Dog Runs, Respites and Artist in Residence

As we sat down at our computer this morning we were overcome with the most nerve-wracking case of writer’s block that even three java grandes couldn’t penetrate. So, we decided to take the dog, a.k.a. Bad Dog, for a walk to try and clear our head and find inspiration. As we walked Hudson Terrace, stopping briefly to sniff the air, a few fire hydrants, and the hind quarters of a recently neutered cocker spaniel (Bad Dog, not us) we started to think, “Wouldn’t it be great if there was a dog run in Fort Lee?”

We may be opening a proverbial can of worms with this idea, but there are so many resident dog-owners that it would be great to meet up while the dogs get some exercise. We’d like to know if anyone out there has an opinion one way or the other about this idea. We’re sure you do and we’d love to hear them.

RESPITES

Although winter is behind us (can someone please inform winter of this?) nice weather is right around the corner. There are some great little places in town to escape to when you just want to be alone with your thoughts and maybe a good book or Sunday’s paper. One of About Town’s favorite private hideaways is a park right on Hudson Terrace before the Hudson Terrace apartment buildings. This shaded park is part of the Palisade Interstate Park system and known to locals as Shady Park. Whenever About Town vants to be alone we take a book, some lunch, always a cup of coffee and sit on one of the benches to mentally escape the madness of our day. If you feel like taking a walk, you can follow the path that goes along the border of Coytesville Park and loops around the woods. It’s also a good, safe place to take the kids bike riding, but I digress because that doesn’t fall into the category of respite, now does it?

Another hideaway can be found within the Fort Lee Historic Park on Hudson Terrace. This time of year, there’s no one at the booth collecting money to park so you can take your car up there, park and walk along the path where there are benches a-plenty. Our favorite spot in Historic Park is all the way at the northern end where you can almost reach out and touch the George Washington Bridge. The view of the bridge, the river and the changing of the seasons is a great way to clear your head.

There’s also “Police Plaza” that sits at the most northern point of Abbott Boulevard. It’s a quiet space where you can sit and reflect in the presence of the Billy Birch Memorial and other memorials to our police department. If you continue to walk along the path and cross the street you’ll be in Firemen’s Park; another quiet space if the kids are still in school and the park is empty.

Then there’s Fort Lee’s slice of the riverfront, Ross Dock. This is a great time of year to escape here if you really want to get away from it all for a half hour or so. Again, there’s no one collecting money to park and there’s something about leaning on the hood of your car staring at the river with the glorious bluffs in bloom behind you that is the best mental salve. Just remember to leave your cell phone in the car or turn it off.

So you can see that when you need to get away from it all, (and who doesn’t?) you don’t have to go very far.

FORT LEE LIBRARY EXHIBITS & MOVIE OF THE WEEK

On exhibit in the display case near the front entrance are amazing photos of war and of some of Fort Lee’s veterans during their years of service that must be seen. There’s one photo in particular that is spectacularly heart-wrenching and the centerpiece of the exhibit. You’ll know it when you see it. The photo exhibit was organized and arranged by Commander James Viola and the Fort Lee V.F.W.

Tomorrow afternoon the Library is showing “The Spy Who Came in from the Cold” starring Richard Burton, Clare Bloom, Oskar Werner and Sam Wanamaker and directed by Martin Ritt. The movie will be shown in the downstairs meeting room at 2 p.m.

Tomorrow night at 7 p.m., the Library is hosting a reception for local artist JoAnne Hayes, whose paintings and drawings are on display in the Atrium Gallery. The reception will be in the downstairs meeting room. Come out and meet one of our talented artists in residence.

The Fort Lee Library is located at 320 Main Street.