Winter Hill, Garrison’s headquarters for nonprofit organizations, hosted the annual seafood barbecue of the Constitution Island Association June 22. Over 100 people enjoyed fare from Mount Kisco Seafood for the ninth consecutive year. Joining in the festivities were state Sen. “Bill” Larkin from Orange County and Assemblywoman Sandy Galef. Several officials from Philipstown and Putnam County also enjoyed the evening.
Warm temperatures, light breezes and the beautiful setting encouraged guests to stay long and enjoy the fresh lobster, clams, oysters, shrimp, salmon and fried chicken with salad, corn bread and desserts. Wine was supplied by Viscount Liquors of Wappingers Falls.
Winter Hill has been a spiritual and cultural center in the Hudson Highlands for more than 120 years. The house was built for the Rev. Walter Thompson and his wife about 1890. The house and carriage house were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. After its recent renovation and preservation, Winter Hill now serves as office building and meeting place for some of Phillipstown’s leading cultural institutions: the Garden Conservancy, Hudson Highlands Land Trust and the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.
The association’s executive director, Richard de Koster, expressed his gratitude: “Today, because of the leadership and initiative shown by these organizations and the enlightened conservation-minded people of Phillipstown, Winter Hill continues to play an active role in the cultural life of the community. The Constitution Island Association applauds this great contribution to our community and the institutions here that contribute to our cultural life.”
