Checking In: Mary Stuart Masterson (Please Come Back)
Exclusive: Our fave 1990s “It” Girl is still some kind of wonderful. | By Sarah Carpenter
Even if you haven’t seen anything she’s been in since she played the unforgettable tomboy facing unrequited love in Some Kind Of Wonderful, you’ll recognize Mary Stuart Masterson. Oh, and she rocked Fried Green Tomatoes and the adorbs Chances Are as well. For one thing, she looks the same almost three decades later (why didn’t I ask her about skincare?) and for another, she’s the type of actor whose face never left your memory—though she’s moderating the “Actors Who Direct” panel at the Woodstock Film Festival. She pays it forward as the founder of Stockade Works, a Hudson Valley-based local crew training and mentorship program and Upriver Studios, a woman-led sustainable production facility in the Hudson Valley, which opened in 2020. Here at The Mountains, this ’90s “It” girl is still it for us.
What’s the big misconception a lot of people still have about you?
They think that I’m super organized and buttoned up. The truth is, on most days, I’m living my life like
a finger painting.
Our favorite films of yours are Some Kind Of Wonderful and Fried Green Tomatoes, and we’re low-key obsessed with Chances Are. Which project of yours has been the most celebrated and which is maybe the most unsung personal favorite?
I’m so glad you liked those movies. I also loved making Benny And Joon. And Immediate Family is one I like that most people don’t know about. Also, Book Of Stars, that I made with Jena Malone in the late ’90s.
With two movies coming out this year, can we expect a Mary Stuart Masterson don’t-call-it-a-comeback comeback? We’re certainly crossing our fingers.
How sweet. While I’ve made three movies in the last two years, and had fun making them all, I’m not allowed to speak about them due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. I have several projects in development that I’m producing and will direct, aiming to shoot in the Hudson Valley.
Trend: Are You Following @catskillsbarbie On Instagram Yet?
Three must-follow accounts for all area Barbies—and Kens. | By Isabella Joslin
From Hudson Valley to the Catskills, the breathtaking landscapes and picturesque scenery have become a haven for Instagrammers seeking the perfect backdrop for the perfect content. The diverse range of photo-worthy opportunities has attracted a growing number of unique Instagram accounts throughout the region from clothing brands to DIY crafts. But three chic local Instagram accounts have piqued our curiosity and totally deserve a follow.
@catskillsbarbie Meet @catskillsbarbie, the account that’s been breathing life into the beloved childhood doll (since long before Margot Robbie perfectly embodied stereotypical Barbie on screen) by embarking on beautiful adventures throughout the Catskills region. With an appreciation for the natural wonders in our own backyards, and a perfect mountains adaptation of Barbie’s iconic wardrobe stylings, @catskillsbarbie leads her followers to unveil the majestic peaks and tranquil lakeshores.
@loupnyc Perfectly located on Warren Street in the heart of Hudson, Loup is a cutting-edge clothing brand that infuses a modern and urban vibe into the local fashion scene. Follow this distinctly “north of Manhattan” fashion revolution and embrace the #loupspiration.
@justcallmehomegirl Tara Boettger’s Insta drops a regular dose of creative inspo to your feed. Based in the Hudson Valley, @justcallmehomegirl shares her passion for home goods and empowers others to reimagine their living space. A definite must-follow.
Legacy: “Tony Sarg: Genius At Play”
The first comprehensive exhibition exploring the life and art of Tony Sarg (1880-1942), the charismatic illustrator, animator, puppeteer, designer, entrepreneur and showman who’s celebrated as the father of modern puppetry in North America. The exhibit runs through November 5 at the Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, MA. His vast knowledge of puppet technology was instrumental in his design of the inaugural Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1927.
Picture This: Moon Struck At SUNY New Paltz
The Muriel & Jack Smolen Observatory at SUNY New Paltz welcomed the Class of 2027 with a cool tour. The on-campus observatory was gifted to the college in 2010 and houses Mr. Smolen’s original telescope, including a 14-inch Celestron Schmidt Reflecting telescope on a Paramount mount and two smaller 8-inch Dobsonian telescopes. The Observatory is open to the public for “Astronomy Night” on the first and third Thursday of each month that the university is in session. For these lucky first-year students, the sky’s certainly the limit. Photographed on location on August 26, 2023 at 9:26pm by Toni Gerunda.
Extra Credit: The Truth Behind Vassar’s Famous Fudge
Making fudge was a popular activity at women’s colleges, especially Vassar College in Poughkeepsie. In a letter written by Emelyn Battersby Hartridge, a student at Vassar, she recounts purchasing a box of fudge for 40 cents a pound in 1886 in Baltimore. Another student at Vassar claimed to have introduced it there in 1888 by selling her own batch. The diary of student Elma Martin mentions making “fudges” in 1892. An 1893 letter from Adelaide Mansfield, another student, describes “fudges” as having sugar, fruit, chocolate, milk and butter. A recipe for “Fudges at Vassar” was printed in The Sun in 1895. Describing the confections as “Vassar chocolates,” the recipe consists of sugar, milk, butter and vanilla extract. –James Long
Retail Therapy: Hudson Clothier Goes Deep
Sustainable fashion with cool knick knacks, what’s not to love?
Nestled in the heart of Hudson’s main artery Warren Street, Hudson Clothier is a sustainable fashion haven. Opposing fast fashion, Founder MaryVaughn Williams says she wanted her work to carry a deeper message. Her aim has been to “define the shop by what’s being made in the US; what brands were still holding on (heritage labels) and what newer makers were arriving on the scene.”
Hudson Clothier also serves up bags, eyewear and home décor, blending classic charm with modern allure. Williams says, “The ripple effect of buying American-made is huge, and educating my customers is part of my mission and my joy.” Green has never been—or looked—more fashionable. –Isabella Joslin
Closet: The Falls Upcycles Clothes From Mumbai To Kripplebush
Vintage meets modern. | By Todd Plummer
Tired of the same old, same old vintage? Enter fashion brand The Falls: an expert curation of best-of-the-best vintage that’s been upcycled with one-of-a-kind embroidery, making every piece unique. It’s the brainchild of embroidery designer Leong Ong, whose fashion credits include Oscar de la Renta and Anthropologie. He sources the best pre-loved pieces to his studio in the historic hamlet of Kripplebush, NY then sends them over to India for hand embroidering by the finest artisans in Delhi and Mumbai (he purchases carbon credits to offset his shipping). The result? One-of-a-kind vintage pieces whose second act is arguably better than their first. Check out their Instagram (@the._.falls) for the latest offerings, as well as notices about upcoming pop-ups at area fairs and retailers.
Civics: America’s Oldest Covered Bridge
The oldest covered bridge in the US can be found on the grounds of Glimmerglass State Park in Cooperstown, NY. At 53-feet across it’s also one of the shortest. The bridge, located at the historic Hyde Hall mansion, was built in 1825 and restored in 1867. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. Photograph by Jesse Lee Tucker.
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