Eastport's Artist in Residence, Art for Art's Sake

Kingston, N.Y. is a scant 6 miles down the road from home; it is what we in Cottekill call the,”big city”. It was also voted in the top five artists communities in some magazine I do not remember the name of, but it was a national. I love meeting artists when I travel and I met a great one recently in Eastport, Maine. Jim Levendosky spends a few months there every year in a rented store front, making and selling his art. It is also his temp home and studio. Lil and I spent some time with Jim and his friend on a foggy evening recently with a big smile and his NPR tee shirt; I knew I would like him straight away. One of Jim’s latest works was a scrimshaw motorcycle gas tank, it was just incredible. One of Jim’s ambitions is to be Jay Leno’s Artist in Residence, Jay would indeed be a lucky man.

Maurice D Hinchey at the Old Dutch Church, Kingston NY

One of the best things about moving back to my roots in Ulster County NY is the people; I’ve known many for most of my life. Last night I went to the 85^th Annual George Washington Dinner at the Old Dutch Church in Kingston. The Church is on the National Register of Historic Places and should be listed as a designated historic landmark soon. It is fitting as George while not sleeping there did stop by and the church is a magnificent structure with numerous historical ties. I was reminded of my own ties when the city historian Edwin Ford spoke and mentioned that my grandparents were the first to bring him there many years ago, Edwin is in his nineties and has a memory like a steel trap.

Our Congressman Maurice Hinchey was the key note speaker and a very popular guy around these parts. He is now serving his eighth term and serves on the House Appropriations Committee amongst other powerful positions. Perhaps to me his biggest appeal is being approachable. I asked Maurice if possibly we could run some of his photos and take from a government trip to Cuba on GoNOMAD. He graciously agreed and that was so pleasing.

Young and old, Republican and Democrat, at this dinner all are accepted and local fellowship shines. If all politics are local then I am glad to deal with my local politicians here in Ulster. If you ever get a chance to stop by Kingston take some time to wander the uptown streets with its old stone buildings and the Church, it will take you back to the days when politics were especially crucial, during the Revolution and even further back. Thanks Congressman for your accessibility.

Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt, Rock Kingston New York

Two of my favorite strutting roosters of rock and folk took the stage at UPAC in Kingston last night, Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt. It was just the two strummers with guitars and stories galore, perfect in every way. It was a full house and a very appreciative audience. Hiatt started the show with, Perfectly Good Guitar and Lovett followed with Skinny Legs. For the encore the two brought out Garth Hudson, a past member of the Band and local resident for Ain’t No More Cane. (on the Brazos) His red accordion shiny in the spot light, thanks L Gruberg for putting together good people for a great show.

Kirkland Hotel, RUPCO Masterpiece

My sister Vickie and I took a trip down memory lane today when we got a tour of the Kirkland Hotel in uptown Kingston NY. The building was renovated by Rural Ulster Preservation Co. better known as RUPCO. As Kevin O’Conner led us from basement to the top floor thoughts of many years ago came flooding back. As kids we used to go with the family to the hotel’s restaurant for Sunday dinners, my grandfather was good friends with the hotel owner Max Brugman. I’ve heard since my grandfather would head over to the Kirkland frequently for friendly card games.

It was amazing to see the wrecked old building dating from 1899 come back to life and done so well, it is qualified as a National Register of Historic Places because it is a great example of the wood- framed hotels dating from the late 19^th century. A prime example of the work it took to renovate the building is the fact that it is Kingston’s first geothermal heated and cooled system. The RUPCO site has a great movie by Brugman in the 1950’s. In a city filled with architectural gems that are falling apart it was great to see one brought back, better than one could hope for. Great job RUPCO!