"I had seen other historic Hudson River properties be sold off or turned down, and I didn't want to see a beautiful property like Lyndhurst be turned into condominiums," recalls Sobel.

Jarit and Sobel had recently began their own company, Artrider Productions, which produces craft shows featuring artists who create exceptional contemporary crafts.

In 1985, Crafts at Lyndhurst was born and 150 craft artists were scheduled to participate...when Hurricane Gloria hit. Sobel and Jarit called all the artists and rescheduled the show. The rescheduled show was a success. Thousands of people from the Tri-state area paid admission, giving Lyndhurst their largest fund-raiser to date.

Today, Lyndhurst has been visited by over half a million people, each three day show generates an estimated $2 million in sales and has raised well over $1.5 million for Lyndhurst.

This year the craft show will be held from Friday, May 14 through Sunday, May 16, opening at 10 a.m. each morning. It will feature 325 of the country's most talented crafts artists from 30 states with their one-of-a-kind work (jewelry, ceramics, hand-blown glass, fiber, wearable art, wood, leather and more).

There will be continuous live music and children's activities such as puppet shows, storytelling and face painting. Hand crafted gourmet foods will be available.

General admission is $9, seniors $8, children 6-16 $4 and children under 6 are free. Lyndhurst is located on Route 9 in Tarrytown. (914) 631-4481. www.CraftsAtLyndhurst.com.