Winter Walk
Winter Walk Recollections
At the first Winter Walk in 1997, we cut the ribbon and opened the door of the first renovated room in the Opera House. Back then, we could barely imagine the level of activity that now goes on from morning until night in the Opera House. The vision of a vibrant cultural and community center has been realized. The various rooms and spaces are filled with workshops, lectures, readings, meetings and exhibits. Young children, teens, adults and seniors all participate in the numerous activities that take place seven days a week.
Ten years ago, the building was cold, unused and seen as an overwhelming project. With incredible community support, Board commitment and an exceptional staff, the building is alive and pulsing with activity. Looking back inspires us for the next 10 years as we continue to expand our programs, restore more of the building and look forward to being upstairs in the second floor auditorium.
— Sarah Lipsky Vice President Hudson Opera House
My First Winter Walk
My first Winter Walk was a very snowy December evening a few years before we opened Hudson Home. We had just purchased a home in the area and the evening was exactly the kind of experience we hoped for when we decided to come to the Hudson Valley. It was old fashioned, small town, friendly and fun. The air was crisp, snow crunched under our feet and the air was filled with the smell of wood fires.
Winter Walk is still one of my favorite nights of the year. It is a night when barriers disappear; everyone feels welcome to wander and explore all the great shops, places and things that Hudson has to offer.
I look down Warren Street and see crowds shopping, eating, and engaging in this great community. The air is filled with the excitement and energy that has moved our community forward. It is a night when we can all say thank you to our town just by participating. This experience is something that can't be found in a catalog, on the internet, or in a shopping mall. It is something that must be experienced first-hand. So come, take a Winter Walk down Warren Street!
— Richard Bodin, Hudson Home