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Pleasantville's Andrea Garbarini produced the film.
YouTube trailer "From the Ground Up"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36OL701EJ0A&feature=player_embedded
Credit Lynda Shenkman Curtis
Legacy
of Wisdom:
Library in Rockland County
named in memory of 9/11 hero.
The Dennis P.
McHugh Piermont Public Library opened in Rockland County, honoring the
firefighter from Engine 22/Ladder 13 who made the Supreme Sacrifice on 9/11
It was a gift inspired by a fallen firefighter who valued the power of an
education.
In March, the doors of the Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library opened in
the village of Piermont in Rockland County.
The 4,000-square foot library includes more than 13,000 books, a children’s room
with an arts-and-crafts area, a gallery space and a community meeting room with
a 100-person seating capacity.
“The library is a beautiful tribute to a man who prized his family and community
above all else,” said Captain John Hemsley, who worked with Firefighter McHugh
at Engine 22/Ladder 13.
Firefighter McHugh, 34, joined the FDNY in 1998 after leaving a job on Wall
Street. He made the Supreme Sacrifice while responding to the World Trade Center
on September 11, 2001.
He is remembered by many as an optimist with a quiet confidence that reflected
his happiness. The firefighter also was a family man, doting on his three young
children.
Many said the library was a tribute to Firefighter McHugh’s belief in the
importance of education, remembering that he regularly took his daughter to the
local library as part of their daily routine.
The Dennis P. McHugh Foundation donated $500,000 for the construction of the $2
million waterfront building, which replaced the village’s aging library. In his
honor, the library also will include a tribute to all those lost on September
11.
Firefighter McHugh’s widow, Una, and their children, Chloe, 11, and twins Sophie
and Joe, 6, cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony.
“We spent a lot of time down here as a family, walking around, going to church,
eating in the restaurants, so it was a perfect location to do something that
will always bring out the best of not only Dennis but everyone who loves him,”
Una McHugh said.
Rob Hinchcliffe, a Foundation board member and brother-in-law of Firefighter
McHugh, said the library is a great achievement that shows what people can
accomplish in the wake of a tragedy.
“I think it’s an incredible testament to an incredible person,” Hinchcliffe
said. “It’s a great feeling of accomplishment. We look forward to moving onto
other causes.”
For more information about the Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library or to
learn more about the foundation, visit www.dennispmchugh.org.
Dennis McHugh
A bridge to the future
The wind-swept place on the edge of the Hudson River near the Tappan Zee Bridge
was where Dennis McHugh enjoyed life: running along the water, attending nearby
St. John's Church, sharing a quiet dinner with his wife, Una McHugh, at the
Sidewalk Cafe.
In April, builders are due to break ground in a parking lot there, the future
site of a magnificent red brick building with a river view and stacks of books
offering windows to other panoramas.
The Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library will honor the 34-year-old
firefighter from Ladder 13 on the upper East Side who perished in the World
Trade Center attack. A foundation set up by his family has pledged $500,000
toward the construction of the library and community center.
"We had spent a lot of time at that spot, and I was reaching for something to
make something good happen out of all this mess," Una McHugh said.
Una McHugh, 38, is a reading specialist in the Nyack school district, and her
husband loved books and instilled that love in his oldest daughter, Chloe, 8.
The couple also had twins, Sophie and Joseph, 3.
"I always went to the same library, and Dennis would hop around, go to all the
libraries in the area with Chloe," Una McHugh said.
Dennis McHugh had a career in financial services before he became a firefighter
in 1998. His wife said that people were shocked that her husband had 30 credits
toward his MBA.
Her brother, Rob Hinchcliffe, said the foundation pledged $500,000 over several
years, to be raised at various fund-raising events, with the McHugh-Hinchcliffe
families making up the difference.
The foundation will fund ongoing children's programs at the library, which will
have an auditorium and cultural center, expanded children's section, updated
computer equipment and a selection of volumes on local history and geography.
Una McHugh said the project has helped her get through the pain of losing her
husband. "To see the involvement of family and friends and community ... the
support is comforting," she said.
http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2004/02/22/2004-02-22_gifts_to_make_9-11_loved_one.html
Archives
Our efforts have paid off and we're happy to announce the Grand Opening
of the Dennis P McHugh Library held in Piermont NY March 10, 2007. Take a look
at some News articles regarding the new Library.
Innovations Abound
at Piermont Library
Based in part on
The Journal News article
by Amisha Padnani, published August 24,
2007.
Explore Picturesque Piermont
By JENNY HIGGONS ROCKLAND
MAGAZINE
( Peter Carr / The Journal News )
The crowd applauds at the opening of the Dennis P. McHugh Piermont
Public Library in March.
Posted:
Mon, Sep 17,
2007
In a recent
interview with The Journal News, Piermont Library Director Victoria A.
Lees describes new programs, innovations, and increased usage since
the opening of the new library building in March 2007.
"During our
opening ceremony, I joked that we don't want the library obsolete when
it opened," Victoria A. Lees tells The Journal News.
New
Technologies
The library
has introduced several innovations. These include new technologies
such as the availability of free
wireless
Internet access
(Wi-Fi) and Wi-Fi enabled
laptops to
borrow.
Spanish-speaking Community Reach
Also new at
the library is a focus on Piermont's growing Spanish-speaking
community. New Spanish-language books, DVDs, and other materials have
been added to the collection, and a new Spanish-speaking program,
Lingo Bingo,
is among the several weekly events offered by the library.
For Teens
Teenagers
form another group the library is reaching out to, according to
consulting librarian Cheryl Wheeler. The library has a new "Teen
Section" with a growing collection of popular books. There are new
events for
teens
and a plan to add comfy furniture to the teen corner.
Preserving
History
While the
library looks forward to the future, it is also making efforts to
preserve the past. Grace Mitchell, the library's local historian, is
conserving and archiving many of
Piermont's
historical records.
Increase
in Library Visitors
In the few
months since the library opened in March of this year, more than 5,530
people have visited the new library. In comparison, a total of 2,324
people visited the old library in the entire last year.
Based in
part on
The Journal
News article
by Amisha Padnani, published August 24, 2007.
10 New Reasons To Love Piermont
By JENNY HIGGONS
ROCKLAND MAGAZINE
Mark Vergari / Rockland Magazine
The exterior of the Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library.
(Original publication: May 31, 2007)
Boutique Triple Play
1. Extreme Library Makeover. In March, the Dennis P. McHugh Piermont
Public Library—named after a New York City firefighter who died on
September 11—replaced the old one that was in a cramped, untidy, and
musty Victorian home on Hudson Terrace. The new digs are spiffy and
spectacular, with the old two-floor layout replaced with a spacious,
airy area that’s more convenient to strollers. The upgrades also
include wireless access, improved shelving, handicapped accessibility,
a child-friendly front desk, on-site parking, info on local history,
and a more effectual circulation desk (25 Flywheel Park West;
359-4595; rcls.org/pmt).
Clothes Encounters
With last summer’s arrival of Paradise Blue, there’s no need to go to
Manhattan’s SoHo for premium denim and contemporary designer clothing.
Owners Rob Pennock and Lori Jacobs have sewn up the market by selling
dresses and tops by the in-demand labels Joie, Ella Moss, Steven Alan,
Mint, Cris, and jeans by Earnest Sewn, 7 for All Mankind, Citizens,
True Religion, Paige, Big Star, AG, 1921, and Joe’s. Pennock says that
most of Paradise Blue’s merchandise is unavailable elsewhere in
Rockland. Bonus: You can even pick up fresh flowers at Aubrey Flowers
and Goods, which occupies the back third of the store (510 Piermont
Ave.; 365-2583).
Keyboard Connections
Launched in March, PositivelyPiermont.com serves as the modern-day
village hub to connect residents and merchants of Piermont, Palisades,
and Grandview. Among the features of the site: free classified ads, a
local calendar, a recipe exchange, a guide to downtown Piermont, and a
lively community discussion forum.
Extreme Library Makeover
In March, the Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library—named after a
New York City firefighter who died on September 11—replaced the old
one that was in a cramped, untidy, and musty Victorian home on Hudson
Terrace. The new digs are spiffy and spectacular, with the old
two-floor layout replaced with a spacious, airy area that’s more
convenient to strollers. The upgrades also include wireless access,
improved shelving, handicapped accessibility, a child-friendly front
desk, on-site parking, info on local history, and a more effectual
circulation desk (25 Flywheel Park West; 359-4595; rcls.org/pmt).
Take a Seat
The promontory that leads to Piermont’s pier lets visitors enjoy its
refreshing breezes, fishing opportunities, and the occasional Al
Pacino sighting. Alas, there’s nowhere to sit down. Nowhere, that is,
until the installation of 12 new cedar benches last fall. Spread along
the outcrop and strategically placed for optimal riverside views, the
benches were the result of a new mayor-appointed parks commission.
A Three- (or Ten-) Hour Tour
This month, Paradise Boats begins running round-trip trips to the
majestic Statue of Liberty. The captain, Coast Guard-licensed Bill
Herguth, takes the helm of two crafts—a 26-foot sailboat that requires
eight to 10 hours, and a 18.5-foot motor boat that does it in
three—that he launches right from his backyard. While on board, you
also get magnificent views of the Manhattan skyline (sailboat: $300
for six passengers; motorboat: $25 per person or $150 for six; 15
Paradise Ave.; 845-359-0073; paradisecanoeandkayak.com).
Depot Debut
Behold, Piermont-on-the-Hill station’s return to splendor! The
1,068-square-foot Ash Street stop served the Erie Railroad’s
Nyack-Jersey City passenger line for almost 100 years before closing
in 1967. But thanks to the hard work of the Piermont Historical
Society—as well as countless donations and state aid—the building has
been restored to its former glory. The renovation, finished in
December, included extensive roof repairs, reconstruction of the
fire-damaged nine-foot cupola, and the original colors of French-grey,
olive-green and Tuscan-red.
Dental Do
Many people don’t relish getting their teeth worked on, but when
dentist Rafael Caniza came to town in October, it made the trip a lot
less painful. Using aroma therapy and flat-panel TVs in his treatment
rooms and waiting areas, his relaxing living room-like environment
almost makes a visit to the tooth doctor seem fun. Almost (449
Piermont Ave.; 365-4270; piermontdental.com).
Soft Touch
First there was “comfort food;” now there’s “comfort clothes!” That’s
the idea behind the intimate, chic garments at the store Skin, which
debuted in February. All of its wearable wares—bras, underwear,
pajamas, robes, tank tops, dresses, and sweaters—are made from
super-soft pima cotton and fashioned by owner Susan Beischel, who
designed the stylish, super-comfy clothing so it can also be worn
outside the house. With a sophisticated interior that seems straight
out of Manhattan or Paris, Skin also carries jewelry, handbags, body
lotions, and sensual oils (530 Piermont Ave.; 680-6090;
skinlingerie.com).
Raising Your Spirits
Ever since Jung Kim bought Piermont Fine Wine & Spirits in November,
villagers have enjoyed a retailer that carries a variety of high-end
wines, such as Kaymus, Philip Togni, and Cake Bread. The shelves are
also stocked with hard-to-find booze like Black Maple Hill whiskey,
Hudson Baby bourbon, and Kracher dessert wine. Connoisseur Kim hasn’t
gone totally high-end, though: You can also get a nice bottle of vino
for $10 (503 Piermont Ave.; 359-0700; piermontwine.com).
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