Valley Vines

We see dead people

Rocco Manno II teaches art in Warwick Valley High School. When school’s out, however, chances are good you’ll find him creating his own landscape on his family Warwick farm.

Manno Farm has been in existence since 1950, but Manno’s father and mother are “down to making hay right now, literally,” laughed Rocco Manno Sr. “Farming is disappearing from Warwick,” added wife Linda, who says her son’s mural attracts a lot of attention on busy Route 94. “We used to be a dairy farm; now we just produce hay for other people’s cattle. We have 75 acres and lease out the remaining 225.”

Linda Manno says the mural of three 50s counterculture heroes ­ Elvis Presley, Jimmy Dean and Marlon Brando ­ took her son a weekend to complete. He’s also done one of the famous flag raising by the three New York City firemen at Ground Zero on another barn on the property. “That one will be spruced up and repainted over the summer, now that school is out. It’s taken a bit of weathering,” says Manno Sr. “And it helps people remember what happened on September 11.”

Crooning soon at Bethel Woods: the Original New York Doo-Wopp Show.

Alan Gerry promised the Hudson Valley he’d be diversified in his new venue’s line-up. Sure enough, from Bob Dylan to the New York Symphony Orchestra, Gerry’s been true to his word. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (www.bethelwoodslive.org) will now be putting on its first Doo Wopp show on Saturday, July 28 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Little Anthony may still be little (and much older) but he can belt out “I Think I’m Going Out of My Head Over You” with the best of them. He’ll be joined by Charlie Thomas’ Drifters, The Tokens, Terry Johnson’s Flamingos and The Chantels. To make the evening a complete retro night, Bethel will be hosting a classic car show that will begin at 2:30 p.m. Plenty of 1950s tailgating may be going on at Bethel, so rev up your engine and go, man, go!

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More Marlon in Warwick

Is it just a coincidence, or does the village of Warwick have an affinity for one of Hollywood’s most well-known and controversial actors? For some, Brando the icon has not been toppled by anyone in today’s movie industry ­ yet. From “On The Waterfront” to his last film, “The Score,” Brando is still a cult figure, even for those who weren’t even born when he made “The Godfather.” (That was in 1972, followed by Sacheen Littlefeather turning down the Oscar on Brando’s behalf for his portrayal of Vito Corleone.)

The Eclectic Eye on Railroad Avenue is owned by George Laurence, who recently took over the former taxi service and autobody shop adjacent to his little antiquing center. He’s transformed his shop into a mix that’s certainly eclectic, but definitely not hectic. Laurence’s shop is just one of the charms of the village of Warwick and has made the community a “must visit” for tourists in the Hudson Valley. Brando’s posters are scattered throughout his shop. “He’s still the greatest,” said Laurence. (And the posters are for sale, too!)

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Some new businesses have cropped up since our last issue:

Okey Dokey Fancy Sushi ­ not to be confused with so-so dull sashimi.

Magnum Opus ­ for those with champagne taste.

A Mother’s Second Pair of Hands ­ for those who can never get enough help with the children. (No slapping, please!)

Frying Saucer ­ Lest we be politically incorrect, we’ll leave this up to the reader to discern.

House of Shoes ­ Would have probably been on Imelda Marcos’ list of places to shop.

Oasis for the Soul ­ where Hudson Valley Business staffers want to go after the paper goes to bed!

 

 

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