From tree to press: The local orchards producing delicious ciders and wines from their estate-grown apples
If you’re an apple lover like me, then you know that there are few things better in this world than a nice, fresh hard cider.
The importance of local libraries & why they matter more than ever
Public libraries are one of the few places in modern society where nothing is expected from visitors. There is no status or membership required to access them, and you can stay all day without having to spend a dime.
In recent years, public libraries have increasingly taken on roles in their communities that fall […]
Goddess Goodness: An exhibition at the Athens Cultural Center explores the concept of “goddess”
Above: Ntangou Badila, Cells horizontal.
When Niva Dorell was approached by the Athens Cultural Center to curate an exhibition around the theme of ‘goddess,’ she was of course intrigued. “There were so many directions it could go,” she says when I catch up with her to talk about the show and her role in it. Her […]
Book Clubs: A brief history and why they’ve stood the test of time
Born out of a desire to spend more time in third places – locations separate from home (first place) or work (second place) – this year, in the midst of winter, Lindsey and I created a book club with a few of her friends from high school. Part of the reason we started a […]
Indie romance authors & the always altering universe of BookTok: Approaching tropes, cover designs, and piracy in today’s digital landscape
When August rolls around, I get to thinking about books. It simply can’t be helped – in past years, I’ve written about Romance Awareness Month and Read-A-Romance Month for our August issue, highlighting a vast selection of independent authors and their writing processes. Last year, I even expanded this inquiry to encompass plenty of other […]
Celebrating 50 years as a regional cornerstone: Reading up on the story & evolution of Oblong Books
Above: Dick with Oblong’s billboard. All photos courtesy of Oblong Books.
As the well-loved independent book shop commemorates 50 years in business, founders Dick Hermans and Holly Nelson, as well as Dick’s daughter and the store’s co-owner Suzanna Hermans, reflect on Oblong Books and its half-century of success. With locations in both Millerton and Rhinebeck, NY, […]
The Blue Olive: Crafting a special, illuminating olive oil & vinegar tasting experience in Dutchess County
All photos courtesy of The Blue Olive.
The Blue Olive founder and owner John Canevari first conceptualized the idea for his business long before the shop’s opening date in July 2014. Indeed, a quite serendipitous connection led to John’s vision for The Blue Olive, an olive oil and vinegar tasting room with locations in Pawling, Cold […]
Much ado about java: Checking out local caffeine culture & understanding what it takes to make a coffee shop a true favorite
Above: Espresso at Twisted Sisters Coffee House.
Here at Main Street, we love our coffee. It keeps us going both in and out of the office, and a morning at work for us feels utterly incomplete without a little caffeinated kick, whether that be a classic iced caramel latte, a foamy vanilla cappuccino, or even a […]
Where goodness is in more than just the food: Taste Budd’s Café
Above: Every flavor of fudge is more delicious than the next at Taste Budd’s.
Taste Budd’s Café in Red Hook, NY, is celebrating a significant anniversary this year – 20 years since the café was purchased by Daniel and Julie Budd. For an eating establishment to survive more than ten years is an accomplishment, so this […]
Beyond the plate: Cello fosters connection and creativity in the Berkshires
“When Ryan and I first started dreaming about working together, we always said, ‘Maybe one day we’ll end up back in the Berkshires.’ It just felt like home – the pace, the culture, the people who care deeply about food, art, and nature. So when the opportunity to join Cello came up in Lenox, it […]