Story and Photographs by Chris Poh

“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

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.