summerscapes north/south edition 2011
TRANSCRIPT
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Gangs of blackbeards and beauties will be
swashbuckling their way though Sleepy
Hollow, N.Y., this Fourth of July week-
end as Historic Hudson Valley launches
a brand-new family friendly event called
Pirates of the Hudson: The Siege of Sleepy
Hollow.
Produced by the same creative team be-hind the October smash hits of Horsemans
Hollow and the Great Jack OLantern Blaze,
Pirates of the Hudson features a mother
lode of activity, including live pirate music,
courtesy of the Crimson Pirates and the
Brigands, gypsy sword dancers and other
entertaining scalawags who will engage
the crowd, trying to get as many as pos-
sible to go on the account and pledge to
live forever more as a pirate.
Once you go on the account, you get
branded as a pirate and immediately be-
gin training, said Lance Hallowell, the
events creative director. Once branded,
pirate recruits get to practice proper pi-
rate behavior, such as sword fighting andmusket handling, plus learn to master the
all-important subject of piratical linguistics
(Avast, ye maties!).
Pirate-for-life or not, festival attendees can
enjoy games like the Maidens Voyage,
SummerScapesSpecial Section to: Greenwich Post I The Darien Times I New Canaan Advertiser I The Ridgefield Press I The Wilton Bulletin I The Redding Pilot I The Weston Forum I The Lewisboro Ledger
HERSAM ACORN NEWSPAPERS
Members of the Crimson Pirates prepare to storm Philipsburg Manor, July Fourth weekend. Bryan Haeffele photos
Aaargh!Its a pirates life for thee
by Rob Schweitzer
Visitors to the Siege of Sleepy Hollow can go on the account and pledge their life to piracy.Pirates continued on page 9
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2 SummerScapes Hersam Acorn Newspapers June 23, 2011
Manchester, in northern England, is a city
that surprises visitors with its many and var-
ied attractions. You might call it a "sleeper
destination" - a fascinating place for those
who are looking for something different
from what they might find in a well-traveled
location like London. While Manchester is
rich in history and is the birthplace of the
Industrial Revolution, it also has a very hip,
youthful side, as visitors will soon discover.
Manchester is also the perfect getaway to
England's North Country, a region that of-
fers additional off-the-beaten-path destina-
tions such as Chester and Liverpool, and
stunning countryside in the Lake District.
While the climate in northern England is
cool, temperatures in Manchester and the
surrounding area are in the comfortable
60s, 70s and even 80s in the summer
months.
American Airlines offers daily, non-stop ser-
vice to Manchester from JFK International
Airport to Manchester on May 13. The out-
bound fight, #210, is scheduled to depart
from JFK at 7:05 p.m., utilizing a Boeing
757 aircraft with 16 seats in the Business
Class Cabin and 166 seats in coach. The
return flight, #211 from Manchester, is
scheduled to depart at 11:10 a.m.
There's so much to see and enjoy in and
around Manchester that we need to have
a good plan in hand when we step off our
American Airlines Flight 210 at Manchester
Airport.
Manchester is a walking city, and for the cul-
ture-minded there is an array of more than
90 museums and galleries to choose from.
For starters, let's head to Manchester Art
Gallery, Castlefield Gallery or the Whitworth
Art Gallery. Or, try the quirky Northern
Quarter where we'll find the village-like
Manchester Craft and Design Centre. At The
Quays, let's visit The Imperial War Museum
North, a breathtaking building designed by
Daniel Libeskind.
If theatre is your thing, then be sure to
include Manchester's great theatres in you
itinerary. They host big-name shows and
intimate plays, family fun and avant-garde
drama. For opera, ballet and West End mu-
sicals it's The Opera House or The Palace
Theatre. If you're looking for comedy or
drama check out The Royal Exchange. At
the Lowry, you'll not only enjoy paintings
on display, but also two theatres showcas-
ing dance, drama and family shows.
Manchester is also renowned for its exu-
berant nightlife and entertainment. It has
been the birthplace of countless world-class
bands and classic music videos, and the live
music scene is thriving. Manchester's larg-est music venue is the Manchester Evening
News Arena, with big names also to be
seen at Manchester Apollo and Manchester
Academy.
Oh, yes -Manchester United, team of the
famed David Beckham, as well as the
Manchester City Football Club. (Don't you
dare called it soccer- it's football!) We can
soak up that aspect of the local color by vis-
iting Manchester United's Stadium, one of
the selected venues for the 2012 Olympic
Football Stadia. In addition, Old Trafford's
iconic 76, 000-seat 'Theatre of Dreams' is
easy to reach from Manchester city centre.
Both clubs offer regular behind-the-scenes
tours.
But lets not forget the stunning country-
side surrounding Manchester Just south of
Manchester let's visit Tatton Park, featur-
ing an 18th century mansion and Tudor
Old Hall, offering a fascinating peek into
400 years of the Egerton family. For a sce-
nic treat, we'll head for the Lake District,Lancashire and the Peak District. The magi-
cal Lake District National Park, sometimes
known as Manchester's Water Playground,
is a must on our agenda. Much of it remains
virtually untouched wilderness.
Now let's visit two other fascinating cities
that are within striking distance: Liverpool
and Chester. Of course, Liverpool is known
as home of the Beatles, but it offers so
much more. The architecture is world-class,
with more listed buildings than any city
outside London. But we do want to take in
some of the Beatles ambiance, so we'll visit
The Beatles Story, which will transport us
on an enlightening and atmospheric jour-
ney into the life, times and music of this
historic quartet.
When we enter Chester, we'll truly take a
trip back in time. Chester's origins can be
traced back to the founding of the Roman
fortress of Dewa in 70AD. After the Romans
left, Chester developed into a busy port
with trade from Dublin. Today Chester isa major tourist attraction and shopping
destination.
What a trip - we really pack in a lot! Now
it's time to head for Manchester Airport and
board our American Airlines flight 211 to
JFK. Our return home will be all the more
enjoyable if we've booked in the 757's
sumptuous Business Class cabin!
For further information about Manchester,
please log onto www.visitmanchester.com.
Historic but hipOFF THE BEATEN PATH IN MANCHESTER
Exchange Square is at the heart of Manchester's
shopping district. The pubs are Sinclair's Oyster Barand The Old Wellington, and each has a tale to tell.
Courtesy of Marketing Manchester
The Lake District, less than t wo hours from Manchester, offers stu nning scenery, rich culture and mouth-water-ing local produce. Courtesy of Marketing Manchester
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June 23, 2011 SummerScapes Hersam Acorn Newspapers 3
Vineyards flourish in the eastern half of
Connecticut, and fine weather is the time
for visiting them.
One morning we saw sun, called good
friends and were driven to Pomfret and
visited Sharpe Hill Vineyards, Connecticuts
largest winery, whose products are sold
in 20 states. Sharpe Hill Vineyard, most
beautiful, sits in splendid isolation on roll-
ing hills in a historic New England setting.
During summer months, its restaurant,
which has received top marks from Zagat
and Connecticut Magazine, serves a gour-
met lunch every Friday, Saturday and
Sunday. Dress code is casual, but reserva-tions are required (860-974-3549).
After touring the winery, its vines and
acreage, you will wish to sample some of
its produce. The tasting room, charmingly
decorated in eclectic dazzle style eye-
catching papier-mch monkeys, an an-
cient spinning wheel and much more is
enhanced by the mystique of fine wine
fermenting close by. You will be offered 10
wines in an intelligently planned sequence
at a cost of $10, and a glass to take away as
a souvenir. Kate Wetzel was our sommelier,
a lovely knowledgeable lady.
We were supplied with dump bucketsto empty glasses into after a sip of each
sample. When tasting a series of wines, it
is best to judge more with nose than pal-
ate. Recollect that tongue and mouth sense
only salt, sweet and bitter; the nose has
the ability to sense thousands of flavors.
Let the proboscis be your guide for judg-
ing and accurate identification. We were
joined by the winemaker, Howard Bursen,
who answered our questions and also ex-
plained his philosophy: Blending several
grapes can often create a superior product
that could not be attained with solely onetype of grape.
You will be given a sheet listing the wines
and their characteristics. Be fearless when
jotting down your observations; it will help
when you decide to purchase wines on
leaving. You will, as did we, want to buy.
The first wine we had was Ballet of
Angels. We fell for the label! It has a
charming portrait of Master Francis O.
Watts at age three, holding a bird, painted
by John Brewster Jr. of New York. Ballet ofAngels is a secret blend of nine different
grapes with the most obvious being fruity
Chenin Blanc, supported generously with
Vignoles. Vignoles is an interesting hybrid
created by J. F. Ravat, a French hybridizer
of the late 19th Century. High in acid-
ity, it gives structure to Ballet of Angels.
Vignoles is subject to Botrytis Cinerea, or
noble rot, making it an ideal candidate
for the production of sweet wines top-
ranked Sauternes such as Chateau d
Yquem.
Included in the group of 10 wines we tast-ed was a Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay,
a blend of Chardonnay and Melon de
Bourgogne, an alternate name for Muscadet,
which is a perfect match for seafood, shell-
fish in particular. Combine them and you
find yourself in a gustatory reverie.
Lovers of dry Bordeaux wines will exult
in the Cabernet Franc, a gutsy and el-
egant red, seemingly designed expressly
Sharpe Hill Vineyards, set amidst rolling hills, is the largest vineyard in the state. Don Pike photo
Follow your noseTO SHARPE HILL VINEYARDS IN POMFRET
by Col. Jack E. Daniels
Sharpe Hill continued on page 7
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4 SummerScapes Hersam Acorn Newspapers June 23, 2011
RIGHT HERE IN CONNECTICUT
by Robin E. Glowa
Naka, a Siberian tiger, joined the Beardsley Zoo family in 2009.
Amazing
adventures
What could be cooler than checking out a
brilliant blue Poison Dart Frog, a majestic
Siberian Tiger, suiting up for a simulated
space mission or gazing up at distant plan-
ets and thousands of sparkling stars?
Kids of every age have the opportunity to
enjoy a myriad of exciting and educational
adventures at two of Connecticuts most di-
verse attractions the Beardsley Zoo and
the Discovery Museum and Planetarium.
Connecticuts Beardsley Zoo houses a fan-
tastic array of more than 300 live animals,
including rare, exotic and endangered vari-eties. Beasts and birds, insects and reptiles
both mighty and minute reside at
this zoo, primarily from North and South
America.
Take a peek at two-toed sloths, prickly
porcupines, stunning Canadian lynx, black-
tailed prairie dogs, hypnotic gray wolves
and pale-faced Saki monkeys. Pudgy pigs,
inquisitive goats and curly-haired sheep can
be found in the New England Farmyard.
Walk along the Hoofstock Trail and discover
massive, mighty bison, graceful pronghorn
antelope and delicate deer.
Curious kids will also be able to learn more
about efforts to conserve endangered and
threatened animals, such as the gigantic
Andean Condor, regal red wolf and the
Andean Spectacled Bear.
A flock of assorted birds are here to be
contemplated, including colorful Gold and
Blue Macaws, Scarlet Ibis and mysterious
Eastern screech owls. Fans of insects, frogs
and snakes will be thrilled to see a Waxy
Monkey Frog, Emerald Tree Boa, Red-Footed Tortoise and Giant Water Bugs.
Zoo director Gregg Dancho said, The zoo
is closer than you think. Over the years, we
have worked hard to become a truly fam-
ily-oriented, educational experience thats
lots of fun for everyone. In this wonderful
backyard location right here in Bridgeport,
the Beardsley Zoo is readily accessible to all
families.
Our programs are planned around fami-
lies, he added. We want the entire fam-
ily to experience enjoying and learning
all about the animal world, while viewing
animals like tigers, ocelots and bears, or
special exhibits like the vampire bats. There
is always something new and exciting hap-
pening here at the zoo.
We installed an eagle exhibit last year that
has become one of our most popular exhib-
its, he said. We are currently updating the
otter and alligator exhibits. Were building
a Woodland Discovery Area that will be a
great place for kids to play and investigate.
New animals and baby animals will becoming and we have a terrific schedule of
summer programs!
Open every day of the year except for
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years
Day, the Beardsley Zoo is a rich resource for
family interaction. The zoo is also ideal for
kids to enjoy during school vacation or for
birthday parties.
After exploring the animal kingdom, the
spectacular world of science awaits at the
Discovery Museum and Planetarium. Alan
Winick, director of education at the mu-
seum, said enthusiastically, One of the
nice things about the Bridgeport/Fairfield
County area is the wide variety of experi-
ences and cultural advantages available for
kids and families.
We like to mine the natural curiosity of
our younger visitors, as well as rekindling
the same curiosity for our other guests,
he added. Some of our older visitors
feel that science was not particularly well
taught when they were in school. The
museum combines interactive activitiesthat helps kids and adults discover sci-
ence from the aspect of being part of the
natural world. We want visitors to leave
with a different perspective on the world.
As we like to say here at the museum, If
youre not careful, you might just learn
something!
With more than 70 programs for schoolchil-
dren and extra programs during the sum-
mer, the Discovery Museum is a significant
source for scientific exploration.
(Your feet will lead you to where your heart is.)
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June 23, 2011 SummerScapes Hersam Acorn Newspapers 5
Summer camp at the Discovery Museum is filled with adventure.
School groups are able to participate in
a simulated mission to the moon at the
Challenger Learning Center. They become
scientists, engineers and astronauts as
they experience the elements of both
preparation and completion of the mis-
sion. The amazing hands-on interaction
with state of the art technology gives
youngsters the chance to stretch their
minds and imaginations while developing
problem-solving, teamwork and decision-
making skills.
When they come back down to earth,
would-be space explorers can further in-
vestigate the galaxy in the Henry B. duPont
III Planetarium. The planetarium features
a domed ceiling and surround-sound for
a completely absorbing and unique astro-
nomical experience.
When the room is darkened, an extraor-
dinary projector transforms the dome and
you are transported into an astonishing
world of stars and planets. The projector
can actually reproduce the night sky as
seen from Earth from any time period,
whether it be thousands of years in the past
or in the future. Now how cool is that?
You can also touch a 50,000-year-old me-
teorite, build a Lego race car powered by
solar energy, play a drum kit by remote
control with optical sensors, learn about
electricity, shoot hoops at a moving back-
board, or check out special exhibits such
as Guitar The instrument that Rocked
the World, which was featured during the
month of May... its all science!
Mr. Winick said, The Discovery Museum is
one of the finest science museums in the
country, possibly because our workers still
have access to their own childhood won-
der. Were here to engage and excite our
visitors, and share our passion for science,
space and the world.
Connecticuts Beardsley Zoo is at 1875
Noble Avenue, Bridgeport; beardsleyzoo.
org; 203-394-6565. The Discovery Museum
and Planetarium is at 4450 Park Avenue,
Bridgeport; discoverymuseum.org; 203-372-
352.
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6 SummerScapes Hersam Acorn Newspapers June 23, 2011
Kids and cooking make a dynamic combi-
nation. The kitchen is a perfect place for
children its the heart of the home. Weve
always encouraged our children to explore
in the kitchen, said Sarah Bouissou of
Bernards restaurant in Ridgefield. I grew
up in a large family, and one day a week
was make-your-own-dinner night. It was
one of our favorite nights. Some meals
were good, some not so good, but it made
us comfortable in the kitchen, she said.
Under a parents tutelage, children can
learn how to cook. They can do almost
anything if youre there to show them
how, said Sarah. Her two college-age
daughters have been cooking since age
five. Maybe seeing my husband and I so
comfortable in the kitchen made it easier
for them. If cooking is a chore for you, itll
probably be a chore for them.
Tracy Inall of Ridgefield started her three
children with tasks such as stirring and
pouring. Now they can read the recipes,
get out ingredients, measure, crack eggs
and grease pans, said Tracy, mother of
Caitlin, 9, Phoebe, 7, and Angus, 6. They
make all kinds of dishes and help pre-
pare Saturday morning pancakes; Caitlin
makes her school lunches. They make
foods they love so they can sample along
the way and eat the results. The kitchens
a great place for kids to be kids. They love
rolling out dough and using cookie cutters.
My kids love to taste different ingredients
and add flavors to food, she said. Its
important for kids to be exposed to more
foods than McDonalds and chicken nug-
gets so they understand its easy to make
healthy meals, and home-cooked food
tastes better than quick, store-bought con-
veniences.
The kitchen is also a kid-friendly educa-
tional zone. When kids can see, feel,
and smell ingredients that make up their
favorite dishes and then proceed to cre-
ate them, they become involved in the
process, said Silvia Bianco, chef/director
of special events at Bank Street Tavern in
New Milford. Cooking is all about creating
something from various ingredients. Kids
learn quickly how combining certain ingre-
dients in specific ways creates a particu-
Kids whip up fun in the kitchenAND ENJOY QUALITY TIME WITH FAMILY
by Pamela Brown
Angus (left), age six, presides over a pot of Sang Chow Bow, a mixture of minced pork and lettuce leaves. Phoe-be (right), age seven, prepares the limes. Tracy Inall photos
CREAM CHEESE STUFFED FRENCH TOAST(middle school and older)
Chef Silvia Bianco brings French toast to a whole new level. She says the chal-
lah bread makes it plump, the cream cheese adds a contrasting taste and the
berries make it beautiful.
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons cream cheese
4 slices challah bread, each 1/2 inch thick
3 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Fresh strawberries or other seasonal berries
1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped, or whipped topping
Fresh mint for garnish (optional)
Maple syrup
To make batter: Beat eggs, add milk and vanilla, then beat together. Spread
cream cheese between two slices of bread. Dip in batter on both sides, then letit sit in the batter for a few seconds.
In a 9-inch skillet or flat grill:
Add butter or cooking spray to coat bottom. Add bread and cook on both sides,
over medium heat, about 2 minutes per side or just until golden brown.
Put on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 30 seconds on high. This will
insure the center of the bread is completely cooked. Top with berries, whipped
cream and syrup, then serve.
Note: For a lower-fat version, use low-fat cream cheese, low-fat milk and skip
the whipped cream.
Makes two or more servings.
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8 SummerScapes Hersam Acorn Newspapers June 23, 2011
Online with Blue Star BazaarMEGANS DISCOVERIES BECOME YOUR ORIGINAL GIFTS
by Lois Alcosser
Some little girls still want to be ballerinas,
but Megan LeBant Abrahamsens story
of her life as an entrepreneur is much
more 21st Century. She is the CEO, CFO,
president and buyer of her fast-growing
online retail business, Blue Star Bazaar,
which sells unusual accessories, toys, jew-
elry, home furnishings and fashion items.
What I look for has to be attractive, origi-
nal and beautifully made, the kind of gifts
you dont find anywhere else.
Megan grew up in a creative atmosphere.
Her father, an IBM marketing executive,
built his childrens clubhouse and made
stained glass lamps. Her mother sewedtheir Halloween costumes, and loved to
cook. Her brother is the chef/owner of
Schoolhouse Restaurant in Wilton.
With an MBA from the Tuck School of
Business at Dartmouth, Megan realized
that starting ones own business requires
multi-layered knowledge and professional
help.
There are companies whose business is
developing other businesses. I put in my
own images and descriptions and they
manage the online aspects: credit cards,
delivery times all the functions of on-
line selling making the whole processof online shopping efficient and simple. I
learned how to connect with social media
like Facebook and see how online adver-
tising works. The idea is to have lots of
online traffic, Megan says.
What happened to me is something
thats happening to many women. I had
some wonderful jobs, including very rel-
evant business experience, but marriage
and two young sons put my career on
hold. But I knew I needed a creative out-
let, a chance to use my education and
work experience to do something that
would be mine, in addition to being a wife
and mom.
Megan has thought a lot about this. Mens
careers are linear. They usually work their
way up to a desired position, but womens
lives are different. Women have to carve
out their own occupational path. We often
have to take a bold step, suddenly, and
then focus on succeeding while still fulfill-
ing family responsibilities. So a business
that operates from home is ideal.
Before Blue Star Bazaar, Megan had a trial
run selling hand-painted childrens furni-
ture. But that was just one product. She
wanted a much more exciting inventory.
I love searching for items made by small
producers, talented people who produce
exceptional products. I have childrens
T-shirts, appliqud by hand, babys bibs
that are actually elegant as well as prac-
tical. Ive just added wonderful-looking
beach bags and towels. I write an online
newsletter to let people know whats hap-
pening.
Where does the name Blue Star Bazaar
come from? I wanted a name that was
visual. Ive always loved star shapes and
bazaar not only rhymes but sounds
like a place with lots of different, exciting
products. I am the employer and the only
employee right now. I do free gift wrap-ping, and I ship everything from home
except large items that get shipped from
the manufacturer. Theres a flat rate of $7
for orders under $50 and no charge over
$50. Ill even drop off an item at some-
ones home or have it here to be picked
up by the customer.
When shipments arrive, Im as delighted
as if they were all for me. Right now, I have
mens needlepoint belts with themes like
golfing, flour-sack towels with funny say-
ings, little girls sunhats with a vintage
look, baby blankets of recycled material
and designer fabrics, outdoor explorer
kits and box kite kits, one-of-a-kind neck-laces, and soon Ill have little girls back-
to-school dresses.
Does she supply her brother, Tim, with
products for his Schoolhouse Restaurant?
We maintain the integrity of our own
customers; we do share ideas. But on Val-
entines Day, I supplied his staff with gifts
because they were all too busy to shop!
For a colorful view of Megans handpicked
items, see thebluestarbazaar.com.
Megan LeBant searches for items that are original, eye-catching and beautifully made.
Learn what its like to
grow up as a dinosaur in alife-size robotic exhibit.
MaritimeAquarium.orgExits 14n or 15s off I-95 in Norwalk, CT
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June 23, 2011 SummerScapes Hersam Acorn Newspapers 9
where superior fish-tossing skills might
send a lass to the bottom of the sea (err,
water tank). Visitors can take their own
watery voyage courtesy of Davy Jones
Locker, a multi-sensory ride, and explore
Dr. Grymms museum of oddities, featur-
ing sea mysteries, including a real-life
captured mermaid.
Kids can take part in the Pieces of Eight
treasure hunt, wiggle their way through a
huge pirate shipwreck and learn to speak,
act and mix it up like a pirate. They can
also get a temporary tattoo from a profes-
sional artist.
A blacksmith will handcraft tools of the
pirate trade, such as grappling hooks and
boarding axes, while a cooper applies his
woodworking skills to producing custom-
made peg legs.
In all, more than 40 pirates and buccaneers
will be on site. Pirates of the Hudson show-
cases the merchant history of PhilipsburgManor originally the seat of a 52,000-
acre commercial empire through the
lens of a hearty pirate festival.
As merchants heavily involved in the
trans-Atlantic trade, the Philipse family
had extensive dealings with pirates and
privateers, said Thom Thacker, site direc-
tor of Philipsburg Manor. This event is a
fun way to celebrate that history and make
those connections for visitors in a festival
atmosphere.
Draft brews from event sponsor Captain
Lawrence Brewing Company of Pleasantville
will be available, as well as a multitude
of pirate-themed culinary creations from
Tastefully Yours of Briarcliff Manor.
The Thieves Market gives visitors the op-
portunity to bag exclusive Pirates of the
Hudson booty, including T-shirts, mugs,
placemats, postcards and magnets, as well
as classic pirate accessories, such as eye
patches, hooks, masks and bandannas.
Kraken Alley will feature artists working in
various media to illustrate the mythological
sea beast which gives the alley its name.
Event admission is by advance-timed
ticket, and all experiences are continu-
ous throughout the afternoon. Tickets are
available on the hour beginning at 3 p.m.,
July 2 to 4. The last admission is at 6 p.m.
Ticket prices are $16 for adults and $12
for children under 18. Members of Historic
Hudson Valley receive a $5 discount per
ticket. Pirates of the Hudson is held rain
or shine. Proceeds benefit Historic Hudson
Valley, the Tarrytown-based non-profit edu-
cational organization that owns and oper-
ates Philipsburg Manor.
Philipsburg Manor is at 381 North Broadway
(Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. For informa-
tion and tickets: 914-631-8200, hudsonval-
ley.org.
Piratescontinued from page 1
Kids can take part in the Pieces of Eight treasure hunt. Bryan Haeffele photo
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Beat The Heat!Tents Tables Chairs
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Pool Decks Patios and Walkways
Stone Walls and Masonry Work
Landscape Image Design
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