BORED WITH THE USUAL HALLOWEEN?

Halloween season in Sleepy Hollow Country kicks off in force on Saturday, Oct. 5, opening night of the tri-state area’s largest fall events.

Continuing for 25 selected evenings through Nov. 11, The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze® is the Hudson Valley’s biggest all-ages Halloween extravaganza. A small team of artists comes together to carve more than 5,000 jacks, many fused together in elaborate constructions such as life-size dinosaurs and eight-foot-tall working jack-o’lanterns-in-the-box, all lit up throughout the wooded walkways, orchards, and gardens of historic Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. Also making its debut at this year’s Blaze is the Museum of Pumpkin Art, the first ever exhibition space devoted to sculptural works inspired by (but not made from) pumpkins.

Washington Irving’s macabre tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow inspires Horseman’s Hollow, a 13-night interactive haunted attraction at Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., recommended for ages 10 and up. Stocked with professional actors and state-of-the-art special effects, Horseman’s Hollow has a high fear factor.

Irving’s ‘Legend,’ recommended for ages 10 and up, brings the master storyteller Jonathan Kruk into the historic, candlelit interior of Sleepy Hollow’s circa-1685 Old Dutch Church, where for 13 evenings he offers a dramatic re-telling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow accompanied by live organ music.

The Legend Behind the ‘Legend’ is a new, daytime experience at Washington Irving’s Sunnyside in Tarrytown, N.Y. that highlights the author of the famous story.

Blaze Founding Sponsor is Entergy. Media Sponsors are 100.7 WHUD/The Peak 107.1. 

All events are held rain or shine. Proceeds support Historic Hudson Valley, the Tarrytown-based private, non-profit educational organization which owns and operates the historic sites that host these events.

Ticket and date informationFor Blaze, Horseman’s Hollow, and Irving’s ‘Legend,’ admissions are by advance purchase timed ticket.

Blaze dates are Oct. 5-6, 11-14, 17-20, 24-31, Nov. 1-3, 8-11. The first reservation is 7 p.m. on Oct. 5-6 and 6:30 p.m. for the other dates. Tickets are $16 for adults ($20 on Saturdays), $12 for children 3-17 ($16 on Saturdays), and free for children under 3 and Historic Hudson Valley members.

Horseman’s Hollow dates are Oct. 5-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27, Nov. 1-2, with the first reservation at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 ($25 on Saturdays). Historic Hudson Valley members receive a $5 per ticket discount.

Irving’s ‘Legend’ dates are Oct. 5-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27, Nov. 1-2. Seating is very limited, and there are three performances each evening on the hour, beginning at 5pm (6:15pm Fridays). Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for children under 18. Historic Hudson Valley members receive a $5 per ticket discount.

Legend Behind the ‘Legend’ takes place Wednesdays-Sundays in October, plus Columbus Day Monday, with the first tour at 10:30am. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $6 for children 3-17, and free for those under 3 and Historic Hudson Valley members.

Buy tickets online at www.hudsonvalley.org or by calling 914-366-6900 ($2 per ticket surcharge for phone orders).

Details: The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze
The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze, which drew more than 80,000 visitors last year, features more than 5,000 illuminated, individually hand-carved jack o’ lanterns. Elaborate single-pumpkin carvings and huge multi-jack o’lantern constructions are professionally lit throughout the landscape of Van Cortlandt Manor in various themed areas.

Favorites such as the Undersea Aquarium and walk-through Tunnel O’ Pumpkin Love are joined this year by new installations including Venus Pumpkin Traps, an enormous sea serpent, a brontosaurus, and a pterodactyl. The brand new Museum of Pumpkin Art is the first ever exhibition space devoted to sculptural works inspired by (but not made from) pumpkins. The Museum of Pumpkin Art is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Also new this year is Blaze: The Soundtrack Volume II. Building on the success of last year’s soundtrack, Historic Hudson Valley teamed up with professional musician, radio personality, and Halloween fanatic Richard Christy to create a second volume of all-original music, selections of which will play throughout the event. The soundtrack is available as a CD at the event and also a digital download from iTunes and Google Play.

Creative Director Michael Natiello leads a small team of Historic Hudson Valley staff and local artists who carve. In addition, more than 1,000 volunteers help scoop and light the pumpkins. Blaze artists will be carving on site during the event. The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze Shop offers a full bounty of Blaze-specific merchandise including hats, notepads, games, T-shirts, magnets, caps, mugs, and jewelry. Café Blazé, by Geordane’s of Irvington, will offer culinary treats including soup, veggie chili, muffins, pumpkin cookies, and cider.

Van Cortlandt Manor is at 525 South Riverside Avenue, just off Route 9 in Croton-on-Hudson.

Details: Horseman’s Hollow
Horseman’s Hollow, a haunted experience in the heart of Sleepy Hollow, takes the tale of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to its darkest extremes. Historic Philipsburg Manor transforms into a terrifying landscape ruled by the undead, the evil, and the insane, all serving the Headless Horseman himself.

Haunted house professional Lance Hallowell leads a crew of award-winning makeup and costume designers and a 40-member-strong cast of experienced actors to create an immersive, interactive, pleasantly terrifying experience, with state-of-the-spooky-art special effects.

Custom built set pieces and period-correct costumes help orient the experience in Philipsburg Manor’s traditional time period of the mid-1700s. Lighting is by Emmy award-winning designer Deke Hazirjian of New York City Lites.

Philipsburg Manor is at 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow.

Details: Irving’s ‘Legend’
Master storyteller Jonathan Kruk offers a dramatic re-telling of Washington Irving’s classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, featuring the Headless Horseman, Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, and Katrina Van Tassel. Flavored with live spooky organ music by Jim Keyes, Kruk’s storytelling takes place in the historic, candlelit setting of the Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow. The circa-1685 stone church is across the street from Philipsburg Manor, where visitors will park. Performances last about 45 minutes.

Details: Legend Behind the ‘Legend’
During October, Sunnyside celebrates its connection to Washington Irving’s classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Tours of Irving’s home – a colorful blend of architectural styles – will showcase numerous objects related to Irving’s famous story. Visitors on Saturdays and Sundays can enjoy a shadow puppet performance of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and experience one of Irving's spooky tales on a walk through the woods. Sunnyside is on West Sunnyside Lane, off Route 9 in Tarrytown.

Adding to the variety of fall activities in the Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown area, Lyndhurst debuts a new fun house for Halloween 2013.  The experience, one of the only indoor opportunities during the variable fall weather season, will utilize Lyndhurst’s historic gothic castle structure to present a theatrical Halloween fun house that’s simultaneously eerie, scary and beautiful. Additionally, Lyndhurst will offer a daytime tour experience that should appeal to those interested in history and fall foliage.

 “Jay Ghoul’s House of Curiosities,” introduces a cast of crazy family and servants stationed throughout the Lyndhurst mansion that make most families look sane. Visitors will be guided through the eerily lit and decorated mansion by a staff of spooky servants.  Visitors will be introduced to an undead uncle who’s breath betrays a taste for the unspeakable, a whacky aunt who’s crystal ball has a short-circuit to the netherworld, the strange son who can’t stop playing dirges on his harpsichord, the miserly father who is still counting his pound of flesh even though he’s become a complete skeleton.  The mansion’s spectacular dining room will be set for Halloween dinner but with fingers in the finger bowls and Mrs. Lovett doing the cooking, visitors are warned not to go into the basement kitchen unless they want to risk ending up on the dinner menu.

The mansion will be specially lighted and with the music and live actors throughout the house, visitors will be able to experience the spectacular gothic castle at night and in a way rarely seen.  While the experience will appeal to adults and teens, younger children can also participate as the most frightening element of the tour can easily be omitted.

Evening visitors will start their tours at the Lyndhurst carriage house where food, shopping and activities will be available.  Lyndhurst was the shooting location for two Dark Shadows films and fan club members and former stars often staff the visitor waiting area and talk about the film. Following the tour, visitors can return on foot to their cars via the Lyndhurst scarecrow field or can tour the field in the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage.

During the day, visitors can also get a unique seasonal experience. October is also a time that many interested in fall foliage come to Lyndhurst. During the day, visitors get to experience Lyndhurst specially decorated for the fall season and get to learn about our fascination with the occult. Special tours will explain how many of the customs we associate with Halloween and the supernatural developed in actual practices during Victorian times.  Special items are taken out of Lyndhurst’s vast collection of 4000 objects and put on view for the month of October. Lyndhurst’s grounds are particularly beautiful during the month.  As leaves turn color and start to fall, the spectacular views of the Tappan Zee Bridge and Hudson River open up.  The Lyndhurst Greenhouse lawn is filled with scarecrows dressed by local school groups.

Ticket Information

Tickets for fall events can be purchased on-line and will be available mid-August at www.Lyndhurst .org.  For full and updated information, please go to our web site.

Jay Ghoul’s House of Curiosities

Opening times:

October 18^th, 19^th 6 pm to 9 pm

October 20^th 6 pm to 8 pm

October 25^th, 26th 6 pm to 10 pm

October 27^th 6 pm to 8 pm

October 31^st, 6 pm to 10 pm

November 1^st, 2^nd 6 pm to 10 pm

November 3^rd 6 pm to 8 pm

                Tour ticket prices:

                                Saturdays and Sundays

                                Adults:                                                 $25

                                Children 12 and under:                 $20

                                Thursdays and Fridays

                                Adults:                                                 $20

                                Children 12 and under:                 $18

                Horse-drawn carriage ride tickets:                $10

                (No advance sale, purchased on-site)

 

I'LL BE TRAVELING

I will be traveling soon and not a road trip or Megabus.  Airlines.  Let's begin with that Delta charges $25 for your first checked in baggage.  That's $50 round trip!!!   Time to figure how I'll do the carry-on routine at no charge.  There are restrictions regarding the amount of "liquids".   I think that I can take a regular size deodorant as long as it's a "dry" one.   

I called the hotels that I will be staying at to find out what amenities they have.  Thank goodness that they can supply me with a small tube of toothpaste.   I just spent 77 cents on the regular size of Pepsodent as they were on sale at Stop and Shit.  Still asking where the yellow went (you have to be old enough to get that).  

You can also take a personal bag or laptop.  I'm going  for the personal bag to hold two rubber chickens and items that are not clothing.  Umbrella is free and coat is free.  I can then choose a coat or jacket with pockets.  I don't have to actually wear the coat when going through security.   So why not use the pockets to harbor clothing?  A couple of rolled up t-shirts.  Perhaps I'll wear a t-shirt under a long sleeve shirt that I'll need for the cooler evenings.  That should help as well.

Now, I'm into what I need to pack.  I thought I had it figured out until the tv commercials were getting to me.   You know the bears that "shit in the woods"?  I'm guessing that they killed off Goldilocks because these Charmin creatures must have moved in there as well as renovated it. 

"Enjoy the go" is their ad campaign.  Obviously they are never constipated (nine out of ten people who ARE constipated don't give a shit) or have the runs.  It's bad enough that they learned how to talk, they can also read the newspaper or do g-d knows what while they are on the bowl.  

The problem seems to be with the son.  He just can't wipe his ass if the toilet paper isn't soft enough.  Come to think of it, the father seems to have a problem in that the toilet paper is a fetish.  Oh, cum, cum.  He's not just doing a number 2 on the bowl.  

The son leads you to believe that there is an actual choice of either wiping your ass clean or leaving streak marks on his undies, which is the only reason to have them washed.   

Newest campaign is even worse.  They are telling you to "Join the movement".   Did they really just say that?  Hmmm...What's brown and lies on top of the piano?....Beethoven's last movement.

Now we also have another company that's telling you that it is no longer enough to simply wipe yourself with toilet paper.  You need to have "wipes" for afterwards.   

So here's the thing.  I'm not sure as to what toilet paper the hotels will be providing.  Therefore I need to bring a few rolls of puffy Charmin (I suppose that if I put them in a pillow case, I can use if to doze off on the plane) and some "wipes"....which, of course we will find out in a few years or so that there is something in these wipes that have created a fungus in the women's "down there".  

This way according to the Charmin commercials and "wipes"  I will not even have to bring a change of underwear for the four or five days. I'm so glad that the hotels provide soap!

IL PUNTO POINTS TO CHEF ANTONIO

If the tv food judges were to rate Chef Antonio Mermolia, he would have to receive the top number on presentation, creativity and taste.  This is more than apparent from its "fate fare allo chef" at a midtown Manhattan Italian restaurant, Il Punto.

Manager Giancarlo Ibba greeted me as I gazed upon an elegant but casual atmosphere not knowing what to expect. I did check the website's menu planning what I would order until I viewed the chef's tasting menu and certainly made the right choice.

Giancarlo suggested a white Italian wine after given my likes and dislikes.  Good choice.

 A basket of breads and bread sticks (made on the premises) were presented with a dispenser of evvo Italian olive oil and balsamic vinegar. 

I might as well have a bottle of water from Italy, too. 

I then met the chef who talked about his background and particular area of  Calabria, Italy that inspired a most creative cuisine.  His background is all about cooking as his parents owned a hotel and restaurant and learned to cook at the age of 16. 

The menu began with Gambro e pistacchio. Raw shrimp is specially prepared to eliminate the bacteria.  It is then pounded out.  A combination of pistachio nuts and cold water is mixed to a creamy consistency is rolled into the shrimp (like a cigar).  Orange juice is made into a more airy foam and placed atop the shrimp.  The dish is then finished off with combination of lemon, olive oil and salt.

It was followed by Branzino. Raw branzino, specially prepared, is marinated in olive oil, lemon and green peppers. Topped with a parmesan reggiano and very thin slices of scallion tops.  The plate is then dotted with parsley and lemon reduction.  Here is there a contrast of acidity to salty.

Salmone was the next sampling.  First marinated in lemon and olive oil, the salmon is smoked with rosemary (I'm not sure how Rosemary felt about this).  A creamy mayonnaise is created using parmesan cheese, eggs and oil along with black pepper.  Sitting atop this mayo it is topped with thinly fried skins of zucchini. 

I love a salad and this one was more than creative with Gelato insalata. Mermolia simmers red onions in sugar and water until the water evaporates. He then stirs in milk and cream. After being cooled, egg yolk is added to create the gelato.

The salad consists of mesclun greens, poached shrimp, shaved fennel, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and blackberries.  It is then garnishes with a bit of caramelized onion atop the gelato. Lemon scented olive oil and balsamic vinegar is drizzled. 

Pasta e Patate al profumo di costiera.  This particular dish is one that came from Chef Antonio's upbringing with his grandparents in the area of Naples and considered to be a "poor man's meal" using potatoes and flour as the main ingredients.  In this one, three fresh pasta are prepared.  Potatoes are boiled and made into a sauce with celery, onions, and a vegetable broth.  The pastas are "stuffed" with a creamy mixture of buffalo mozzarella, sundried tomato, and the zest of imported lemons from Sorrento (the same lemons used to make lemoncello) skillfully placed on top of the sauce.  Along side the pasta are clams and mussels.  Powdered sundried tomatos and micro greens are used for garnish. 

A second pasta dish Risotto con Porcini, Fontina e caffe is one that Chef  Gordon Ramsey would certainly not be yelling about.  Vialone Nano risotto is imported from Italy.  Cooked perfectly (did you get that, Gordon?),  a reduction of mushrooms, parsley and a crispy fontina cheese is the star along with porcini mushrooms and coffee to bring out the flavor of the mushrooms.

Where's the beef?  Filet mignon is marinated in milk to keep it juicy.  In the meantime, a potato is baked with salt for 3 hours and made into a "boat".  A carbonara sauce is placed in the boat and baked. It is then topped with crispy bacon.  The filet (excellent temperature) is topped with micro greens.

Time for dessert.  Rivisitazione di un tiramisu is a deconstructed tiramisu that begins with very light lady fingers, made on the premises, rests under a mascarpone gelato.  It is then topped with a coffee and gelatin whipped cream.  Cocoa powder is plated around it.

And for the finale Carota 100%. It's amazing as to what one can do with carrots that begins with a carrot "cake", made from carrots, egg and flour.  This is topped with a carrot gelato.  Then there is a sauce made basically of carrot juice and sugar.  It can you want more sauce, it is served with a small glass (rimmed with chopped carrots) of this deliciousness.

I couldn't help but notice a group of what sounded like some extremely satisfied customers who have apparently been to Il Punto prior to this evening.

THE PEANUT PRINCIPLE

Shannon and Joe Campagna had delved into a wholesale candy business, when they suddenly went nuts.   Healthy nut butters, that is.  Mostly butters using peanuts.  In fact their  new company is called, The Peanut Principle.

Don’t expect these delicious butters to taste like the bottled stuff you usually buy at your supermarket.  The closest you can come to just their basic peanut butter is by doing into a health food store and getting some dry roasted ground up.  Even then, it may not be the same since Shannon and Joe have some special equipment for grinding.

You may be able to find this brand of nut butters in some supermarkets, but it’s best to simply go to the website.  Oh, btw, there are no dairy products used.  I ordered a bunch to taste and not one to spread on bread but eating a few spoonfuls from the jar that would amount to what I would have spread on bread.  Here are the ones that I sampled.

Keep It Smooth : Dry Roasted Organic Peanuts ground to perfection in our 1950's Nut Grinder.   I happened to have some of the low sugar blueberry spread from my trip to the Poconos and combined this. 

Beat Me To The Crunch: Dry Roasted Organic Peanuts ground leaving crunchy chunks for that great flavor.   I did the same as above.

Almond The Mood For Chocolate: Dairy free Belgian Dark Chocolate, raw coconut and our signature almond butter mashed together.   Okay, this is not a peanut butter.   I didn’t really think I’d love this one, but after getting hooked on Greater’s Ice Cream flavor of Coconut Chip, I had a difficult time eating just the “spread” amount.  

The Dark Side of Peanut (Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter):  60% Dry Roasted Peanuts ground 40% Pure Dark Chocolate.  The Dark chocolate comes from a company in the Adirondacks called Barkeater Chocolates.   In fact, you can purchase the butter at their locations.

Raisin The Roof (Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Butter):  A Blend of Organic Peanuts, Ground Cinnamon, Currents and a touch of sugar.   Now this is great on French Toast. 

Razz It Up (Chocolate Raspberry Peanut Butter):  Chocolate peanut butter blended with raspberry puree.  A few spoonfuls for dessert or mixed in a smoothie.

Healthy Brain Blend: A blend of peanuts ,almonds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, brazil nuts, pine nuts, chia seeds, hemp seeds, sprouted broccoli seeds, goose berries, blueberries.  Healthy Heart Blend: A blend of peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pecans, chia seeds, hemp seeds, goji berries, banana chips, alfalfa seeds.  I didn’t think I would like these two having all that healthy stuff.   They both tasted great!  

I Think My Flax Are Sexy:  A marriage between Golden Flax Seeds and Dry Roasted Organic Peanuts!! If your need to get your Omega 3's on this is the JAR for You!!  This one is a good “smoothie” choice.

Very Berry: Peanut Butter packed with blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, acai berries, gogi berries, cherries, gooseberries and pomegranate.   What can I say about this one?   If you don’t have time for breakfast, at least have three spoonfuls of this one.  

Chocolate Haze: 30 percent dark chocolate and 70 percent hazelnut.   I didn’t really love this one due to my taste for the “nutella” type that has a lot more sugar. 

Open Sesame:  Asia Peanut Butter. This fantastic blend combines fresh ginger and garlic with dry roasted peanuts and sesame seeds.   This is the perfect one to use for cooking! 

The above are only the ones that I have sampled.   There are so many more and various nuts.   Smores fans...beware…this one is a dessert in a bottle.   www.peanutprinciple.com

OY VEY, SOUL DOCTOR ON BROADWAY

 It’s the Vienna City Square 1978 at a public concert where the mayor is honoring Nina Simone (Amber Iman).  She is vamping the song, “Am Yisrael Chai” (keep Israel alive) and introduces Shlomo.   This is Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach (Eric Anderson) who has been singing and “bringing light to people all across the world.”  He is playing the guitar and accompanied by the Holy Beggars Band who enter down the steps from the audience and make their way to the stage continuing with this song. 

There is protest from Reb Pinkas (Ron Orbach), Shlomo’s teacher, who is reminding him of what occurred here during the holocaust.  As Shlomo talks about the Reb, the scene changes to the year 1938 where he and his brother Eli Chiam are playing ball during “Shabbiss” They want to enjoy themselves and the Reb says, “Being a Jew is about pain and suffering. Joy is for the Genitiles.”  

Their father gets a letter stating that they must leave Austria in seven days.  With the Torah that has been passed down for generations the move is to New York City.  (What did you expect?).   1941, Shlomo is intent on reading the Talmud and his father starting a congregation.   There have been several songs.  In fact, expect to hear 35 numbers of an approximate 2 hour show with one interpishon. 

As the two boys age, Eli Chiam will be “swept up by the Chassidim who will be dressed in long coats and wearing “peyos”, long curly sideburns.   After much Jewish culture the scene changes to 1957 and Columbia University for a “wild Rosh Hashana dance”.   The brothers, now singing together, are told that they need to “jazz it up” and given a flyer to attend the Smoky Piano Bar.

Scene change with Nina singing “I Put A Spell On You” as Shlomo enters.  He is captured by the music and her.  Nina will never get his name correctly and will pronounce it as “Shaylimo”.   There will be plenty of funny lines in this show.  She explains how it feels to be black and he explains his past in Vienna.   They each realize that they must live their dream as Shlomo sings, “Ki Va Moed” (The time has come). 

Shlomo is invited to a Baptist Church that Nina sings at.   He is inspired by the energy.   As he leaves he is confronted by the Reb and his father.   However, the Reb makes negative remarks about the “schvartzes” and with that Shlomo’s father, a rabbi at his temple, fires Reb Pinkas.  Shlomo’s  father wants him to become a “traditional rabbi”.  Shlomo says that he must do his thing and hands over his prayer shall.

Scene change to Washington Square where a chat with a “blind guitarist” who calls him a “Soul Doctor”.  Shlomo admits that that is what he wants to be.  It is at this point that Shlomo is taught how to play the guitar.

As the show continues songs will be sung that encourage the audience to clap along, but done so when the audience at the theatre is the audience that the performers are playing to.

Rather than continue with the plot line which includes San Francisco’s Haight Asbury (which is a reminder of “Hair” and the beginning reminiscent of “Fiddler on the Roof”). Amber Iman sings only a few numbers and certainly makes a hit with the audience.   Eric Anderson get deserving  thunderous applause many times.    At one point, Shlomo meets Ruth (Zarah Mahler), who has fallen in love with him…love not returned.  She gets a solo with “I Was A Sparrow” which certainly shows off her singing talent.   

As for the show itself, if you are not Jewish or understand the Jewish culture, this may only be enjoyable in regards to the songs,  energy of the show and the humor.   Soul Doctor music was written by the actual Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and is meant to depict his life, with some “less truths”.  Who cares?   See it at Circle In The Square Theatre.  Ki Va Moed.