By Bill Piervincenzi

I always enjoy visiting the Capassos, on lower Dingle Hill Road. You never know what you’ll see there, but you can bet it will be something life enhancing. Pasquale (Pat) Capasso and his wife Carolina are always creating something wonderful there.

Pat is a native of Italy, where he learned to be a master gardener. He maintains two large vegetable gardens, fruit trees, a flock of chickens, rabbits, ducks and goats. He was a union carpenter in New York for 20 years. In 1987, he and his wife built their house, and four years ago, they moved into it full time.

Since then, Pat has established a business making imaginative concrete outdoor furniture, inlaid with ceramic tiles. You can see his work in Ballantine Park. Pat had a dilemma. After the animals are all fed and cared for, what do you do in the winter? Pat drew on his carpentry experience and began to create bird houses. Pat is not one to do things half way. He turned his basement into a bird house factory.

I entered his basement and went past some of last year’s onion and garlic crop, passed the tubs filled with dormant fig trees, and entered bird house heaven. There were bird houses of every size and shape. There were ranches, split levels, Cape Cods, log cabins, contemporary designs and cute cottages. Some were beautifully crafted and conventional. Some were unique works of art whose design was dictated by accidents of nature that left one-of-a-kind patterns on the wood they were made of. There was also an array of interesting feeders.

Pat can’t help himself. When the creative juices flow, he just keeps on turning out bird house of all kinds. I asked him what he intended to do with them all. He answered that he would like to sell them locally. He’s already sold some through Brookside in Margaretville and wants to market more directly.

Carolina displays some of Pat’s art

Pat is also planning a large exhibit of his work for sale on Andes Community Day this August. As I left Pat’s house, Carolina handed me three gigantic garlic bulbs, two dozen fresh eggs, and best of all, a beautiful, burnished bird house. If anyone is interested in seeing his work, simply telephone him at 845-676-4496 and he’ll be glad to show you his amazing bird houses. ~