Beacons of History Awards - 2020

The 2020 recognition was presented to:

Individual/Family Honoree:

The Coris Family’s successful Dutchess Manor catering facility will be closing after nearly 75 years in business. The former Timoney mansion was purchased at a 1944 tax sale by George Coris as a gift for his son Michael, who transformed the property into a hotel, dining room and tavern. Officially opened in 1948, Dutchess Manor flourished at the ideal location overlooking the Hudson River, hosting generations of Beaconites for their important family events. Through the decades and its own generations, the Coris family has been a generous supporter of many local non-profit organizations, including Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps, for which it hosted an annual benefit brunch for many years.

Organizational Honoree:

The Alps Sweet Shop has been family-owned and -operated on Main Street for three generations and nearly a century. Founded in 1922 by chocolatier Peter Charkalis, it is today operated by Sally Charkalis Craft and her husband Terry Craft, a master chocolatier, who continue the tradition of her father and grandfather by making chocolate following time-honored recipes, in small batches, and using fresh natural ingredients to make the finest confections in the Hudson Valley. The Alps is believed to be the longest continuously operating business in Beacon and is a generous supporter of several local causes. The holiday of no true Beaconite is complete without a basket or box of chocolates from our sweetest local business, the Alps Sweet Shop.

This digital event was held on November 5, 2020 as both a friend- and a fund-raiser for the Historical Society. Donations and other means of financial support are most appreciated in order to assist the Society in fulfilling our mission to promote and preserve history.