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1 year ago · by · 0 comments

Fleischmanns Lights Up Holiday

FLEISCHMANNS — The Village of Fleischmanns celebrated the Presidents’ Day holiday in hot fashion with a bonfire in the village park on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 18.
Village officials asked local visual artist Miguel Martinez-Riddle to build a bonfire as a means of celebrating the President’s Day holiday period. Miguel was selected because of his expertise in this arena, having served as the resident ceremonial bonfire artist at the nearby magical and historic event venue Spillian for five years. It was during his work at Spillian that Miguel developed a recognizable style for bonfire preparation.
In the past, various attempts to create a celebratory bonfire in the village park were thwarted by wind, ice and drought conditions. Fortunately, the weather cooperated, and this year’s ceremony went off smoothly, with the fire set up on the baseball field section of the Wagner Avenue park.
Wadler Brothers Inc. home improvement store in Fleischmanns continued its tradition of donating pallets and scrap wood to fuel the fire.
“The bonfire was a success thanks to Wadler Brothers Inc. We are grateful for their generosity,” Miguel remarked.
When things got going full force, spectators enjoyed the view from stadium seats in the ball field, and from as far away as Highmount and the Dry Brook Valley, with flames soaring 30 feet into the air, framed by the beautiful Catskill Forest Preserve.
While the bonfire was set up to reflect Miguel vision, he had ample assistance to create the proper atmosphere — and to ensure safety. He expressed appreciation to the volunteers from the Fleischmanns Fire Department, particularly Officer Billy Haines who donated many hours of his in helping with the construction of the bonfire. In a job that came full circle, Billy and other FFD members later manned hoses and worked to contain any wandering embers, safely extinguishing the coals at the end.
Village of Fleischmanns Trustee Yesmin Sarabia organized volunteers and helped with the event, along with Trustees Samuel Gil and Stewart Cohen. Mayor Winifred Zubin was among those in attendance, and greeted the onlookers with hot chocolate and warm cheer. S’mores were provided for the kids.
Looking ahead, one village official noted that, it won’t be long before the “hot” action at the village park will again be provided in the form of Vintage Baseball competition. The Fleischmanns-based Mountain Athletic Club will begin its 2023 “old time’ baseball season on May 20 when the club hosts the Providence Grays.

1 year ago · by · 0 comments

Frost Valley YMCA Names CEO

CLARYVILLE — Frost Valley YMCA is pleased to announce that Riel Peerbooms has been appointed as the new CEO following the retirement of long-time CEO Jerry Huncosky.
Peerbooms is uniquely qualified for the position, with over 30 years of experience working with non-profit organizations, specializing in youth service, education, and development. He has served as the Executive Director of Trail Blazers Camp, Inc. since 2008, leading the way in development and strategic planning, operations, donor management and recognition, as well as program management and educational design. These are just a few of the many incredible accomplishments Peerbooms has seen in a career that has been devoted to serving children through education and camping before joining the Frost Valley YMCA team. He is expected to take office on March 3, 2023.
Peerbooms has also served as a member of Community Board 9 in Brookly for five years, as well as serving as their Chair of the Economic Development Committee since 2018 and their Chair of the Education Committee since 2021.
Peerbooms’s background in education is what led him to become an industry leader for non-profit camp organizations.
According to Peerbooms, “My early experiences in camp influenced every subsequent role, as a science teacher, high school guidance and crisis counselor, community leader, and business executive.
“The camping perspective provided me with an ability to find uniquely effective and creative solutions to the challenges of the competitive non-profit landscape,” he added.
Frost Valley YMCA is a values-driven organization that fosters youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility through outdoor educational and recreational programs for all.
The organization provides year-round access to nature and fun through programs such as summer camp, adventure trips, farm camp, equestrian programs, group and family retreats, family weekends, school trips, teambuilding, and more.

1 year ago · by · 0 comments

Bovina Library Unveils Art Project

BOVINA — The Bovina Library Bicentennial Art Project Gallery Show is opening on Saturday, February 25 from 5-7 p.m.
The show includes paintings of the historic Bovina landmarks that were commissioned specifically for Bovina’s Bicentennial Celebration last summer. The library walls will be transformed into a gallery of historic Main Street structures showcasing the ten interpretive paintings created by the following local artists: Mike Casey, Tim Cunningham, Sandy Finkenberg, Lisbeth Firmin, Lori Glavin, Scott Hill, Gary Mayer, Richard Mills, Antonio Mora and Corneel Verlaan.
Full-size prints of the paintings will be available, any of which can be ordered for $80 [cost + donation/handling]. Prints will be ready for pickup within a week or two after they are paid for.
There will be refreshments and drinks. And a chance to meet and visit with the artists.
The show will be on display through April. Library Hours: Tuesday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday: 1-7 p.m.; Thursday: 1-5 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Contact librarian Annette Corvelo at bovinalibrary@gmail.com or at 607 832-4884.

1 year ago · by · 0 comments

Gertrude’s Hair Salon Appt. March 2

ANDES — Gertrude’s Hair Salon, a monthly reading aloud experience and get-together inaugural evening is set for Thursday, March 2 at 6 p.m. at Diamond Hollow Books in Andes.
Hosted by Iris and Miles, the format of this salon is decidedly experimental: let it evolve based on what we make of it. Please bring a piece of writing, either your own or something you’ve read that moved you. It might be a poem, a chapter of a novel or an essay, something you read in the paper or an email from your boyfriend. It mighty be a grocery list, a manifesto or a prayer.
Size of the group will determine how much time we can allot to readings and responses. Children — and their contributions — are welcome. We’ll sit in chairs in a circle. Bring food and drink if you can. The snazzier the better.
Admission is free but everyone’s encouraged to leave a donation to make the flourishing of Diamond Hollow Books a little more likely. Diamond Hollow Books, 72 Main Street, Andes. For information, please call 347 262-4187.

1 year ago · by · 0 comments

Artists Choose Artists Opens

MARGARETVILLE — Opening the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 25, at Margaretville’s Longyear Gallery is “Artists Choose Artists 2022,” Longyear’s twelfth invitational show featuring the work of both Longyear Gallery members and some of their favorite guest artists working in different media. The Artists’ Reception will take place Saturday, November 26, from 3-6 p.m.
The works on display will include local, regional, and city artists, each chosen by a gallery artist to create a dynamic visual dialogue for exhibition. This year’s invited artists include Rebecca Andre, Richard Arnold, Meryl Alster, Flavia Bacarella, Tabitha Gilmore Barnes, Stormy Brandenberger, Vesna Bricelj, Denise Carbone, Beth Caspar, Cynthia Dantzic, Louis Delasarta, Emily Driscoll.
Also: Carl Eckett, Robin Factor, Sandra Finkenberg, Lisbeth Firmin, Kathleen Green, Annie Hayes, Aileen Hengeveld, Ben Huberman, Nicholas Johansen, Robin Kappy, Martha Keating, Kay Kenny, Jonas Kyle, Linda Levin, Stephen Lewis, Claire Lofrese, James Litaker, Parker Manis, Nicolas Manzo, Sarah Manzo, Amy Masters, Harry McCarthy, Mary McFerran, Joanna Murphy, Bea Ortiz, Kari Pagnano, Kevin Palfreyman, Mira Piskacek, Alan Powell, Janet Sawyer, Ann Schwed, Ted Sheridan, Michelle Sidrane, David Smyth, Jan Sosnowitz, Sara Stone, Sherry Suess, Barbara Taff, Nat Thomas, Sheila Trautman, Clifford Trinity, Andrew Tully, Paul Warchol, Fred Woller, Tristan Wolski, and Peter Yamaoka.
Range of styles
The work of these artists varies in style and vision, from Bea Ortiz’s acrylic and gesso on paper “Form and Formlessness” to Flavia Bacarella’s zebra woodcut and ceramics by former Longyear member Peter Yamaoka.
The work of Longyear’s Gallery’s 34 current members will also appear in this exhibition. Each artist works in different media, including oil, watercolor, acrylic, mixed media, ceramic, and photography. Members have been planning this invitational exhibition since last year’s successful invitational show. “It’s an exciting exhibition since we’re able to invite our artist friends to show their work with us each year,” notes gallery member Gerda van Leeuwen, “and it inspires our own work as well.” Photographer and Longyear Gallery member Helane Levine-Keating agrees, adding “It’s also a pleasure to be able to use our gallery to bring these artists to the attention of our local Catskill community.”
Longyear Gallery’s current exhibitions, photographer Frank Manzo’s solo exhibition, “Been There,” and “Introducing New Members,” an exhibition of the work of Joanna Barham, Temma Bell, Sheila McManus, and Lesley Powell, four new Longyear artists, will continue to be on display through Sunday, November 20th. These two shows are accompanied by a group show of all Longyear Gallery member artists.
Longyear Gallery exhibitions “”Been There” by Frank Manzo and “Introducing New Members” will be on view Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Holiday Mondays each weekend and gallery hours are from 11 p.m.-4 p.m.
Longyear Gallery is located Downstairs in The Commons, 785 Main Street, Margaretville. Special attention will be paid to keep safe all visitors to the gallery as well as members. In view of health precautions at this time, all visitors will be strongly encouraged to wear masks. For information, please see Longyear Gallery’s website, www.longyeargallery.org, or call 845 586-3270 during gallery hours.
Longyear Gallery is located Downstairs in The Commons, 785 Main Street, Margaretville. Gallery hours are Fridays, Sundays, and Holiday Mondays 11-4 pm, and Saturdays 10-5pm, and by appointment. For information, please call 845 586-3270 during gallery hours.

1 year ago · by · 0 comments

Belleayre Mtn. Opens For Season

By Brian Sweeney
Belleayre Mountain in Highmount is gearing up the 2022-23 ski season, and snowmaking got underway on Sunday, Nov. 13.
At the time of this story, mountain personnel were unable to state a projected opening date until an official announcement from Governor Kathy Hochul’s office, which was expected on November 17.
Marketing Director Joe McCracken commented, “Depending on Mother Nature delivering us the cold weather to make snow, opening day is within sight.” He encouraged ski and snowboarding enthusiasts to stay tuned to Belleayre.com or the mountain’s social media accounts for official opening day announcements.
Improvements
As has been the focus in recent years, Belleayre has placed a strong emphasis on improving snowmaking capacity and efficiency. Mr. McCracken said that, over the summer, 60,000 feet of new pipe was installed to feed snow guns. A new, energy-efficient pump was added to the fleet and 300 HKD low-energy snow guns were added.
These upgrades are just the latest advancements to the mountain’s snowmaking capabilities. Mr. McCracken noted, “Over the past few years, Belleayre has been working hard to update the aging snowmaking infrastructure at the facility; a multi-year, multi-phase project. Our upgrades last year tremendously helped our snowmaking capabilities (new snowmaking pumphouse, more than 230 snow guns, and 13,000 feet of new snowmaking pipe. For the 2022/23 season, we’re continuing to invest in snowmaking to get trails open quicker.”
Mountain officials are anticipating that the ongoing investment in snowmaking will help Belleayre continue to grow its skier visits. Mr. McCracken said last season saw record-breaking season pass sales and increased midweek ticket sales, adding to overall skier visits.
Despite the devastating impacts of the coronavirus pandemic that was officially declared in March 2020, Belleayre, like numerous businesses has made innovations that have proven beneficial.
Mr. McCracken said that being forced to make changes to improve safety protocols in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak resulted in “the ability to change, adapt and learn.” He pointed out that Belleayre’s e-commerce platform and guest experience enhancements are examples of the facility’s response that will help guide the mountain into future seasons.
The marketing director said guests are being encouraged to purchase their ticket in advance of their visit to secure the day of skiing and riding. He noted that walk-up tickets are not guaranteed (especially during holiday periods) and may be available in limited quantities at the discretion of management. Buying tickets online in advance also offers the best available value.
“The earlier you buy your tickets – the better the pricing,” Mr. McCracken explained.
Regarding COVID protocols for the upcoming season, Mr. McCracken provided an outline of policies:
• GENERAL — While mask mandates have been lifted, face coverings are recommended and as a precaution to protect and prevent contagious disease spread. Please stay home if you are sick or experiencing symptoms.
• PURCHASING TICKETS — It is recommended that tickets be purchased online in advance.
• GONDOLA AND LIFTS — Face coverings are recommended on chairlifts and in the gondola when riding with unknown individuals. Please be respectful of personal space and leave windows open in gondola cabins.
• SHUTTLES, BUSES, AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION — Face coverings are recommended on shuttles, buses, and public transportation.
• LOST & FOUND — We will discard any face masks, hand coverings (gloves, mittens, etc.), and any items other than hard goods.
• SNOWSPORTS LESSONS & PROGRAMS — Face coverings are recommended for participants during lessons including while riding on chairlifts and in the gondola.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE — Crock pots, cooking devices, and coolers are not allowed. Food cannot be stored at tables, locker rooms, or other public spaces. If you are bringing your own food, it should fit into a personal pack and not be left in the lodge. At high-capacity time periods please be respectful of fellow skiers and boarders and limit your time at tables.
• OUR TEAM — At Belleayre, we adhere to the same health and safety protocols as we expect of our guests. We operate with an increased frequency of cleaning procedures and a deep clean at night and maintain hand sanitizer stations throughout our venues for guests and employees. Each team member also undergoes a daily health screening prior to every shift.
Our venues follow state and local guidelines, and we appreciate everyone’s understanding if guidelines evolve. Your safety, our safety and the safety of our community is a priority for us. Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to a healthy and safe season here at Belleayre.
• UPDATES — Any updates to our Health and Safety information will be posted on our website at belleayre.com/health-safety-information/
• SPECIAL EVENTS — Belleayre will be bringing back several of it staple events and a bunch of new for the upcoming season. These include the Holiday Bazaar on December 10, the Annual Mogul Mash and Pond skimming in the spring, and theme weekends all winterlong. The calendar of events can be found at Belleayre.com.
As testimony to the mountain’s snowmaking capabilities, Belleayre’s crew has been selected as a finalist in SAM Magazine (Ski Area Management Magazine) snowmaking competition. The mountain will be submitting a 2-3 minute video in late December showcasing its snowmaking team, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, mentoring, staff bonding, and the mountain environment — a unique behind the scenes of the Belleayre snowmaking team. After the submissions, the magazine will release the videos to the public and open the voting to determine the winning entry.
With snowmaking ramped up and cold temperatures in the long-range forecast, Mr. McCracken expressed optimism for the new campaign.
“We are looking forward to welcoming back all our guests for the start of the 2022/23 season,” he stated.

1 year ago · by · 0 comments

Events Calendar

Saturday, Feb. 25
The Bovina Library Bicentennial Art Project Gallery Show is opening on Saturday, February 25 from 5-7 p.m. The show includes paintings of the historic Bovina landmarks that were commissioned specifically for Bovina’s Bicentennial Celebration last summer.Contact librarian Annette Corvelo at bovinalibrary@gmail.com or at 607 832-4884.


Thursday, March 2
Gertrude’s Hair Salon, a monthly reading aloud experience and get-together inaugural evening is set for Thursday, March 2 at 6 p.m. at Diamond Hollow Books in Andes. Diamond Hollow Books, 72 Main Street, Andes. For information, please call 347 262-4187.
Through March 4


Liberal Arts Roxbury is hosting Phil’s Ghost, an exhibition of album art honoring the late Phillip Lenihan, owner of the gallery under its previous entities, Orphic Gallery and the 8-Track Museum. Located at 53525, State Highway 30, Roxbury. E-nal info@liberalarts roxbury.com.


Through March 12
1053 Gallery in Fleischmanns is presenting an exhibit titled DEPARTURES, including works by Janice La Motta, Kate Quarfordt and Christie Scheele. DEPARTURES is a survey of work made in response to the pandemic by 24 New York artists. The show will run through March 12. The gallery is located at 1053 Main Street, Fleischmanns. Info at: 1053gallery.com, phone 845 254-3461.


March, 18, 19, 25, & 26
New York State producers will participate in Maple Weekends on March 18-19, March 25-26.10 am to 4 pm each day at most locations. Check your planned destination for any exceptions. Visit: mapleweekend.nysmaple.com


Through March 19
Longyear Gallery of Margaretville is pleased to announce the opening of “Members’ Late Winter Group Exhibit,” a new group show featuring the art of all Longyear Gallery Members. The exhibit will run through Sunday, March 19. Information at: longyeargallery.org, or call 845 586-3270. Longyear Gallery located at 785 Main Street, Margaretville.


Thursdays, March 30-May 4
Writers in the Mountains (WIM) presents Ekphrastic Poetry:A Jump Start from Other Art Forms and Everyday Objects, a six-week long workshop with Sharon Ruetenik, March 30 – May 4. The class will be held online Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. To register, e-mail writersinthemountains@gmail.com. To register online, visit writersinthemountains.org. Class fee is $125. Registration deadline is March 23. Class limited to ten students.

1 year ago · by · 0 comments

Margaretville Hosts Holiday Parade Nov. 26

MARGAREVILLE — The Village of Margaretville will kick off the season with a Holiday Parade on Saturday, Nov. 26 starting at 4:30 p.m. The event is being held as part of Shop Small Saturday – designed to encourage residents and visitors to support small businesses.
Organizations, business owners and families are invited to create holiday-themed floats to enter in the parade along Main Street in the village.
The Margaretville Village Board, with assistance from the Margaretville Fire Department, is organizing the parade, a visit from Santa Claus and a tree-lighting at 5:30 p.m. at the small park near the Binnekill complex in the center of town.
Many businesses in the village will be holding sales and/or special attractions as they welcome residents and visitors to Shop Local on Shop Small Saturday. Students are Margaretville Central School are working on a stand to offer food during the parade.
Catskillsair, a local TV and online station, will be filming the festivities. Announcers will be on hand to describe the action on the parade floats.
Margaretville Mayor John Hubbell said his board is using the event as a means of promoting the burgeoning business community in the village, which continues to attract a variety of interesting shop.
“We’re just trying to get people in village for the businesses,” the mayor commented.
Anyone interested in participating in the parade is invited to contact Kendra Hinkley at 845 750-1731, Sarah Hubbell at 845 389-0842, or the village office at 845 586-4418 for details. The parade lineup will begin at 3:30 at Margaretville Central School.

1 year ago · by · 0 comments

Singer Sofia Talvik Plays Phoenicia

PHOENICIA — Gifted Swedish songstress Sofia Talvik will be performing at the Phoenicia United Methodist Church on Friday, September 30. The doors open at 7 p.m., with music at 7:30. Proof of Covid vaccination and masks are required in order to attend.
Talvik has an exceptional talent, seeming at once both fresh yet somehow familiar, with original music that summons echoes from a prior era when strains of now legendary female singer-songwriters filled the air. No Depression magazine calls Sofia, “A singer/songwriter who is able to evoke the essence of Laurel Canyon circa the ‘60s as expressed in the work of Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and others.” To the delight of audiences, she does so with a voice in a league with those greats. “Talvik’s voice is a thing of singular beauty,” notes Goldmine magazine.
Advance tickets for $15 are available until 3 p.m. the day of the show at: flyingcatmusic .org/next-show; or pay $18 (cash only) at the door.
Learn more about Sofia Talvik at: sofiatalvikcom.

1 year ago · by · 0 comments

Belleayre Gearing Up For Fall Fest

HIGHMOUNT — The New York Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) announces Belleayre Mountain will host its annual Fall Festival Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9.
The event will feature live music and dancing, German-style food and beverages, and rides on the Catskill Thunder Gondola throughout each day.
Additionally, there will be local craft vendors, including photography, hand-crafted jewelry, handmade dolls, clothing, and accessories. Family entertainment includes pumpkin decorating, face painting and balloon twisting (noon to 3:00 pm), arts and crafts, a bounce house and climbing wall, lawn games, a cornhole bean bag toss, giant Jenga, and disc golf.
Music lineup
Live music performers include: Thunder Ridge – Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Eugene Tyler Band – Saturday 2-4 p.m.; Blues Maneuver – Sunday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wayne Fugate – Sunday 2-4 p.m.
Additional activities and offerings include: Smokey Bear meet-and-greet Saturday and Sunday. The Ulster County Sheriff’s K9 Department will also meet and greet attendees as well as offer demonstrations on both days of the festival.
The Belleayre Mountain team will be selling Frequent Skier Cards and season passes for the upcoming winter season.
Attendees can also save on Belleayre merchandise in the retail store and winter equipment and clothing with skis, boots, apparel, and accessories available from Belleayre’s Pro Ski and Ride shop.
All activities will be centered at Belleayre’s Discovery Lodge, and hours are as follows: Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission and parking are free. Roundtrip gondola rides from the Discovery Lodge to the summit are $20 for adults (20 to 64), $10 for juniors/teens (7 to 17) and seniors (70+), and free for children six and under. Gondola access is free for all 2022/2023 season passholders with pass present.

1 year ago · by · 0 comments

Kyle, Lorenz Works At Longyear

MARGARETVILLE — Opening this week at Margaretville’s Longyear Gallery are two concurrent solo exhibitions featuring artist Hedi Kyle’s solo exhibition “Spiral Tropes” and artist Patrice Lorenz’s solo exhibition “Paintings and Drawings.”
Displayed in separate spaces of the gallery, these two shows will be accompanied by a group show of all Longyear Gallery member artists in the gallery’s two other areas and will run from Friday, September 30th through Sunday, October 23rd, with the Artists’ Opening Reception held at Longyear Gallery on Saturday, October 1st from 3-6 p.m.
Featured artist Hedi Kyle says that for her new exhibition, “Spiral Tropes,” “the spiral emerged as my guiding character having frequently appeared in my work even when it wasn’t intended to.”
Early in the pandemic summer of 2020, she explains, “I began circling with a type of highly saturated paint I had never used before and was almost shocked with the results. I asked myself where that intensity of color come from during such awful times, and my first impulse was to put the drawings away until further notice.” Yet two years later, notes the artist, “the spirals have re-appeared and have become prominent in this exhibit as part of my attempt to explore them, absorbing the figure of the spiral through the flow of the paint, the motion of the brush, and the rubbing of the wax.
In a spiral
By repeatedly drawing the spiral,” she continues, “I learned more, especially in regard to the direction of spiraling, clockwise or counterclockwise. In the third dimension this would become even more obvious, as I could get lost in the process of coiling, winding, and shaping the now flexible spirals and damp strips of paper.”
In “Spiral Tropes,” both flat images and three-dimensional objects are represented. Drawings were done mostly by brush with walnut ink, rubbing wax and graphite. For Kyle, “the three-dimensional pieces represent examples of taking the freedom to interpret spirals by curling paper in any way it wants to go.”
Hedi Kyle retired to the Catskills in 2013 after a 40-year career in book conservation and teaching book arts. Places of employment include the NY Botanical Garden, the American Museum for Natural History, and in Philadelphia the American Philosophical Society and the University of the Arts.
Book design
Known for her innovative design of book structures and as the co-founder in 1983 of the Paper and Book Intensive (PBI), she co-authored the 2018 book The Art Of the Fold with her daughter Ulla Warchol.
Patrice Lorenz’s new exhibition at Longyear Gallery, “Paintings and Drawings,” includes pieces from a series of paintings and drawings the artist began two years ago. According to Lorenz, “the series, titled ’Figure it Out,’ emerged in response to the isolation I was experiencing given the pandemic and the consequent introspection it afforded me. It has also signaled a re-emergence of the figure as a subject in my work.”
Patrice Lorenz is a founding member of Longyear Gallery. This is her fifth solo exhibit at the gallery. Her other upcoming exhibits include “Behaving Badly : Smoking, Drinking and Swearing” in October 2022 at the Lockwood Gallery in Kingston, NY and “Dear John Burroughs,” funded by a Delaware County Arts Grant, at the Hunting Tavern in Andes NY, June 2023.
Longyear Gallery exwill be on view Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Holiday Mondays each weekend. Gallery hours are from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Longyear Gallery is located Downstairs in The Commons, 785 Main Street, Margaretville.
For information, please see Longyear Gallery’s website: longyeargallery.org, or call 845 586-3270.

2 years ago · by · 0 comments

18th Cauliflower Festival Sept. 24

The 18th Cauliflower Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 from 11 to 4 in Margaretville’s Village Park, sponsored by the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce. 

Pure Catskills, the Catskill Forest Association and the Historical Society of Middletown will be key components of the family-friendly festival which also features many community organizations, vendors and artisans.  

Food – from barbecue and cauliflower specialties, to take-home produce – will top the festival ‘menu’.

Performing from noon to 3 will be a favorite from past festivals, blues guitarist and vocalist Mike Hermann.

In the CFA Tent of Knowledge, Dr. Michael Kudish, noted Catskills’ forest historian, will speak at 12:30 on “Sawmills, piano bars, log roads, sugar maple distribution, and first growth forest.” At 1:30, the NYS DEC’s Bryan Ellis will discuss “Forest carbon and the impacts of climate change on NY forests,” followed at 2:30 by Lindsay Baxter of Cornell University on “Lyme and other tick-borne diseases of the Northeast.”

Agricultural and community history exhibits can be found in the HSM History Tent. This year’s featured display will focus on farm-based boarding houses. At 1:30 p.m., folklorist Ginny Scheer will lead a conversation on that topic with several individuals whose families either operated or visited these once ubiquitous tourist havens. HSM will also share photos and artifacts from the cauliflower growing industry which flourished in the Catskills from the 1890s through the 1950s.

The Catskills Conquest Endurance Run for vintage automobiles will again make the Cauliflower Festival one of the stops on their route from Mt. Tremper along the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway. The run commemorates a 1903 test of endurance among early car makers and drivers who traversed the Catskills along what is now NYS Route 28. Cars are due to arrive around 11 a.m.

Activities for children will be provided. Master Terry Bergmann, owner and fifth degree blackbelt of award-winning Pak’s Karate of Margaretville, and her students will demonstrate martial arts techniques and forms during the day. 

Catskill Mountain Quilters will demonstrate the time-honored craft of hand quilting. Bloom fabric store and quilt retreat on Main Street will stage a complementary display of quilts in an invitational exhibit at Binnekill Park a short walk from the festival grounds. More shops and eateries can also be found along Main Street.

An informational van from Health Alliance/Westchester Medical Center will bring Margaretville Hospital representatives to speak with residents and visitors about services offered at the local hospital.

The Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District will have its stream table set up to demonstrate flooding as well as stream management and mitigation scenarios.

Other area organizations scheduled to be at the festival are John Burroughs’ Woodchuck Lodge, the Catskill Watershed Corp., the Catskill Water Discovery Center, Open Eye Theater, Margaretville Rotary Club, Catskill Mountain Recreation Center, Kaatscast, Middletown Democrats and Republicans, Catskill Mountain Christian Center, Literacy Volunteers of Otsego and Delaware and Fleischmanns First.

Purchase maple syrup, spirits, farm made cheeses, honey, wine, apple products, aromatherapy products and more from Pure Catskills producers. The Catskill Community Support Association will offer packaged ice cream treats to benefit Arkville Head Start.

John Todd will bring his barbecue prowess to the festival, the popular LaRuta del Sol will supply Puerto Rican specialties, and Bella Chow will offer cauliflower with a twist (tacos, ‘wings’ and more!) under the pavilion. Of course there will be fresh cauliflower to purchase.

Businesses ranging from banks to book purveyors will set up shop, as will craftspeople making jewelry, wood furnishings and clothing. From green energy purveyors to craft distillers, rock and mineral sellers to soap makers, regional podcasts to online publications, there will be lots to learn about and to explore. 

Support for the festival is provided by the Watershed Agricultural Council’s Pure Catskills program funded by the NYC DEP, US Forest Service and others; the Delaware County Tourism grant program offered by the county’s Economic Development Office; and by Westchester Medical Center Health Alliance. 

2 years ago · by · 0 comments

John Gorka Plays Phoenicia Show

Flying Cat Music Presents John Gorka in Concert on Saturday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Phoenicia United Methodist Church,29 Church Street, Phoenicia.
Like serving a fine wine, Flying Cat Music uncorks the legendary musical talents of John Gorka, an irrepressible folk icon who only gets better with age. John will be performing at the Phoenicia United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 10. The doors open at 7:00 p.m. with music at 7:30. Proof of Covid vaccination and mask required.
For more than 40 years, John has been enthralling audiences around the globe with his distinctive brand of folk music, penning lyrics that range from dry humor: “I’m from New Jersey. I don’t expect too much. If the world ended, I would adjust,” to simple, but incisive, truths: “What matters the most is what you do for free.” His way with words led the Boston Globe to observe, “Gorka is widely heralded for the sophisticated intelligence and the provocative originality of his songs.”
Rolling Stone calls Gorka, “the preeminent singer-songwriter of the New Folk Movement.” As such, over the years, he’s collaborated with many of the leading icons of modern folk, including Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lucy Kaplansky, and Ani DiFranco among others.
The New York Times writes: “Listening to John Gorka, one can get goosebumps all over. There are many reasons: fresh lyrics, a stunningly emotional baritone, and his twisted humor.”
John’s unique talent for creating and performing songs that seem at once supremely simple and yet layered with emotional depth and sensitivity, has shined on one critically acclaimed album after another. The intimate setting at the century-old Phoenicia United Methodist Church provides the perfect place to savor a rare sampling of vintage Gorka.
Advance tickets for $23 are available until 5 PM the day of show at: https://flyingcatmusic.org/next-show; or pay $25 (cash only) at the door.
For more info on the 2022 Flying Cat Music season, check out: https://flyingcatmusic.org/all-shows.
Learn more about John Gorka at: https://www.johngorka.com.

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Shops Plan Second Saturday Specials

MARGARETVILLE — The final Second Saturday of the season, hosted by the Business Association of Margaretville, is set for September 10.
The focus of Second Saturday is retail businesses along Main and Bridge streets setting up tables outside their shops and/or offering specials inside.
Participating businesses and their offerings include: The Happy Giraffe on Bridge Street will have a T-shirts and pajamas on sale that day.
Café Marguerite is bringing back its popular “Taco Night,” along with Mexican-inspired treats.
Barbara Alyn Designs is planning a sidewalk sale with all sorts of interesting items from her eclectic shop.
Species by the Thousands will be giving away a candle with purchases during the day.
Home Goods of Margaretville will be setting up sales tables out front with great seasonal products up to 50 percent off.
Le Petite Marche will have a major sale with all items in the entire store marked down 30 and 50 percent as the owner prepares to transition to a new business at the same location.
Freshtown Marketplace will be setting up a booth and handing out apple cider donuts and apple cider. The they also host a raffle with a basket worth about $100 with some local goods sold at the store. Raffle tickets would be $1 each. The table will also have assorted flyers, point flyers, kids’ club sign up, etc. programs available at Freshtown.
Kria World will be offering complimentary wine in front of the shop.
The Binnekill Tavern will hold a Happy Hour from 1-5 p.m. featuring $5 pints of local draft beers, well drinks, house wines by the glass and free simple bar snacks (fries, roasted chickpeas, etc.).
At Naynu, a sidewalk sale will feature a variety of the shop’s exquisite Peruvian offerings.
For information, please e-mail: paul @kria.world

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Schoolhouse Welcomes Families Aug. 20

Family Fun Day at the Old Stone Schoolhouse in Dunraven, two miles west of Margaretville, will be held Saturday, Aug. 20 from 10 to 3. In case of heavy rain, the free event will be held Sunday.

While there is no admission fee, donations towards the upkeep of this historic site – former District #10 — are most welcome. Family Fun Day is sponsored by the Old Stone School Association and the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM).

There will be lessons with costumed teachers through the day. The 20-minute lessons, conducted in the two-century-old one-room school where grades 1 through 8 were taught the three Rs for 140 years, will include arithmetic, reading and writing.

Youngsters will use slates to practice ciphering and will stitch their own copy book to demonstrate penmanship and spelling. They may even be asked to read a poem aloud. Fun classroom games like “Button, button, who’s got the button?” will engage the students.

“Recess” will include old fashioned outdoor games like hoop rolling, catch, tag and three-legged races. Quieter activities, like butter making, cat’s cradle, checkers, marbles and dominoes will be offered beneath a tent.  Nature walks in the immediate vicinity of the school may prompt artistic activities as well.

Traditional music will be performed by Eli and Lillian Taylor.

Visitors are invited to bring a lunch and picnic on the grounds. They can ring the school bell, see what it was like to carry pails of water from the pump, and imagine going to the outhouse when nature called (it still works!).

The 1820 structure located adjacent to the former Delaware & Northern Railroad tracks, will be open all day. Exhibits will highlight its colorful history as well as the stories of some of Middletown’s other one-room schools. The Stone Schoolhouse is on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Coloring books will be offered for sale, and raffle tickets for a basket of Catskills products will be available to purchase, proceeds benefitting the Historical Society. 

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Two-Day Open House at Galli-Curci

MARGARETVILLE – An open house at the historic Galli-Curci Theatre in Margaretville August 27 and 28 will allow visitors to see an exhibit on the theatre’s history, view silent movies and leave their own remembrances on the Memory Wall. 

The landmark building on Main Street, marking its 100th anniversary, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 to 4 Sunday. A reception and concert Saturday evening will feature vocalist Gina Hanzlik accompanied by pianist Felix Jarrar in a tribute to opera star Amelita Galli-Curci for whom the theatre is named.  Tickets ($10) can be reserved at gallicurci100@gmail.com.

During the open house, the public is welcome to walk beneath the marquee into the 1922 theatre, grab a bag of popcorn and enjoy a continuous showing of silent movies of a sort that would have been screened in the early years of the entertainment hub. 

A new exhibit on view for the weekend details the life and contributions of Clarke Sanford, the publisher and entrepreneur who had the building constructed; the career of diva Galli-Curci who sang at the theatre’s opening and again at its one-year anniversary celebration; and the building itself, which served as a community focal point. 

For more than six decades, movies, traveling shows, graduations, lectures, special observances, and in later years, rock concerts were held there. For several years in the 1980s it was an antiques emporium. Visitors are encouraged to add notes about favorite movies, special events, first dates and other recollections to the Memory Wall.

            For more information on the Galli-Curci Theater Centennial, call 845-586-4689.

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Vendors, Artisans Sought for Festival

MARGARETVILLE — The 18th Annual Cauliflower Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 in Margaretville’s Village Park, and there is still room for vendors!

Businesses, artists, craftspeople, food purveyors and non-profit organizations are welcome. Find vendor forms at https://margaretvillecauliflowerfestival.org/forms/.

The free festival runs from 11 to 4 and traditionally attracts hundreds of people. The event is a showcase of all that is best about rural life – fresh food, traditional music and craft, agricultural bounty offered by Pure Catskills producers, and the rich history of the Catskills. 

This year’s festival will also feature Catskill Forest Association exhibits and a roster of speakers on topics of interest to forest owners and lovers.

For more information, call the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce at 845-586-3300.

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Open Studios Tour Returns July 30-31

MARGARETVILLE — The weekend of July 30 & 31 will offer an exciting opportunity to residents and tourists visiting Delaware County when 32 local artists and galleries will open their doors to the public, extending a unique invitation to guests.
Meet the painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers and mixed-media artists where they make, create and display their art. Studios and galleries will be open in Andes, Arkville, Denver, Fleischmanns, Halcottsville, Margaretville and Roxbury. For a complete map and more information about the artists, visit AMROpenStudios .org.
Launched in 2012, the Open Studios Tour has become a major cultural attraction in the Central Catskills Region. The pandemic canceled the tour in 2020, and in 2021 AMR Artists hosted five outdoor “Paint The Town” events in its place. AMR Artist Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) with a mission to connect emerging and established artists with art lovers, local businesses and art galleries.
This tour is an opportunity to interact with artists while visiting their private studios, allowing for an intimate look at distinctive works of art.
Free to the public, the event is possible through local business sponsors, funds from the A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation, from the Delaware County Arts Grants, a regrant program of the NYS Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the state Legislature administered by the Roxbury Arts Group.

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Grass-Fed Beef Key For Liddle Farm

By Brian Sweeney
When Halcottsville residents Jenny and Dick Liddle started their family farm in the late 1980s, there was limited information available about the benefits of raising grass-fed beef. The number of farmers feeding their livestock in this manner was just as rare. Those facts did not deter them, and they proceeded to become among the earliest adapters of this philosophy. Today, nearly every beef farm in the region adheres to the grass-fed method of raising beef.
Having grown up on a dairy farm, Dick subscribed to the opinion that livestock consuming grass was a healthier alternative than a diet dominated by grains. Convinced that grass-fed beef was the preferred option, Dick began a multi-year project of improving the way cows were raised on the Liddle Farm, without resorting to feeding them grain. He admits the grass-fed model involved considerable experimentation in the early years.
“I went all grass at a time when most people were skeptical about feeding livestock in this manner,” Dick recalled.
Lots of research
Eager to learn about the benefits of an all-grass diet for livestock, Dick became a student of the process. He attended many seminars on the topic and followed the advice of early gurus, including Alan Nation and Joel Salatin, regarding farming sustainability.
For the Liddles, the result in the early years were a mixed bag. “From OK to terrible,” is how Dick recalled their initial efforts. Despite some frustrations, they persisted with their vision. Gradually, over the course of several years, their commitment to raising livestock in a healthier manner began to yield the results they envisioned. Today, a growing number of farmers have shifted to the grass-fed model of raising beef, now widely viewed as the best alternative. It’s widely acknowledged that grass-fed animals are leaner, with less fat, are healthier and the meat is more flavorful.
Just as the choice of raising grass-fed beef was unconventional at the time, so was the start of the farm. Because Dick had grown up in a farm setting, one of his brothers thought an appropriate wedding gift for the couple would be a heifer that was a cross between Holstein and Angus breeds. Naturally, such a present selection was made knowing that the recipients had ample acreage for the cow to roam.
“It was a novel gift,” Jenny laughed.
The gesture was appreciated by the couple, who soon realized you can’t just raise a solitary cow – they need companions. When Jenny’s father offered some financial assistance to get started, they began to build up a small herd.
In the beginning, they butchered just one animal a year, so there was enough meat for their family, Jenny recalled. Over time, they learned that several friends and neighbors were interested in moving away from traditionally raised meat into a healthier option and they started supplying them with beef.
“It was a gradual progression. We just let the flow of the farm dictate where it went. We were both working full-time (Jenny in graphic design and Dick as a contractor) and the farm was not even a business,” she recalled.
Growing the farm
Through a steady transition, they now maintain a herd between 50-70 cows most of the time. After making purchases of some neighboring properties, the farm has grown to about 100 acres, and they lease an additional 60 acres. The Liddles now raise the maximum number of animals that this amount of land can sustain. The herd consists of Black Angus with some Hereford in the mix. As the number of cows increased, the proprietors have employed an assistant to help keep the operation running smoothly.
Dick explained that they have been enrolled for a number of years in the Watershed Agricultural Council’s (WAC) large farm program and the collaboration has been very beneficial.
“WAC has helped us modernize our water system. It’s been a really good partnership. They assist us with soil assessments and forage plans,” he pointed out.
Dick noted they don’t use any chemical fertilizer on the farm, only lime. In another nod to minimizing the farm’s environmental footprint, a solar array helps offset the need for utilizing fossil fuels.
Humane treatment
In addition to feeding their livestock a healthier diet, the Liddles place a strong emphasis on raising their cows humanely. Jenny explained that, typically, an animal is ready for market in 1-1.5 years. The Liddles raise them for two-to-three years and the cows spend most of their time in pastures and fields during nice weather. During inclement periods, the livestock have access to shelter. The only time antibiotics are utilized is if an animal is sick, and then they are taken out of herd while being treated. None of the animals are administered hormones.
For people who enjoy consuming meat products, the principles followed at Liddle Farm bring results that are readily apparent. The owners produce a variety of standard and specialty cuts – with some of most popular being burger, ribeye Delmonico, and New York Strip steaks. Roasts, briskets, and filets are also in high demand. Jenny said Tomahawk steaks can be special ordered. At nearly two inches thick, the ribs are left on the bone and one cut feeds 4-6 people.
“They are fabulous on the grill or under the broiler,” she enthusiastically stated.
One drawback of a small farming operation in recent years is getting these products to the table, which can be a challenge. Dick said the loss of processing facilities is a huge problem in the industry. He noted that when many of the large plants had to shut down during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, it really affected the supply chain and that’s one of the reasons food prices have increased so much.
“The idea of decentralizing the food system is vital to protecting the food supply. We need smaller processing facilities; that’s really important,” he commented.
Dick added, “People are going to have to get used to paying more for food. Processed foods are very poor value. Agri-business is huge. If people prepared more of their own food they would achieve better nutritional values, support their communities and save money.”
In particular, he pointed to the “abysmal quality” of the food commonly served to school children. Dick feels much more attention needs to be paid to how we raise our food and how it’s processed.
Local food is key
Jenny pointed out that purchasing food from regional farms is beneficial in multiple respects. In addition to supporting smaller farms and helping the local economy, consuming locally raised foods significantly reduces the environmental impact of importing food from across the United States or from other countries.
In their quest to remain as self-sufficient as possible, the Liddles grow most of their own vegetables and often barter with other farmers for locally produced goods. Any extra vegetables and beef are donated to area food pantries.
Selling extra hay is also part of the operation. If someone wants to buy a cow and raise it themselves, that’s also an option. They have raised meat birds and laying hens, but stopped when the flock was devastated by a predator. Jenny said they are considering having meat birds again, however, she noted they must be fed grain and the process gets expensive.
For Dick and Jenny Liddle, the direction of their farm will continue to evolve naturally, the same way it has since they received the wedding gift that started it all.
The Liddles sell their beef through word of mouth and at two local retail outlets — Sweet Peas in Halcottsville and Home Goods of Margaretville.

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Square Dance July 23 in Pine Hill

PINE HILL — Catskills Folk Connection is happy to present its third in-person square dance of the season, after two and half years without dancing. The Tremperskill Boys will be playing for the admission free dance at the Pine Hill Community Center, 287 Main St., Pine Hill at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 23.
The dance will feature popular square dances, sure to please those who danced to Hilt Kelly and the Sidekicks, the legendary 20th century square dance band. In addition there will be round dances (couple dances) with a few waltzes, a polka or two and some songs for a two-step. Beginners will be helped with instruction before each square dance, so everyone can have a good time.
The Tremperskill Boys are well into their second decade as an old-time square dance band. The founder, John Jacobson, named the band for the stream that runs by his house in Andes, the Tremperskill. John fiddles and calls, Dane Scudder seconds on fiddle, Sheila Addison on guitar, Amy Lieberman on stand up bass, and Ginny Scheer on flute.
In addition to square dance tunes based on 20th century popular songs, the band plays Irish and Scottish tunes common in the Catskills. Many of these include tunes that used to be played by Hilt Kelly, including the ones he learned from his father, Carson Kelly, who was also a noted fiddler and caller. Those older tunes are available on Hilt & Stella Kelly’s CD, “Tunes I Learned from My Dad,” available at the dance.
Covid precautions will be in place at the dance, if necessary. Masks are optional. Dancers can lower their risk by social distancing and by arriving in groups of eight who then dance only with each other. Changes in the infection rate may necessitate other precautions, even turning the dance into a concert. For last minute information, consult Catskills Folk Connection’s blog www.catskillsfolkconnection.blogspot.com. Contact Ginny Scheer, 607-326-4206 or gscheer.mcs @gmail.com or swixon@pinehillcommunitycenter.org.
Admission to the dance is free and donations are appreciated.

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Roxbury Grad Prizes Top $1 Million!

ROXBURY — Members of the Roxbury Central School Class of 2022 were awarded more than $1 million in scholarships and awards at the June 25 commencements. Graduation Awards by Student
The total Scholarship and Awards presented to RCS seniors at commencement was $1,014,000. The following prizes were announced:
Ryder James Albano
• Roxbury Teachers Association Educational Grants: $300
• The Thomas S. Hynes Memorial Scholarship: $250
Lydia Grace Biruk
• Fred Zerega Sportmanship Award – $50
• Lynn Cole Rivenburgh Award – $25
• Mike Reidlinger Award – $250
Alina
Jean Chojnowski
• The Duane Ely Memorial Scholarship – $500
• Pine Hollow Lodging Service Award – $100
Brianna
Danielle Cross
• Grand Gorge Fire Department and Rescue Squad Award –$200
• The Thomas S. Hynes Memorial Scholarship: $250
Chelsea Madyson Curtis
• The Marjorie Graham Student Scholarship: $500
• Roxbury Teachers Association Educational Grants: $500
• Fred Zerega Sportmanship Award – $50
• Scholarship for Academic Excellence –$500
• PTSA Scholarship –$500.
Cortnea Regina
DeMaio
• Kaatskill Eldercare Award: $50
• The Roxbury Fire Department Award: $250
Payge Marianna
DeMaio
• The Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Academic Distinction Scholarship: $60,000
• Kaatskill Eldercare Award: $50
Isiah Michael
Figueroa
• Greatest Effort in Fitness through Physical Education Class – $25
Paul Gardner
• Hughson & Benson Insurance Award –$100
Gabrielle Rose
Garofolo
• The UAlbany 1844 Scholarship: $8,000.
• Roxbury Rotary Scholarship: $500
• Roxbury Teachers Association Educational Grants: $900
• PTSA Scholarship –$250.
• Halcottsville Fire Dept. Award: $50
Stephon
Morgan Gregg
• The Roxbury Alumni Association: $1,000
Brianna Jansen
• Mike Reidlinger Award: $250
Myah Marie
Johnston
• PACE Trustee Recognition Award and Athletic Scholarship: $32,000 annually
• The Bishop Scholarship Foundation Award: $20,000 a year
• The Otis B. Thompson Award: $1,000 a year for up to 4 years
• Kaatskill Eldercare Award: $50 award
• Roxbury Teachers Association Educational Grants: $500
• PTSA Scholarship –$750.
Theodore Hosier
Maduri
• Delaware County Bar Association: $500
• The Wadler Brothers Perseverance Award: $250
Steven L. Martin Jr.
• Ralph Ives American Legion Award of Merit: $100
Bryanna Paige
Meehan
• The Delaware County ARC Scholarship: $50
• The Delaware National Bank of Delhi Corporate Charitable Trust –$500
• The Roxbury Senior Citizens Award: $100
Kerri Anne Moore
• The Abraham Kellogg Scholarship: $96,000 payable over four years
• The Hartwick College Founders’ Award: $40,000 payable over 4 years
• Nursing Excellence Award: $20,000 payable over 4 years
• The Bishop Scholarship Foundation Award: $20,000 a year for each academic year The Clark Foundation Scholarship: $3,800 a year for 4 years
• The Hartwick Community Award: $1,000 one-time award
• Kaatskill Eldercare Award: $50
• Scholarship for Academic Excellence –$500
Brett Walter
Morrison
• The Cronk Family Award: $100
• The Hagen Scholarship: $6,000 each semester for up to eight consecutive semesters.
• Roxbury Teachers Association Educational Grants: $900
• Scholarship for Academic Excellence –$1,500
• The Wayne Bank Award: $100
Isabella Rose
Poniros
• The Siena Presidential Scholarship: $21,500 a year for four years
• The Bishop Scholarship Foundation Award: Up to $20,000 a year for each academic year
• Roxbury Teachers Association Educational Grants: $900
Ayla M. Vorisek
• Greatest Effort in Fitness through Physical Education Class – $25
• John and Jean Dugan Scholarship Award –$200
• The Monique Gabrielle Ostrow Award: $50
George and Hazel Crosby Agricultural Scholarships went to:
• Going to Paul Smith College, majoring in Environmental Sciences, with an award of $10,000 a year for four years for a total of $40,000 is: Ian Walker
• Going to the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, with an award of $10,000 a year for four years for a total of $40,000 is: Payge De Maio
• Going to SUNY Oneonta, majoring in Biology, with an award of $10,000 a year for four years for a total of $40,000 is: Steven Martin
• Going to the University at Buffalo, majoring in Electrical Engineering, with an award of $3,365 a year for four years for a total of $13,460 is: Ryder Albano
• Going to SUNY Cortland, majoring in Healthcare Management, with an award of $3,365 a year for four years for a total of $13,460 is: Alina Chojnowski
• Going to SUNY New Paltz, majoring in Business, with an award of $3,365 a year for four years for a total of $13,460 is: Chelsea Curtis
• Going to SUNY Delhi, majoring in Nursing, with an award of $3,365 a year for four years for a total of $13,460 is: Cortnea De Maio
• Going to SUNY Albany, majoring in Accounting, with an award of $3,365 a year for four years for a total of $13,460 is: Gabrielle Garofolo
• Going to Pace University, majoring in Health Sciences, with an award of $3,365 a year for four years for a total of $13,460 is: Myah Johnston
• Going to Hartwick College, majoring in nursing, with an award of $3,365 a year for four years for a total of $13,460 is: Kerri Anne Moore
• Going to Clarkson University, majoring in Electrical Engineering, with an award of $3,365 a year for four years for a total of $13,460 is: Brett Morrison
• Going to Siena College, majoring in Nursing, with an award of $3,365 a year for four years for a total of $13,460 is: Bella Poniros
• Going to SUNY Delhi, majoring in Early Childhood Education, with an award of $3,030 a year for two years for a total of $6,060 and the option of continuing on to a four-year program is: Ayla Vorisek
• Going to SUNY Cobleskill, majoring in Turf Management, with an award of $3,030 a year for two years for a total of $6,060 and the option of continuing on a four-year program is: Peyton Proctor

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New Pastor Begins UCLM Parish Duties

MARGARETVILLE — Pastor Taeho Kim will begin duties at the Upper Catskills Larger Methodist Parish on Sunday, July 3 with a 10:30 service at the Margaretville United Methodist Church. Community members are invited to meet the new pastor at a coffee hour following the serivce.
The Upper Catskills Larger Parish includes the Margaretville, Roxbury, Andes, and Halcott United Methodist Churches.
The new pastor earned a Master of Sacred Theology degree from the Yale University Divinity School. He has also received a Master of Divinity from the Claremont School of Theology, a Master of Theology from Yonsi University in Seoul, South Korea, and a Bachelor of Theology from the Methodist Theological University in Seoul.
Pastor Kim is currently a Certified Candidate in the New York Annual Conference at the United Methodist Church.
His most recent ministry experiences include serving as Group Pastor for the Sunday School and Young Adult (Yale Graduate students) at the United Church of Westville. He has also been a Sunday School and Youth Group Pastor at the Los Angeles Korean United Methodist Church, and has worked as an educator and administrator for the Haiti Mission Center.
He was the Vice-President of the Korean Graduate Students Association at Yale University, President of the Korean and Korean American Students Association at the Yale Divinity School, and co-leader of The Evangelical Student Fellowship at Yale Divinity School.
He also served as co-director of International Relations at the Claremont School of Theology.
The pastor said he’s excited to take the helm at the Upper Catskills Larger Methodist Parish and looks forward to becoming an active part of the local communities.
“I am a very positive and energic person. I like to meet and talk with people, and I prefer to promote work through active communication and cooperation with people,” he commented.
Pastor Kim and his wife, Hyerim, are the parents of a two-year-old son, Roy Eunwood.

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Kudish Featured at Andes Talk

ANDES — Diamond Hollow Books, in association with Purple Mountain Press and the Michael Kudish Natural History Preserve will host the author on Tuesday, July 12 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the bookshop, 72 Main Street, Andes.
Dr. Kudish will sign his books and also engage in conversation with Erwin Karl, farmer, mycologist and President of the Kudish Preserve. Admission is Free but seating is limited!
Info: 347 262-4187 or biz@diamondhollowbooks.com. Please note: the shop is up one flight of stairs. Assistance getting up them can be provided by staff.
Michael Kudish says that he “just can’t understand people who want to live in an area that’s flat. I’ve had mountains around me all my life.” And in that life he’s helped unveil the mysteries of the Catskill and Adirondack mountains.
We are celebrating a new edition of the now classic The Catskill Forest: A History (pbk., 217 pages, Purple Mountain Press, $55) as well as Kudish in the Kaatskills, a compendium of articles written by Kudish, reprinted with permission from Kaatskill Life Magazine and The Catskill Forest Association’s CFA News. (pbk., 132 pages, Michael Kudish Natural History Preserve, $30) as well the other Kudish publications from Purple Mountain, namely the 4-volume study The Mountain Railroads of New York State.
Michael Kudish is Professor Emeritus from Paul Smith’s College, where he taught for 34 years, and where a forest has been named after him. Mike was named one of the 50 Stewards of the Catskills by the Catskill Center.

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Pepacton Cemetery Tour Saturday, July 9

MARGARETVILLE — A walking tour of Pepacton Cemetery, where the remains of 1,525 people from burial grounds in the Pepacton and Cannonsville Reservoir basins were moved in the 1950s and ‘60s, will be held Saturday, July 9 at 10 a.m.
The cemetery, maintained by the NYC Department of Environ- mental Protection, is located on NYCity Highway 30A in the Town of Andes. There is no admission to this event and reservations are not required. In the event of heavy rain at 9 a.m. the walk will be held Sunday, July 10 at 10 a.m.
Attendees are advised to bring water and sunscreen. The grounds are mostly level but sturdy shoes are suggested. The tour will take a little over an hour.
Tour guides will be gravestone conservator and Delhi Town Historian Marianne Greenfield, and Middletown Historical Society President Diane Galusha. Greenfield will explain the history of the cemetery’s development and the restoration of 305 headstones and 80 unmarked graves that she coordinated under contract with the DEP 2016-18.
Visitors will then learn about some of the men, women and children whose remains were relocated to this site, part of the former Ken Sprague farm that the City acquired for this purpose. Remains were removed from 12 burial grounds before those cemeteries were inundated by the impounded East and West Branches of the Delaware River.
Among the individuals tour-goers will learn about are:
• Jabez Sisson who worked on a whaling ship off the coast of Greenland before retiring to Cannonsville where he lived with his daughter; he died in 1846 at age 9.
• Nathaniel Cannon and his three wives, Fanny, Mary and Susan, who all died at age 40.
• The six children of Robert and Hannah Knapp of Shavertown.
• Israel Barnhart, a “Calico Indian” during the Anti-Rent War of the 1840s.
• Phillip Cole of Colchester, who served with the 20th Regiment of US Colored Troops during the Civil War. He is one of 17 Civil War veterans buried in the cemetery. There are also three veterans of the War of 1812 and one from the Spanish American War.
Many early settlers are buried at Pepacton. A number of their headstones were inscribed by the itinerant stone carver known as Coffin Man, whose story will be related to tour-goers.
The unidentified remains of as many as 30 people believed to have been enslaved by Alexander Cole of Colchester are buried in the Cat Hollow section of the cemetery. Here Galusha will share some of her research into slavery in Delaware County.
Directions to Pepacton Cemetery: From Margaretville, take NYS Rte 30 south to Shavertown Bridge; at the Shavertown Bridge turn right on County Rt. 1 (Tremperskill Rd.), then left on NYC Hiway 30A, 4 miles, cemetery on left. From Andes take County Rt 1 (Tremperskill Rd) to NYC Highway 30A, turn right, 4 miles, cemetery on left. From Downsville turn left on NYC Highway 30A at the DEP facility on Rt 206/30. 11 miles, cemetery on right.
For more information, call 607 267-2708.

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CWC Elected Officers

ARKVILLE — The Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC) held its Annual Meeting of Watershed Towns on April 5.
A large crowd of local, state, and federal agency representatives and regional partners attended, including Patrick Palmer and colleagues from New York State Department of Health; and colleagues from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Lisa Melville from New York State Department of State and Watershed Protection and Partnership Council, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and many local town supervisors attended the meeting.
Allen Hinkley, Supervisor of the Town of Roxbury, Arthur Merrillof the Town of Colchester in and James Eisel, of the Town of Harpersfield were re-elected to the CWC Board of Directors by their fellow Delaware County Watershed Town Supervisors.
The 2021 Annual Report was released at the meeting. It can be viewed at cwconline.org (Documents). To get a paper copy of the Annual Report, call 845-586-1400, or email scosta@cwconline.org.
Last year’s work
Highlights CWC accomplishments in 2021:
• 225 failed residential septic systems were repaired or replaced through grants to homeowners by the CWC Septic Program. Primary residents were reimbursed 100 percent of eligible costs, second homeowners were reimbursed 60 percent.
· 604 septic systems installed since 1995 were pumped out and inspected in 2021. CWC reimbursed half the cost for each.
• Construction of the West Conesville Community Septic System continued. It is expected to be complete and operational by summer of 2022. Designs for the New Kingston Community Septic System and the Halcottsville Collection System were completed and construction for both is planned to start this spring.
• The CWC Board approved funding from the Flood Hazard Mitigation Implementation Program for numerous feasibility studies to investigate options for flood proofing designs and construction for homes, municipal buildings, businesses, and institutions throughout the West of Hudson watershed.
Stormwater
upgrades
· Twelve property owners in Delaware, Greene, and Ulster Counties were approved for reimbursement for costs of NYCDEP required stormwater controls. Some of these projects included Getaway Roscoe’s Campground, Tractor Supply in Stamford, Catskill Mountain Foundation, Windham Mountain, Copperhood Inn, and several residences.
· Nine low-interest loans were approved for businesses in Watershed Towns through the CWC’s Catskill Fund for the Future. These included Maple Shade Farm NY Inc. in the Town of Delhi, Catskill Momos in the Town of Delhi, MTC Cable in the Village of Margaretville, West Branch Collision in the Town of Walton, KDR Self Storage in Dunraven, Terrace Motel in Ellenville, Rippling Waters Retreat in the Town of Delhi, Old Mill in the Town of Roxbury and Roxbury General in the Town of Roxbury. Other economic development initiatives included the Commemorative Sign project and loans for the Community Wastewater Program. The Reservoir Boating Program drew 1,826 kayaks and canoes to four NYC reservoirs.
• The board awarded 28 Watershed Education Grants to schools and non-profit organizations in the Catskill-Delaware Watershed and in New York City, for projects such as Trout in the Classroom and public performances of Arm of the Sea Theater. These programs reached over seven thousand students and teachers.
CWC’s Executive Director Jason Merwin, acknowledged Alan Rosa, who was CWC’s first President, and Executive Director from 1998 until he retired at the end of April 2021. Jason thanked Alan for all he did to make CWC what it is today. He also acknowledged staff for working efficiently in to make 2021 another successful year in spite of the challenges presented by the COVID-19 challenges.
CWC is a not-for-profit local development corporation responsible for several environmental protection, economic development, and education programs in the New York City Watershed West of the Hudson River.

2 years ago · by · 0 comments

HSM Offers Headstone Cleaning

MARGARETVILLE — Memorial Day is right around the corner and the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown wants to help you pay tribute to your loved ones by offering a unique headstone cleaning service.
A team of HSM volunteers is ready to clean monuments at cemeteries in and around Middletown this spring, using a safe and very effective cleansing agent and method. A donation of $30 cleans a single one-sided headstone; a $50 donation will clean two headstones or a two-sided monument.
Before-and-after photos will be provided to those who take advantage of this offer, available only during the month of May.
Send a check and contact information to HSM, PO Box 734, Margaretville, NY 12455. Someone will be in touch to collect details. FMI: 845-586-4973 or history@catskill.net.
Information about HSM events and programs can be found at mtownhistory.org.

2 years ago · by · 0 comments

Roxbury Library Full Hours

The Roxbury Library will return to full operating hours starting 
Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Weekly hours for the Roxbury Library, the Irma 
Mae Griffin History Room, and the Roxbury Library Association (RLA) 
Thrift Shoppe will be Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 
p.m.; and Saturdays: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., with 2022 RLA Quilt Raffle 
tickets available for purchase at the library’s circulation desk ($1.00 
per ticket or $5.00 for 6 tickets). Beautifully handcrafted by the 
Roxbury Library Quilters, the two featured quilts for the RLA 2022 RLA 
Quilt Raffle are the queen-sized “Squares of Many Colors” Quilt and the 
lap-sized “Victorian Hearts and Flowers” Quilt, both on display at the 
Roxbury Library.

Notary Public Service is available Mondays, Wednesdays, and  Thursdays 
from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Currently, the RLA does not require masks but recommends them for 
at-risk individuals and will provide curbside pickup service upon 
request.

Located at 53742 State Highway 30, the Roxbury Library is directly 
opposite the town’s United Methodist Church on Main Street.

Please contact Roxbury Library Director Dian Seiler or the Roxbury 
Library Clerical Staff (Mary Jean Scudder or Elizabeth Frugina) at 
(607)-326-7901 with inquiries about library hours, events, programs, and 
services and about RLA Thrift Shoppe donations.

2 years ago · by · 0 comments

MARGARETVILLE CEMETERY CLEANUP

Volunteers are needed to spruce up Margaretville Cemetery in advance of Memorial Day. 

The work day is this Saturday, May 21. Able bodied helpers are asked to show up at 9 a.m. and spend as much or as little time as they can allot. Please bring rakes, brooms, plastic scrapers, gloves and clippers. The Village maintenance crew will retrieve the collected brush and trash next week. 

This effort is being coordinated by the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown whose 9th Living History Cemetery Tour will take place in the cemetery June 18. FMI: mtownhistory.org.

3 years ago · by · 0 comments · Featured

Event Happenings

Friday & Saturday, Nov. 25 & 26 Opening the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 25, at Margaretville’s Longyear Gallery is “Artists Choose Artists 2022,” Longyear’s twelfth invitational show featuring the work of both Longyear Gallery members and some of their favorite guest artists working in different media. The Artists’ Reception will take place Saturday, November 26, from 3-6 p.m. For information, please see Longyear Gallery’s website, www.longyeargallery.org, or call 845 586-3270 during gallery hours. Longyear Gallery is located Downstairs in The Commons, 785 Main Street, Margaretville.

Saturday, Nov. 26 The Village of Margaretville will kick off the season with a Holiday Parade on Saturday, Nov. 26 starting at 4:30 p.m. The event is being held as part of Shop Small Saturday – designed to encourage residents and visitors to support small businesses. Organizations, business owners and families are invited to create holiday-themed floats to enter in the parade along Main Street in the village. Many businesses in the village will be holding sales and/or special attractions as they welcome residents and visitors to Shop Local on Shop Small Saturday.

Friday, Dec. 2 Congregation B’nai Israel will continueits popular “Taste of Shabbat” ZOOM event on Friday December 2 at 6:15 p.m.There is singing, prayers, music and fellowship. Come join us for a fun and uplifting time! You do not have to be a member or know Hebrew to paeticipate – all are welcome to this free event. Contact us at Bnaiisraelfleischmannsny @gmail.com to register or call 845 254-9945 to leave a message. We are an open and inclusive Jewish spiritual community.

Tuesdays, Dec. 6-Jan. 10, 2023 Writers in the Mountains (WIM) presents Modern Love II, a six-week creative writing workshop with Elizabeth Koster, December 6, 2022 – January 10, 2023. The class will be held online Tuesdays, from 12 noon to 2 pm. Once you register and pay, you will be given instructions on how to join the class. To register for this class, e-mail writersinthemountains @gmail.com. To register online, visit writersinthemountains.org. Class fee is $100.

Through December 22 Roxbury Library Association (RLA) welcomes the public to the RLA Annual Holiday Bazaar shopping festivities. Annual Holiday Bazaar will offer holiday shoppers the opportunity to purchase quality RLA Thrift Shoppe merchandise, Shoppers may also take advantage of the RLA Thrift Shoppe’s ongoing fill-a-bag sales ($3 for a small bag of merchandise $5 for a large bag of merchandise, and $1 for a box or bag full of books from the RLA Thrift Shoppe). Located at 53742 State Highway 30. Info: 607 326-7901.

Through January 7, 2023 1053 Main Street Gallery in Fleischmanns presents “Echo Chambers” an exhibition of multi-media work including artwork which uses manipulated images of darning stitched onto canvas. The show runs through January 7, 2023. Info: 1053maingallery.com

4 years ago · by · 0 comments

Library Vols Create Pollinator Garden

MARGARETVILLE — Fairview Library on Wal-nut Street, Margaretville is among a growing number of area organizations to install a pollinator garden.

Library Director Doris Warner said her board was approached by the Catskill Scenic Byway Committee to participate its initiative to create pollinator gardens throughout the area members were eager to participate. Similar gardens as part of this project in the Margaretville area can be found near Freshtown and the Village Park.

“The library was happy to participate and the initiative was spearheaded by board member In-grid van der Leeden and student liaison to the board, Amaal Bahnas, a Margaretville Central School student,” Doris recalled.

Ingrid and Amaal embraced the concept and designed the garden in front of the library. Most of the plants were donated and came from the gardens of local residents. Several donations helped to get the other materials like mulch and gravel.

Over two days hardworking volunteers re-moved the grass and transformed the new garden area. Those hard at work included Fairview Library Board Members Ingrid van der Leeden, Connie Jeffers, and Stephen Finkel, Former Board Member Dean Hunter, and MCS students Amaal Bahnas and Sydney Asher.

Still to come are a garden bench and a bike rack.

Sluiter Agency, Inc.

P.O. Box 170, 761 Main Street
Margaretville, NY 12455-0170

(845) 586-2641

Fax: 845 586-3809