Our youngest son, Matthew, has long dreamed of having a job and earning a paycheck, but finding supported employment in Columbia County is a challenge. Those who have come to the Kitchen on a Sunday this summer know that Matthew is now our head waiter, and this past weekend (with Emma having headed back to college), he is now working the cash register. He is so pleased with his new responsibilities and delighted that his efforts bring a paycheck after he finishes cleaning up Sunday afternoons.

The Kitchen has always been a family affair with Julie the head chef and boss, Peter doing the essential work of growing the vegetables as well as much of the cooking, Andrew is our sommelier for all dinners, and I am the grounds crew, florist, and front of house person. Finding one’s way in the world is a constant challenge for everyone, but for people with special needs the transition to adulthood is particularly hard. The Americans with Disability Act, a truly enlightened piece of legislation, mandates that all school districts provide all individuals with special needs an education in the least restrictive environment until they are 21. The bill passed the Senate in 1990 by a vote of 91-6, bipartisanship at its best! Lowell Weicker, Jr. (R-CT) was the driving force behind the bill having led the Senate investigations into conditions in state institutions that “housed” the disabled, places of isolation and segregation. In addressing Congress before the vote he said, “Disabled persons may represent a minority in this country, but they are a minority that any of us may join at any time….you can secure to my son (Weicker had a son with Down Syndrome) and his 43 million peers happiness that only comes with love equally devised and administered.” Weicker died a month ago.

Things get more complicated when one ages out of the educational rights guaranteed under the ADA, options narrow. It has taken Matthew years to realize his dream. And the way his efforts are being received by you all fills me with gratitude and happiness. His exuberance for his work at The Kitchen energizes the whole family (and I hope, many of our guests).

Matthew is a member of the Camphill Hudson community.

Farm-to-Table Dinner on September 9th–7 seats left Reserve your spot here.

The menu: The evening begins with a grand appetizer spread served up on the patio, including shrimp ceviche, goat birria on warm corn tortillas, garbanzo beans con chile, ensalada de frutas, and many other treats.

Fine wine and champagne will flow. At sunset we all walk to the kitchen for a gourmet Mexican-inspired meal with wines from around the world — some large format, some 10-20 years old.

The evening ends with dessert and an aperitif as we light the bonfire.

The wines: We will be serving a wide range of older wines from around the world including a double magnum of 2000 Reserve Cab from Robert Mondavi and a couple of mags 2001 CVNE “Imperial” Gran Reserva.

Future events:

Autumnal Dinner - 10/13 Reserve your spot here.

10/21 - Dramatic Performance: Critically Acclaimed ‘Happiness in the Spotlight’ - Written by Jody Brookes and performed by the Camphill Hudson Players will be performed in the gallery barn. Find out more here.