Last weekend I trampsed around the estate of the Seligmann Homestead as part of an event called Family Nature Play led by instructor Daniel Mack and then spent the better part of the class time looking at creativity while sharing some of what I found with a small group of intrepid souls, including a couple of children. The idyllic Homestead, located in Sugar Loaf, NY was once the estate of the famed artist Kurt Seligmann, and is now a center f...

As several months passed in Staten Island, I was working steadily as a waiter at a Café at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC, studying acting at the William Esper Studio, auditioning for anything I could find in the actor’s trade publication called Backstage, and trying unsuccessfully to get an agent. And I was doing all of those other creative things that I mentioned.   Yet, I was dissatisfied, seeking and searching for greater success, not content ...

Over the past few weeks I've been watching the latest developments at various garden centers throughout the region and have been working to get into that spirit. To some extent, they have all been grappling with a mix of weather as their seasonal supplies of plants arrive to the marketplace. Last week I noted an explosion of new plants and supplies and was happy to take some photos of new growth. Plants tend to be very photogenic, especially if t...

The Warwick Yoga Center, under the direction of Rosé Dwyer and Lisbeth Ryan, is proud to announce their grand opening and the introduction of "Club Mani Yoga” on May 18th, from 8 – 4 p.m. There will be FREE classes all weekend: Iyengar,  mixed level, partner yoga, chair yoga and Vinyasa . Enjoy yoga to LIVE music, save on class cards, participate in a raffle and indulge in complim...

After the summer at the Hampton Playhouse, returning home was not an option. My father made that clear. “I do not believe, should you be thinking of living at home, that such an arrangement would work. It was tried last year and it was miserable for all. You have been on your own too long to return excepting for short periods. I think you are a big boy now and it is time for you to take on most of the responsibilities.” So that put an end to an...

Friday evening, and you’re eager to leave the weekly 9 to 5 grind behind until Monday.  If you’ve ever contemplated acting or have stepped across the stage in your lifetime, why not lose yourself in a character at the MCC Actor Training School?  For over two years, I myself have numbered among the members of this class and had a wonderful time doing so.  Donna Haley is our ever-enthusiastic director/mentor and gives us the benefi...

There is a buzz in the air as momentum is building once again for another exciting Hudson Valley Jazz Festival to be held August 8th – 11th . Last weekend the organization held a fundraiser at the Seligmann Center for the Arts, hosted by The Orange County Arts Council with a large audience turning out to enjoy a performance featuring area jazz musicians.Steve Rubin, festival founder and producer said, "It's fantastic to not only hear these grea...