I met Al when he purchased High Valley in Dutchess County in 2014. While I grew up in Queens & Long Island, and lived a number of years in Binghamton, my home since 20004 is a mile from High Valley. I knew the prior owners, was part of many celebrations and events there (including my first community theater performance), and was thrilled to have Al as the new steward of a special, sacred space.
He called me “Ronnie” to distinguish me from the “Bad Ron” who he struggled with until he finally was able to purchase the rest of the property. In return, I called him “Albie”, a nick name I’ve had for Albert Einstein ever since I sat on “Albie’s lap” in the small secluded park in Washington DC (across the street from the memorials). Al loved the nickname – anything, he said, besides the hated “Alfred E Newman” that had been his nemesis nickname growing up.
We shared some fascinating conversations about life, his biotech incubator visions for High Valley and Brooklyn – and I even got to visit the Brooklyn space when he was in the midst of dealing with the elevator and the other renovations / additions (did those ever get done?).
I was amazed by his concept of the Sky Pod mobile living spaces in 2017/2018. Are they still there? Does anyone live in them in the summers?
I invited him and had the pleasure of meeting Bea at a breakthrough CBD / THC event in NYC, and was fascinated by his correspondence with Bill M about needing a “Big Boat” (a “Greenhouse Ark”) for the water world that would be the end result of the melting polar ice.
He was a special soul whose spirit continues – in you, his family and friends, and in his continued exploration of the next phase of the “Great Mystery”.
Enjoy this next journey, Albie. We miss you – but look forward to having you greet us when our time arrives…