story that connects with
the practices of my Native American In the eye of the beholder
ancestors.” “Not everyone sees my work in the
Every day spent in her studio same way,” she readily admits. “Indi-
begins with ritual that gives her focus viduals bring their own experience to
and allows her to honor both the the visual conversation, which allows
space and her work. “I use white sage me to speak loudly without words.”
to purify and follow that with burning The wordless storytelling invites view-
of palo santo woods. I meditate. Then ers to enter the artist’s experience and
I can begin to allow the work to truly judge for themselves the meaning and
begin. This symbolic connection with emotion presented.
my heritage charges the canvas with Raised in Buffalo, NY, Amber
positive energy, preserving a storied toured as a young dancer and met
past.” her husband Pete along the way. His
parents owned the Stratford (CT)
Performing Arts Academy where,
some years later, Amber would teach
after cross-country moves brought
6 MAIN STREET MAGAZINE
artist profile
the two of them back to Connecticut, heavily impacted many lives by caus-
eventually settling in Warren near ing months of confinement and isola-
Lake Waramaug. tion. “I used that time to dig deeper
“I was diagnosed with a serious into the spiritual nature of my work,”
lung tumor which required surgery she affirms. The resulting creative
and prompted us to move to the drier output draws heavily from nature,
air of Southern California.” For five presents gently complex images that
years, she honed her artistry while she are both soothing and challenging.
healed and regained the strength to “There are at least 20 layers in each
work in both painting and dance. of my pieces. Although I work on
The intersection of music, dance, several pieces at the same time, it can
and painting allowed her to build a take me a year and a half to finish a
performance experience that had her canvas.” Woven into each piece can
working to music – both recorded be a wide variety of elements drawn
and live. “As a dancer, I learned early from Amber’s surroundings – graph-
on that performance is fluid and ite, charcoal, coffee, found objects,
constant. A dancer does not appear rope, dried flowers, roots, egg shells,
on stage, then begin to dance, simply maple seedlings, antique papers, and journey through the performing and
exiting when she has completed her gractured glass – incorporated into healing arts in her art making.”
performance. When you are on stage, base applications of encaustic, silicone Maida’s work has been included in
there is never a moment when you and various paints. juried and group exhibitions at mu-
are not performing. That complete The results of Amber’s abstract seums and galleries ranging from The
experience is something I can reflect work have been celebrated in gallery New Britain Museum of American
in my work.” and museum shows across the country Art and The Housatonic Museum of
and in Europe. Widely collected, she Art in Bridgeport, CT, to Theartbay
Reflections of the current age has enjoyed reviews that recognize Gallery in Staffordshire, England, and
Entrances and Exits, a solo show of her the inherent spirituality of her work the Bunny Gunner Gallery in Clare-
work that appeared at The Mattatuck and the way her visual and tactile mont, CA.
Museum seemed to presage the emo- engagement is reflected in the final Amber Maida’s Oubliette is on
tional turmoil of the past two years pieces. Delicate sculptures made of display at Souterrain Gallery, 413
as America was dragged into a global paper thin clay combined with found Sharon Goshen Turnpike in the center
pandemic that witnessed far too many objects from nature are a three-dimen- of West Cornwall, CT. Gallery hours
exits that were the result of unwanted sional mirroring of her paintings and are Thursday through Sunday, 11am
entrances. “I had to be very careful,” assemblies. to 5pm. • Above, top to bot-
tom: Path Ablaze.
Amber affirms. “With my history of The artist, Amber
serious illness in my lungs, we had to Life blended with art For more of Amber Maida’s work, visit Maida. Left: The
be very, very cautious.” The pandemic When Maida’s work was on display her website www.ambermaida.com. Story Unfolds. Op-
Are you an artist and interested in being posite page, top:
at Serendipity Gallery in Litchfield, Above, Below. All
featured in Main Street Magazine? Send
CT, the curation notes highlighted images courtesy of
a brief bio, artist’s statement, and a link Amber Maida.
the intricate relationship between her to your work through the arts form on our
spiritual journey and her work. “Am- “arts” page on our website.
ber’s path through healing has had a
tremendous impact on the creative
process which involves infusing the
work with meditative and positive
prayer practices in hopes the paintings
mirror the positivity and hope back
to the viewer. Formerly a Connecticut
dance teacher and Licensed Massage
Therapist, Amber incorporates her
MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 7
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friendly faces
friendly faces: meet our neighbors, visitors and friends
The Hair Lounge’s Tarah Kennedy is a hairdresser that Stanford, NY, Citizen of the Year Ed Zick is a 30-year Millerton, NY, resident Vemilo Evergreen is a 24-year-
specializes in hair color and has been doing hair for over member of the Stanford Fire Company and a true leader old artist who has embraced his old soul and desires to
25 years. “I love working with people to make them look within his community. Prior to his extensive experience show all walks of life that the first leap is to have faith in
their best so that they can feel their best,” says Tarah. as a manager on local construction projects, Ed spent yourself. “I live and breathe my work, and I love to strut
“I feel so grateful for all of the wonderful people I get decades working in worldwide spare parts for both IBM through my hometown in my 10” heels,” says Vemilo.
to work with and all the fabulous friends and clients I and Philips. “I have a love for building things and tak- “What I love most about the area is how I have been
have in this gorgeous part of the world.” Tarah is also a ing on new challenges,” Ed says. Locally, Ed has been admired, appreciated and held by my community. They
self-proclaimed foodie who loves to eat, cook, and drink an integral part of the Stanford Fire Department’s 9/11 protect me and support me to continue to show up as
wine. “I moved to Salisbury, CT, from Houston 18 years committee. In his spare time, Ed says he enjoys spend- my most true, authentic self.” Vemilo describes himself
ago with my husband who grew up here,” Tarah recalls. ing time with his granddaughters Elizabeth and Sarah. as a pop performance artist whose purpose in life is to
“I always loved the beautiful countryside, the close prox- “What I love most about my community is the people break boundaries and stigmas and bring people together
imity to New York City and Boston and the tight-knit who I call neighbors,” Ed says. “This is a great place to through music and artistry. “I create my art through
community.” live and raise a family.” listening to my intuition,” Vemilo says. “It’s hard to de-
scribe my creative process because I choose to surrender
to each moment.”
Apart from being a celebrated musician with eight Manager of training at Taconic Biosciences, a member of Dan Andresen is the owner of Andresen Creative, a
independent records on her own label, Talisman Records, the global biomedical community, dedicated to accelerat- woodworker, carpenter, and maker of things. Though
Natalia Zukerman also teaches guitar and songwriting ing advancements in human health, Tracey Meacher he started his business in the fall of last year, Dan has
and has recently become a certified yoga teacher and began work in 1997 as an animal care technician. been building things for years. “After starting Andresen
art director. Locally though, Natalia has become even “Throughout my years with Taconic I have had different Creative I feel like I’m entering a phase of my life where
more famous for doing one of her favorite things as an roles; team leader, team coordinator, supervisor, senior- I can make the things that I really want to make,” says
artist – painting pet portraits. “The thing I love most supervisor, and now manager,” says Tracey. “What I love Dan. “The things in my head that I just really want
about pet portraits is the joy that they bring people,” says most about the job is the people. I enjoy engaging in to bring out into the world.” Dan spends most of his
Natalia. “The paintings are often a gift, commemorat- conversation, training on skills, and seeing staff succeed.” time outside of work with his wife, son, and three pups.
ing a pet who has passed away. To be able to offer the Outside of work Tracey enjoys spending time with family “Whenever I do get a few of those rare moments where
peace, joy and love that these paintings bring people is and friends. “I grew up in the Germantown and what I I’m not changing a diaper or holding a bottle, I love to
a privilege.” Since living in Millerton, NY, Natalia has love most about this area is the peacefulness of the com- pick on my guitar or read,” says Dan. “What I like most
enjoyed creating her garden and working really hard with munity,” says Tracey. “My husband and I are high school about this area is that it’s quiet and rural but is still close
partner Christy on tending to their 3.5 acres and two sweethearts, together for 24 years. We have two beautiful enough to the city that you don’t feel totally disconnected
dogs, Millie and Georgie. “We are in love with this land,” daughters, 18-year-old Emma and 17-year-old Nina. We from the world.”
says Natalia. “I’ve always felt really connected to this area. enjoy camping, cooking, and going out to dinner.”
I look forward to meeting more people in this wonderful
community!”
MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 9
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10 MAIN STREET MAGAZINEbusiness
Amenia’s new Tent DARREN HENAULT, OWNER & DESIGNER
By Christine Bates
info@mainstreetmag.com
How would you describe Since I had no experience, I couldn’t
your personal style? look for a job with a firm, so I
After doing interior design for printed up cards and started out
twenty years that’s still the hardest super small. The most difficult
question to answer. I’ve discov- part was teaching myself so I could
ered that the words I would use to answer client questions. I ultimately
describe my style are not necessarily learned a lot about how furniture is
what others understand. I’m more made, the characteristics of fabrics,
a traditionalist than a modernist. I rug manufacture, decorative arts,
like rooms that are textured, warm, and antiques. Understanding how
patterned, complex and layered things are made makes you a much
and, at the same time, comfortable better designer. One of my key
and easy to live in. A room should traits is trying to never disappoint
have depth – I can’t stand the two- people. I struggle to impress clients
dimensional look of rooms you find and create something they will love.
in catalogues. To give them more than they had
When working with clients I find expected.
their passions and meld them into
a bigger picture. Many designers How do you find clients?
are known for a certain look or an Clients have always found me.
established theme. I’ve never been Although I have had lots of fantastic
that guy. magazine mentions no client has
ever called me because of them.
Do HGTV type shows educate Here in Amenia, NY, Tent is a great
viewers about design? big billboard that is bringing in new
I’ve never watched a single show clients. Everyday 25,000 cars pass
because I feel that they lower the by my store. in Mexico, light fixtures in Utah. I Above: Designer
common denominator rather than Darren Henault of
enjoy finding crafts people all over Tent. Photo:
elevate the general level of sophisti- Do you work with local the world. Jonathan Doster.
cation. People should aspire to great resources and trades? Below, left: A Tent
couch and pillows.
design. They are harder to find up here What are the most interesting Photo: Tom Moore.
than in New York, but I knew they design challenges?
How did you become a had to be here. It’s easier to make Every project is a challenge – a
designer? beautiful things here than in New problem to solve. Just laying out
After college I was working in New York, and many artisans have left furniture arrangements is a right
York in a large advertising agency the city. I’ve found cabinet makers, and left-brain exercise. Recently I
on the account side and hating metal smiths, upholsterers, wallpa- came up with a solution to disguise
it. It hadn’t occurred to me to do per hangers, marbleized lamp shade an architectural mess by wrapping
anything creative but then a good painters, weavers, and artists as well. the whole room in Madagascar
friend’s dad who was an architect Actually, I travel the world to find cloth to make it warm and comfort-
pushed me into interior design. I amazing décor: India where you can able.
went to FIT – the Fashion Institute get anything made, lacquer work in
of Technology and took courses. Paris, rugs in Sri Lanka, nightstands Does having children and
family make you a better
designer?
My family makes me a better hu-
man being and therefore a better
designer. I’m also more focused and
efficient when I’m working because
I want to spend time with my girls.
Continued on next page …
MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 11business
And they add to the possibilities of possible options.
your life. I would never have gone The interior design business is
to a Harry Styles concert if it wasn’t rife with the possibility of disagree-
for our 13-year-old twin girls. I was ment which can easily happen when
overwhelmed with the kindness, money and creativity combine. It’s
optimism, and innocence of that important to set down the rules
evening at Madison Square Garden with clients to minimize arguments
with thousands of young girls. going forward. Clients come with
budget, but it’s usually not based
What products do you design? on great knowledge. You must work
I have a large catalogue of furniture, with clients to determine what
upholstery, lighting, sconces, and they want to achieve. Many have
rugs that I originally designed for not done this before. Once you’ve
clients. We display some pieces of worked through the language and
the collection at Tent. I’ve spent trust each other you can begin. Cli-
years getting the seat, arm and back ents who have multiple houses are
height just right on a sofa and mak- a dream to work with because you We knew that our clientele was up Above: Inside Tent
in Amenia. Photo:
ing cushions that have the right size, already trust each other. A million here itching for things to buy. We’re Christine Bates.
volume and content. Furniture is years ago I did stop working with happy to help shoppers with indi- Below, left: A home
only available through me – I don’t decor display.
one very wealthy client because, vidual pieces of furniture and select Photo: Tom Moore.
do any licensing. after six months, she had not been fabrics or design a whole house.
able to select a single item.
What’s the tent outside Tent? What’s your favorite room to
For a long time, I’ve done business Are you ever the client? design?
with a Persian carpet dealer, and we Expert advice has been critical in I love bathrooms. They exercise the
have access to a virtually unlimited building my business. My attorney right and left brain – they have to
supply of antique rugs of every size, and my accountant, who both un- be practical and usable and still be
shape, color, origin, and style. Our derstand this industry, are always by a comfortable room where you look
first sale of around 150 rugs is only my side. Before opening the store, I your best naked. Lighting is key.
for five days but it’s a way for clients engaged a retail consultant because
outside the city to buy at really at- it was a totally new endeavor for Do you have a source of
tractive prices and avoid the 500% me. inspiration?
mark-up you might find in New People inspire me everywhere, every
York stores. Have you adjusted to having a day. I thanked Iris Apfel for giving
retail store? everyone permission to be them-
Describe your clients? Have Running a store is very different selves. I’m inspired by Harry Styles,
you ever fired one? from having a design studio. The the straight guy with style and his
That’s easy. Most of my clients are best part is you get to be there all own rules. Individuality, not confor-
curious, open, willing to trust me. the time and to hear people talk as mity is inspirational.
They treat the design process like an they experience the space. Every
interesting experience, not like a fill- comment has been very positive. What’s your idea of fun?
in-the-blank quiz. They appreciate Store visitors want to know about I love being at home, riding, playing
that the three or so ideas I present the things I’ve chosen and ask tennis, spending time with our girls,
to them are the best choices after I questions. There’s something for seeing friends. A wonderful thing
have filtered through thousands of everyone from $20 to $20,000. about Millbrook is that people en-
tertain in their homes, rather than
in restaurants. I love going to other
people’s houses.
How did you get on Vanity
Fair’s best dressed list?
That was back in the days when I
went to three black tie events a week
and spent a fortune on clothes. Life
has changed. •
To learn more about Tent and/or Darren,
you can call (845) 789-1837, or visit at
4950 NY-22, Amenia, NY, or online at
www.tentnewyork.com.
12 MAIN STREET MAGAZINEWinter is just around
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14 MAIN STREET MAGAZINEbaking
Caramel Corn
Maybe this is a weird recipe for No- Now we must warn you: do not accordingly (pop more popcorn).
vember? Y’all were probably thinking make this recipe unless you have rock 3. Mix brown sugar, corn syrup, but-
more along the lines of pumpkin, pe- solid willpower or an extremely fast ter, and salt in a heavy saucepan over
can or apple pie to be a better choice metabolism. This stuff is addictive. medium heat. Stirring constantly,
for this month. But hear us out: If you think you can resist the desire bring to a boil.
It’s already November, yes, NO- to eat it all or just don’t care, here are 4. Once boiling, stop stirring and
VEMBER! It’s that time of year some tips: leave it to boil for 5 minutes.
when people are getting together, and If you don’t have a roasting pan and 5. Remove from heat and add ½
gift giving ideas are starting to swirl don’t want to buy one, you can get an teaspoon baking soda and vanilla and
around in our brains. And for those (inexpensive) aluminum one at the mix well. It should bubble from the
of you who didn’t make it to a fair or store, which you can then recycle or soda and turn much paler in color.
a fall festival, this is your chance to wash and reuse. Also, I recommend 6. Pour contents over warmed pop-
make some really yummy popcorn! you spray your baking spatula with corn and stir to coat evenly. Don’t
Now, if you’re looking for a healthy cooking oil before stirring the pop- worry too much, as it will get coated
dessert, you’ve come to the wrong corn so it doesn’t stick. When stirring, more and more evenly as you con-
place. This recipe calls for a whole we just take the pan completely out of tinue to stir later on.
stick of butter and an equal amount the oven and set it on the oven door 7. Bake for 45 minutes remember-
of corn syrup. But the end of the year or stove top so there’s no risk of reach- ing to stir every 10-15 minutes (the
is made for indulging. Calories don’t ing in and bumping into anything caramel will sink to the bottom of the
count after October. Maybe we’ll that could burn us. dish).
come up with a healthy recipe for 8. Remove from oven and cool in
January…maybe. Ingredients the pan or spread out on parchment
At the annual fair, Caroline spends Cooking spray paper on any surface. (If you cool it
hours finding the kettle corn tent 4 quarts (16 cups) popped popcorn in the pan, you’ll just have to break
(that’s in the same place every year) 1 cup brown sugar apart big chunks). Store in an airtight
and grabs herself the biggest bag of ½ cup light corn syrup container, that is if you don’t eat it all
warm, fresh, salty, and sweet kettle ½ cup butter before it even cools. •
corn. With kettle corn, the kernels ½ tsp salt
themselves are popped with sugar and ½ tsp baking soda Olivia and Caroline are enthusiastic food-
oil and stirred constantly in a large 1 tsp pure vanilla extract ies and bakers who are constantly in the
kitchen, as well as explorers who create their
cast iron kettle. Caramel corn uses
Directions own adventures in our area – and did we
already popped corn and you add
the sugar mixture after, making the 1. Prepare a large shallow roasting pan mention they are mother and daughter?
Follow Olivia on Instagram to see her many
process much easier and equally as by spraying it with cooking oil and creations at @oliviawvalentine.
delicious. putting it in a preheated 250° oven.
2. Make popcorn. ½ cup kernels is
supposed to yield 4 quarts of popcorn,
By Olivia Valentine &
however it’s not guaranteed, so adjust
Caroline Markonic
info@mainstreetmag.com
MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 15Your pet will leave happy, feeling good and most importantly, looking great!
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16 MAIN STREET MAGAZINEreal estate
Top 5 reasons why houses don’t sell quickly
By Christine Bates
info@mainstreetmag.com
With all the excitement and frustration hyped minimizes rather than excites
of bidding wars and houses sold days interest.
after listing what about the houses that The listing real estate agent may
haven’t sold – houses that have been on also be a problem including ignor-
the market for months or even years? ing phone calls from buyer’s agents
because they want to keep the entire
Most real estate experts say a house that’s
not moving in this market is priced commission for themselves. Or maybe
wrong, but presentation, location, they have gone on vacation or it’s just
condition, and market timing are other too much trouble to show a house on
reasons that houses linger in even a hot a Sunday morning. Sometimes sellers’
market with low inventory. agents just don’t arrive to unlock and
show the house. This is especially true
First impressions – beyond of agents who are outside our area and
decluttering don’t know the house or the neighbor-
First step is finding the house – online hood. The listing agent should have
and/or in person. If the address is additional information to share like a
unknown to GPS, the driveway survey or a disclosure report and will
hidden, or address and mailbox point out the positive features of the
unmarked, people will just give up as home and answer all questions.
they try to physically locate it and do If the owner has not made the in, and what are the school taxes? For Above: Market
timing makes all
a drive-by. Brokers’ “For Sale” signs house “ready to show” there will be example, a home located in Amenia the difference. This
can be very helpful in this regard. If a few second visits. Are pets removed, could be in the Webutuck School farm on Skunks
Misery Road sold
house is only listed for sale on the area beds crisply made, and floors swept? District and pay a school tax of 11.9 for $825,000 in
MLS and the owner does not permit Has the house been decluttered and mils, or in the Dover School District July of 2018 and
then resold without
posting on sites like Zillow, Realtor. depersonalized? Buyers respond best with double the rate at 20.4 mils. renovations in De-
com, etc. buyers will only find it by to a house that is unoccupied and The difference should be reflected in cember of 2020 for
$1,480,000. Photo:
consulting with a real estate agent staged with all personal items from the price as buyers calculate monthly Christine Bates.
who has access to that MLS system. shoes to photos and shabby furniture housing expense.
The house could also be posted only removed. Style should be compatible Is the home too close to a busy road
on the selling brokers’ website which with the house but also reflect the or situated at the top of a long, steep
will limit potential buyers. For Sale by tastes of the current market. Hepple- driveway? Is there cell service and
Owner listings are even more elusive. white dining chairs, floral overstuffed cable access? Is there a barking dog
Presentation may be the biggest couches, cabinets filled with col- next door, neighbors with a offensive-
reason that houses sell slowly or at lectibles, and period lighting reduce and or provocative political signs, a
a discounted price and is the one perceived value for the younger, racetrack, or freight trains rolling by
sellers have the most control over. design sophisticated buyers from at the back of the property? Are there
An estimated 90% of all buyers first Brooklyn looking for a contemporary offensive odors from pigs, chickens or
browse photographs on the internet farmhouse or design-forward home. cattle or composting? Is the acreage
on sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and One realtor commented that today’s next to protected land under conser-
individual broker sites before call- buyers are very willing to overpay for vation easement or could there be a
ing to arrange a visit or driving by to “sexy” and “ready to go” and reject housing development in the future?
check out the neighborhood. Poorly anything that needs “updating.” Com- Do zoning laws or historic district
lit rooms, badly composed shots of ments like “this is frumpy,” or “how designation prevent expansion or
messy interiors, or lawns covered in old are the owners?” are indications alteration? Do buyers have concerns
snow cause potential buyers to click that the house will linger on the mar- about air pollutants from energy
to the next house. An accompanying ket. plants or mineral processing? Is the
written description of a property that house situated to maximize natural
is poorly written, uninformative or Location light or is it surrounded by trees or in
Location, location, location is key to
selling a house quickly. Is the home Continued on next page …
located in a high tax town or a low tax
rate town like Salisbury, CT? What
school district is the home located
MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 17real estate
the shadow of a mountain? offers. The seller eventually acknowl-
Most important of all, does the edged the problems and paid for a
house have views? Is there a distant new roof, dug a new well and put in
sunset, early morning light, a south- a new septic system to close the deal
ern exposure for a pool and gardens, several years after it was listed.
a long view to mountains? Houses There are condition issues that are
with views and privacy sell quickly at easier for sellers to remedy. Win-
a premium while dark houses located dows should be washed, and rooms
next to a road or downhill in a hollow repainted in neutral colors. All ap-
will take a while to find a buyer. pliances should be working – clean
that oven and refrigerator. Any signs
Condition of pest intrusion should be removed
“What Condition Is My Condition – dead bats in the attic, or mouse
In” to paraphrase the Jerry Lee Lewis dropping in the basement. Attack
song. Deferred maintenance and those moldy smells. Outside mow
worse is a huge impediment to any the lawn, remove plants from around
sale. Some houses never sell because foundations, weed and trim – declut- can establish some parameters, the
owners refuse to address expensive ter nature. market itself will decide whether the
repairs like septic failure, well flow, Good title is a legal condition house sells quickly or sits waiting.
cracked foundations, buried oil tanks, that if not resolved can stop a sale in If a home, especially in this market,
or dangerous trees. Does the roof its tracks. Who are the owners? Are doesn’t attract multiple showings or
need to be replaced? What about the there easement issues? Where are the if no one comes back to look again,
windows? These two items can add property lines? Title problems should it probably means the house is priced
enormously to the cost of repairing a be addressed before listing a property too high for its perceived condition,
house and delay time to move in. to assure an orderly, timely sale. style, or location. One experienced
What about the exterior? Does the Connecticut realtor commented on a
house siding need replacement, paint- Market timing Litchfield house that had been on the Above, top to bot-
tom: Floral curtains,
ing, or repair? Does the driveway need When a house is put on the market market for over 500 days before sell- and dark wood
resurfacing? These are other big-ticket also affects the number of days it takes ing in April, “This house lingered on made this living
room unattractive to
items that won’t go away and will to sell and the closing price. Houses the market at too high a price for too most buyers and the
delay a sale unless the price is reduced listed during an active market like long and then the Covid market saved house needed a new
roof and windows.
dramatically. the first half of 2021 sold quicker at it. Now it looks like a steal.” Originally listed at
In today’s market, buyers want a higher prices than at any time in the “It always comes down to pric- $1,585,000 in 2016,
it finally sold in
house that is ready to move in and last ten years. ing,” according to John Harney of 2020 for $900,000.
don’t want the uncertainty and delay Seasonally, houses sold in the last William Pitt Sotheby’s International This house at 30
Prospect Street
of supply chain bottle necks, price in- three years that were closed in Febru- Real Estate. “The buyer has to be in Falls Village is
creases, and skilled labor. Uncertainty ary were on the market the longest comfortable with the deal even if they listed for $795,000
suffers from Google
of cost to repair was an issue with a and sold at the lowest average median are paying a premium price. So, if GPS confusion with
house in Twin Lakes that sat on the price. Conversely houses closing in the property has an excellent location another Prospect
Street in North
market and experienced withdrawn July were on the market the shortest and a good steward for an owner, the Canaan along with
time and fetched the highest price. chances are excellent that the pricing Zillow using the
wrong zip code. It
Assuming it takes about two months will be strong with both parties happy. can be hard to find
from accepted offer to close, this If the pricing seems even to the casual but worth the effort.
Below, left: This
data confirms the common view that observer as too high, then it will sit Millbrook laundry
spring is the best time to list a house on the market until either the price is room is not ready
for show. Photos:
for sale and that the last quarter of the adjusted, or the market catches up to Christine Bates.
year is probably the worst. it.” •
The price is right Christine Bates is a registered real estate agent
Determining a listing price is an art with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Real
Estate in New York and Connecticut. She has
but it’s not the agent who sets the written monthly for Main Street Magazine since
price. Owners make the final decision its very first issue.
on the offering price and decide what
to repaint, repair, renovate, or remove.
Brokers can offer suggestions to make
a listing more saleable and recom-
mend a price, but it is the owner who
makes the key decisions that affect the
sale. While square foot comparables
18 MAIN STREET MAGAZINEWe can BEARLY wait for the holidays!
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20 MAIN STREET MAGAZINEcommunity
Building and healing community through arts
By Betsy Maury
info@mainstreetmag.com
Arts and creative processes are power- ties grant program specifically invited works.
ful drivers for human connection. The “activities that bring a community The David M. Hunt Library in
lockdown on public gatherings that together around arts and culture, Falls Village launched Small Town, Big
celebrate art and artists over the last given the restorative and community- Talk, a documentary photography in-
17 months has had a profound effect building dimensions of the arts and stallation by Rebecca Bloomfield that
on the people who make art and the creative process.” shared stories and portraits of dozens
people who are sustained by it. Artists The foundation received 70 in- of residents with diverse experience
and arts organizations experienced novative applications across the region and identities on the library’s popular
devastating losses while those who from established arts organizations Art Wall gallery and online.
value art in their lives felt psychic as well as small groups of motivated Above: A portrait by Rebecca Bloomfield.
and spiritual ones. Perhaps one of the citizens testing ideas for projects that Engaging young people
few joys of the pandemic was seeing attempted to engage residents and Encouraged by the reception of this
the way creative people found ways connect one another. Not surprisingly, grant program and the engagement of program partners have offered work-
to build community around the arts: many of these projects found a natural community residents, in July Berk- shops on ways to shoot and edit films
harmonizing acappella performances home in the arts – in photography, shire Taconic announced that it would on a phone, the basics of recording
across the globe using new technolo- visual art, and theatre. host a film challenge to invite young and editing sound, and the “how-to”
gies, painting sections of a mural one The Mahaiwe Performing Arts filmmakers across the region to make of interviewing.
at a time, or reading Shakespeare plays Center hosted a two-night program, a six-minute film on a divisive issue According to filmmaker Ben Willis,
together for virtual audiences. If we in collaboration with Clinton Church of importance to them. Video has who has hosted workshops as part of
learned one thing from the year with- Restoration, using LeLand Gantt’s dominated communication for this this series, “Youth are just a lot better
out public engagement in the arts, one-man show Rhapsody in Black generation; it’s how they connect with at remaining objective than adults
it’s that we need public engagement to explore how performing arts can each other. The Youth Film Challenge [and] love to discuss ethics, the rights
in the arts – to heal, to challenge, to advance ongoing discussions of racial brings together the expertise of two and wrongs; they have an open mind
entertain, and to get to know one justice. regional film non-profit organizations and no set opinions yet.” Joe Aid-
another. Norman Rockwell Museum held that have cultivated filmmaking in onidis, documentary filmmaker and
a public discussion program based our area. principal at Great Sky Media in North
Finding local solutions upon Rockwell’s Four Freedoms that Berkshire Film and Media Col- Adams, MA, has also held workshops
Beginning in late 2020, after a year of brought together members of the laborative, led by producer Diane on film editing for this program.
social and political upheaval punctu- general public from different back- Pearlman, creates educational, work- Aidonidis says, “All of this work is
ated with wholesale human suffer- grounds, experiences and beliefs to force and production opportunities focused on allowing young people to
ing, Berkshire Taconic Community discuss aspects of freedom today. in the film and media industry as an have agency over their own story or
Foundation opened a grant program Art Omi presented The Community economic initiative for the western the stories they think are important.”
designed to bring people together in Voices Virtual Tour, a series of short Massachusetts region. Connecticut- Presenting a version of a story,
any way they could imagine to explore videos featuring youth and adults of based Civic Life Project was founded challenging an established narrative or
how they might stitch together the so- different races, ages, and abilities as by two award-winning documentary highlighting an untold truth is at the
cial fabric in their communities. The they gained insight into the creative filmmakers – Dominique Lasseur and heart of all documentary filmmaking.
Bridging Divides, Healing Communi- process and experienced onsite art- Catherine Tatge – and works with Presenting youth-made films to com-
educators to inspire high munity audiences that highlight social
school and college stu- or political divides – and potential
dents to learn about civics solutions – will be a way to let art lead
and to actively participate the way to community building. The
in the democratic process hope is that seeing things in a new
through documentary way, through the eyes of unknown
filmmaking. neighbors, will cultivate empathy and
Among the skills these bridge divides across the region.
professionals try to teach
young people is both The Youth Film Challenge closes on Novem-
the science and the art ber 14 and screenings of the winning films
will be held at select locations in December.
of visual storytelling.
For more information, please visit www.
Throughout the fall, the youthfilmchallenge.com.
Above: Courtesy of the Norman Rockwell Museum
MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 21Recent Work by Anthony Rubino
Paintings and Sculpture Inspired by
Music and a Sense of Wonder
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22 MAIN STREET MAGAZINERock
solid
A
n abandoned bluestone quarry in Sau- While he was engaged with the created and the sight of Overlook
gerties, NY, became home to Opus acting group, Fite discovered his pas- Mountain, which was just beyond it.
40 – an extraordinary sculpture park sion for sculpting. By 1930, he spent Fite decided to move his sculptures
and museum that boasts 6.5 acres of much of his time carving. His skills to other locations on the property.
earthwork sculpture and more than 50 soon gained recognition and Fite was A nine-ton bluestone boulder was
acres of meadows and forest. Consid- asked to head the fine arts department placed at the center, using techniques
ered by many to be “the Stonehenge at Bard College. In 1933, he joined developed in ancient Egypt.
of North America,” the impressive site the faculty. Fite assumed that it would take
welcomes more than 20,000 visitors The artist, sculptor, and painter him 40 years to create what he
each year. continued to teach while he also envisioned for the site, so he gave it
It all began with one artist. Rather continued to learn. His education the name, Opus 40. It now consists
than overlooking the idle quarry, included study abroad in Italy in 1935 of a six-acre sculpture made entirely
Harvey Fite saw possibility. The and 1936 under sculptor Corrado of bluestone. It boasts pools, terraces,
bluestone quarry, which once supplied Vigni. tunnels, bridges, and a large amphi-
By Regina Molaro New York City with building mate- theater as well as two fountains and
info@mainstreetmag.com rial, could be used as a source of raw Opus 40 four large bluestone sculptures.
material for the sculptures Fite had yet In 1938, Fite purchased 12 acres Fite used “dry key construction” to
to create. of former bluestone quarries in the form the many walls, platforms, grot-
hamlet of High Woods in Saugerties. tos, and tunnels at Opus 40. The an-
A visionary is born “Originally he thought of the aban- cient technique he employed relied on
On Christmas Day in 1903, Fite was doned site as a source of material for the larger stones to serve as a means
born in Pittsburgh’s Steel City. When his sculpture, but gradually he began of support for the smaller stones. The
he was just a child, his family relo- to create art out of the abandoned word “dry” refers to the fact that that
cated from Pennsylvania to Texas. quarry and a vision for Opus 40 was structures lack cement and mortar as a
His father worked with his hands. By born,” says Caroline Crumpacker, binding agent.
trade, he was both a carpenter and a executive director of the Opus 40 This dry key method has success-
farmer. Sculpture Park. fully preserved Opus 40 for more than
Fite’s initial career plan focused on The same year, Fite built a house 40 years. With careful maintenance
academics. He spent three years in and studio on the eastern edge of the and conservation, Opus 40 could po-
Houston studying law, before switch- quarry. His inspiration for the sculp- tentially last hundreds of years more.
ing gears. In 1926, Fite enrolled in St. ture park emerged from a trip Fite Fite lived in the house that he built
Stephen’s College, which was founded took in 1939. A Carnegie Institute on site until his passing in 1976. He
in 1860 and later became known as fellowship led Fite to Copán, Hon- spent 37 years on the property. The
Bard College. Eventually, creativ- duras, where he did restoration work. artist lived there with his wife Barbara
ity and self-expression dominated It was there that Fite studied Mayan Fairbanks, who he married in 1944.
and Fite left Bard College to join a stonework techniques. The follow- The young couple initially lived there
repertory theater company. He went ing spring, he began organizing the with Barbara’s young boys, Jonathan
on to perform with a local theater in bluestone that was scattered about the and James (Tad) Richards.
Woodstock, NY. Saugerties property.
Although he began with an idea to Continued on next page …
create circular pedestals to showcase
his bluestone sculptures, once the
artist began displaying his works, he
reconsidered his plan. Fite’s sculptural
works were dwarfed by the monu-
mentality of the stonework that he
MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 23You can also read
