Home | Blog | Backbar | Jukebox | About Us | Contact Us | Ad Info | Newsletter | Cocktails |
![]() |
A Future Past at Yesterdays |
![]() |
![]() |
“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about
your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern
yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is
still possible for you to do.” ― Pope John XXIII
|
Yesterdays in Warwick, New York |
My initial introduction to Yesterdays came about as the result of one
man’s ever patient efforts to help calm the troubled and turbulent
leanings of my early manhood with a bit of good-humored prodding toward a
more enlightened temperament. Father James Haggerty was the total
embodiment of the Franciscan spirit. And until his passing in 1991, this
dear friend touched and influenced my life, as he had the lives of so
many others, by way of his presence, simple kindness, and unconditional
love. And if perchance one of his innumerable adopted charges might be
in need of a course correction, rather than spending time in undue
conversation he might suggest some measure of quiet reflection in the
appropriate surroundings. One such proposition would bring me to Pacem
in Terris, a serene sanctuary of natural and manmade beauty nestled
along the Wawayanda Creek just outside the Village of Warwick, New York. |
Wawayanda Creek |
It was here that the late author, painter, and sculptor Dr. Frederick
Franck along with his wife, Claske Franck, from the ruins of an old
grist mill and the adjoining grounds constructed a place dedicated not
only to bringing about a greater understanding of the immeasurable human
suffering brought on by intolerance, prejudice, and war—but more
importantly, a place of profound reverence that honors those powerful
voices of the twentieth century that sought to alleviate those
sufferings. One such voice in particular was that of Pope John XXIII. Though himself an agnostic, Frederick Franck traveled to Rome in 1963 in order to witness and draw the sessions of the Second Vatican Council. In John XXIII he found a man that shared a similar vision of global peace and a common spirituality that could transcend our ethnic, cultural, and religious differences. And through Franck’s work at Pacem in Terris, that light which had shone for only a brief time in the Eternal City would now help to illuminate the path of those seeking a greater insight into the spiritual aspects of our existence. As for my own initial sojourn to this place of contemplative retreat, my metaphysical meanderings would eventually yield to more corporal concerns, the inner light would surrender to the call of the neon light—and I would go off in search of something slightly more invigorating than those restful waters of the Wawayanda. |
The Mill at Pacem in Terris |
Hand by Frederick Franck |
Fist by Frederick Franck |
Upstream in Warwick, New York |
A short distance upstream, in the heart of that same pleasant historic
village that had once bid welcome to both George Washington and
Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne, was a handsome red brick building that would
serve well my need for leave and libations. Yesterdays opened its doors
in 1984 in the midst of the ongoing community revitalization that had
its roots in Warwick during the 1960s. And through the years, all of my
travels to this area of the Hudson Valley have included a stop at this
wonderful pub and eatery that can boast a fair amount of Irish
derivation in its character, décor, and the lineage of its affable
proprietors, John and Peg Christison. |
Bar at Yesterdays |
John Christison, affable proprietor of Yesterdays in Warwick, New York |
Dining Room |
A Tinge of the Irish |
Lovely Little Corner |
This past fall marked a long overdue return to the Queen Village of New
York State’s Orange County. There had certainly been a substantial
up-tick in the number of bars and restaurants since my last visit. A few
seemed worthy of some future exploration, but for the time being I was
more than content to plant myself at Yesterdays. That decision afforded
me the opportunity to enter into a session of some quality with John
Christison. Great beer and even better conversation filled a good portion of an early Saturday afternoon. We traded tales about the tavern business; we talked about the small country inn that makes the Christison’s already long day even longer. But mostly we spoke about those special places and people that have given us reason to believe that there is still some hope for mankind, and that even peace on earth is a possibility. And while our past and present history indicates that universal harmony will elude us for the foreseeable future—for now at least we can find comfort and peace along the banks of the Wawayanda—and anywhere along the bar at Yesterdays |
This article is dedicated to the memory of Fr. James Haggerty and Dr. Jack Apsche |
![]() |
Home | Blog | Backbar | Jukebox | About Us | Contact Us | Ad Info | Newsletter | Cocktails |
AMERICAN PUBLIC HOUSE
REVIEW text, images, and music © All rights
reserved. |
All content is
subject
to U.S. and
international copyright laws. Email: ed.petersen@americanpublichousereview.com for permission before use. |