Not so Gray

The Nueberger Museum of Art's retrospective of Cleve Gray covers 30 years of the American artist's work. A highlight is Threnody (right), a 28 panel piece developed as an elegy for the Vietnam war. The exhibit runs through September 9th. Cleve Gray: Man and Nature

Country Cool

This home has an engaging mix of country charm and modern hipness. The original structure dates to 1777, but there is also a mid-century vibe going on. The living room looks large and bright and has a number of interesting features. The up-to-date kitchen and bathroom feel a tad out of place, but they're far better than the more common colonial reproductions. Situated in Ossining, on the edge of the Teatown area, the four plus acres are gorgeous and include a pool, pool house, and barn. The only apparent downside to the 3,500 square foot, 5 bedroom house (other than the wall-to-wall in the living room and master) is it's location on busy Route 134. But the house appears to be pretty far back from the road--and the location is probably reflected in the relatively low price. $929,000
Houlihan Lawrence

Celebrating Illustrators' Art

Ever been amazed at the beauty of the illustrations in a children's book? Then you'll be pleased to learn about Open Books, a collaborative effort by a variety of Westchester institutions that will celebrate the art of children’s book illustration. The Jacob Burns Film Center will show such classics as The Wizard of Oz and Sounder as part of their monthly Movies for Kids series. The Katonah Museum of Art is presenting Children Should be Seen: The Image of the Child in American Picture Book Art, which includes 85 original works. The Westchester Arts Council is spotlighting the work of local book illustrators in Seeing Stories. And the Hudson River Museum is presenting Building Books: The Art of David Macaulay. Open books

Farm Fresh

While local supermarkets and gourmet food stores all now have good selections of organic meat and produce, there's still nothing like getting your food straight from the farm--or at least the farmer. Fortunately, Northern Westchester still has a number of working farms (including the County-owned Hilltop Hanover Farm in Yorktown Heights, above) and we're steps away from hundreds more.

Hemlock Hill Farm, in Cortlandt Manor, is a good place to get a range of fresh goods year-round. The store carries chicken, duck, lamb, goat meat, and beef (all of which come from the farm's livestock, which live free-range on the over 100 acres of pasture) as well as eggs, milk, yogurt, and cheese. Hemlock Hill Farm

Meadows Farm, in Yorktown Heights, offers a large selection of locally-grown produce, including some that they grow themselves.

Farmer's Markets are plentiful in the area. Many feature live music in addition to produce, baked goods, and crafts:

• Katonah: John Jay High School, Route 121, Saturday 8:30 AM to 2 PM
• Mt. Kisco: Mt. Kisco Train Station, Saturday, 9 AM - 2 PM
• Ossining: Corner of Main and Spring Streets, Saturday, 8:30 AM to 2 PM
• Peekskill: Main Street and Bank Street, Saturday, 8 AM to 2 PM
• Pleasantville: Manville Road and Wheeler Avenue, Saturday, 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM
  Source: New York Farmer's Market

Tudor in the Trails

Tucked away in the Trails section of Croton, this 1925 stone Tudor is a charmer. Details include gorgeous wooden beams, leaded glass windows, a slate roof, and three very cool copper-hooded fireplaces. The interior photos do make the rooms look somewhat dark, a common downside of stone houses, and the listing describes the kitchen as large but "waiting for you to remodel." Set on 1.2 wooded acres, the home has a lovely stone patio. $799,000 Houlihan Lawrence

Grooving on the River

Yes, it's time again for the Clearwater Hudson River Revival Festival, that once a year two-day extravaganza of music, activities, tall ships, and good vibrations at Croton Point Park. This year's performers include Bruce Cockburn, The Cowboy Junkies, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and, of course, Pete Seeger. The festival is an ode to the mighty river and raises funds to keep it clear and clean. So let the sun shine in and feel the love. June 16-17. Clearwater Festival

Early Modern

Located on Quaker Ridge Road in the Croton side of the Teatown area (which straddles Croton, Ossining, and Yorktown), this 1936 International Style home features partial river views and early modern cool. Renovated, with central AC, the 3,200 square foot 4 bedroom home appears to have retained its high style. The 2 acre property includes a separate studio. A real find in a wonderful setting. $1,195,000 River Towns GMAC Realty

Inspirational Art

Exaltation 2004 by Damien Hirst (right) is part of Reverence, an exhibition currently at the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art in Peekskill. The exhibit, which explores “the transcendent, the elegiac, perhaps even the divine without ritual or doctrine,” features work by over 30 artists from around the world, including Anselm Kiefer, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Francesco Vezzoli. If the art doesn't do the trick, go down to the Riverfront Green Park--the view of the mighty Hudson is always sure to inspire. Through July 29th.

Historic Homestead

Located in the lovely Kitchawan area of Yorktown, the Chadeayne Homestead is a stunner. Built in 1759, the house is a local Historic Landmark. Original charm abounds, with wide-plank floors and multiple fireplaces. Updates include a high-end kitchen which, though the cabinetry is too heavy for my taste, seems to fit the house well enough. The 1.6 acre property includes a pool. Picture-perfect. $1,100,000

Houlihan Lawrence

Coffee Houses

Northern Westchester is chock-full of independent coffee houses. Here are some favorite spots to get a cup of joe.
1. Peekskill Coffee House The Peekskill Arts District is an oasis of urban hipness, and this coffee house is it’s hub. The space is big and bright, the furniture is an eclectic mix of Deco pieces and country antiques, the walls display work by local artists, there’s a selection of children’s books to keep the wee ones busy, and the crowd is as diverse as one can hope for. Oh, and there is a huge variety of coffee and pastries. There’s live music Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00, and Sunday afternoons at 1:00. The coffee house is a WiFi zone, so bring your laptop. Peekskill Coffee House
2. The Black Cow Imagine a mix of aging hippies, hip artists, and tot-toting moms and you’ve got the scene at this Croton fixture. There’s a huge choice of coffee blends (see the website for the current offerings) and if the kid’s books don’t do the trick, there are bound to be some other youngsters for your child to stare at. The art is by area residents (the website offers links to the artists’ sites). Black Cow
3. Perks Coffee & Tea Bar This Katonah coffee house is small but sleek. The outdoor tables afford a nice view of picture-perfect Main Street.
4. Yorktown Heights Starbucks Yes, I know, it’s a Starbucks. But in the hot weather the nicely landscaped patio is the ideal place to enjoy an iced confection in the shade.

Cinema Paradiso

The Jacob Burns Film Center is celebrating Classic Italian Cinema this month. Films include La Strada, A Quiet Place in the Country, and The Good, The Bad, And the Ugly. Jacob Burns Film Center

3, 2, 1...Launch!

Welcome to Northern Westchester Home, soon to be the go-to spot for information on real estate and living in the area. We'll be covering real estate listings, hot spots, communities, events, and more. Stay tuned.

About the Site

Northern Westchester Home offers information and insight on real estate and living in the communities on and around the Croton Reservoir and River. This is the only independent, unaffiliated site addressing the current market in the area. The blog has no relationship with any realtors, agencies, or businesses, and is completely free of advertising.

About Me I moved to Northern Westchester from the city seeking a more balanced life and a place where my child could enjoy both culture and nature. I love the area and hope to spread the word to those seeking a home in the New York metropolitan region. The purpose of the blog is to provide information on the area, the current market, and the general life style that the area provides. I am not a realtor or a real estate expert of any kind—I'm just someone who loves great houses, enjoys blogs, and likes to write.

Contact Me Please feel free to share ideas, suggestions, questions, and complaints: EMAIL ME