Chester — A Jewel of a Village in Orange County

I used the "Pop Art" setting on a new camera to accentuate the bright colors in Chester's Main Street.

I used the “Pop Art” setting on a new camera to accentuate the bright colors in Chester’s Main Street.

It’s genteelly picturesque, steeped in history, has a nice outdoor market during the warm months along with a vintage railway station that now serves as home of the local Historical Society and as one of the principal starting points for the renowned Heritage Trail. As villages go, Chester is one of the tops in Orange County — in my opinion, perhaps THE top.

Here is a small collection of pictures I’ve taken in Chester on recent visits.

The weekly Farm Market operates on Sundays near the entrance to the Heritage Trail.

The weekly Farm Market operates on Sundays near the entrance to the Heritage Trail.

Assemblyman James Skoufis maintains a strong presence in the village.

Assemblyman James Skoufis maintains a strong presence in the village.

Two local restaurants: A blackboard displays the beer offerings at Touch Base ...

Two local restaurants: A blackboard displays the beer offerings at Touch Base …

...and a cautionary sign at Clayton Delaney's Dining Saloon

…and a cautionary sign at Clayton Delaney’s Dining Saloon

If you’re in the area, don’t forget to drop in to my photo exhibit reception at The Cottage Place Gallery in nearby Ridgewood, NJ:

Sunday September 14, 2014, 2 to 5 pm 113 Cottage Place Ridgewood NJ

Sunday September 14, 2014, 2 to 5 pm
113 Cottage Place
Ridgewood NJ

Cold Spring Christmas

Here is another mini-collection of photos of Hudson Valley towns decked out for the holidays. This time it’s Cold Spring in Putnam County.

The reflection of the decorated shops across the street in the window of one of Cold Spring’s wonderful antique shops gives a “two-for-the-price-of-one” image.

This cheerful snowman greets passersby outside my favorite Cold Spring cafe.

One of Cold Spring’s premier restaurants boasts not only a river view, as its name indicates, but also a stunning view of Storm King Mountain, as you can see, on the other side of the Hudson.