[In 1972] “Fite builds a garage to house his trucks, including his trusty Jeep and an old fire engine that he bought from Bard College in the early 1950s. The fire engine’s primary use has been to serve as a pumping mechanism to clean out pools in and around the quarry, but it is also quite a popular fixture of the Labor Day parades and other events in High Woods (even helping put out a few fires).

While constructing the garage, he decides to add a second story that will serve as a museum to house his collection of quarrymen’s tools and artifacts, as a way to honor the men who toiled in the quarries before him. This becomes the Quarryman’s Museum. It’s now also a gift shop.” (Opus 40 Website)

Taken with a Fuji X-E3 and Sigma 18-50mm f2.8

Closing Words from Senior Pastor, Rev. Anthony Karlik, Faith Lutheran Church, Briarcliff Manor. As you can see he’s also a member of the Fire Department.

Taken with a Sony A7IV and Rokinon/Samyang AF 24-70 f2.8 F

We were married on this day in 1981 and had been together for three years before that. We had 45 good years. I wish it had been more. Seen here with my parents, now both gone about 28 years ago.

Camera and lens unknown.

Last Saturday I went to a performance of Handel’s Messiah given by the New Westchester Symphony Orchestra conducted by Steven Huang.

I’ve been to a number of performances of Messiah, I’ve even played in a few, but I don’t think I’ve ever been to a ‘sing-along’ Messiah. This essentially means that the chorus is made up of whoever happens to turn up to the performance and is willing to sing. Scores were provided on loan to anyone who wanted/needed them – to be returned after the performance.

The orchestra’s website describes the orchestra as follows:

Who We Are

We are musicians of all ages and abilities. We rehearse one day a week on Wednesdays, playing great classical music. New Westchester Symphony Orchestra (NewWSO) has three main concerts every year, as well as performances in libraries and hospitals throughout the year. Our concerts are free to the public.

The New Westchester Symphony Orchestra is an audition-free, community orchestra serving Westchester County and surrounding areas. NewWSO offers instrumentalists of all ages and abilities the opportunity to play the same repertoire as professional orchestras, but in a non-competitive and supportive environment. There are no auditions to join, and anyone can play music with NewWSO. We take pride in serving our community and bring music to everyone.

Always something going on

NewWSO performs numerous outreach concerts throughout the year at assisted living homes, rehabilitation centers, local libraries and houses of worship. Our goal is to make classical music inclusive and accessible for all who wish to participate. Come join the Orchestra as a musician or in the audience!

It was certainly interesting and everyone seemed to have a great time!

Taken with a Fuji X-E3 and Fuji XF 35mm f1.4 R

If you’re at all familiar with Church’s work you’ll understand why he built Olana where it is. The views are truly spectacular. Above: looking South down the Hudson River.

View over the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. There is now a walkway across this bridge, which allows you to walk from Olana to the home of another member of the Hudson River School of Painters: Thomas Cole. It’s called The Hudson River Skywalk and it’s a six mile out-and-back pedestrian walkway.

Taken with a Fuji X-E3 and Fuji XC 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OSS II