More Than a Vacation: Lessons from the Hudson Valley (Part Two) Eleanor Roosevelt
August 28, 2026
As promised in my last article, here is the continuation of our adventure, this time focusing on Eleanor Roosevelt, with a brief stop at Mills Mansion along the way. Mills Mansion was once again a stunning example of Gilded Age opulence. As we drove through the massive iron gates and up the winding lane, the scene before us left us wide-eyed and speechless. Perched high atop a hill overlooking the Hudson River, the mansion offered breathtaking views. The rolling green lawn and bright blue sky provided a beautiful backdrop for this magnificent white-columned estate. The mansion boasts 65 rooms and 14 bathrooms, but as impressive as the exterior is, the interior is even more extraordinary. Everywhere we looked, there was something to admire: intricate gold gilding, richly woven tapestries, heavy velvet draperies, and an abundance of marble covering the floors, walls, and grand pillars. Every room seemed designed to convey wealth, elegance, and prestige, offering a glimpse into a lifestyle few could ever imagine. I exclaimed to my daughter, “So this is how the other half lives!” She quickly replied, “More like the 1 percent!” Learn More
More Than a Vacation: Lessons from the Hudson Valley (Part 1 Continued)
August 28, 2026
Next came Springwood, the lifelong home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Before this visit, I knew surprisingly little about either his home or his presidency. What I discovered was both informative and inspiring. I found myself taking more photographs of Roosevelt's quotations than of the furnishings. One quote especially caught my attention: "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." As I walked through his presidential library and museum, another exhibit struck close to home. It described the creation of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which provided employment during the Great Depression by building roads, bridges, schools, and parks. I immediately thought of my grandfather, whose stories I had heard growing up. Unable to find work during those difficult years, he helped support his large family through WPA projects. Learn More
More Than a Vacation: Lessons from the Hudson Valley (Part One)
August 28, 2026
To celebrate Mother's Day, my children began the tradition of all pitching in to fund an adventure that my daughter, Joy, and I take together. I cannot put into words how much this gift means to me. To spend quality time with an adult child is nothing short of priceless. Last year we traveled to the Hudson Valley to explore Nyack and Sleepy Hollow. This past weekend we returned to the region to visit Springwood, the home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt; Val-Kill Cottage, Eleanor Roosevelt's retreat; the Vanderbilt Mansion; the Mills Mansion in Staatsburg; the charming village of Rhinebeck; and Kingston, New York's first capital. I returned home with a mind filled with thoughts, realizations, entertaining stories, and a renewed appreciation for our nation's history. Bear with me as I attempt to place them in some sort of order and offer you a glimpse into both our country's past and my own reflections Learn More
You Don't Need Permission to Care
July 31, 2026
Every community has a "somebody" problem. We've all heard these familiar lines or similar ones and perhaps have even spoken them. Somebody should clean up that park. Somebody should rehab that old building. Somebody should organize an event. Somebody should create a space for kids to gather. Somebody should help our senior citizens. Everyone agrees that something should be done. The problem is that everyone assumes somebody else will do it. Communities don't change because everyone identifies the problems. They change because individuals decide to become that "somebody." I learned that lesson years ago through something as ordinary as a bus shelter. What began as a simple idea became one of the clearest reminders I've ever had that communities change when someone decides to act. For years, I lived across from what our town called a “bus stop.” Trust me, the name made it sound much nicer than it actually was. There was no shelter. No bench. No protection from the rain, snow, heat, or wind. People simply stood beneath the marquee of the Embassy Theatre while they waited for their buses. It wasn't much of a welcome for visitors, and it certainly wasn't a comfortable place for our locals who utilized the buses. Like many people, I found myself saying, "Somebody ought to do something about that." Learn More
