Issue 36: Living well in the Hudson Valley
With Trinity Mouzon Wofford of Golde
This week, we’re welcoming Trinity Mouzon Wofford as a guest editor. We’ve long been fans of the matcha from her company Golde and we’re lucky enough to see her and her sweet family around town. Trinity’s birth story of her first child (“a cross of a shroom trip and a marathon”) continues to leave us misty-eyed, and her Hudson Valley recommendations below will make you want to live here if you don’t already. Thank you for joining us, Trinity!
I am almost always in my house. I never leave, except for a walk around my village of 1,500 people or to buy groceries and books. I can’t tell you where to get a good drink or much of what to do for fun, but I do still have my haunts.
My favorite things tend to be smaller operations that prioritize proprietorship — I want to meet the farmer, the maker, the owner. I think in today’s world we’ve really emphasized the value that a successful business means not having to be “in there” anymore. But the best places, the ones full of humanity and character and a certain funny particularity, remind me that “in there” is really the only place left to be.
A Word on Groceries:
I make a point to avoid supermarkets — we live in one of the greatest regions for access to local food, which is more nutritious and more equitable to the growers. Getting your produce, grains, etc. fresh and local means you can do so much less to them to get a good meal on the table. Before you turn your nose up: I grew up on Price Chopper, and I’ve found time and again that I save money by going straight to the producer. To make local economical, skip over the specialty strawberries and focus on what I call the “hardworking veg” — carrots, onions, potatoes, and hardy greens like collards.
The Hudson Farmer’s Market: My family and I stop at the Saturday Hudson Market to load up on produce from Blue Star Farm — Sue and her team do a beautiful job. There is a requisite stop at the Sparrowbush Bakery stand for a stoneground croissant.
The Kinderhook Farmer’s Market: This market is smaller than Hudson’s, but worth the visit for an of-the-moment flower arrangement by Denise of Damsel Garden and a dozen eggs from Pierre of Overlook Farms. If he has any smoked pork chops, buy them all.
Seasonal farm stands: Eger Brothers (you can get a massive container of “seconds” of their fruits and make a batch of jam) and Staron’s.
Year-round farm stores: MX Morningstar and Hearty Root. Morningstar does a great job of sourcing fun citrus from California, which make the winters a touch less gloomy.
To Eat and Drink:
Stonykill Coffee and Records: My eldest daughter frequents Stonykill so often that she now has a namesake drink on the menu. I’m not sure if we are welcome regulars or the people that won’t take a hint, but Anthony has not forcibly removed us yet.
Zinnia’s Dinette is my favorite restaurant in the entire Hudson Valley. We just brought a cousin there who said the fish and chips beat out what they had in Wales. I am neither Welsh nor have I visited, but that sounds like a very good compliment.
Shopping, etc:
Henry in Hudson, Battle Brown, and Old Books are three of my favorite little shops on Warren Street. Great spots for treasure hunting for beautiful quilts, vintage furniture, and, well, old books. I do also love Red Chair, which has a reputation for being very high end, but I’ve found gorgeous little antique spoons for a bargain in the sale baskets. They’re a nice touch for your future dessert or coffee with cream.
Another great vintage bookshop is H.A.S. Beane in Red Hook — they have a tremendous selection. And if you’re shopping for a new book, The Chatham Bookstore is remarkably great.
When I need to buy clothes, I go to Rewraps, a thrift store benefiting the local PS21 Theater. They’ve got great linen pieces for summer now.
I’m eagerly awaiting the reopening of the Crandell Theater in Chatham, which closed for extensive renovations this year in celebration of its 80th anniversary. When I was doing The Artist’s Way, I would pop over to catch an indie movie for my artist dates. The concession stand had classic movie popcorn but also those flavored cucumber seltzers that I really love.
Trinity Mouzon Wofford is the co-owner of Golde, a family-operated superfood company. Her first cookbook, published by Ten Speed Press, will be released in Spring of 2026. She lives in Columbia County with her husband, mom, and two daughters.
What We’re Reading
[Trinity] - Presently, I’m reading Quantum Questions from Ken Wilbur. It’s an exploration of the writings of history’s greatest physicists as they probe around for mystical ideas of God and cosmic unity. I’m on a bit of a Ken Wilbur tear, which is not something you want to hear from someone if you don’t want the conversation to get weird.
[Ashley] - I’m writing from the Leelanau Peninsula in northern Michigan, visiting my Michigander in-laws. I’ve learned that Hemingway spent his childhood summers on Walloon Lake, not too far from where we’re staying, and I’m leaning into my adventure with “Big-Two Hearted River”, a Hemingway short story heavy on grasshopper and trout.
[Genevieve] - I am not a cook, but I subscribe to the philosophy of the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. As I join more and more meal trains, this list of 21 Dishes to Make for Someone Going Through a Hard Time (or a postpartum time!) is one I’m keeping in my back pocket. (If you want more, we also shared some of our meal train go-tos here.)
[Maddie] - Vauhini Vara’s Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age is a surprisingly moving, vulnerable exploration of AI and how we engage with it. Vara shares her Google searches and her Amazon order history, but the showpiece of the whole collection is an updated version of her viral essay in which she collaborates with Chat-GPT to write about her sister’s death. Next up, based on title alone, I Want to Burn This Place Down by Maris Kreizman.
Our Picks
[Trinity] - I’m presently enchanted by the “Jacob Cline” Monarda didyma coming up in my great mess of a garden. I planted it because it was said to attract hummingbirds and be resistant to our fierce herd of deer (both have proven true). A friend pointed out to me that the little red petals are edible. They taste like sugar-coated oregano, which is more delicious than it sounds.
[Ashley] - Here in MI, we’re situated between two quaint, small towns - Northport and Sutton’s Bay. We stopped at Farm Club en route up from Traverse City, rented road bikes and took the Leelenau Trail while towing the kiddos. Michael and I continued on kid-free riding alongside rolling farmland and cherry orchards. Today, we’re heading to lunch on the turquoise lake beaches of Fishtown. The list will go on, so, if you want to stay domestic in your travels, this area won’t disappoint.
[Genevieve] - Maddie will cover the healthy stuff below, but I’m here with a win for more casual (and to-go) burger options in the upper Hudson Valley. (Maddie: as my dietitian pal would say, it’s all about balance). The Smashburger Boxx in Hudson is bound to be a new favorite. It’s a seasonal smash burger, fries, and milkshake joint from the family behind Hudson Bagels, and they’ve been previewing the dishes leading up to the opening, so I know it’s going to be good.
[Maddie] - Cut fruit is my love language, but choking hazards are decidedly not. I’ve been using this little gadget from Oxo to prep grapes and cherry tomatoes for my kids. It cuts them into quarters much more speedily than I would using a paring knife and cutting board, and in the pre-dinner rush, that’s enough to justify adding a unitasker to my already crowded kitchen drawer.
Working Together
Now that the “One Big Beautiful Bill” 🤢 has passed the Senate and moves on to the House, reach out to your U.S. Rep and share your thoughts on the proposed cuts to Medicaid, rural health care, SNAP, Planned Parenthood, public education, clean energy, and so many more vital programs. Alex Friedman summarizes it all neatly here.
If you’re in NY-17, represented by spine-of-a-jellyfish Mike Lawler, you know what to do – 202-225-6506. For the rest of us (we’re in NY-19), 5 Calls has everything we need.
In the Neighborhood
We live in the Mid-Hudson Valley and we’re keeping tabs on these (mostly family-friendly) events near us. If there’s another event you’d like us to share, please send it our way!
Ongoing Events
Through July 9 - Carnival at Poughkeepsie Galleria, Poughkeepsie
Through August 16 - Bard Summerscape, Annandale-on-Hudson
Through the fall - Sky High Farm Biennial Exhibition, Germantown
Mondays - Wiggles and Words (for 0-6 months) at the Red Hook Library, Red Hook
Mondays - Songs & Stories at Ulster Public Library, Ulster
Mondays - Pre- and Post-Natal Yoga and Breathwork at Lava, Catskill
Mondays and Fridays - Tunes and Tales at the Red Hook Library, Red Hook
Tuesdays - Storytime with Robbie at Starr Library, Rhinebeck
Wednesdays - Runs with Return Run Club, Hudson
Wednesdays from July 9 - August 20 - Waterfront Wednesdays, Hudson
Thursdays - Music & Movement Storytime at the Hudson Area Library, Hudson
Thursdays - Haema pop-up at Return Brewing, Hudson
Fridays - Preschool Story Time at Ulster Public Library, Ulster
Fridays from July 18 - August 22 - Wethersfield Adventurers Club, Amenia
Saturdays - Hudson Farmers' Market, Hudson
Saturdays - Maverick Family Saturday concerts, Woodstock
Saturdays - Outdoor Yoga (with llamas) at Clover Brooke Farm, Hyde Park
Sundays - Rhinebeck Farmers’ Market, Rhinebeck
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July Events
Starting July 3rd - Kids & Kin Yoga with A Tree Told Me, Rhinebeck
Thursday, July 3 - The Art of Remembering with Caitie Hilverman at The Spark of Hudson, Hudson
Thursday, July 3 - Independence Day Celebration, Catskill
Thursday, July 3 - Upstate Color Monthly Happy Hour at Camp Kingston, Kingston
Thursday, July 3 - Sunday, July 6 - The Little Mermaid at Orpheum Performing Arts, Tannersville
Friday, July 4 - Children & Families Walk at Storm King Art Center, Cornwall-on-Hudson
Friday, July 4 - First Fridays, Catskill
Friday, July 4 - Independence Day Celebration at T.R. Gallo Park, Kingston
Friday, July 4 - Independence Day at Clermont State Historic Site, Clermont
Friday, July 4 - People’s Parade, Kinderhook
Saturday, July 5 - Independence Day Celebration, Germantown
Saturday, July 5 - Chathan Remote Society Meetup at Greenhouse Cidery, Chatham
Sunday, July 6 - Kinderdisco at Fisher Center, Annandale-on-Hudson
Sunday, July 6 - BreakBread World Potluck & Conversation, Woodstock
Starting week of July 6 - Catskill Mountain Music Together classes, various locations
Tuesday, July 8 - Summer Warm-Up Party at Hudson Area Library, Hudson
Tuesday, July 8 - Home-Cooked: Benefit for Columbia County Recovery Kitchen, Hudson
Wednesday, July 9 - Baby/Toddler & Me Yoga with A Tree Told Me, Chatham
Wednesday, July 9 - PlayPals, a RIE-inspired playgroup at Ulster Public Library, Ulster
Saturday, July 12 - Hudson Mile & Youth Race, Hudson
Saturday, July 12 - The A-OK Scavenger Hunt, Kinderhook
Saturday, July 12 - Chatham Summerfest, Chatham, NY
Saturday, July 12 - Strong Here fitness class with Maxine Craig, Ghent
Saturday, July 12 - Art Omi Open Studios, Ghent
Saturday, July 12 - Sunday, July 13 - Basilica Farm & Flea Summer Market, Hudson
Monday, July 14 - The Soft Spot Presents: Rooftop Yoga Class & Diaper Drive with Lava Yoga at The Spark, Hudson *
Tuesday, July 16 - Baby/Toddler & Me Yoga with A Tree Told Me, Chatham*
Thursday, July 17 - Columbia County Recovery Kitchen Celebration, Hudson ^
Thursday, July 17 to Monday, July 21 - Upstate Art Weekend, Kingston and beyond
Friday, July 18 - Monday, July 21 - GROUNDTONE Music Festival at PS21, Chatham
Saturday, July 19 - Farm Feast at Stissing House, Pine Plains ^
Saturday, July 19 - Natural Dye Workshop by Sun Drawn, Catskill *
Sunday, July 20 - Sound Mobile Making Workshop with Super-Stories at PS21, Chatham
Monday, July 21 - Forest Yoga with A Tree Told Me, Red Hook
Tuesday, July 22 - How to Stay Tidy with Tiny Humans at The Spark of Hudson, Hudson
Saturday, July 26 - Camp Here Nowhere Now retreat, Livingston
Saturday, July 26 - Community Barn Raising at Art Omi, Ghent
^ = for adults
* = will likely sell out, so book soon
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