A Suggested Summer Sunday Outing Destination.

I am talking about the 1.1 square mile of a historic Hudson River shore village - Piermont! It is an under-stated, under-commercialized, un-congested intimate historic place to walk around and enjoy it's serenity, a community of charm and comfort. I, tongue-in-cheek, think it's population of less than 3,000 are fewer people than in some of our supermarkets on a busy day.

Late in the 20th century it was a modest tourist attraction for day trippers from New York City. Its even better now.

I fell in love with the village when I represented it on the Rockland County Legislature, during which I especially came to savor its uniqueness and history.

To begin with is the Erie Railroad Pier. Strolling to and on the Pier offers a close-up brilliant sight of the Hudson River and New York City skyline.

But what stirred my imagination [as a very old former Marine] that it was ferry terminal which many of our Gi's from all over the USA stationed in the world's largest Port
of Embarkation, Camp Shanks, boarded the ferries which took them to the New York City Port. From there, over 1.3 million Gi's crossed the Atlantic Ocean to England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland [where my wife was born at that time]. Most of GI's populated the assault forces that invaded France in the world's greatest military invasion and began the defeat of the nazi army. One-day U.S. deaths on the beaches of France exceeded 2,500, mostly very young men.

Piermont created a beautiful memorial Statue of those GI's, too many of which were killed and buried in France.

Speaking of the Erie Railroad, there was of course a Piermont Railroad Station, which has been preserved and is now on the National Register of History Places.
The Erie railroad was in business from 1832-1960 and was 2,316 miles long to Buffalo [Lake Erie]. Its President lived in Piermont

Another stop on the main strip is the Turning Point Music Cafe. The Turning Point was started back in May of 1976. The list reads of performers is long and impressive: Arlo Guthrie, Kris Kristofferson, Dave Mason, Poco, Orleans, Bela Fleck, Bill Monroe, Joan Osborne, Christine Lavin, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Richie Havens, Janis Ian, Rick Danko, just to name a few. It have presented shows with over 47 members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

On Sunday, August 15th, at 4 PM, my son, Chris Murphy, an American troubadour living in Southern California, will again, for many times, makes it a stop on his Annual East Coast Tour. Besides our family home, the Turning Point is Chris' second Rockland Home.

To learn more about this gem, with all its fantastic restaurants.

So, give this some thought, plan to come to Piermont for lunch in one of the many extrardinary restaurants, walk around the Village and on the Pier and end-up in the Turning Point OR come to the 4 PM Gig and have dinner after. It will make a great day Make sure you make a reservation at the Turning Point. It's not a big venue, almost the opposite. Like Piermont itself, it's intimate and very casual.

For reservations call 845-359-1089 Wed-Fri 12:00-5:00 - proof of vaccination is required -the ticket cost is only $21.20