Author Archives: Robert Brum

Music fest stays true to its roots

Veteran DJ Bruce Figler has curated another strong lineup for the Pleasantville Music Festival, mixing A-listers with locally grown talent.

Scarsdale’s hippie millionaire: ‘Money’s the least of what I’m giving away’

Michael James Brody Jr. and his wife, Renee Dubois, set off a mad money scramble in 1970. Photo: Discovery +

Ride an e-bike? Me? Never! OK, probably not

These step-thru e-bikes “are not necessarily for people who are on their road bike with clip-ins and padded spandex shorts.”

‘In our hearts, these students will remain forever young’

Fifty years after a collision involving a school bus and freight train took five young lives and changed safety regulations nationwide, the Rockland County, N.Y., town where the tragedy occurred is marking the date with a memorial.

From Civil War soldiers to suburbanites, this saloon has hosted them all

From the days of the Civil War, the various owners of this saloon have been welcoming visitors from near and far. Photo by Robert Brum

A slice of heaven on Cheesecote Mountain

This small park hidden in the woods atop Cheesecote Mountain has been a favorite destination since my days growing up nearby. The drive up the narrow, twisting road to get there isn’t always easy, but it’s worthwhile. Read the full story by clicking the link below. https://hudsonvalley.town.news/g/nanuet-ny/n/66666/long-and-winding-road-cheesecote-pond

Nyack, New Rochelle, and the song about ‘Day the Music Died’

Fifty years ago, American Pie reached No. 1 on Billboard’s charts. Here’s some backstory on the making of a record that was born here in the Hudson Valley.

Hit-making studio legend recalls Springsteen’s breakthrough recordings

Brooks Arthur, the engineer behind hit records by Carole King, Neil Diamond, Janis Ian, and the Shangri-Las, was the founder of 914 Sound Studios. Photo by Betsy Hammer