Community Farm

Friends of ours are members of a local commmunity farm, Hearty Roots, located in Tivoli, NY. Due to injury, they have been unable to pick up their share each week, so we have been doing so for them. Here's how it works (taken from the Hearty Roots website):

"The heart of the farm is our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. When you become a member of the Hearty Roots CSA, you have the opportunity to come to the farm every week during the growing season to pick up your share of the bounty of the farm's naturally grown produce, freshly harvested by the farmers. In return, CSA members pay a membership fee to keep the farm running. At Hearty Roots we are committed to making sure that our produce is affordable to anyone, and we offer payment options for those living on a low income."

The vegetables we've picked up the last three weeks have been excellent. Better than a farmer's market, much better than a supermarket, and obviously fresh. Hearty roots is farmed by Briana and Benjamin - just two people - who do a great job.

Heat Wave

We're in the middle of a heat wave here in Dutchess County. Supposed to hit 95 today. Good day to stay inside.

We began the day at the (air-conditioned) gym. The gym we use is part of Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck; although people of any age can join, most seem to be older. So, if a gym where you do not see people constantly checking out their physiques in mirrors is what you want, this could be the place.

Officially it's called the Center for Wellness & Rehabilitation a "medically supervised, outpatient physical rehabilitation and fitness facility." We use it just for the gym, although others are obviously part of physical rehab.

Rhinebeck Farmer's Market

Each Sunday from May through November, the Rhinebeck Farmer's Market sets up from 10 AM to 2 PM in a parking lot in town. They sell fruits, veggies, breads, cheeses, flowers, honey, wine, plants meats; there is also usually entertainment of some sort. I enjoy visiting it most Sundays, although the prices have risen over the last couple of years as the town has become more and more trendy. But the bread from Our Daily Bread (trucked down from Chatham) is excellent; and one can frequently run into friends and neighbors.

Hudson Valley Renegades

I went to the Hudson Valley Renegades game last night. The 'Gades are a minor league baseball team playing in Dutchess Stadium (Beacon, NY). They are in the New York - Penn League, and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The league is a "Class A Short Season League," playing from June to September. The players are kids - 18 or 19 years old to 25 or so.

It was a fun evening. A small, hometown feeling. Stands filled with families, teenagers, kids. Lots of hokey contests on the field between innings (example - three men with toy baby strollers needed to quickly roll the strollers to tables, change the diaper of the doll in the stroller, and roll it back to the finish line. Winner got some sort of gift certificate to a local business.)

A chance to see some potential major leaguers (according to Wikipedia, "The Hudson Valley organization has also produced major leaguers such as Scott Podsednik, Ryan Dempster, Joe Kennedy, and Toby Hall.")

The 'Gades lost the game, 8-5, to the Batavia Muckdogs.

Pottery

Hudson Valley Pottery opened a few months ago in Rhinebeck, NY. I'm just completing a class there; the owners, Michael and Jenine, are very helpful to beginners such as me. The studio is roomy and well-lit, with 8 or so potters' wheels as well as table space. It's a welcome addition to an artistically-oriented village like Rhinebeck.

I think it is good for people to try to do things at which they do not excel - such as me trying the wheel. It helps to keep things in perspective!