Where in the Hudson Valley…?
Nín hâo, Hudson Valley! Last month, we asked readers to identify the whereabouts of this “fearless” stone Buddha. Poughkeepsie’s Alicia Plevritis was quick to pinpoint the statue’s location at the entrance of the Chuang Yen Monastery on Route 301 in Carmel, Putnam County. The site’s expansive grounds contain the Woo-Ju Memorial Library, the only bibliotheca in the United States that specializes in reference texts about the Buddhist religion — over 70,000 of them in all. For this month’s quiz — featuring the tombstone of our country’s favorite “uncle” — head over to our Back Page.
I’ve been to this serene oasis when I wanted to clear my head or just get some soothing peace and quiet. Beautiful place!
Virginia F. Smith
Wallkill
I love taking out-of-town visitors to the monastery — it’s like stepping across continents. And the new parking lot and walkway up to the main building have made entering this treasure all the more impressive. The vegetarian lunch on Sundays after meditation is also a treat. Thanks!
Kendra Parker
Garrison
Ferry interesting
My wife and I enjoy your magazine very much. In your cover story “Then & Now” (December), you talked about the ferries along the Hudson River that were replaced with various bridges. There was a ferry at West Point called The Highlander which for many years carried cars and passengers between West Point and the Garrison railway station.
It stopped service when the Bear Mountain Bridge opened on Thanksgiving Day 1924. The Bear Mountain was the first vehicle bridge built between Albany and New York City (the George Washington Bridge opened about 1930). Continue the good work.
Michael C. Graber
Highland Falls
I enjoyed reading your December issue, particularly page 42, which shows a picture of a ferry that crossed the Rondout Creek south of Kingston circa 1900. My ancestors on my mother’s side of the family operated a ferry on the Rondout during the same time period. I have seen pictures of a vessel (larger than the one appearing in the December issue) which was operated by my great-grandfather.
Kevin O’Dell
Ballston Spa
