Clarification from HBCi

Two weeks ago, Gossips shared the news that there was to be a roundtable with representatives of Bard College on Tuesday, December 9, to discuss the Galvan Foundation's gift of its Hudson real estate holdings to Bard. Needless to say, many people were interested in attending, and the limited space at the Park Theater filled up quickly. What was not made clear in any of the information available about the roundtable was that it was intended only for business owners, so instead of making arrangements for the event to be livestreamed, which would make it available to anyone interested in the impact this move by Galvan will have on our little city, people who have registered for the event but who are not business owners are being asked to give up their space so business owners can attend. The following appeal was distributed this morning: 

Dear Community Members,

Thank you for your RSVP to the upcoming Hudson-Bard roundtable. We're grateful for the strong interest in this conversation and the care our community is bringing to this opportunity.

I want to take a moment to share an important clarification about the scope of our upcoming roundtable, it is specifically intended for Hudson's business owners and members of the Hudson business community. The purpose of this event is to open a dialogue between Bard College and the local business community, specifically focusing on the impact of Galvan's real-estate gift to commercial property and our Hudson businesses.

We understand that some attendees who RSVP'd may not be part of the Hudson business community and we kindly ask that you release your spot so we can ensure space for those the event was designed to serve. We truly appreciate your understanding.

A forum for discussing residential impacts and properties included in the gift will be addressed in an upcoming public event in early 2026 at an appropriate venue. This will provide Hudson residents and the broader community with an opportunity to understand the full scope and potential impact of the gift as it is finalized. Please look to Bard's Communications Office for updates on that public event.

We look forward to creating a productive, informed conversation with Bard's leadership, one that supports transparency, collaboration, and a strong future for Hudson's business community.

Thank you again for your interest and engagement. Hudson's strength has always come from people who care deeply about this place, and we appreciate your commitment to staying informed during this important transition.

Best,

William S. Blowers

President & Membership Director

Hudson Business Coalition (HBCi)

Looking Forward to Winter Walk

Winter Walk happens this Saturday, December 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. This year, some new features have been added, which are described in the following press release.

The Foundry at Hudson which has partnered with the City of Hudson to produce this year's Winter Walk announces new transportation options for visitors to the beloved street festival which will feature over 50 attractions and conclude with fireworks.

For the first time, the festival has arranged for additional satellite parking to be available on the campus of Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School, 102 Harry Howard Ave. Visitors to the festival who choose to take advantage of the ample parking at the elementary school lot will be able to take a free shuttle from the elementary school parking lot to Warren Street sponsored by Johnston Transportation. The shuttle will run in a loop all evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. transporting visitors to and from Winter Walk.

The Foundry and the City also announce the addition of an accessibility "Slay Ride" to the Winter Walk festival. This "Slay Ride" is a holiday decorated six-person golf cart which has been donated to the festival by W&B Golf Carts. The drivers of the "Slay Ride" are sponsored by OUT Hudson. The golf cart will travel up and down Warren Street throughout the festival transporting the elderly, or those who require assistance traveling the length of the street. It will stop at each intersection and for anyone who flags it down.

Winter Walk 2025, which takes place this year on December 6 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Hudson's historic Warren Street, will feature over 50 attractions and performers, 34 street vendors, and at least 75 shops open late. At 5 p.m., the festival will begin with a colorful procession down Warren Street featuring all the artists performing at the festival. For the first time, the procession will include extraordinary large-scale illuminated puppets designed by Processional Arts Workshop and built and carried by community members.

As last year, Winter Walk will feature two performance stages with performers who are both local to the region and New York City. On one stage, the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus will perform feats of acrobatics and clowning along with Forro the the Dark, a percussive ensemble from Brooklyn performing music from Brazil. Two bands from the Capital Region will be featured on the other Winter Walk stage, including the Powerhouse Funk Band performing funk and pop hits. They'll share the stage with Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra, a 12-piece ensemble performing upbeat dance music.

Over 30 Warren Street shops are participating in the traditional Winter Walk Window Decorating Contest by decorating their windows in elaborate and quirky ways to celebrate the holiday season. Awards celebrating some of the most outstanding windows will be given out by a special Winter Walk Committee the night of December 5. As in past years, festival attendees can stroll the length of Warren Street and just enjoy the late night shopping in the stores that are open late.

Information about all the parking options for Winter Walk as well as an online interactive map of the festival can be found at winterwalk2025.org.

The name "Slay Ride" is undoubtedly intentional and not, as a reader suggested to me, a misspelling of sleigh, but it does seem odd that a conveyance meant for Boomers (and even older folk) should be given a name whose cleverness relies on a Gen Z understanding of the word slay.

Surprising News

The Times Union reports today that Lil' Deb's Oasis is for sale: "Lil' Deb's Oasis seeking buyer as owner moves on after 10 years." According to the article, chef-owner Carla Kaya Perez-Gallardo announced on Instagram this morning that she is stepping away at the end of the year and is seeking a buyer for the restaurant. Lil' Deb's Oasis will continue to operate, however, under the management of its current staff.

Photo: Times Union

The article does not mention what is to happen with the restaurant's plans to expand and relocate to 735-737 Columbia Street, a building that was acquired for that purpose in 2022. The plans, which include two kitchens, a larger dining room and bar area, outdoor space, and event space, were before the Planning Board for months in 2023 and 2024, but a decision in the site plan review is still pending. The intended changes to the exterior of the historic building, which started its life as a Pure Oil gas station and was most recently the location of TJ Auto Service, were granted a certificate of appropriateness by the Historic Preservation Commission in March 2023.     

COPYRIGHT 2025 CAROLE OSTERINK