Ana’s Botellas: Paint the Town

Floriana, or Ana Peguero has started a most interesting craft based on her heritage infused with environmental conservation. Ana paints reclaimed glass bottles for all kinds for different uses; this is more accurately called “upcycling” by the young greensters of today. Most of Ana’s work is inspired by patterns she remembers from her childhood and younger life in a central Dominican Republic village. Ana came to Haverstraw nearly one decade ago. Today, she resides in New City. Read her account below for some background on her life and her craft:

Hopper’s Haverstraw Icon

In 1925, Edward Hopper, of Nyack, New York, set out to immortalize the “House by the Railroad” on Route 9W in Haverstraw. The canvas and oil masterpiece is on display in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in Midtown Manhattan. Hopper’s signature juxtaposition of light and dark shades created by a glaringly bright sun is evident on this piece. The “Railroad” on the lower portion of the painting is the West Shore Line, still active with freight trains. The “House by the Railroad” still sits prominently on Route 9W just north of the entrance to Main Street in the Village of Haverstraw.

Hudson River Sculpture Trail Officially Opens

On Saturday, September 30, the Hudson River Sculpture Trail will be officially dedicated and opened. The project lines the shore of the Harbors at Haverstraw and will be expanded along the waterfront promenade as construction is completed. The Hudson River Sculpture Trail is:

“. . . a visionary and ambitious project for the Hudson River. The goal is to bring 100 significant outdoor sculptures to the banks of the Hudson River from Manhattan to Saratoga by September 2009, when the celebration of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial will take place.

The Hudson River Sculpture Trail will be accompanied by literature and programs designed to bring local area residents and students in contact with the artwork and to educate viewers about the artists and their work. Special art-related education programs will be designed in conjunction with local Advisory Committees consisting of community leaders and residents, who will assist in developing programs that reflect the needs and interests of each community.

The Hudson River Sculpture Trail at Haverstraw, sponsored by Ginsburg Development Companies LLC, is a permanent display that can be visited seven days a week during daylight and evening hours.”

Please visit www.hudsonriversculpture.org for more information about the project and involved artists.

Imports: Jewelry by Mónika Rodriguez

Haverstraw’s rich wealth of culture and history continues to create new opportunities for residents to share aspects of their customs with each other. 18 year old Mónika Rodriguez lives in Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic. She began designing and creating jewelry at age 15. Mónika’s Godmother and Aunt, Floriana Gonzalez, lives in Haverstraw and receives samples of jewelry in the mail, directly from the Dominican Republic. Floriana works to sell her neice’s unique and vibrant jewelry to any interested buyer.