2010 in review

Thought this would be a fun post to share For anyone looking to buy or sell Westchester country real estate this year, here is even more incentive as to why you should chose to list or buy with Scott Richardson Realty. Check out our new website when you get a chance!

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 13,000 times in 2010. That’s about 31 full 747s.

The busiest day of the year was October 30th with 485 views. The most popular post that day was Fun Halloween Events & Haunted Houses in Westchester.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were activerain.com, en.wordpress.com, search.aol.com, livinginbedfordny.wordpress.com, and tips-tools-tutorials.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for haunted houses in westchester ny, apple picking westchester, hudson view condos ossining ny, haunted houses in westchester county, and apple picking in westchester.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

Fun Halloween Events & Haunted Houses in Westchester September 2010
5 comments and 1 Like on WordPress.com,

2

Pumpkin Picking in Westchester September 2010
6 comments

3

Looking for a Westchester Condo or Townhouse? February 2009
2 comments

4

Apple Picking near Westchester September 2010
7 comments

5

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze September 2010
2 comments and 1 Like on WordPress.com,

Cut your own Christmas Trees in Westchester & Fairfield

An Old Fashioned Christmas

There is something extra special about gathering the family together, bundling up and cutting down your own tree. In addition to a fun adventure, you are also supporting your local tree farmers. Here are a sampling of local “cut your own” tree farms within a reasonable driving distance from Westchester.

Note:

You may also want to invest in a good pair of hand pruners or hedge sheers from your local hardware store. After you are done pruning & shaping your tree, you can use the scraps to Make your own wreath using a clothes hanger! If you are debating on a real vs artificial tree, check out this article by a local tree farm.

WESTCHESTER (& ClOSE SURROUNDING) COUNTIES

 

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm, Yorktown Heights

Choose and Cut Trees from Saturday after Thanksgiving through 3rd week in December. Free hot cider for whole family.

Hardwick Tree Farm, 213 Wood Street, Mahopac (845) 528-5814

Open on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
You can cut your own tree, or have it done for you. Free hot cider and cookies. Trees are $12 per foot, minimum of 5 feet.

Abel Tree Farms, Verbank, NY

Open Weekends for you to choose and cut your own Christmas tree. Trees are shaped and up to 10′ Tall. All trees are $45 except Blue Spruce ($55, tax included). Complimentary mesh to facilitate handling and are happy to help tie to your car. Free hot chocolate and other goodies.

Bilmar Nursaries, Pleasant Valley, NY

Home of the NYS 2008 Fair Grand Champion Christmas Trees! Located in Dutchess county, they provide saws and free tree baling. Netting for most sizes. Open 7 days a week until Christmas (including Christmas Eve). Hay wagon and fire truck rides to and from the field on weekends. Refreshments available.

Solvang Tree Farm, Poughkeepsie, NY

Cutyour own tree up to 8′ Available, $45. Also fresh cut trees available, trees include baling. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9-4:30 after Thanksgiving. Wide variety of trees including White Spruce, Coorado Blue Spruce, Scotch Pine, Meyer Spruce, Douglas Fir, Engelmann Spruce and more. Friendly farm animals in barnyard to visit. Gladly help cut and load trees, refreshments & gift shop.

Evergreen Farm, Millbrook, NY

Naturally farmed Christmas Trees ranging from $8-10 per foot up to 8′ in height. 2008 Best in show at County Fair.

FAIRFIELD COUNTY

 

Warrups Farm, Certified Organic, Redding, CT

If you are searching for a Certified Organic Christmas tree (a popular request!) we have found your place! Cut your own or they will cut for you. The trees have a “natural” shape and are not shaped like store-bought trees, but that offers more places to hang ornaments from. Trees range from 4′ to 20′ with most of them in the upper range. The prices range from $25 to about $100. Its best to call first so they can direct you to the grove of trees best suited to your needs. 203-938-9403.

More Fairfield CT tree farms

Dont forget to prepare and take care of your tree to avoid fires!

For preserving the tree in warm homes, the experts have several suggestions:

* Cut the stump about an inch above the original cut so coagulated resins do not stop the flow of water into the tree.

* Put the tree in a pail of water that holds at least a gallon until you are ready to set it up, and replenish the water daily.

* Set the tree up in the coolest part of the house, as far as possible from fireplaces, radiators and television sets, all of which produce heat that can dry it out.

* Before stringing lights on the tree, check them for burned-out bulbs or frayed wiring.

* Unplug the lights before going to bed each night or before leaving the house to minimize the possibility of fire.

Read more here: NY Times Article

Fun Halloween Events & Haunted Houses in Westchester

Halloween Events & Haunted Houses in and around Westchester County

UPDATED 2010!

Want to see the Headless horseman in person or attend a spooky haunted house? Check out these events this fall before and on Halloween.

Scarecrow Invasion

October 10-31st

Daily 10:30am – 3:30pm.  Visit 600 scarecrows representing famous artists and historical figures created by local elementary and intermediate students. Participate in a Scavenger Hunt and enter a raffle to win a family pass to the very popular Lyndhurst Boofest.  $15 grounds fee for Adults; $5 for children ages 4-12.

Scarecrow Autumn Festival - October 9, 11am – 4pm

Boofest

October 29th

Westchester InTown magazine quoted a reader who said “her favorite October family Halloween event was the Lyndhurst Boofest.” Join us for an interactive evening including barn dancing, a silly 19th century Mansion tour, a fortune teller, story telling witches, trick or treating and a tour of 500 scarecrows. Admission: Adults, $13; Children ages 3-12, $8; Friends of Lyndhurst, 1/2 price. Reservations required, please call Ira Stein at (914) 631-4481, ext. 43230 or email him at ira_stein@nthp.org.

Horseman’s Hollow

Philipsburg Manor
Sleepy Hollow, New York ( Directions )

Oct 15-16, 22-24, 28-30

Are you ready to be scared out of your mind?

Horseman’s Hollow, a BRAND NEW haunted experience, takes the tale of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow to its darkest extremes. For eight October evenings, historic Philipsburg Manor transforms into a terrifying landscape ruled by vampires, witches, undead soldiers, ghouls, and ghosts, all serving the Headless Horseman himself!

Jonathan Kruk’s Legend

Master storyteller Jonathan Kruk offers a dramatic re-telling of Washington Irving’s classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, featuring the Headless Horseman, Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, and Katrina Van Tassel. Flavored with live spooky organ music by Jim Keyes, Kruk’s storytelling captivates all audiences.

Philipsburg Manor, Sleepy Hollow, New York ( Directions )

Enjoy a rustic October celebration with pumpkin carving, spooky storytelling, open-hearth cooking, and colonial games. Visit the water-powered gristmill, 18th-century barn, and newly restored manor house. 10am – 4pm

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

October/November 2010
2-3, 8-11, 15-17, 21-24, 28-31, Nov. 5-7

DON’T MISS the Hudson Valley’s biggest, most exciting, most electrifying Halloween event, featuring more than 4,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o’ lanterns! Meander through an 18th-century riverside landscape and discover a breathtaking display: slithering snakes, shrunken heads, a giant spider web, an undersea aquarium, super-sized dinosaurs, pirates, ghosts, plus a mammoth exhibition of mummies and a pyramid…straight out of ancient Egypt and all made of jack o’ lanterns!

Haunted Houses in Westchester

Playland’s “Scared by the Sound”

All is not well when the amusement park rides close for the season and the haunting month of October begins. Beyond the deserted midway and dark boardwalk lurk creatures that dare you to be “Scared by the Sound!”

The Haunted Mansion

Hudson Valley, NY

The Haunted Mansion has always provided more than just the scare factor. We were one of the first haunted houses to utilize a storyline, allowing our guests to become part of the show. We were also innovators in the use of video technology as part of  the mystery and illusions presented in our attractions.

TerrorDome Haunted Scream Park

Newburgh, NY

As the cool, crisp fall air starts to set in, the creatures at TerrorDome comes out to play.While TerrorDome’s four haunted attractions are designed to terrorize the bravest souls, our festive shops, two spooky snack stands, and festive town dedicated to Halloween will soothe the faint at heart.

Our staff takes pride in delivering a memorable evening as you explore our world. We never stop short of creating a place where Halloween is brought to life, and every year our attractions are reinvented.

Skull Island Scream Park “The Scariest Place on Earth”

Fishkill, NY

Skull Island is a forbidden island that has suddenly reappeared after mysteriously vanishing hundreds of years ago in Fishkill, NY…perhaps there is something to the town’s name after all, Fish-KILL?

Horrifying events have been happening ever since. Last year we had the misfortune of meeting the shipwrecked Captain Blackheart and his fiendishly evil crew of the Ghost Ship, Spector.

SPOOKTOBERFEST

The daytime portion features hayrides, entertainment, games, music and vendors. The evening portion will feature a frightening hayride and a haunted barn. Parking is available at Ridge Road Park and shuttle service will be provided. 12-3pm children under 10, 7-10pm children over 10 and adults .12pm. Age: All ages. $8-$10. FREE. Hart’s Brook Park and Preserve, 156 Ridge Road, Hartsdale. 914-693-8985.

You also may be interested in:

Pumpkin Picking in Westchester

Apple Picking near Westchester

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

Over the past few years we have had the good fortune of attending the popular, Jack O’lantern Blaze in Croton-on-hudson, NY. This event which is held at the Van Cortlandt Manor is the perfect backdrop for such a festive, amazing fall event.

It is the perfect way to kick off the fall season and get in the mood for Halloween. With creepy lights, stunning carvings and larger then life creations made from hand carved pumpkins that simply boggle the mind. That event is not to be missed!

Click here to purchase tickets and see available dates.

The Blaze sells out fast! Be sure to buy your tickets early!

Apple Picking near Westchester

Apple Picking & Orchards in and around Westchester county

Westchester, known as the Golden Apple itself, has some incredible, local Orchards with apples that are ripe for picking! Gather up your family and friends for this great fall excursion and enjoy a fun day of apple picking, hot cider drinkin and fresh cinnamon donut eatin!

Do you have a favorite orchard? Feel free to discuss in the comments area below.

Apple Picking in Westchester

Outhouse Orchards

Hardscrabble Road
North Salem, NY (914) 277-3188
Apples Picking through Oct 31st, Pumpkins at end of Sept.
Hayrides, Pony Rides

Fresh cider & donuts. Directions and hours here.

Stuart’s Farm

62 Granite Springs Rd. Granite Springs NY 10527, Phone: 914-245-2784

Apple Picking starts from 10 AM to 5PM from September to November.

Nine different varieties of apples to pick from it is a real family treat. Click here for info and directions.

Wilkens Farm, Yorktown Heights, NY

The Pumpkin Patch is open from 10AM to 4:30PM on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and select school holidays in October. Pick your own apples, and visit the farm market for fresh cider and donuts. Ride the hay wagon to this week’s picking orchard (the location of which changes weekly as different varieties ripen). Please check the Harvest Calendar for exact dates this year.

Putnam & Dutchess County Apple Orchards

Salinger’s Orchard

Farm Market & Bakery

They sell fresh picked apples, have excellent fresh donuts and cider. Great selection of fresh pies, vegetables, local honey, fresh salsa and many varieties of apples. No picking, just great eatin! Enjoy your delectable while absorbing the views of the beautiful orchards all around. Also sell pumpkins.

Barton Orchards

63 Apple Tree Lane Poughquag, NY 12570

Pick your own Apples through Halloween 9-5pm. Hayrides & Petting zoo.

Cedar Heights Orchard

7 Crosby Lane Rhinebeck, NY 845-876-3231

Greeted by owners Arvia and Bill Morris, all are welcomed during picking season from 9am to dusk. Just for $5.00 you can fill a 1/4 bushel (10lbs) or 1/2 bushel (20 lbs) for $10.00. Pumpkin patch & corn for 2008.

Greig Farm

227 Pitcher Lane Red Hook, NY (845) 758-1234
Hayrides, Crafts, Baked Goods, Berries, Pumpkins, Apples, Corn Stalk Maze.

Hahn Farm

Salt Point Turnpike Rte 113 and Country Rd 41 Salt Point, NY (845) 266-5042

The Fall Festival at Hahn Farm takes place on Saturdays and Sundays 11:00 am – 5:00 pm from September 15 to October 31

Keepsake Farms

9 Fishkill Farms Road
Hopewell Junction, NY
(845) 897-2266
Apple picking through October, pumpkin sale in October, Hay Rides,
Pony Rides, Petting Zoo.

Mead Orchards
25 Scism Rod (off Rte 9)
Red Hook, NY
(845) 756-5641
Apple picking through October, pumpkin sale Sept & Oct.

Meadowbrook Farms

29 Old Myers Corners
Wappingers Falls, NY
(845) 297-3002
Apple picking through October, pumpkin sale in Oct.

Millerton Orchards
64 Country Road (off Rte 22)
Millerton, NY
(845) 277-3521

Oriole Orchards 134 Feller-Newmark Rd
Red Hook, NY
(845) 758-9355
Apple picking through Nov 1, pumpkin sale Oct.

Rose Hill Farms
Fraleigh Lane (off Rte 9)
Red Hook, NY
(845) 758-4215

Fairfield County, CT Apple & Pumpkin Picking

You also may be interested in:

Pumpkin Picking in and around Westchester

Fun Halloween Events & Haunted Houses in and around Westchester

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

If you know of a great orchard that isn’t mentioned here, feel free to post about it in the comments section!

Happy Picking!!

Pumpkin Picking in Westchester

It’s that time of year again.. the air is crisp, the leaves are turning shades of bright red, burnt orange and gold. Time to hang your fall decorations and pick the best pumpkins for carving.

There are a host of local farms that Westchester county has to offer for your family fall outing. Some are more well known, and others may not be so known.

Happy Pumpkin Pickin! Feel free to post pics of your carved creations! Once your done carving, save your seeds for roasting! Check out this easy Roasted Pumpkin Seed recipe.

Westchester Pumpkin Patches for Picking:

Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center 1271 Hanover Street, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598.

Pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, prepicked produce.

Pumpkin Picking at Muscoot Farm: Sunday October 12 & Monday October 13th

Katonah, NY

Link to Muscoot Farm pumpkin & other fall events.

Wilkens Farm, Yorktown Heights, NY

The Pumpkin Patch is open from 10AM to 4:30PM on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and select school holidays in October. Pick your own apples, and visit the farm market for fresh cider and donuts. Please check the Harvest Calendar for exact dates this year.

Outhouse Orchards, Hardscrabble Road, Croton Falls, NY

Pumpkin & apple picking. Fresh cider & donuts. Directions and hours here.

Stuart’s Farm

62 Granite Springs Rd. Granite Springs NY 10527

Phone: 914-245-2784 9 AM to 6PM Mon – Sun

Pumpkin picking off the vine! Click here for info and directions.

Putnam & Dutchess County Pumpkin Patch List

Salingers Orchard

Pumpkins & apples for sale. Farm market and bakery.

Dykemans Farm

Pumpkin patch, hayrides, farm market, cider & donuts. (One of our personal & childhood favorites!)

Fraleigh’s Rose Hill Farm

Redhook, NY

Pumpkin patch & farm stand.

Wonderland Farm

Rhinebeck, NY

Pumpkins are available wholesale and pick your own. Pick your own starts the third week of Sept. thru the end of Oct. Weekends only.

Mead Orchards

Tivoli, NY

Apples & Pumpkin Picking.

If you have a favorite Pumpkin patch that is not mentioned here, please feel free to comment below and share with the rest of us!

Fairfield County, CT Pumpkin & Apple Picking

You also may be interested in:

Apple Picking Near Westchester

Fun Halloween Events & Haunted Houses in Westchester

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

Summer Family Excursions in Westchester & Fairfield

Are you looking to getaway for a day trip in Westchester? Or, perhaps you are a local resident and want to venture around near your home town. Below are some great ideas for a local “daycation” or a fun family evening, in Westchester: (Note, this post was so popular for 2009 we have updated all the links for Summer 2010!)

Westchester County Parks has a wonderful list of events – highlights include: Saturday Evening with Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, Art Exhibits at Muscoot Farm, Local Farmers Markets, Educational Pond Study, Indian Heritage Celebration at Kensico Dam Plaza, Learn to harvest and store seeds from your Garden, some great Fundraisers, Fireworks at Playland Park, Historic Mansion Tour in Mt. Kisco, Stargazing at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Outdoor Movie Screenings, and MUCH more! Click here to read more details, check dates and times.

Swimming & Beaches in Westchester- from lessons, to Twilight Swim: Check out more info Here!

The town of Greenwich offers a hidden treasure… Take a Ferry to Great Captain Island and enjoy a true beach escape. Ferry schedule and rates can be found here.

(Note – day passes are required, check into obtaining them prior to arriving at the ferry dock)

Parents – looking for fun Kids Events, local Camp info (overnight and day) & other kid related events around Westchester & Fairfield? Click here to find out more.

Looking to Mix and socialize with fellow Westchester residents? From Wine lovers groups, scrap booking, dance classes, you can find an array of fun groups to join on Westchesters Meetup pages. Click Here to visit Meetup.com and search for a group.

Fairfield County CT offers many fun, local attractions that are just a quick jump over the NY/CT border. Some events to check out: Stamford Museum features Native American Baseball Players Exhibit, Tour the Ogden House & Gardens in Fairfield and see how people lived in the 18th Century, visit The Discovery Museum in Bridgeport and check out the “Robot Carnival”, Norwalk’s Maritime Aquarium features a Marine Life Study Cruise, Beardsley Zoo’s Barnyard Maze & Free Shakespeare Performances, Maritime’s IMAX in Norwalk, Saturday French Market in Downtown Stamford, Black Rock Harbor Cruises with Fairfield Museum, Live Jazz in Redding, New Canaan’s Outdoor Summer Theater featuring “Camelot”, Summer Concerts in Ridgefield’s Ballard Park, Free Concerts at New Canaan’s Waveny Park, and MUCH more! Click here to find out more info including dates, times and locations.

Looking to take the family for a fun day of Fishing and Boating? From Easy fishing to boat rentals and permit info: Check out this great article on Where to Fish & Boat in Westchester.

Have fun, be safe  & Enjoy your summer!

Richardson Realty Shoots for the BBC/TLC Channel

Despite the show being cancelled prior to our episode airing, our team is proud of our efforts for our days of filming for TLC/BBC new show “Real Estate Road Test”, which unfortunately  ended just before we were about to shoot our last few days of footage. Despite Michelle and her husband Steve not having the opportunity to sleep in 2 homes of their choices, we still enjoyed the experience and wanted to share some neat pictures from the shoot.

Film Crew scouts out the office and location for shooting Scotts scene

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scott is in place and filmed talking to "Doug" on the phone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shooting "filler" footage of Scott working in the office

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Can Be Used for Down Payment

Just Posted: Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, on Tuesday said that the Federal Housing Administration is going to permit its lenders to allow home buyers to use the $8,000 tax credit as a down payment.

Previously, most buyers wouldn’t receive the funds until after they filed their tax return, and that deterred some people from using the credit. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® has been calling for the change. 

“We all want to enable FHA consumers to access the home buyer tax credit funds when they close on their home loans so that the cash can be used as a down payment,” Donovan says. His remarks came in an address to several thousand REALTORS® gathered Tuesday morning at “The Real Estate Summit: Advancing the U.S. Economy,” at the 2009 REALTORS® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C..

He says FHA’s approved lenders will be permitted to “monetize” the tax credit through short-term bridge loans. This will allow eligible home buyers to access the funds immediately at the closing table.

Read more here

Mother’s Day Ideas in Westchester

Are you looking for great Mother’s Day Gift ideas? Be sure to check out these local links and shops! Treat Mom to a memorable day to show your appreciation. 

 

Gift Baskets-

Tasteful Treats in Bedford, NY ~ Link: Click Here!

Flowers-

Plants and things Mt. Kisco, NY ~ Link: Click Here!

Perennial Gardens Bedford, NY ~ Link: Click here!

  ~More Flowers in Westchester

 

Treat Mom to a luxury Spa Weekend!

Hosted by Celebrity Manicurist Bernadette Thompson

The exquisiteness of Bernadette Thompson’s team is unsurpassed

At the fabulous Renaissance Westchester Hotel

~ Link: Click Here! 

 

Want to take Mom out for a wonderful brunch or dinner?

Check out all your dining options at Open Table, featuring Special Mothers Day holiday menus.

Be sure to reserve early! ~ Link: Click Here! 

 

Looking to for some fun, inexpensive and outdoors mothers day activities?

 

Muscoot Farms, Somers  (free) ~ Link: Click Here! 

 

Lenoir Nature Preserve, Yonkers Mother’s Day Warbler Walk (free) ~ Link: Click here

  

 

 

 

 

Affordable and down to earth!

Take mom on a local nature walk or a hike:

 Link ~ Click here!

 

Looking for more Mother’s Day Ideas?

 ~ LoHud.com’s Events Calendar

 ~ Westchester Magazine “Beyond Brunch with Mom” Article

 ~ NY Times Westchester Events

 

 

 

Let them know you saw it at the Westchester Real Estate blog! 

Want your local shop featured on this blog? We get thousands of hits and are ranked high on google! Post below or contact us directly at TeamLeader@RichardsonRealtyTeam.com