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Spring

2016


Editor Nancy DiPace Pfau

BEEKMAN PAVES THE WAY IN CUBA

Number 29

by Josh Kilmer-Purcell




Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge with a vintage car in Cuba


Last year we decided that it was time to take a vacation again. We hadnt had one in
several years, so we wanted to make it count. But as we looked into different tours
we couldnt find any that fit our style. Maybe The Amazing Race spoiled us, but we
like to go to places that are off the beaten path and really understand the people
who live therenot just look at attractions. So we decided to craft our own tour.

(article continues on next page)


A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO BRUCE BUTTON AND LEE PUBLICATIONS FOR
THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT IN PRINTING THE CHATTER!

BEEKMANS IN CUBA, continued



Coincidentally, one of our Beekman employees boyfriends, Ian, had been organizing
charity tours to Cuba for many years. Due to travel restrictions, Cuba is not an easy
place to travel around without connections. We worked with Ian to create our
dream itinerary. We wanted to visit farms (of course,) live with real Cubans in their
homes, experience the arts, eat local foods, and yes, spend a day at the beach.
We put the tour on our website and 14 folks from around the country bought all of
the tickets in the first week. We didnt know what it would be like to travel with 14
relative strangers, but it turned out marvelously. Everyone was an eager explorer,
willing to go with the flow in this country with an unpredictable infrastructure.

Over the course of a single week we visited tobacco and coffee farms, Havana, and a
beach resort. We visited an inner city medical clinic, amazingly chic art galleries and
restaurants, and government landmarks. The national childrens choir surprised us
with an exclusive performance that brought us all to tears. And most interestingly,
we all lived with different Cuban families on the same block and learned more about
day-to-day life in Cuba than we ever imagined.

Having grown up during the Cold War, I was a little nervous about our trip. I
imagined that we would be watched wherever we went, and that Cubans would be
nervous to open up to us. But none of that was true. We were never stopped or
delayed anywhere, and never saw a government official once we left customs. And
we found that Cubans were as openly critical of their government and politicians as
we are here in America. But theyre also very proud of what theyve accomplished
since the Revolution in 1953. They have great free medical care (their average
lifespan is longer than ours;) a 99.7% literacy rate (compared to our ~87%;) zero
drug problems (strict penalties and border controls;) and free food and housing.
They also have unfiltered access to the internet, though availability is not as
widespread as it is here. On the down side, their housing supply is very crowded and
the free food rations are limited. The infrastructure is also crumblingwe lost water
and electricity for short periods nearly every day. Most enterprising Cubans are
either legally or illegally finding ways to work within the tourism industry to bring
home extra money. It is a hard life, those who want more in life work very hard to
get it...but it is possible.

We could go on for pages trying to explain the complexities of life in Cuba that we
experienced. But the short lesson was that Cubans are excited by the thaw in
relations between our two governments. And, as Sharon Springs citizens know
better than most: well all do better working together with our neighbors than
against each other.


SHARON JONES BRINGS SOUL TO SHARON SPRINGS


Over the past couple of years, the village has been enlivened by the dynamic
presence of soul singer, Sharon Jones! For anyone unfamiliar with her music, I
recommend you Google: Miss Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings! I guarantee you
will not be able to sit still when this captivating diva fills the stage! The photo below
was taken after a concert at the Egg in Albany shortly before a devastating health
diagnosis since 2013, Sharon has been dealing with cancer, spending long periods
here in Sharon Springs with her good friend, Megan Holken, while receiving
treatment at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. Miss Sharon Jones!, a
documentary film by Barbara Kopple, chronicles Sharons 2013 cancer battle and its
effect on her friends and band members. As stated in Variety, Sharon Jones has a
spirit cancer couldnt silence!





From left: unidentified photographer, Maria Vought, Richard Pfau, Sharon Jones,
Dennis Giacomo, Megan Holken, unidentified photo bomber, Nancy Pfau.





DANCE NEWS

by Betty Gavin Singer



FLAMENCO - Studio North will offer a 6 week Flamenco course April 11 - May
23. The class will meet on Mondays 7:15-8:15 pm; the course fee is $60.
Pre-registration is required; please register at Studio North. Flamenco is a
thunderous, soulful music and dance that originated in Andalusia, Southern Spain. It
encompasses various rhythms and song styles, which span an emotional range from
joyous to melancholy. The instructor, Candace La Velita is a captivating performer
who is recognized as one of New York States finest emerging flamenco artists with a
riveting authenticity in appearance, style and attitude. Candaces dance classes
teach arm (brazeo), foot (taconeo) and posture (cuerpo) work as well as
handclapping (palmas) and an understanding of the various rhythmic forms
(comps). Candace also teaches traditional flamenco prop techniques for the fan,
hat and shawl. We hope you can join us!

Studio North's Jr. and Sr. Dance Companies are just finishing up a month long series
of performances. Among the dances performed was "Danger - The Dog Yard Cat"
based on a children's book by Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the 1,049 mile
dog sled race known as the Iditarod. The Alaskan tale centers around a cat who
wins the race. Studio North dancers performed "Danger" for Sharon Springs Central
School students last week and Cherry Valley Springfield students this week.

The dancers also presented their 7th Annual Student Choreographer's Showcase
on Friday, March 18 at SSCS. The annual showcase allows the Sr. Co. dancers to
experience the art of choreography. This involves all theatrical aspects such as the
audition & selection process, rehearsal scheduling and conducting, costume and
light design. The dancers are members of Studio North's Junior Company. Both
groups did an excellent job and presented a wonderful show!

HASSLEBACK CHICKEN WITH HELP FROM FRIENDS!

From the Editor



A few months ago I reposted on Facebook a recipe from the Proper Tasty site for
Hasselback Chicken. A few friends then tried the recipe and suggested improvements.
Janet Rigby from Cooperstown added garlic to the spinach while Judie Hudsons son
Rob from Australia thought the chicken could be improved by sauting it in butter and
olive oil first! So putting all together, here is the new-ish recipe, which I finally tried
last week and can give a huge thumbs up! Check out the Proper Tasty site for a video
showing how to prepare this recipe plus other great ideas!

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 cups washed, fresh baby spinach
2 garlic cloves, minced
cup Ricotta Cheese
cup shredded cheddar cheese
A sprinkling of Panko Crumbs
Salt and Pepper
Butter and Olive Oil

1. Pat dry chicken breasts, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then saut in 2
Tablespoons butter and tablespoon olive oil until golden. Allow to cool
slightly, then with a sharp knife make 4 slits in each one about three quarters
through each breast.
2. Meanwhile, saut the spinach in 1 Tablespoon olive oil with the minced garlic
until spinach has wilted.
3. Stir Ricotta cheese into spinach mixture, add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Stuff spinach/Ricotta mixture into the chicken. Top with shredded cheddar
cheese and a sprinkling of Panko Crumbs.
5. Place in ovenproof dish and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes
or until done.





spring flowers in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

FROM ROSIES KITCHEN: RICOTTA COOKIES

By Rosemarie Trapani

1 cup butter, softened


2 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups sugar



1 teaspoon baking soda
2 large egg



4 cups flour
15 ounces Ricotta cheese

1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Glaze: 1 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, teaspoon vanilla, nonpareils
for decorating.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In bowl of electric mixer, cream together butter, sugar, and eggs on medium speed.
Add ricotta cheese and mix until smooth. Add vanilla extract and mix well. In
separate bowl, mix flour with baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add flour
mixture gradually to wet ingredients on low speed until dough is formed.
Drop the dough by heaping teaspoons onto baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.
Bake 12-15 minutes until cookies are golden around the edges. Remove from
baking sheet and place on cooling rack covered with paper to catch the glaze
drippings.

Glaze cookies and sprinkle with nonpareils if desired. Let dry completely before
storing. Makes 5-6 dozen.
Editors note: These look like beautifully decorated Easter Eggs!!





photo by Rosemarie Trapani

I AM NOT MYSELF THESE DAYS IN LONDON





by Josh Kilmer-Purcell

Last summer my first book, I Am Not Myself These Days, was adapted into a one-
man show for the Edinburgh Fringe Theater Festival. It received great reviews, and
began touring the UK this spring. While I was originally hesitant to watch an
outsiders interpretation of a long-ago chapter of my life, curiosity eventually
overcame me and I traveled to London to see it on the final leg of its initial run.

Theres no way I can objectively review a show about my own lifeIll let the
professional reviewers do that. But I can say that the young actor who played me,
Tom Stuart, was very kind, generous and talented. Understandably, he was as
nervous for me to watch the play, as I was to be there. (He even brought his moms to
the performance for moral support.) Though the humor of the book was faithfully
included, I viewed most of the actual performance through tears, remembering
incidents that Id tried to forget. And to be frank, it was also embarrassing to watch
people watch some of my youthful indiscretions. Of course everyone was lovely and
gracious post performance.

There has been talk of bringing the show to New York City next season, and I made
the producers promise to schedule a side trip for a special performance in Sharon
Springs.

Perhaps Klinkhart Hall?

Editors note: This is a powerful book and the play must be equally so!


NEWS AND OTHER BITS FROM THE EDITOR


1. After the warmest February on record, March has been somewhat more
typical [unlike the last two years however, there is no snow on the ground!]
Signs of spring abound and the maple sap is flowing still time to enjoy
Breakfast in the Sap House at the Stonehouse Farm on Lynk road, through
April!
2. The American Hotel reopens Friday, March 25th, serving dinner Thursday
through Sunday from 5:00 plus Sunday Brunch!
3. 204 Main Bistro will reopen Thursday, March 24th, with a new menu!
4. The Black Cat is still open daily and will be doing picnics at Glimmerglass for
the 10th consecutive season! Tony Daous new Guide to Sharon Springs will
be available in time for this years Garden Party May 28 and 29!!
5. Third annual Run for the Hills scheduled for Saturday, May 7th!
6. Cobbler & Co now offers boutique womens clothing!
7. Thistle Hill Weavers will offer a workshop on April 2nd: Textile Terms and
Things No One Told You!
8. Spring events at The Old Stone Fort in Schoharie: April 29th, 7:30 PM a
presentation on Ancient and Champion Trees of Schoharie County; May 30th,
1:00-5:00 PM The traditional observation of Memorial Day including a
Cemetery Tour and a multi-media program Johnny Has Gone For a Soldier,
1776-1976 by the 77th NY Regimental Balladeers at 2:00.
9. Some fun articles promised for the Summer Chatter Hops, Zenas Cottage,
Adlephias Wallpaper in the DAR House in DC, and lots more!
10. Typical Spring Planting Mud time photo from Bruce Buttons archives:

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