Carol Culkin

Well, how can I be considered the Poughkeepsie expert if I can't throw around some trivia about this place I call home? Did the title of this post grab your attention? Well, how about taking the time now to figure it out? I didn't just make this up - somewhere hidden in the trivia below is the answer!

Samual Morse, the inventor of the telegraph, moved to Poughkeepsie in 1847 and lived here until his death.

The Poughkeepsie Journal is the third-oldest active newspaper in the United States.

Poughkeepsie was the capital of New York State from 1777-1783.

Until 1972 Poughkeepsie was home to the Smith Brother cough drop factory and the Smith Brothers' grave site is in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. (ps. my church was donated by the Smith Brothers' in memory of their sister who was a nun).

Our 32^nd President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born nearby in 1882, and lived in his boyhood home until his death in 1945 - today this is owned by the National Parks and can be toured by the public. Additionally, there is a Presidential museum and library.

A brewer named Matthew Vassar founded Vassar College in Poughkeepsie in 1861. Vassar College is in located in the heart of Poughkeepsie and famous college alums include Meryl Streep and Lisa Kudrow. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis attended for two years.

The Lemonheads recorded a song titled "Poughkeepsie".

Because of the river views and easy access to New York City, famous wealthy families such as the Astors and Vanderbuilts built there exquisite weekend homes nearby.

The 2008 film The Poughkeepsie Tapes is based on a fictional serial killer from Poughkeepsie.

The name Poughkeepsie derives from a Native American word Upuku-ipi-sing), which means "the reed covered lodge by the little-water place," referring to a spring or stream feeding into the Hudson River, south of the what is currently the downtown area.

In the movie 1971 film The French Connection, Gene Hackman's character Popeye Doyle quipped "Did you ever pick your feet in Poughkeepsie?"

Poughkeepsie was the capital of New York State from 1777-1783.

Poughkeepsie is known as "The Queen City of the Hudson."

In the 1800s Poughkeepsie flourished with shipping, papermills and breweries which were located on or near the Hudson River.

When it opened in 1889 the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge was said to be the longest bridge in the world.

Poughkeepsie is home to the oldest continuously operating entertainment venue in the state, the Bardavon 1869 Opera House.

IF YOU HAVE MORE POUGHKEEPSIE TRIVIA TAHT CAN BE ADDED TO THIS LIST - PLEASE EMAIL ME!

From the quiet surroundings of Poughkeepsie ...NY City is a just a commuter train away. For the Manhattan worker, finding affordable housing is becoming more and more of a challenge. Many people seek affordable housing solutions in the suburbs. The further out, the more affordable. Westchester, Bergen, Nassau and Putnam Counties were once highly regarded as the affordable suburban communities, and commuting became the great alternative from these nearby areas, so close to Manhattan. However, many home buyers have found themselves priced out of these increasingly expensive real estate markets too now. As housing prices increased in the New York City metropolitan area over the past several years - more home buyers have been moving even further out in search of affordable housing. And, many commuters I talk to don't even mind trading the longer commute times for the quality of life ...more house, more land and the American Dream!

So the Suburban Sprawl reached Dutchess County, NY - because real estate dollars go further here than in neighboring southern counties. And, all one has to do to be convinced is price homes in Westchester County and then price homes in Dutchess County. The savings is between 35-45% less. Even in buffering Putnam County, home values are higher - just cross the border into Dutchess and one can immediately see how much more house can be bought!

Don't think the gas prices have not scared people away from Dutchess either! For many people, the commuter trains are enjoyable. One can relax with a cup of coffee and newspaper before work or unwind with a little power nap at the end of a long business day. Why endure the stress of driving and fuel costs, when you can take the train? There are 4 active trains stations in Dutchess County:

Hudson Line - with stations in Beacon, New Hamburg and Poughkeepsie

Harlem Line- with a station in Pawling

Check out train schedules and fares by clicking on the link below:

http://as0.mta.info/mnr/stations/station_detail.cfm?key=5

Parking rates at the Poughkeepsie train station:

$34 - 1 month, $91 - 3 months, $169 - 6 months, $289 - 12months ($24 per month)

Now, a word of warning - a round trip monthly train pass is $360 from Poughkeepsie to Grand Central - but once you recover from the sticker shock, you might realize that the real estate savings might be well worth a move north (and more and more, people are negotiating with their employers to work from home one or two days a week)!

For more about living and commuting in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. click on the link to a NY Times article below:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/23/realestate/23livi.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Friday, July 18, 2008 - Poughkeepsie Journal. - It doesn't get any better than this! I'd like to think everyday is a good news day. Well, at least today was and I dedicate this post to the Poughkeepsie Journal for the good news that appears on the front page of our local paper. Isn't this a great way to start the weekend? This is a reminder why Dutchess County is such a great place to live. You know it's a good palce to live when the headlines read as follows....

IBM - Quarter earnings one of the best (our major area employer).

Balloon Festival - Local businesses to get boost (a fun weekend event is planned).

Backers tie police support to facility vote (Hyde Park is looking to upgrade police facilities in an effort to keep the community safe).

Skydiver hopes errant leg turns up (Ok, it's not great news for this guy, a local resident who lost his prostatic leg while skydiving - but at least he's not afraid to laugh about it - read the story for yourself by clikcing on the link below).

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080718/NEWS01/807180344&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Relocating to Dutchess County????

When I travel to other cities and watch the local news or read the papers, I often grow more thankful that I live in Dutchess County, with all the many little safe bedroom communities. It's Upstate NY, where people enjoy a slower pace, where people make eye contact and where a friendly hello from a stranger is the norm. If you're looking for a sense of security and strong community pride - Dutchess County is the place to relocate to!

The Hudson Valley is known for a different festival almost every week during the summer - It just so happens that there are three festivals scheduled right here in Dutchess County for this weekend - you'll probably find me at one of them - guess which one! Hint...Opa!

Greek Festival - held 11 a.m.-11 p.m. June 12-14 and noon-8 p.m. June 15. Food, games, music, dancing, vendors. 845-452-0772. Kismisis Greek Othodox Church 140 S. Grand Ave - Poughkeepsie

Strawberry Festival to be held at the Hillside Lake Fire Company which includes a Chicken Cordon Bleu dinner with strawberry shortcake for dessert. You can come just for the dessert. Take out is available. Adults - $8.50. 845-226-4083. Hillside Lake Fire Co# 3 207 Hillside Lake Road - Wappingers Falls

Strawberry Festival Annual event sponsored by Beacon Sloop Club. Music, food, crafts, farmers market. Guests may sign up at the sloop club's booth for one of five free sails aboard the Woody Guthrie. 845-831-6962. Riverfront Park - Beekman Street - Beacon

With so much doom and gloom about the housing market these days , I am at least reading positive reports about Manhatten housing prices being up. In the first quarter of this year, the median price for a Manhattan home rocketed up 18%, to $872,000, compared with the same period last year, according to an April 17 report by ResidentialNYC.com.

This being said, there's a quieter and slower pace just a little over an hour asway where a home buyer can find some great deals. In Dutchess County. there's always been an influx of NY City commuters buying into more affordable lifestyles. For those who prefer not to commute by car, the Metro-North Hudson Line provides easy scheduling to/from Grand Central Station during peak commuter times (and at least hourly otherwise during non-peak times). The trains stop in Beacon, Hughsonville and Poughkeepsie. Many people who commute even take advantage of the down time by catching up on reading, sleeping, working from laptops, or just to unwind while enjoying the scenic Hudson river views.

According to the Mid-Hudson MLS, in April the average median selling price was $310,000 - down 10% from last year. So, while home prices rise in Manhatten I'm hopeful that this means more business for me! If your considering a move to Dutchess County I'd love to hear from you!