Sponsor Shout-Out: Birch Body Care

Every year, we Hullabaloo organizers dream about having a spa day the day after Hullabaloo…And with Birch Body Care sponsoring our third annual event, it’s hard to shake the fantasy of a Monday afternoon hot stone massage. Just writing this blog post is making me relax…Yup, this just might be the year we treat ourselves!

Putting this event together is hard work—but so is being on your feet all day as a vendor all day…AND shopping can sure do a number on your aching shoulders. You should all come with!

What service will you get? Birch Body Care has a great menu of massage options—everything from traditional massages to foot rubs, prenatal massages to aromatherapy massages, and pampering signature body treatments to—my favorite—hot stone massages, all provided by certified, experienced massage therapists. But the thing that really makes Birch Body Care unique is their walk-in services. That’s right! You can drop in without an appointment and enjoy a relaxing, therapeutic massage without even getting undressed. You can even just grab a cat nap in one of their quiet rooms. Can you think of a better way to spend a lunch break?

…And can you think of a better holiday gift than the gift of wellness and relaxation? Birch Body Care gift certificates make seriously thoughtful gifts for just about anyone on your list. They also have a boutique that carries luxurious bath and body products and fair trade gift items like bags, jewelry, and accessories. Bundle a few favorite soaps and scrubs for a fantastic gift—add a gift certificate for a sensational one!

Check out Birch Body Care’s website, http://www.birchkingston.com/, to see their complete offering of treatments—and be sure to check for their December special! Ready to make an appointment? Call them at 845-331-7139.

We want to thank Birch Body Care for their support of the Third Annual Hudson Valley Hullabaloo! The next time you need a little TLC, or even just a power nap, we encourage you to check them out…we know we’ll be seeing them soon!

Sponsor Shout-Out: Kingston Land Trust—One of Kingston’s Many Assets

How lucky are we? We live in an area rich in history, culture, beautiful vistas, and natural resources…And we have great organizations like Kingston Land Trust who are committed to preserving them!

Kingston Land Trust is a non-profit organization that works for the protection and preservation of open spaces, historic sites, wetlands, scenic areas, and forests in Kingston and the surrounding areas.  And the Trust does much more than acquire and manage properties for conservation—they also develop educational and outreach programs and organize events to bolster appreciation for our area’s assets and increase interest in conservation. Finally, they help form and support community groups that preserve parkland, plant gardens, preserve cultural history, and promote recycling, as well as develop and implement other projects in line with their mission.

One of their major projects is the Kingston Greenline, a vision for a network of non-motorized urban trails, bikeways, water-trails, and walkable sidewalks that promotes “a healthy, fun, and sustainable way to connect with the City’s rich cultural, historical, commercial, and recreational resources.” Many segments are complete and many more are in the works—perhaps you can even take one to Hullabaloo, and we encourage you to check www.kingstonlandtrust.org to plan your route! The Greenline serves as a hub for the growing system of rail trails in the Hudson Valley and Catskills.

You may have heard about the Trust’s Sunday Hikes, which take place on the third Sunday of May through October, converging at Kingston Wine Co. (another Hullabaloo sponsor!).  Join them!

Not one for walking? There are lots of ways that you can get involved and show your support for all different types of programs and projects—check the website or like them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KingstonLandTrust?fref=ts to learn about more upcoming events, meetings, and initiatives, and consider making a donation.

We just love being part of a community that values these things as much as we do, and we’re grateful for all the work that Kingston Land Trust does to conserve and preserve all our natural and cultural assets. We’re thankful for their support and glad to help the Trust spread the word about their efforts. Thanks, Kingston Land Trust!  

Sponsor Shout-Out: The Mighty Mite (“That Friend” That You Need!)

Holly J Coley has always been “that friend”—you know, the one who knows all the good vegan restaurants and recommended that natural face scrub you now can’t live without? What!?!? You don’t have one of those friends? Well, let us introduce you to The Mighty Mite!

Like so many of us, Holly J (who lived most of her life in the Hudson Valley, now living and working in Beacon)  was briefly convinced she’d have to work in the city to do anything creative. But again, like so many of us, she wasn’t keen on giving up the pleasures of Hudson Valley living, and knew she could create something meaningful here.   

Knowing that this area needed a place for health-conscious people to find all the places and products she’d been telling her friends about, and aware that many people want to be healthier but don’t know how to find the resources here at home, she drew on her experience as a certified Nutrition and Wellness Coach and a writer for a variety of publications (including SHAPE, New York House, and currently, Organic Hudson Valley Magazine). Soon she was ready to introduce that meaningful project to the world... The Mighty Mite, the Hudson Valley’s premier wellness hub, officially launched earlier this year! Check it out at themightymite.com!  

The Mighty Mite showcases wellness-based businesses and spotlights local people, places, and products that serve as healthy inspirations. The site’s content covers the valley, plus select parts of NYC, NJ, and CT, appealing to our commuter population and introducing us to hidden treasures both here and nearby.

We love the way The Mighty Mite is organized: “Fuel” (favorite posts: the benefits of local honey, a recipe for a healthy alternative to soda, and “a day in the kitchen of” posts), “Move” (adventure at a local preserve, reviews of the latest workout fad, and features on local fitness studios), “Polish” (the beauty “column,” where you’ll meet great locally-produced natural brands and learn why Vitamin D is so important) and “Wellness” (wisdom about everything from naps to food documentaries). An “event” section and “directory” round out the content…and to make a great thing even better, The Mighty Mite will soon add a shopping feature!  

But Holly J’s mission is bigger than just a blog—she ultimately wants to create the kind of business that people want to work for, and provide opportunities for local creatives to share their work, both as contributors to the site, and as featured people, businesses, or products. Eventually, she plans to add editorial staff, partner with other companies, and, of course, have an online retail feature.  If you’re interested in advertising, being added to the directory, sharing your story, or submitting, email Holly J at hollyj@themightymite.com.

We were thrilled when Holly J contacted us about sponsoring Hullabaloo because she’d discovered so many great people and products at last year’s event!  And we love that we have so many amazing vendors to introduce her to this year! We’re so grateful to have support from The Mighty Mite (and someone to recommend a great gluten-free bakery!)! Thanks, Holly J!