Love on the wing may take many forms

By Rachel Zuckerman | Manor Ink

Now, if some of you remember the story I did in Manor Ink a couple of years ago about the origin of Valentine’s Day, that’s good, but if not, that’s OK. Because this time I’m writing about the origin of Valentine’s Day’s “mascot” Cupid, and how he came to be (and also a bit of his life story).

There are many, and I mean many, variations on Cupid, his origin and his history in general. But don’t worry, I’m going to summarize most of them for you. Like for one, Cupid now is seen as a winged naked baby/child. But before the Romans created that version with their own stories and renaming, and before being associated with Valentine’s Day, Cupid was known to the Greeks as Eros, the god of love.

One of the first authors that had mentioned his appearance was Hesiod, a writer of many of the stories of the Greek myths that you hear today. Eros is known as one of the lesser gods of Mount Olympus, but one of the most important. He is often described as a beautiful, serious youth, a giver of good things to men. The Greek philosopher Plato even summed him up this way: “Love – Eros – makes his home in men’s hearts, but not in every heart, for where there is hardness, he departs. His greatest glory is that he cannot do wrong nor allow it; force never comes near him. For all men serve him of their own free will. And he whom Love touches not walks in darkness.”

Some may have heard of Eros as Aphrodite and Ares’ son, but in earlier stories, he was an occasional companion to Aphrodite. When he was shown as Aphrodite’s son, he was described as a mischievous, naughty boy, or maybe worse.

Here’s a fun fact about him though. He was often depicted as blindfolded because love is often blind, which all of us can see sometimes. Eros also finds love for himself with the beautiful princess named Psyche. In the myth, the Greeks thought she was the most beautiful woman ever, some even said even more lovely than Aphrodite. Aphrodite, of course, became jealous and asked Eros to visit the mortal world (Earth) and curse Psyche, causing her to fall in love with a monster. But that’s a story for another time.

My fellow readers, once again, I hope you had fun reading a little bit about a “lesser” Greek god (who turns into an important holiday character), and maybe even be interested of reading more about this deity. I hope you all enjoy a lovely Valentine’s Day with whomever, and get to eat lots of chocolate.

Feeling romantic? Food is said to be the way to one’s heart

By Manor Ink Staff

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, you may be thinking about making a date with your Valentine for a special night out on Feb. 14, perhaps for an elegant dinner and one or more glasses of champagne or other beverage of fine vintage. But where to go? No worries – the Ink has you covered. Here are suggestions compiled by our romance-inclined staff, venues for every taste and range of price.

The Eldred Preserve, 1040 Rte. 55, Eldred
A Valentine’s Day special prix fixe menu, including choice of starter, entree, dessert. Crafted Valentine’s cocktails and champagne additional. $$$
theeldredpreserve.com; 845-327-1902

Threshold, 430 Old Rte. 17, Livingston Manor
The menu will have an amuse bouche, four savory courses and a dessert per person, including a splash of champagne; other beverages extra. Reservations are encouraged through the website. $$$
thresholdcatskills.com; 845-204-8814

The Red Rose Motel and Tavern, 21677 Old Rte. 17, Roscoe
A five-course prix fixe dinner that includes a bottle of wine. Guests can also add a night’s stay. RSVP via the website. $$
theredrosemotel.com; 607-290-4333

The Yarra, 2012 Old Rte. 17, Roscoe
Offering a supper club collaboration with WinesU of a set multicourse menu with a choice of main dishes. Dinner at 7 p.m. Make reservations on the website. $$$
yarrany.com; 845-513-9044

The Arnold House, 839 Shandelee Rd., Livingston Manor
Offering a single sitting special three-course prix fixe menu at 7 p.m. in Shandelee Hall with live music by Albi Beluli setting the right tone for an evening of romance. $$
thearnoldhouse.com; 845-439-5070

Kenoza Hall, 5762 Rte. 52, Kenoza Lake
A full day of activities culminating in a special prix fixe menu for dinner. The Hall will also host its annual ice fishing weekend with chili and a bar at lakeside. $$$
kenozahall.com; 845-482-1022

The DeBruce, 982 DeBruce Rd., Livingston Manor
Featuring its Heritage Progression tasting menu. The Chef’s Table menu will also be available. $$$
thecebruce.com; 845-439-3900

Bittersweet at Hemlock, 7491 Rte. 55, Neversink
Featuring specials designed to complement the menu for Valentine’s Day. There will also be special events couples, including fondue chocolate desserts. $$$
hemlockneversink.com; 845-715-1071

The DoubleUp Catskills, 850 Parksvile Rd., Parksville
A fun night to toast your partner or intended with a Karaoke love song. Special Valentine’s food and drinks, too. $
doubleupcatskills.com; 845-798-8186

The Kaatskellar, 39 Main St., Livingston Manor
Offering a dinner for two of shared house meatballs, shared caesar salad, two heart shaped wood-fired cheese pizzas (with choice of topping), shared dessert with a choice of wine, local draft beer or non-alcoholic beverage. $
thekaatskeller.com; 845-439-4339

Upward Brewing Company, 171 Main St., Livingston Manor
Releasing its new Chocolate Stout and will have live jazz music in the evening. $
upwardbrewing.com; 845-439-1382

Stumble Out Bar & Restaurant, 67 Main St., Livingston Manor
A four-course, prix fixe tasting menu. Call for reservations. Find menu details on Instagram. $$
instagram.com/stumbleoutbar; 845-439-1018