Kathy Recchia recently shared her experience out on the town in Essex, NY one November evening. Recchia assumed that our little “summer town” offered little between Columbus Day and Memorial Day, but she is reconsidering her notion after discovering that Essex doesn’t hibernate through winter.
Recchia began her evening at the Belden Noble Memorial Library for a Poetry Open Mic. Locals gather monthly to share their own original poetry along with favorite works by other poets. Sometimes works in progress are shared giving poets the chance to receive helpful feedback.
There are about a dozen writers here who have braved the cold to listen and share their words… George Davis leads off with a poem titled, “Demolition Derby”—followed by Judith Moore’s “Refrigerator Blues.” Another participant shares a poem that is a work in progress which culminates in a chanting section that starts out Gregorian and ends with a Buddhist-like meditative chant.
Amy Guglielemo gives us a sneak preview of a children’s book she is working on and photographer Kathryn Cramer reads from Quintan Ana Wikswo’s “In Which the Artist Is Held for Questioning by the Virginia State Police.” Kevin Cooper of Westport shares his original poem, “Shooting the Split” which fosters a great deal of conversation about the setting (which is local) and the symbolism. Kevin comments that he “loves Split Rock but, you know, it doesn’t love me back” and it is that sort of sentiment that went into the poem. This instigates some comments about whether a rock can love you back. “If it’s a worthy object of love, it shares the generosity of love, creating love in you.” Even the ancillary discussion is poetic. (Lake Champlain Region)
If you haven’t yet, you can check out one of the Essex Library’s poetry nights for yourself on December 19th at 7:00pm. Come to recite your poetry or just to listen. The event is free and open to all poets and all kinds of poetry! RSVP to the event on Facebook to let others know that you will be attending.
After the upbeat poetry gathering, Recchia and friends stopped by the Essex Inn for a bite to eat.
“[A] few of us walk down the street to The Essex Inn. I am a bit skeptical, considering the hour, but I learn that the Inn stays open until 10 pm and is open from Thursday through Monday, even in the shoulder season. We share three appetizers, oxtail stew, venison burger, and more–all this on a Thursday night in November in Essex, NY!” ~ Kathy Recchia
You can read the full story “Essex, NY–Not Just a Summer Tourist Town” on the Lake Champlain Region blog. Perhaps this will inspire you to stop by Essex, NY to see what’s going on in the so-called off-season. After all, Essex isn’t just a summer town; it’s an autumn, winter, spring and summer town!
Related articles
- Vintage Photo: Main Street Parade (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Upcoming Essex Events 12/8-12/15 (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Photo: Sleigh Near Essex Community Church (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Photo: Essex Main Street Winter Scene (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
More accurately…. “loves Split Rock but, you know, it’s just a rock, it doesn’t love me back” 🙂
Surely seems like a summer town, iced covered sidewalks, only 3-4 operative businesses open on main,no bathrooms available to the public or visitors,town hall has but is often closed Fridays and for sure weekends, more cooperative connections with sister town Willsboro,incorporate together a sister Chamber….big meeting planned for this upcoming week? Has anyone been invited formally from Willsboro? Like the new Supervisor? As far as public opinion goes Essex is a ghost town with 3 exceptions.Change the viewpoint and not for those businesses listed in the yellow pages,we could all show the extraordinary amount of commercial operatives but truly the ones that count and draw are the restaurants,specialty shops( gifts,antiques, and special personal services that make the difference!) Opinion expressed is based on observation and thoughtful impressions of those that have a year round investment in the well being of a community that that they are involved in and are vested in.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Connie. It’s true that there’s of plenty of room for growth in year-round Essex services. The challenges are obvious to any of us who live/work here year-round, but I remain optimistic that with enough collaboration (and patience) we can reach the tipping point. Part of the reason we were thrilled with the source article for this post is that the author, Kathy Recchia, was happily surprised to discover how much activity she found upon visiting Essex. While shortcomings and frustrations are inevitable, positive feedback like this from non-Essex residents is encouraging. It is vote of confidence that we’re making progress. I am hopeful that the local businesses meeting tomorrow night are another indication that progress is being made. As for collaboration with neighboring towns like Willsboro, Westport and Wadhams, I agree that it is crucial. We all sink or swim together. This Adirondack Coast is a unique and enchanting destination, and together we can germinate and nurture a healthy, thriving year-round economy. Here’s to a successful 2014! 🙂