March 2025: Catskills Dining

IN THIS ISSUE

TRUE WEST, BY SAM SHEPARD: Maude Adams Theater Hub Breaks the Fourth Wall this March with an In-the-Round Production

FLING AWAY YOUR WINTER DOLDRUMS Spring is On the Way!

PURPLE MOUNTAIN PRESS: Publisher of Local & Regional NYS History Books is Under New Ownership

CATSKILLS DINING: Including Recipes from Your Favorite Catskill Chefs

GRACIE’S TURNS HUMBLE DINER FARE INTO A CULINARY EXPERIENCE by Michael Koegel

CHARMING SMALL TOWNS FULL OF BIG EXPERIENCES IN NEW YORK’S SULLIVAN CATSKILLS

CATSKILL PLATEAU … NOT MOUNTAINS? by Greg Madden

CATSKILLS PAST LaMont Adelbert Warner: A Creative Force by T.M.

Photo courtesy of Peekamoose Restaurant

Wildflower Farm. Photo courtesy of Ulster County Tourism

Photo courtesy of the Catamount at the Emerson Resort & Spa

VOLUME 40, NUMBER 3 March 2025

PUBLISHERS

Peter Finn, Chairman, Catskill Mountain Foundation

Sarah Finn, President, Catskill Mountain Foundation

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, CATSKILL MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION

Sarah Taft

ADVERTISING SALES

Barbara Cobb

Hillary Morse

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS

A GREENE COUNTY GARDEN IN MARCH: Moss and Lichen by Margaret Donsbach Tomlinson

THE GREAT OUTDOORS by Jeff Senterman

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CATSKILL MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION 2025 PERFORMING ARTS SEASON

MOUNTAIN CINEMA INDEPENDENT FILM SERIES

SUGAR MAPLES CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS 2025 SUMMER COURSES

DONATE TO THE CATSKILL MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

issuu.com/catskillmtnregionguide 60 62 71 82 89 90 95 96

DISTRIBUTION

Catskill Mountain Foundation

EDITORIAL DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: March 6

The Catskill Mountain Region Guide is published 12 times a year by the Catskill Mountain Foundation, Inc., Main Street, PO Box 924, Hunter, NY 12442. If you have events or programs that you would like to have covered, please send them by e-mail to tafts@catskillmtn.org. Please be sure to furnish a contact name and include your telephone number and e-mail address. To receive submission guidelines send a request to tafts@catskillmtn.org.

The liability of the publisher for any error for which it may be held legally responsible will not exceed the cost of space ordered or occupied by the error. The publisher assumes no liability for errors in key numbers. The publisher will not, in any event, be liable for loss of income or profits or any consequent damages.

The Catskill Mountain Region Guide office is located at 7971 Main Street, Hunter, NY 12442.

The magazine can be found on-line at www.catskillmtn.org by clicking on the “Magazine” button, or by going directly to issuu.com/catskillmtnregionguide

Brandt Bolding, T.M. Bradshaw, Reid Dalland, Dirk M. deBoer, Svitlana Denysiuk, Gardens by Trista, Adrian Gaut, Michael Koegel, Glenn Koehler, Diana Krykavska, Lyudmila Lucienne, Mad Hare Imagery, Greg Madden, Maude Adams Theater Hub, Peekamoose Restaurant, Anggalih Prasetya, Purple Mountain Press, Jeff Senterman, Sullivan County Visitor’s Association, Margaret Donsbach Tomlinson, Ulster County Tourism, and Sujatha Vempaty.

ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE

Candy McKee

Tyleane Benjamin, Hillary Morse & Ashley Olney

PRINTING

Catskill Mountain Printing Services

7,500 copies of the Catskill Mountain Region Guide are distributed each month. It is distributed free of charge at tourist information offices, restaurants, lodgings, retailers and other businesses throughout Greene, Delaware and Ulster counties, and at the Empire State Plaza Visitor Center in Albany.

Home delivery of the Guide magazine is available, at an additional fee, to annual members of the Catskill Mountain Foundation at the $100 membership level or higher.

©2000 Catskill Mountain Foundation, Inc.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. The Catskill Mountain Region Guide is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. All photographic rights reside with the photographer. THE CATSKILL MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION 7971 MAIN STREET, P.O. BOX 924 • HUNTER, NY 12442 PHONE: 518 263 2000 • FAX: 518 263 2025

Photo courtesy of Sullivan County Visitor’s Association

The coming spring season of mountaintop theater is loaded with exciting productions; The Maude Adams Theater Hub is no exception. In partnership with Scribner’s Mountain Lodge, they will stage Sam Shepard’s iconic play, True West. This will be the inaugural production on a new, innovative circular stage: the Apex Lounge at the Rounds.

Jake Shipley, Associate Creative Director of the MATH will direct the upcoming production of the critically acclaimed play. The production features local actors Brian Flynn as ‘Austin’ and Leo Gilmore as ‘Lee’, joined by the fabulous Elisabeth Henry as their mother. This gripping drama will take the stage on March 28 and 29 at 7:00 pm, and will feature pre-show cocktail party provided by Scribner’s Fellow Cafe.

True West tells the story of two estranged brothers, who reunite at their mother’s home just outside the California desert. The unlikely duo write a screenplay for a producer, and as they navigate their complicated past, conflicting personalities, and combined interests, the lines between reality and fiction begin to blur.

Known for quality dialogue and symbolism, Sam Shephard’s plays are always exciting and richly layered, exploring the limits of brotherly love and the expectations of masculinity. Dark humor and pathos abound as the siblings morph and twist into unexpected versions of themselves.

Leo Gilmore first brought the idea of staging True West to MATH’s Creative Director, Amy Scheibe, while the two were working on Into the Woods. Gilmore had been preparing to do this

show decades ago with his best friend, but tragedy put that dream on the back burner. After Shipley’s successful direction of Old Jews Telling Jokes for MATH in October, Scheibe knew she had the right director at the right time.

“Working with actors this dedicated, who spend a decade thinking about their role, is a dream,” Shipley said of the process, which began back in September. “It allows for a level of production you don’t get without a little bit of obsession, a little bit of crazy. I think that’s just the right recipe for exceptional art.”

While True West has been staged before in the round, the idea behind this production was serendipitous.

“The idea of staging in the round was born from a few different ideas that coincided beautifully. I had the image of a boxing match in my head from the start,” Shipley said. “I have two older brothers, I know what it’s like coming home and turning into children again. Your home is an arena. We wanted to capture that, and then Amy found the Apex. The rest is about to be history.”

In addition to the night of intense theater and contentious storytelling, Scribner’s Fellow Cafe will be providing heavy apps and a specialty cocktail pre-show, with dessert and coffee at intermission. There will also be a cash bar open throughout the performance. Seats are limited to 60 per show, and tickets for the entire evening are $65. Reservations strongly recommended, and can be found at www.catskillmtn.org.

True West by Sam Shepard is produced by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

Maude Adams Theater Hub Breaks the Fourth Wall this March with an In-The-Round Production

FLING AWAY YOUR WINTER DOLDRUMS

Spring is On its Way!

Welcome to the season where nature begins its lush, vibrant transformation. In the Catskills, the transition from winter to spring is extraordinary. Budding trees, eruption of wildflowers and the crisp mountain air are all available. This time of renewal is the perfect time for a rejuvenating, wellness retreat in Ulster County.

With its breathtaking views and tranquil atmosphere, Ulster County offers a perfect setting to reconnect to what’s important. Luxurious mountain resorts offer a chance to restore and renew while awaiting spring’s flowers. Charming inns offer a chance to find serenity. And with options to hike blooming wildflower fields or to dive deeper into a meditative retreat, the Catskills offer seemingly infinite ways to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. Embrace your adventuresome spirit and become part of the season’s reawakening.

If the finer things in life appeal to you, consider pairing your Ulster County wellness retreat with luxury experiences offered in the Catskills. From world-class resorts to exclusive experiences, indulge in the perfect mix of relaxation and indulgence.

One standout destination is Mohonk Mountain House. Known for stunning beauty and historic charm, Mohonk offers everything in a wellness retreat. Named “Best Hotel Spa” by USA Today, enjoy a Skin Awakening Body Detox Ritual which starts with a complete body exfoliation. Or plunge into peace with Mohonk’s Lakeside Immersion. This plunge into freezing cold lake water provides an endorphin release and stimulates blood flow, which is flowed up with warm tea or hot chocolate, yoga and warm ginger inhalation therapy. Top it all off with a quick swim in their heated, indoor, saltwater pool before heading to a delicious farm to table dinner. Hiking, horseback riding, archery, and even tomahawk throwing or pickleball are but a few of the other activities to fill your time at this destination resort.

For those prioritizing relaxation, Ulster County features some of the finest spas in the region, offering rejuvenating massages, facials, and holistic treatments in serene settings. Whether you’re visiting solo, with a partner, or as part of a group for a bachelorette spa weekend, these premier spas have exactly what your winter-weary body and soul need.

Mohonk Spa Summer House. Photo by Mohonk Mountain House, courtesy of Ulster County Tourism

Thistle, the lux spa at Auberge Properties’ Wildflower Farms, is a must-visit for those seeking a peaceful escape. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Shawangunk Mountains, Thistle blends nature-inspired treatments with ancient remedies and therapeutic bodywork. After a day spent exploring the beautiful natural landscape, help your body recover with an anti-inflammatory treatment utilizing dynamic air compression therapy and lymphatic recovery treatment. For those interested in more spiritual healing, Menla, a serene retreat center in the Catskill Mountains, offers a combination of Tibetan healing practices and modern wellness techniques, including the world-class Dewa Spa.

Emerson Spa, renowned for its luxurious services, has recently introduced new treatments to further elevate your wellness experience. The Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial is an excellent choice for those looking to rejuvenate their skin. This service uses advanced oxygen and hyaluronic acid technology to hydrate, lift, and tighten the face. Additional treatments, such as Chakra Renewal and Reflexology, are perfect for those seeking deeper spiritual restoration.

For a more comprehensive wellness experience, explore their Complete Body, Soul, and Spirit package. For those seeking balance, experience their offerings of yoga, fitness, and sound healing classes, which center the mind, body, and spirit.

The newly expanded Inness Spa is a top choice for a group retreat. Nestled between the Catskill and Shawangunk Mountains, Inness provides a serene atmosphere perfect for a weekend getaway with friends or celebrating a bride-to-be. With a wide range of treatments, their spa offers indulgent massages and facials that leave your skin glowing and refreshed. It is the perfect destination to unwind with your closest companions.

If you are looking for a more modest and quick day spa experience, you are in luck. Ulster County is home to several exceptional day spas, each offering unique approaches to self-care and relaxation. Maria Vera Skin Care specializes in advanced facials and personalized skincare treatments. With its riverside setting, the Waterside Spa at Diamond Mills provides a peaceful

escape with soothing treatments and stunning views. Birch Spa & Beauty offers high-end beauty and skincare services in an inviting atmosphere. Woodstock Spa embraces a holistic approach with therapies designed to restore balance and harmony for body and mind.

There’s more rejuvenation on the horizon in late 2025 when Buttermilk Falls Spa undergoes a major expansion! Known for its tranquil setting and exceptional treatments, Buttermilk Falls will upgrade its facilities to provide an even more luxurious experience. Expect a more extensive range of treatments, additional amenities, and more wellness spaces. This will soon make it an even more incredible destination for relaxation and rejuvenation. Whether you’ve visited before or are planning your first trip, the expanded spa will offer a renewed sense of luxury and tranquility for all.

The Catskills, beautiful year-round, become an even more inviting destination during spring’s renewal for those looking to refresh their spirits and bask in the region’s natural beauty. Whether you’re seeking a solo retreat or planning a special occasion with friends, Ulster County offers everything you need to rejuvenate and renew. The spas, resorts, and wellness centers provide the perfect setting to shake off the winter blues and embrace the season with confidence, vitality, and a renewed sense of well-being.

Now is the perfect time to plan your spring getaway to Ulster County. From luxurious spas to invigorating outdoor adventures, this is the place to embrace the new season with a refreshed mind, body, and soul. Step into your best year yet by heading to the Catskills, where nature’s beauty, unparalleled relaxation, and the best in luxury wellness await.

Greet the earlier sunrises, embrace the blooming wildflowers, and immerse yourself in a wellness retreat that will leave you feeling recharged and rejuvenated. Spring into your ideal season of renewal in Ulster County! Go to VisitUlsterCountyNY.com to start planning your trip today.

The pool at Thistle. Photo by Wildflower Farms, courtesy of Ulster County Tourism

Photo by Menla, courtesy of Ulster County Tourism

Scan for tickets

Purple Mountain Press, Publisher of Local & Regional NYS History Books, Under New Ownership

Four Partners Look to Revive the Iconic, Independent Publisher Based in the Catskills

urple Mountain Press (PMP) is excited to announce a new chapter in its 52-year history: four locals, all with publishing experience, have teamed up to revitalize this beloved indie publisher. Brett Barry, Rebecca Rego Barry, Carolyn Bennett, and Lee Hudson took ownership of the press last month. All are enthusiastic to explore and expand PMP’s deep and impressive backlist of books on New York State history and to share with readers the incredible body of knowledge created by this press.

“Independent publishers are an absolutely crucial link to our regional and natural histories, and Purple Mountain Press is such an important example of that. I’m excited to be a part of the next incarnation,” said Brett Barry.

Purple Mountain Press Books

PMP specializes in books about the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, Lake George, and Mohawk and Champlain Valleys, particularly related to Colonial history, the Revolutionary War, the natural environment, folklore, Native Americans, maritime history, regional culture, and railroads. The current stable of authors includes such renowned regional natural history experts as Robert and Johanna Titus, and Michael Kudish, and cultural historians Alf Evers, Bill Birns, Dana Cudmore, Tim Duerden, Shirley Dunn, Diane Galusha, Ray LaFever, Carleton Mabee, Bob Steuding, Tim Todish, and Sandra Weber.

Moving forward, PMP plans to issue new editions of select previously published titles, in different formats with fresh art and introductory material, as well as introduce new books. The owners look forward to connecting with authors, booksellers, librarians, and museum professionals to ensure that these great books about New York state are widely available.

“Purple Mountain Press has brought so much history to so many people. And, of course, it is itself historical. We all look forward to expanding its offerings and providing new works and revived editions of PMP classics,” said Carolyn Bennett.

“From Kubick to Galusha, from Kudish to Titus, and a host of other celebrated authors, Purple Mountain Press has illuminated many corners of New York State history,” said Lee Hudson. “It’s a privilege to continue its tradition.”

The History of Purple Mountain Press

Founded in 1973 by Wray and Loni Rominger in the village of Fleischmanns, New York, PMP initially published titles about the surrounding Catskills and nearby Hudson Valley, but extended the house’s scope to other regions of New York.

As for its whimsical name—there is no Purple Mountain in the Catskills, after all—Wray was inspired by a dispute with his third-grade teacher, who criticized his drawing of purple mountains. “Mountains aren’t purple,” she said. Wray disagreed. “Did

we not sing of the ‘purple mountains’ majesty?’ Confirmation had to wait twenty-three years, however, until we moved to the Catskills. Driving through the mountains one evening, I startled my wife by exclaiming, ‘By God, they really ARE purple!’”

The great Hudson Valley chronicler Washington Irving thought so too, writing of his first view of the Catskills from a boat on the Hudson:

As we slowly floated along, I lay on the deck and watched them through a long summer’s day, undergoing a thousand mutations under the magical effects of atmosphere; sometimes seeming to approach; at other times to recede; now almost melting into hazy distance, now burnished by the setting sun, until in the evening they painted themselves against the glowing sky in the deep purple of an Italian landscape.

“Taking the reins of this historic press is both thrilling and a little terrifying,” said Rebecca Rego Barry. “I remember when I first started visiting the Catskills in the mid-90s, seeing the Purple Mountain Press sign in Fleischmanns and wondering if maybe I could work there one day. Well, that day has come!”

PMP: Looking Ahead

The press has just unveiled a new logo, which will adorn all forthcoming publications. PMP will announce new editions and titles this spring. A launch party is planned in the old PMP building, now The Print House bar, later this year.

To stay informed about new books and events, readers can visit nysbooks.com to sign up for a newsletter, and can follow on Instagram and Facebook.

Catskill Mountain Foundation

Piano Performance Museum

Featuring the Steven E. Greenstein Collection

Catskills Dining

CATERING

Carol Ann’s Cuisine

785 Main Street

Margaretville, NY 12455

carolannscuisine.com

917 520 2215

Carolann was raised in Edmonton, Canada, where, by her mother’s side, she developed her cooking skills. The city’s ethnic diversity introduced her to the international fare that influenced her sharp palate. She frequently visited the surrounding bucolic farms which literally fed her fascination for the subtleties of flavors and textures she still applies to her craft today. Her mission is simple: serve delicious, affordable food that guests will want to return to time and again. Whether you plan an intimate dinner for two, a large party for friends with particular diets, or just to save time in your busy life, Carolann has the experience and skill to make it happen.

Chef Deanna

1645 County Highway 6 Bovina Center, NY 13740

chefdeanna.com

Weddings and special event catering, with delivery available for larger events! Chef Deanna is on the cutting edge of the sustainable food. Surrounded by farmers and local food makers, Chef Deanna creates beautiful dishes using her Sicilian heritage and her love of everything sweet and savory.

FARMS & FARM PRODUCTS

Pure Catskills purecatskills.com

A regional, buy local campaign developed by the Watershed Agricultural Council to improve the economic viability of the local community, sustain the working landscapes of the Catskills and preserve water quality in the NYC Watershed Region. Pure Catskills works to promote hundreds of farm, forest and local businesses throughout Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster Counties. Search their website for local products, or pick up a copy of the Guide to Pure Catskills Products!

FARMS & FARM PRODUCTS

Shawn’s Fresh Fish

5150 Route 28

Mount Tremper, NY 12457

On Instagram: @ShawnsFreshFish

845 702 2120

Located at the Migliorelli Farm Stand. We started our business in 2016. We carry a large selection of fresh fish and seafood. Also, try our fresh made soups, salads and locally smoked fish. Requests welcomed.

Catamount Crab Cakes

Chef Michael Fichtel, Catamount Restaurant at the Emerson Resort & Spa, Mt. Tremper

2 six ounce cans of lump crab meat

4 whole eggs

2 cups mayo

1 tbsp Old Bay

1 tbsp Cajun spice

2 lemons zested and juiced

1/2 bunch chopped parsley

1 cup panko bread crumbs

Mix all but the bread crumbs together.

Divide mixture, forming into 8 balls, and then roll them in the bread crumbs.

Lightly flatten the balls and then either fry in a fryer or bake in a preheated oven at 375°F about 10-15 minutes.

We serve it with mango chutney!

Pantry Turkish Eggs

Chef Terrence Maul

The Pantry on Main, Tannersville *Makes two orders

4 large farm eggs

1 Tbsp. white vinegar

2 russet potatoes

3 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. black pepper

1 Tbsp. canola oil

2 oz N’duja sausage

5 oz extra virgin olive oil

1 slice rye bread

2 small clove garlic

1/2 Tbsp. melted butter

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

4 oz Greek yogurt

1 tbs fresh squeezed lemon juice

1/4 English cucumber

1 Tbsp. dill, fresh chopped

Poached Eggs

Heat 1 quart of water with 1 Tbs of white vinegar until it comes to a simmer. Place cracked eggs into the water to poach. Cook until desired doneness (we poach for three minutes at The Pantry).

Potato Cake

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grate potatoes with boxgrater on larger size. Add 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper. Squeeze excess water out of potatoes. Heat 6” cast iron skillet up with 1 tbs oil on stovetop. Add half of the potatoes and cook until golden brown. Flip and continue to cook until other side is golden brown. Remove and place on baking sheet. Repeat process with second half of potatoes. Place both in oven and finish cooking approximately 5-7minutes, until fork tender.

Chili oil

Remove outer casing of sausage. Put 2 oz oil and 2 oz N’duja sausage in frying pan and heat. Break up sausage until fully combined. Keep warm and set aside.

Croutons

Dice 1 pc rye bread into ¼” croutons. Mince 1 small clove of garlic, put aside. Melt ½ tbs butter; then add ½ tbs oil, ½ tsp thyme, ½ tsp oregano, ¼ tsp salt, minced garlic and a pinch of black pepper. Toss bread pieces into mixture. Placeonto a baking sheet and place into 375 degree oven. Toast for 5-7 minutes or until crispy.

Tzatziki Sauce

Grate ¼ cucumber on box grater on large size into a bowl. Add 1 clove minced garlic, 4 oz yogurt, 1 tbs lemon juice, 1 tbs fresh chopped dill, 2 tsp extra virgin oil, ½ tsp salt and pinch of black pepper.

To assemble, place fully cooked potato cake on a plate or mini skillet. Place a dollop of tzatziki sauce in the center of potato cake. Add two poached egg and drizzle n’duja mixture over top of eggs. Sprinkle croutons over top of dish and garnish with fresh sprigs of dill. Repeat for second dish. Enjoy!

MARKET & GROCERY RESTAURANTS

Sunflower Market

75 Mill Hill Road

Woodstock, NY 12498

24 Garden Street

Rhinebeck, NY, 12572

sunflowernatural.com

845 679 5361 (Woodstock) • 845 876 2555 (Rhinebeck)

Sunflower is dedicated to providing products you can feel good about sharing with people you love. Prioritizing working with local farms, families, and business, we know where our food comes from. Sunflower is devoted to providing clean and sustainably sourced food, 100% organic produce and a selection of carefully curated items that fit all dietary needs.

Tetta’s Market and Pizzeria

2082 County Road 3

Olivebridge, NY 12461

tettasmarket.com

845 657 2338

Produce, meat, dairy, pizza, snacks, smokes, lotto, coffee, THC/CBD, newspapers and much more! Our pizzeria has all of your favorite pies—available as small or large pies as well as slices—along with calzones, stromboli, knots, muffuletta, chicken tenders, wings and fries. Our deli has a wide variety of freshly-made sandwiches, proudly serving Boar’s Head meats. Open daily 7 am to 7 pm.

A Slice of Italy

1316 Ulster Avenue

Kingston, NY 12401

asliceofitaly7115.com

845 336 7115

The finest Italian dishes, pizza, hot and cold subs, salads and more made with the freshest ingredients and served with five star customer service. Full bar featuring a range of red and white wines, bottled beers, beers on tap and liquor. We also cater, and pride ourselves on being able to deliver our quality restaurant dishes right to your door. Whatever the event, no matter how many or how few, we are there for you.

Angela’s Pizza

1923 Ulster Avenue Lake Katrine, NY 12401

angelaspizzarestaurant.com 845 382 2211

Angela’s is more than just pizza! Soups, salads, pastas, subs, wraps, Italian dinners, desserts & more. … But, yeah, our pizza is dang awesome, too! Try our specialty pies or build your own! Eat in or take out, and delivery is available. Catering is also available: let us bring our delicious food to your next event! Download Angela’s mobile app for instant access to online ordering, Angela’s Loyalty Program, coupons, dining & catering menus, wing flavors and much more!

Blue Mountain Bistro-To-Go

948 Route 28

Kingston, NY 12496

bluemountainbistro.com 845 340 9800

Open 7 days a week serving homecooked, healthy take-out food and baked goods, Blue Mountain BistroTo-Go is dedicated to providing well balanced meals as quickly as we can without compromising quality or taste. It’s take out that tastes like dining out. Swing by for a quick bite or to take something back home when you don’t feel like cooking. Blue Mountain Bistro-To-Go is also an award-winning, full service catering company that will bring our special touch to parties of all sizes. Good food and good service bring the good times to you. Why not let us do the cooking?

11157 State Route 23

Windham, NY 12496

brandywinewindham.com

518 734 3838

For the past 35 years, this full-service Italian restaurant has offered great food and impeccable service. Share wonderful memories with your loved ones as we fill your table with delicious Italian cuisine. Born and raised in Southern Italy, owner Louis Caracciolo mastered the art of Italian cookery, and passed it on to his son Joseph, who has continued that art

Brandywine

and tradition as chef in the restaurant. We guarantee that we know the formula to capture the rich flavor of your favorite Italian dishes.

Catamount Restaurant at the Emerson Resort & Spa

5340 Rt. 28

Mt. Tremper, NY emersonresort/catamount 845 688 2828

You’ll find contemporary cuisine, locally sourced and classically crafted, with unforgettable flavors that hone in on the local spirit. Resting on the edge of the famed Esopus Creek, the Catamount resides in a location that is beloved for its rustic elegance and striking views. Enjoy unique dishes, family favorites, signature cocktails and our extensive wine list.

Garvan’s: A Destination & A Gathering Place

215 Huguenot Street

New Paltz NY 12561 garvans.com

845 255 7888

Nestled in a historic 1759 home with warm Irish hospitality, live music, and a cozy atmosphere. Enjoy a thoughtfully crafted menu featuring fresh, local ingredients, a curated wine list, and perfectly poured pints while soaking in the tunes of our weekly live music sessions. Whether you’re gathering with friends or discovering your new favorite meal—good food, great company, and music come together here in New Paltz.

Ginger Scallion Scones

2 ¾ c pastry flour

2 tsp baking powder

½ c granulated sugar

1 tsp salt

1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, cold and cubed

1 c scallions, chopped

¼ c ginger, finely chopped

3 eggs

¾ c heavy cream

Chili Crisp Butter

1 ½ sticks butter, softened

3 tbsp chili crisp

Salt to taste

Ginger Scallion Scones with Chili Crisp Butter

Chef Lauren Radel, Blue Mountain Bistro to Go, Kingston

Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl whisk pastry flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and salt until combined. Add cold cubed butter and pinch with your fingers until the butter is coated by the dry ingredients and the consistency is of small pebbles. Add chopped scallions and ginger and evenly disburse.

In a small bowl whisk together eggs and heavy cream slowly add to dry mixture and mix until just combined.

Place dough mixture on to a clean, dry, and lightly floured surface. Fold in half. Pat down. Rotate 180 degrees, fold in half again. Pat down. Rotate 180 degrees, and fold in half again. Totaling in 3 folds. Pat down dough to make a rectangle 1 inch thick. Cut in to triangles or desired shape.

Place scones on prepared baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and slightly cool.

In a small bowl, mix softened butter and chili crisp together, season with salt. Serve with warm ginger scallion scones

Enjoy!

Gracie’s Luncheonette

969 Main Street

Leeds, NY 12451

graciestruckny.com

518 943 9363

Our diner-style burgers, fried chicken sandwich, loaded fries and donuts are our signature menu items. All of our breads, pastries and desserts are made fresh in house every day. We make all of our own condiments and even our own cheese. We buy whole beef from Josef Meiller’s farm in Pine Plains, NY and we grind our own special blend for our burgers and cut our own steaks. We also cure and smoke our own bacon, pastrami and other meats. Even the potatoes for our French fries are even grown right in Catskill at Story’s Farm and hand-cut daily!

High Falls Cafe

2842 Route 209 North Marbletown, NY 12484

highfallscafe.com

845 687 2699

Scratch kitchen, our dishes are made to order using fresh ingredients. Daily specials. Live music and events weekly. Reservations are highly suggested. Open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday 11:30 pm to 5 pm, dinner 5 pm to 9 pm. Sunday breakfast 9 am to 1 pm and lunch 1 pm to 3:30 pm. Bar open later all nights and closes at bartenders discretion. Check out our menus and event calendar at highfallscafe.com or like us on Facebook for daily updates @highfallscafe1

Irish Coffee

Joe Sheridan’s Original Recipe, courtesy of Windham Wine & Liquors, Windham

1 Shot of Irish Blended Whisky

2 Teaspoons Brown Sugar

Strong, hot, freshly-brewed Coffee

Lightly whipped Cream

Put brown sugar and Irish whisky into a coffee glass (or wine glass with extra thick walls). Add hot, strong coffee, filling the glass up to 1/3 inch (1cm) from the top. (We suggest pouring the coffee over a spoon into the glass to lead off the heat). While the coffee settles, lightly whip the cream so that it is aerated but not thick. Pour the cream over the back of the spoon, held just above the coffee. If the cream is not aerated, it will not float.

Please serve without a spoon or straw. The cream mustache is the desired effect when drinking Irish Coffee! Enjoy.

Caçik

Chef Ozlem

Oguzcan-Cranston

Masa Midtown, Kingston

1 cup Strained Yogurt

2 cloves garlic, grated

2 English cucumbers

1 Tbsp. dried mint

1 bunch dill

Zest of 1 lemon

Pinch of sugar

1 tsp salt

In a large bowl mix together yogurt, garlic, mint, chopped dill and zest of a lemon.

Cut the cucumbers lengthwise and remove the seeds. Rough chop the cucumbers, sprinkle with salt and squeeze out excess liquid with a dish towel.

Mix the chopped cucumbers in with the yogurt.

Spoon into a serving bowl and garnish with dried mint, dill and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Enjoy with warm pita.

Jessie’s Harvest House

5819 Main Street

Tannersville, NY 12485

jessiesharvesthouse.com 518 589 5445

Jessie’s Harvest House Restaurant and Lodge is a welcoming & cozy place to gather, featuring a delicious menu of American-style cuisine and elevated comfort foods, with locally-sourced ingredients, a friendly tavern, and rustic country lodging. Family-owned & familyrun, we love to share all the freshest foods our area has to offer! Catering is available. Indoor dining.

La Cabaña Mexican

Restaurant & Bar

966 Main St.

Fleischmanns, NY 12442

lacabanarestaurantny.com

845 254 4966

Family owned and operated, La Cabaña is rich in tradition and authenticity. Our dinners are prepared with the freshest ingredients available. You’ll find all of your favorites, from enchiladas, burritos, tacos, chimichangas and flautas to chile relleños, carne asada, nachos and quesadillas to traditional desserts such as flan, fried ice cream and churros. Vegetarian options are available.

Buffy’s Choice

Chef Brian Gribbon

High Falls Cafe, North Marbletown

Great for leftover corned beef!

Diced cooked corned beef (roast low and slow either in oven at 350 for 3 1/2 hours, or in slow cooker on low for 8-9 hours)

Chopped onion

Boiled potato chunks (approx. 1/2 hour covered in water with some salt, Yukon golds are best)

Eggs

Hollandaise sauce (we make ours fresh, but you can buy a packet in the store)

Saute onions in butter until translucent. Add corned beef chunks, sauté another 5 min.

Chop boiled potato into small pieces and add to the sauté, add salt and pepper to taste.

Continue to sauté until meat and potatoes start too brown, as much or as little as you like.

Crack eggs into simmering water 2-3 minutes, then remove with slotted spoon.

Place the eggs on top of the hash and top with hollandaise sauce.

Mama’s Boy Burgers

6067 Main Street (at the traffic light)

Tannersville, NY 12485

Mamasboyburgers.com

518 589 6667

Established in 2015, Mama’s Boy Burgers was voted the “Best Burger Shack” in the Hudson Valley by Hudson Valley Magazine. We are all about fresh and local ingredients. Our burgers are made from local, black Angus beef from a farm 6 miles away. Our seasonal produce comes from Story Farms, our ice cream is made in the Hudson Valley. We also offer vegetarian and vegan options. Eat In, Take Out or Order Online.

Masa Midtown

666 Broadway

Kingston, NY 12401

masamidtown.com

845 514 2214

Celebrating our 5-year anniversary in 2025! Delicious, wholesome, authentic Turkish cuisine in the heart of the Hudson Valley. For Chef Oz (Ozlem Oguzcan-Cranston), the owner of Masa Midtown, welcoming people to her restaurant is her “biggest joy.” A Brooklyn native whose family hails from Turkey and Crimea, Chef Oz trained at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. But, as her mother always said, “You will never learn in cooking school what you’ll learn in your mom’s kitchen.” Chef Oz invites you to her vibrant restaurant to experience the warm hospitality and

flavorful fare that Turks are known for. The light-filled, 75seat dining room and bar are open for full bar/light dinner menu (Wednesday), dinner (Thursday-Saturday), traditional Turkish brunch (Saturday), and catered special events.

Mill & Main Restaurant, Bar & Provisions

317 Main Street

Kerhonkson, NY 12446

millandmainstreet.com

845 626 1255 (restaurant) • 845 626 1458 (provisions)

Mill & Main offers an array of seasonal American cuisine infused with the vibrant flavors of Latin, Caribbean, & Italian traditions. We take a seasonal approach to our family recipes and highlight local producers whenever possible. As a small family business, what brings us the most joy are the moments we share with our cherished community. We designed the space to be an extension of your own dining room by taking the care to ensure that each guest feels welcomed by the Mill & Main family for every occasion.

Photo by Anggalih Prasetya/shutterstock.com

Caribbean Chicken Soup with Spinners

Chef Claudia Sidoti, Mill & Main Restaurant, Kerhonkson

Chicken Soup

6 bone in, skin on dark meat chicken pieces, such as legs and thighs

3 carrots, peeled and chopped (about 1 cup)

2 stalks celery, chopped (about 1/2 cup)

1 yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, smashed

1/2 pound (about 2 cups) chopped pumpkin or butternut squash

1/2 pound (about 2 cups) chopped yam or sweet potato

4 sprigs fresh thyme

8 cups low-sodium chicken stock

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 whole scotch bonnet pepper

Spinners

1 1/2 cups flour, plus more for shaping dough

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup cold water

Hot Sauce/Sliced Scallions for Garnish, optional

In a large soup pot, combine chicken pieces, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, pumpkin or squash, yams, thyme and cover with chicken stock and 4 cups of water. Bring to a rolling bowl until vegetables begin to soften, about 15 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add the scotch bonnet pepper. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Simmer until the chicken is tender and falling off the bone, about 15-20 minutes.

Remove chicken and scotch bonnet from the pot. Discard scotch bonnet. Let the chicken cool slightly. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine flour and salt. Using your hands, mix in the water to form a dough. Lightly flour hands and place about two tablespoons worth of dough in your hands and roll into a log, shaping a point at both ends. Repeat to make about 12-16 dumplings. Drop dumplings into soup and cook until dough is no longer raw, about 15 minutes.

When the chicken is cool enough to handle, discard th e skin and using two forks, separate chicken meat from its bones and stir the chicken meat back into the soup. Turn off heat and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve soup with a little hot sauce and sliced scallions for a little extra kick!

Photo by Svitlana Denysiuk/shutterstock.com

Pancho Villa’s

Mexican Restaurant

6037 Main Street

Tannersville, NY 12485

panchovillamex.com 518 589 5134

The Best Mexican Food this side of the Border! Pancho Villa’s is owned and operated by the Oscar and Patricia Azcue family. They have been proudly serving authentic Mexican food on Main Street in Tannersville since 1992. Rooted in tradition, their passion is sharing great food and good company. All of the traditional Mexican favorites are served here, from enchiladas and burritos to chimichangas and flautas...plus great margaritas and daiquiris! Open every day except Tuesday.

Peekamoose

Restaurant & Tap Room

8373 State Route 28

Big Indian, NY 12410

peekamooserestaurant.com 845 254 6500

Devin and Marybeth Mills hail from some of New York City’s finest restaurants, including the famed Gramercy Tavern. Seeking to move closer to the farms supplying their menu, they have beautifully restored this country farmhouse set among the Catskill Mountains. The restaurant supports local growers by changing the menu daily, using the freshest ingredients available.

Enchiladas Suizas

Chef Patricia Azcue, Pancho Villa’s Mexican Restaurant, Tannersville

To Prepare the Sauce: Boil the tomatillos, jalapeño, onion, and garlic in a pot with water until the tomatillos turn soft and pale (about 7-10 minutes). Drain the vegetables and transfer them to a blender. Add cilantro, salt, and chicken broth. Blend until smooth.

For the Sauce

1 lb tomatillos, husked and rinsed

1 jalapeño (optional, for extra heat)

1/2 cup white onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup sour cream

1 cup chicken broth

For the Enchiladas: corn tortillas

shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)

shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or a mix of Jack and Chihuahua cheese)

vegetable oil for softening tortillas

Pour the mixture into a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.

Stir in the sour cream until fully combined, creating a creamy green sauce. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Prepare the Tortillas: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet. Lightly fry each tortilla for 5-10 seconds per side until soft. Drain on paper towels.

Assemble the Enchiladas: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9x13inch baking dish. Fill each tortilla with shredded chicken, roll it up, and place it seam-side down in the baking dish. Pour the sauce over the enchiladas, ensuring they are well coated. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.

Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve: Garnish with a dollop of sour cream with rice and beans.

The Roost

3542 Main Street

Stone Ridge, NY 12484

theroostinstoneridge.com

845 687 0022

Casual farm-to-table American restaurant with a screened-in porch serving popular breakfast options and other comfort food. Open seven days a week, 7 am to 9 pm. Hearty breakfast options including eggs and eggs sandwiches, pancakes, waffles and French toast. For lunch and dinner enjoy sandwiches, soups, wraps, and a variety of entrees such as pork loin, chicken with waffles, burgers, fried chicken and fish. Catering available.

WINE

Olivia’s Wine & Spirits

128 South Street

Windham, NY 12496

oliviaswineandspirits.com

518 750 8026

Wine connoisseur Robert Giordano has traveled the world learning about wine, and brings his vast knowledge and passion for wines from all over the world to Windham. Olivia’s Wine & Spirits offers a diverse selection of wines at a variety of competitive price points, as well as a variety of bourbons, whiskeys, and other liquors. Open every day.

Windham Wine & Liquors

5448 State Route 23

Windham, NY 12496

518 734 3474

Windham Wine & Liquors is the Mountaintop’s premier destination for the best offerings of wines and spirits since 2003. Our ever-expanding selection is sure to please every palate and price range. Let us help with your special event or gift. Visit us at the west end of town. Open every day of the year except Christmas Day.

Woodstock Wine & Liquor

63 Tinker St.

Woodstock, NY 12498

woodstockwineandliquor.com 845 679 2669

Located in the heart of Woodstock, WW&L is a family-owned, lovingly curated boutique shop with more than 1000 different wines, spirits, sakes and ciders to choose from. Customers discover a focus on local wines and spirits, naturally and sustainably produced wines from around the world, in an inviting, non-pretentious environment. Respecting tradition while celebrating innovation. Check out the free in-store tastings and order through woodstockwineandliquor.com for pickup or free local delivery.

FESTIVAL

Rip Van Winkle Wine, Brew & Beverage Festival

Saturday, May 10

Historic Catskill Point 1 Main Street Catskill, NY 12414 fortnightlyclubofcatskill.ticketspice.com/ rip-van-winkle-wine-brew-beverage-festival

The Fortnightly Club of Catskill will be hosting its 18th Annual Rip Van Winkle Wine, Brew & Beverage Festival on May 10. Purchase tickets online at Ticketspice.com or at event for $25. Enjoy wine, craft beers, distilled beverages and tasty bites while shopping with the vendors. Food trucks and live music throughout the day. The Fortnightly Club of Catskill is a non-for-profit organization. All proceeds stay in our community to help build and maintain playgrounds and recreation areas for children and adults.

AND LIQUOR

WINE, BREW & BEVERAGE

The Fun Guy

Mama’s Boy Burgers, Tannersville

Even though we’re known for our burgers, we make sure to offer a variety of options for those not in the mood for beef; with a special shout out to vegetarians and vegans. When we were recipe-testing, we experimented with a variety of “veggie burger” concepts: made from black beans, or brown rice, even quinoa. Nothing really caught fire. We weren’t satisfied with how they tasted, held together, or delivered the satisfaction of a good burger substitute.

So instead, we decided to embrace traditional non-meat burger alternatives that made sure vegetarians and vegans knew we were taking them seriously. We landed on two: our Falafel Burger and our “Fun Guy:” a portobello mushroom, topped with sautéed mushrooms and truffle mayonnaise. We doubled down—actually tripled down—on the mushroom flavor. We add Swiss cheese and crispy onions to give the sandwich dimension, and a nice crunch. Most importantly, it’s a satisfying meal in itself and not a lazy substitute for a burger.

To Make a Fun Guy:

Marinate a large portobello mushroom (stem removed) in balsamic vinaigrette and truffle oil. We marinate them overnight, but if you didn’t plan that far ahead, an hour or two will do, just long enough for the mushroom to soak up some of the flavor.

1 large portobello mushroom

2-3 medium sized baby bella mushrooms

1 slice swiss cheese

1 Martin’s potato Roll, or one of your choice.

1 ounce crispy french fried onions

(You can make your own, but store bought will do.)

1 slice of a nice ripe tomato

A few leaves of romaine lettuce

1 Tbsp. salted butter

Salt and pepper to taste

For the Vinaigrette Marinade

3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp. white truffle oil

For the Truffle Mayo

1 tsp. white truffle oil

1 tsp. lemon juice

1/4 cup mayo

A pinch of salt and pepper

Sauté the mushroom on both sides in extra virgin olive oil in a small frying pan, sprinkle a dash of garlic powder on each side, while cooking.

Cut up 2 -3 medium baby bella mushrooms and sauté them in butter in a separate pan. When they are cooked place them on top of the large portobello mushroom and cover with a large slice of Swiss cheese. Briefly put a lid on the pan so that the cheese will melt quickly. The cheese helps keep the baby mushrooms in place.

Use the buttered pan that you sautéed the mushrooms in to quickly brown your hamburger roll. You can use any kind of roll you like, just make sure that it doesn’t overwhelm the size of the portobello. We use Martin’s potato rolls.

Plate the roll, and place a slice of tomato on the bottom half of roll. Then place the mushrooms and melted cheese on the tomato, and top with the crispy onions and lettuce. If you put the tomato on top of the sandwich they tend to slip out. Spread a generous portion of truffle mayo on the bottom side of the top half of the bun. And there you go. You just made a Mama’s Boy Fun Guy.

Ending on a Sweet Note

Because there’s always room for dessert…

Chef Carol Ann Ransaw

1-1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 (14 oz.) can condensed milk

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1-1/3 cup flaked coconut

1 cup chopped nuts

Heat oven to 350°F. Coat 13 x 9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray.

Tip: For perfectly cut cookie bars, line entire pan with foil, extending foil over edge of pan. Coat lightly with no-stick cooking spray. After bars have baked and cooled, lift up with edges of foil to remove from pan. Cut into bars.

Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter in small bowl. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with chocolate chips, coconut and nuts. Press down firmly with fork.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Loosen from sides of pan while still warm; cool on wire rack. Cut into bars or diamonds.

Substitute chocolate chips or nuts with candy coated pieces, dried cranberries, raisins, mini-marshmallows or butterscotch chips.

Goat’s Milk Cheesecake

Chef Devin Mills

Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room, Big Indian

1-1/2 cups cream cheese (room temp)

1/2 lb goat cheese (room temp)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

1-1/2 cups sour cream

4 eggs (room temp)

seasonal berries (for garnish)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Using an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, goat cheese, sugar and vanilla bean paste until smooth. Add the sour cream and mix until smooth. Add the eggs and scrape the sides and mix until fully incorporated.

Pour the mixture into an 8 inch spring form pan (wrapped in foil) and place it into a roasting pan. Fill the remaining space of the roasting pan with hot water (fill until about 2/3 the way up the springform pan). Cover the whole roasting pan with foil and bake for 1 hour, then lift a corner to release the steam and bake for another 45 minutes.

Place the cake on a wire rack and cool completely before serving.

Garnish with whatever you wish: fresh berries, mint and/or powdered sugar. Enjoy!!!

Magic Cookies

Carol Ann’s Cuisine, Margaretville

Gracie’s Turns Humble Diner Fare Into a Culinary Experience

By Michael Koegel

Consider the humble Tuna Melt. A diner staple since the days of Mad Men, it’s always had an aura of sadness. It’s never anyone’s first choice or favorite lunch option: canned tuna with a slab of melted American cheese, served on toasted white bread. Sigh. It even has a hard-luck origin story: apparently, someone accidentally dropped a scoop of tuna on someone else’s toasted cheese sandwich at the lunch counter of a South Carolina Woolworth’s—and served it anyway. It was a mishap.

I was forced to reconsider my opinion of the lowly tuna melt when I ordered one at Gracie’s Luncheonette in Leeds. After learning that Gracie’s makes nearly everything they serve from scratch, I thought, if they can bring a tuna melt back from the grave, then they must be doing something right. I’m happy to report that the Tuna Melt is alive and kicking.

First of all, Gracie’s tuna is not from a can; it’s sushi-grade ahi tuna. In fact, it was the only thing on my plate that wasn’t made in-house. But I got the impression that if they could farm ahi tuna in their backyard, they would. Large red chunks of ahi tuna are mixed into a mayonnaise-based sauce (they make their

own mayo). The flavorful melted cheese on top is house-made as well—yes, they make their own American cheese. The perfectly toasted bread was baked on-site. Their crispy, brown, shoestring French fries? Made there too, along with the ketchup I dipped them in. And the cola I had to wash it down? Yep, they make it. That’s what sets Gracie’s apart from most casual dining spots—it felt like everything was homemade.

Andrew and Allyson Merritt opened Gracie’s Luncheonette in 2016. Grace is Allyson’s middle name. Raised on and around farms her entire life, Allyson helped grow the food her family ate, instilling in her a deep appreciation for fresh, healthy, homemade food. She practically has farmer’s DNA—food is her passion. Andrew, on the other hand, grew up in Northern New Jersey and hadn’t considered a career in food until high school, when he started hanging out at a local pizza parlor, drinking beers with his underage friends. Eventually, they threw him in the kitchen. “I really loved the vibe, the knives, and the flames,” says Andrew. The owner encouraged him to apply to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, where he met Allyson.

The Tuna Melt at Gracie’s. Photo by author

Andrew studied Culinary Arts, while Allyson majored in Baking and Pastry Arts. They both stayed on to earn second degrees in Hospitality Management. Though they knew they eventually wanted to open their own business, they didn’t have a plan. After graduation, they started working at farmer’s markets in the Westchester area, selling beef from a local farm. Allyson began making donuts to sell, and they were a hit. They both paid their dues—Allyson spent a summer working on a farm for $300 a month, and Andrew worked at Fleishers Butcher in Kingston, where he became the sausage maker.

In 2014, they made their first foray into business by opening a food truck in Catskill. Combining their two specialties, they sold burgers and donuts. “It feels kind of random, I know, but they were both really popular,” says Allyson. The following year, they moved their operation to Hudson. “Business really took off,” says Allyson. “We were getting great feedback from our customers.”

They expanded their menu to include chili, soups, and other sandwiches. Allyson began making all the bread for the sandwiches and the buns for the burgers, in addition to the donuts. They quickly outgrew their operation and needed more kitchen space. A realtor suggested they rent the kitchen of a defunct restaurant in Leeds called Koch’s. Koch’s was a popular German-American spot that had closed about three years earlier, and one of the owners still lived on the property. She would stop in to visit the couple while they worked in the kitchen, and nearly every conversation included her asking when they were going to buy the place.

Eventually, they did. Gracie’s Food Truck became Gracie’s Luncheonette. They pulled up the wall-to-wall carpeting in the

dining room, painted every surface, installed new fixtures and kitchen equipment, and kept the vintage dining room chairs, which add a retro vibe. Allyson’s father cleared out the property behind the restaurant, revealing sweeping views of the mountains and nearby river. The result is two large dining areas filled with light that straddle a vintage and contemporary vibe.

They describe their menu as “quality American comfort food,” and while they don’t advertise it heavily, an impressive amount of their food is made from scratch. Andrew buys whole steers and pigs, butchers them himself, cuts the steaks, grinds the burger meat, and makes his own sausages and hot dogs. He even smokes brisket, salmon, and bacon (which he makes from pork belly) in the smoker out back.

Allyson, a baker, makes nearly every roll, biscuit, slice of bread, donut, and pastry. She also makes the ketchup, mayo, mustard, and buttermilk, as well as the syrups for every fountain soda. In addition to cola, the flavors include root beer, ginger, orange cream, and often a seasonal option. When Gracie’s first opened, Allyson also made their yogurt and sour cream—the list goes on. When she mentioned she used to make her own sprinkles for her donuts, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Seeing my reaction, Allyson sheepishly said, “I know. I know! But I stopped doing that.”

Both Andrew and Allyson are driven—almost obsessive— about their made-from-scratch ethos. While they consider Gracie’s a “high-end diner,” I can think of many fine dining establishments that don’t pay as much attention to detail as Gracie’s. What other diner, high-end or otherwise, would even consider making its own hot dogs, ketchup, or soda?

They also create a nurturing environment for their staff. Three of Gracie’s current employees have been with them from the start. “Before we opened,” explains Allyson, “a woman drove up in the parking lot and called out from her window, ‘My son needs a job!’” Her son, Ryan, was 14 years old, and they hired him as a dishwasher. When Ryan expressed an interest in baking, Allyson became his mentor and taught him how to bake. He now handles all of Gracie’s baking.

Which means he baked the bread for my tuna melt. And it was delicious.

Gracie’s Luncheonette is located at 969 Main Street, Leeds, NY. 518 943 9363. Gracie’s is open for breakfast and lunch on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. Check out their website at graciesny.com for specific hours of operation and online ordering. Gracie’s also offers a small but very enticing pastry selection available for take-out, so get there early. They have a full bar and serve bourbon milkshakes. And yes, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I highly recommend the Tuna Melt.

Michael Koegel is a writer/director/producer. He owns Mama’s Boy Burgers in Tannersville.

Local Mushroom & Gruyère Quiche

Chef Andrew Merritt, Gracie’s, Leeds

There’s something primal about the smell of mushrooms hitting a hot pan, hissing in butter, and mingling with a whisper of thyme. It’s earthy, rich, and unapologetically seductive—the kind of aroma that lingers, drawing you in with anticipation. This quiche highlights the exceptional mushrooms from Bulich Farm in Catskill, NY, paired with creamy Gruyere, a silky custard, and a perfectly flaky crust. Whether it’s brunch, lunch, or a quick bite straight from the fridge, this dish turns simple, seasonal ingredients into something truly special.

3 large eggs, beaten

1 cup milk

1 cup cream

Pinch of nutmeg

Pinch of white pepper

2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

1/2 lb. mushrooms, thinly sliced (any kind you like, the fresher the better! We love to use cremini mushrooms from Bulich Farm in Catskill, NY)

2 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 tsp. dried thyme)

1/2 tablespoon butter

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

Pie dough for crust (homemade or store bought is fine!)

Sauté the mushrooms: Heat oil in a large pan over high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Reduce heat to medium, add butter and thyme, and cook another 10-15 minutes, stirring often, until tender. Season with salt and pepper, then let cool.

Prepare the crust: Line a deep 9-inch pie pan with pie dough. Place the pastry-lined pan into the freezer for 5-10 minutes to chill.

Blind bake the crust: Line the dough with parchment or foil, fill with pie weights or dried beans, and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. Remove the weights and bake until the bottom is golden. Cool completely on a rack.

Reduce oven to 325°F.

Make the custard: Whisk eggs, milk, cream, nutmeg, white pepper, and salt until smooth. For extra ease, use a blender or immersion blender.

Assemble the quiche: Layer half the cheese and all the cooled mushrooms into the crust. Pour the custard over the filling and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

Bake for 60-75 minutes at 325°F, until the top is golden and the center is just set. Cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

CHARMING SMALL TOWNS FULL OF BIG EXPERIENCES

IN NEW YORK’S SULLIVAN CATSKILLS

The Sullivan Catskills is a legendary destination known for its warm, friendly hospitality. Over nearly 1,000 square miles, this picturesque county is a collection of charming small towns full of adventure, extraordinary cuisine, arts and culture, and outstanding accommodations.

The Main Streets are framed by historic former hotels, mercantiles, apothecaries, taverns, firehouses, boarding houses turned art and antique galleries, acclaimed restaurants, intriguing small shops, studios, and bookstores. Relive calmer days when the world moved slower with the simpler rhythms of rural hamlet life. Relax, browse, and visit the farmers’ markets and country fairs. Hike through seasonal splendor, paddle a kayak, fish world-class streams, and read a book by the fire in a bakery. World Atlas once rated the river town of Narrowsburg as one of the top 12 small towns in the U.S. Don’t miss Barryville, Callicoon, Jeffersonville, Livingston Manor, Mountaindale, Roscoe, or Wurtsboro.

These small towns are “inn” places. Why go west when you can stay east at an authentic ranch experience that Beth Dutton would love? The Robb Report named White Lake’s Driftwood Ranch—a working horse and cattle ranch with horseback riding,

hiking, fishing, and four luxury suites—number 19 of the 50 Most Hotly Anticipated Luxury Hotel Openings for 2025. And the restaurant at Livingston Manor’s The Debruce received a 2024 semifinalist nod from the James Beard Foundation.

Big Song and Dance

The 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Fair (held in Bethel) wasn’t small. But it was a town with stores, food, and entertainment. The site has been transformed into Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. You can visit the site, hear the echoes, and then stay for the bigname concerts at the Pavilion (Dave Matthews Band, Luke Bryan, Avril Lavigne, and Bonnie Raitt are among the acts scheduled to perform this summer). Enjoy professional theatre in a barn at Forestburgh Playhouse in the summer months. See an opera lakeside at the Delaware Valley Opera in Lake Huntington. Or hear a classical music festival on top of a mountain at the Shandelee Music Festival. And there are galleries galore, full of modern makers and artists. Want to try your hand? There are workshops and studios. You can throw a plate, try a tune, or tie a fly. If all the world is a stage, The Sullivan Catskills is in the spotlight.

Driftwood Ranch. Photo courtesy of Sullivan County Visitor’s Association

Dining with Extraordinary Service, Style, and Personality

Who are we to argue with the Michelin Guide to Hotels and Dining? They savored spectacular food in a cidery overlooking the Delaware River Valley and a restored small hotel with a wedding barn. You can, too. From Linguinette to D’Oro Supreme, it’s all Catskill-icious freshness, variety, and flavor. There’s also a Diner Trail, the Good Taste Craft Beverage Trail, and farm markets. Spring Restaurant Week from March 31 to April 13 is a perfect time to sample the flavors of the inventive chefs and mixologists here.

Gateways to Big Adventures

There’s a legendary Monster in these mountains. It’s green, and it lives next to a casino. People like you come from all over the world to challenge it with clubs. It’s the Monster Golf Course at Resorts World Casino in Monticello. Elsewhere, you can hook a monster trout in the legendary Beaverkill River or Willowemoc

Creek. Raft the Delaware River and hike in the forests—dozens of trails suit all fitness levels. Track down the 70+ colorful doves on the Sullivan Catskills Dove Trail, a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock festival.

The Sullivan Catskills is the best of all worlds for relaxation and recreation—small and friendly, big on fun and entertainment choices. All are easy to reach and just a short drive apart. You’ll leave refreshed in no small way for a weekend escape or extended stay. And that’s a big deal. Start planning your trip today at SullivanCatskills.com.

The Debruce. Photo courtesy of Sullivan County Visitor’s Association

The Monster Golf Course. Photo courtesy of Sullivan County Visitor’s Association

A Catskill Plateau … Not Mountains?

s our Catskill Mountains transition from the winter and ski seasons to a warmer, wetter, dirtier springtime, I was wondering what I might share with you this month and it has me pondering where to go. In the past, during these shoulder seasons, we have detailed our phantom fifth season, also known locally as mud season, and other spring related topics as these seasons violently collide making mud rooms an absolute must here.

Our beloved Catskill Mountains are an astonishing natural geological and ecological wonder of our United States. We are nestled in the State of New York and more directly here in our home region in the southeastern portion of New York State.

The Catskills’ incredible genesis of development, formation, its rich history, and cultural significance have provided us all a fascinating window into geological processes, indigenous histories, and the evolution of human understanding of the natural world.

So first, let us explore how the Catskill Mountains were formed, what existed here in the region before their creation, how the area received its name, and what defines the boundaries of the region.

Shocker Alert—the Catskill Mountains were NOT formed through the usual tectonic uplift like many other mountain ranges. WHAT?! Did you know that? Who knew? Instead, while scouring the interwebs for more on this planetary creation it appears that our “Mountains” are not mountains at all in the classic sense, but they are classified as a “dissected plateau.” Really, not mountains, a plateau? Really?

It’s odd and sounds odd too. “Catskill Plateau” just doesn’t have the same ring or feel to it. Maybe we could get used to it or

By Greg Madden

better yet, let’s just pass over that part as unique and rare information that we might detail in depth during polite, casual, social conversation.

So for now we’ll move on … this mountainous “plateau” formation began a while back, say approximately, some 350 to 400 million years ago during the Devonian Period, a part of the Paleozoic era, also known as the Age of Fishes. Fish in a mountainous region? Again, who knew?

The Devonian Period brought significant ecological changes. The sedimentary layers that would eventually become our Catskill plateau were laid down as rivers and carried all kinds of materials from the Acadian Mountains. These layers recorded a transition from our curious marine beginnings to creating our current terrestrial environment.

The Acadian orogeny extended from the provinces of the Canadian Maritimes and stretched out to the southwest toward Alabama in the southern United States. The term orogeny refers to the process of mountain building where the rate of surface uplift exceeds erosion, resulting in the formulation of a mountain system or in some cases a plateau of sorts.

Before the Catskill Mountains formed, the region experienced several geological epochs. During the Cambrian and Ordovician periods (approximately 500 million years ago), the area was submerged under a shallow sea, teeming with marine life such as trilobites, brachiopods, and other invertebrates. Fossils from these periods can still be found in parts of the Catskills, offering evidence of the region’s ancient underwater origins. Hikers let us know what you find so be on the lookout but you won’t need your scuba gear any longer.

The Catskills are/were part of a massive river delta system which once stood where the Appalachian Mountains are today. It appears our planet, Earth, is ever changing, ever so slowly over time. Where will we be in 5,000 or 10,000 years and will our geography change again and who will live here? Again, who knows?

During this time in our history, the Earth’s climate also moved on from being in a hot greenhouse state to a colder icehouse phase as happens over the long haul. Our residents, and visitors, of our “mountain-esque plateau region” experience this on a smaller scale with widely varied temperatures on an annual basis from the distinctly frosty winters and sizzling summers here on our little “plateau” in the sky.

Our region has experienced severe erosion over time at mother nature’s hand as she deals out powerful gusty winds, fast moving water and jagged ice that created sharp relief, or steep drop offs, descending to the valleys below. This process of erosion separated the plateau’s rock ledge and landmass from its obvious angular sidewalls that descend into narrow gorges beneath the crestline ridgetops and uniform elevation.

Erosion of the Acadian Mountains over millions of years deposited sizable amounts of accumulating layers of sediment into our Catskill Delta. These sediments, composed primarily of sandstone, siltstone, and shale, accumulated to form a vast, flat expanse. Subsequent geological processes, including compaction and lithification, solidified these sediments into rock.

Over time, natural erosion by rivers and streams carved out our distinctive rugged terrain and valleys of our Catskill Mountains that we enjoy so much today. All agree that the vistas and the valleys that twist throughout our highlands are breathtaking and emit a peaceful harmony of bliss.

Importantly, the Catskills are not a separate mountain range but an eroded plateau that appears mountainous due to its dramatic elevation changes and rugged features. The highest of 33 mountainous peaks is Slide Mountain, which ascends to 4,180 feet (1,274 meters). Hunter Mountain and Black Dome are both slightly smaller, ranging from 4,039 to 3980 feet.

Next, as the terrain took shape early forests began to appear, marking one of Earth’s first significant developments of landbased ecosystems. The fossilized remains of these ancient plants can be found in the rocks of our Catskills, earning the area the nickname “America’ First Wilderness.” Just 100 miles away from Manhattan. this region has also been referred to as the Irish, Italian, and German Alps.

Before the early European settlers arrived, the Catskill Region was home to several indigenous peoples, particularly the Mohican and Esopus tribes, part of the larger Algonquian-speaking groups. These tribes lived harmoniously with the land, relying on its forests, rivers, and wildlife for sustenance. The Catskill Mountains held spiritual significance for these communities and were often featured in their oral histories and traditions.

The name “Catskill” itself is thought to derive from Dutch settlers who arrived in the 17th century. While the exact etymolo-

gy is debated, one popular theory is that it comes from the Dutch words “kat” (cat) and “kill” (stream or creek), possibly referring to wildcats that roamed the area or to the many streams flowing through the region.

Another theory suggests the name might have been influenced by Dutch landowner Jacob Cats (a poet and a statesman) or the Cats River (now known as Kaaterskill Creek). Following right after the Dutch were the English settlers. They cleared forests for agriculture and built small towns and trading posts.

The Catskill Region gained added prominence in the 19th century as part of the Hudson River School of Art, a movement that romanticized its dramatic landscapes in paintings by artists such as Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church. The name “Catskill” became widely recognized during this time, particularly through literature and art. Washington Irving’s famous short story “Rip Van Winkle,” set in the Catskills, cemented the region’s place in American cultural history.

Folks who visit here, or even veteran “plateau” residents have wondered what the true boundaries of the Catskill Region are and what defines them. They are somewhat ambiguous and often defined by cultural, geological, and administrative considerations rather than strict geographical lines.

Geologically, the Catskills are part of the Allegheny Plateau (there is that word again) and are bounded by the Hudson River to the east and the Delaware River to the southwest. The “plateau” extends beyond the mountains themselves, but the “Catskills” are typically understood to refer to the area of rugged, mountainous terrain.

Culturally and administratively, the Catskills are often associated with four counties: Ulster, Greene, Sullivan, and Delaware. These counties contain the majority of the mountains, forests, and streams that define the region.

Within these counties, the Catskill Park and Forest Preserve, established in the late 19th century, form a legally protected area of over 700,000 acres. This preserve is “forever wild,” protected from logging and development under New York State’s constitution.

Together, all of these elements create a rich tapestry of natural beauty and human history that continues to inspire and captivate visitors and residents alike. So please come and visit us often and like some many who make this “plateau” their home, you might just join us here permanently someday. We welcome all who settle here for the same reasons we did.

Greg Madden is a freelance writer, public relations, branding and marketing specialist who practices ancient healing modalities like Tui-Na Medical Massage and BioPhoton LightTherapy. More at www.IlluminatingWellness.care.

Concerts Conversations &

SATURDAY, MARCH 8 AT 2:00PM

MUSIC FROM AMERICA’S GILDED AGE

ANTHONY BONAMICI, FORTEPIANIST

Anthony Bonamici will perform a series of pieces by the American composer John Knowles Paine, who was the first music professor at Harvard University. In 1861, he was appointed Harvard’s first University organist and choirmaster. At the end of the episode “A Long Ladder” (S01E04) of the HBO television series The Gilded Age, in a scene set in New York in 1882, the Boston Symphony Orchestra is shown under the composer’s direction performing Paine’s Symphony No.2. Anthony will perform on the 1824 William Geib Square Piano, the 1829 Conrad Graf Concert Grand, and the 1842 John Broadwood Semi-Grand.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 AT 2:00PM

LOUISE FARRENC: 18TH CENTURY

RENOWNED FRENCH COMPOSER AND CHAMPION OF WOMEN’S EQUALITY

PATRICIA GARCIA GIL, FORTEPIANIST

Patricia Garcia Gil is a Postdoctoral Associate and Artist in Residence at Cornell Center for Historical Keyboards. Patricia will return to the Piano Performance Museum and perform a program of works by Louise Farrenc in commemoration of the composer’s 150 anniversary of her death in 1875. Patricia will perform on the 1829 Conrad Graf, the 1870 John Broadwood and the 1873 Erard. The music will be accompanied by readings of poetry and other literary works.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 AT 2:00PM

STEPHANIE SCHMIDT AND ROBIN MORACE, FORTEPIANISTS

While completing a piano performance M.M. in Lincoln, NE, Stephanie Schmidt discovered the artistic joys of performing on historical keyboards––and has continued to “look back” ever since. Though progressing towards a traditional piano D.M.A. at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, she spends a great deal of time practicing and performing on old and interesting pianos from the mid-1700s to the mid-1800s. Robin Morace holds degrees in performance and composition from SUNY Fredonia, where he studied piano with Fr. Sean Duggan, and is a recent graduate of the doctoral program at UNC Greensboro, where he studied modern piano and historical keyboard instruments with Andrew Willis.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 AT 2:00PM 19TH CENTURY WOMEN COMPOSERS FROM LATIN AMERICA

JULIAN JENSEN, FORTEPIANIST

Julian Jensen will perform a program featuring mid to late 19th century music by women composers from Latin America. Julian began conducting and piano lessons at an early age. Since those days, he has toured the world as an accomplished performer and passionate music teacher with the purpose to use music to improve the community and the world.

Catskill Mountain Foundation is supported in part by New York State Council on the Arts, the Greene County Cultural Fund administered by the Greene County Legislature, The Jarvis and Constance Doctorow Family Foundation, The Royce Family Foundation, The Samuel and Esther Doctorow Fund, The Orville and Ethel Slutzky Family Foundation, Platte Clove Bruderhof Community, Bank of Greene County Charitable Foundation, The Greene County Youth Bureau, Marshall & Sterling Insurance, All Souls’ Church, Stewarts Shops, Windham Foundation, and by private donations.

Anthony Bonamici, 3/8

Patricia Garcia Gil, 8/16

Robin Morace, 10/18

Stephanie Schmidt, 10/18

Julian Jenson, 11/8

Catskills Past

LAMONT ADELBERT WARNER A CREATIVE FORCE

By T.M. Bradshaw

LaMont Adelbert Warner was born on October 24, 1876 in his family’s home at 76 Main Street in Stamford, upstairs from his father’s jewelry store at that address. His parents were Adelbert M. Warner and Anna Howard Warner. He attended Stamford Seminary, followed by earning a degree in Fine Arts with a major in Design from the Pratt Institute, graduating in 1898. He then worked as a draftsman for the Hayden Furniture Company in New York City.

He moved to Syracuse, becoming a designer for Stickley Furniture, a company famed for its contributions to the American Craftsman School of design. Warner stayed at Stickley until 1906 and was considered by some to be the company’s principal designer. In Syracuse he met his future wife, Emma Victorine Smith; they were married on June 16, 1903. Their daughter Victorine was born in March 1905.

As important as his furniture designs were, Warner did much more. In 1902 Stickley sent him to Albany to decorate rooms in the state capitol. He also visited Jefferson’s Monticello and made blocks to print reproduction wallpaper; at the time the property was still privately owned. After he and Emma moved to Westchester County he taught at Columbia University’s Teachers College, instituting the first curriculum in home aesthetics at any American university. Columbia sent him on design research trips to Belgium, France, England, and Germany in 1907 and 1909. In 1910 he was appointed Assistant Professor of Household Art, a position he would keep until his resignation in 1918. Two years teaching at NYU and then three at Cooper Union followed.

Warner bought a plot of land in Bronxville in 1909 and designed a home for his little family. He designed everything in it and about it. Louise Shrimpton wrote an article about the house in the September 1909 issue of Good Housekeeping titled “A Craftsman Dwelling: How an Authority on Household Art Has Solved the Problem of Home Building.” In it, she called the house “An interesting essay in architecture by a man who is not an architect but a designer…. The plans and large working drawings of construction were made by Mr. Warner, who also designed the furniture in the principal living rooms and the electric fixtures throughout the house.” He designed every detail—fireplace tiles, built-in bookcases, window placements to maximize views, plaster ceiling medallions, wrought iron hinges and drawer pulls, and decorative tiles for the exterior, which he himself made in an old tile shop. One hanging light fixture made of abalone and cockle shells, leaded together with stained glass, was a project he and Emma worked on together.

Emma died in December 1923, leaving Warner a widower at age 47. He designed and fashioned in her memory a silver cross, with scalloped edges and studded with semi-precious stones. He donated it to their church, the Bronxville Reformed Church, where it still graces the main altar.

Warner had a long association with the YMCA, beginning with youth lectures while he was living in Syracuse. In the 1920s he served as consulting designer for the Architectural Bureau of

Left: Warner’s drawing of the cloister garden, included in the 1951 commemorative history of the Bronxville Reformed Church. Courtesy of the Bronxville Reformed Church. Right: Warner’s Columbia portrait, 1910. Columbia University Historical Photograph Collection, Box 122

A postcard of A. M. Warner’s jewelry store at 76 Main Street, also the Warner family home. Courtesy Daisy DeSilva/Anne Willis Collection

the National Council of the YMCA, designing the interiors of YMCAs in Egypt, in China and at both ends of the Panama Canal. Two of his murals of autumn landscapes graced the Bowery branch of the YMCA.

Pageants and large fair-type exhibitions, most connected in some way to churches, were other areas of interest where Warner utilized his design and organizational skills. He was architect for a 1911 multi-denominational exposition in Boston centered on missionary work, titled “The World in Boston.” He designed exhibits showing scenes of China, Japan, Africa, and India. In 1919 he was in charge of a foreign missionary pageant in Ohio for the Methodist Church. In 1926, Warner wrote and directed “Let There Be Light,” a pageant celebrating the opening of the new Reformed Church in Bronxville. Ten years later he wrote a new pageant in four episodes to celebrate the anniversary of the church’s dedication. He also played the organ for events in Bronxville, both at church events and community holiday celebrations.

Other pageants were of a regional history nature—one in 1909 in Westchester County and another in 1936 commemorating the deeding of the town of Eastchester. One huge pageant in 1947 connected history and religion. “The Pageant of Truth” commemorated the sesquicentennial of the founding of Hartwick Theological Seminary and, later, Hartwick College. Four stages were constructed in Oneonta’s State Armory for its presentation. Two hundred area residents and students gave two performances depicting ten scenes from the life of John Christopher Hartwick.

In 1938 Warner left Bronxville to return to the Catskills. His daughter, Victorine, her husband H. Allan Knox, and his granddaughter Victorine Farrington Knox came with him. The move was a blend of a purchase and a return to a family homestead in Harpersfield. The farm Warner bought had been owned for a while by William Dibble, who had purchased it from Francis

Warner, LaMont’s half-uncle; it had originally been settled in 1780 by the Warners.

Warner then taught art at Stamford Central School from 1938 until 1964, when he retired at age 88. In 1940, at the age of 64, Warner played on an all-faculty team in a football game against the high school all-stars. Before the game a cartoon appeared in the Stamford Mirror. Drawn by a student, it shows “Pop” Warner panicked as the ball heads toward him. Apparently he and his students were comfortable enough with each other that public kidding was acceptable.

Throughout his life he drew and painted, presenting his work in group shows and solo gallery exhibitions. Warner was a member of the Cooperstown Art Association, the Albany Institute of the Arts, the Oneonta Community Art Center, and the American Institute of History and Art. He had taught adult art classes while living in Bronxville and continued to do so after returning home, as well as giving painting demonstrations at various art venues. He illustrated the book in verse by Arnold H. Bellows, The Legend of Utsayantha, locally published in 1945.

Two other books Warner was involved in were church histories. He is listed as editor along with Mrs. Harry Leslie Walker of A History of the Reformed Church of Bronxville in Commemoration of its Centenary, November 5, 1950, published in 1951. In addition to editing he provided pen and ink sketches and designed the endpapers. In 1953, he compiled a history of Stamford’s First Presbyterian Church; he had become an elder of the church in 1940. That book was never published, but his typescript remains. It starts with a history of Protestantism and continues through the history of the Stamford church, with a level of detail down to what they were paying for coal to heat the building.

Warner was also a very active member of Rotary, serving as president in 1943 and as treasurer for many years. His involve-

Left: Emma (r) and Victorine outside of the house Warner designed circa 1910. Courtesy of Winterthur Museum

Right: LaMont Warner, 1946. Courtesy Harpersfield Historical Society

ment often added an artistic flair. On October 21, 1948, the Hancock Herald reported that

Children from Delaware and other surrounding counties gathered in South Kortright to load over 4,000 wrapped Xmas gifts on George Taylor’s truck. The gifts were for children overseas, a response to an appeal made by Children’s World Festival. The truck was decorated with signs designed by LaMont Warner. Rotary honored him on his 90th birthday in 1966.

Warner was also interested in historical matters, possibly because of his own family’s early history. John Howard came to New England in 1630 and lived for a time with Miles Standish; Thomas Rogers arrived on the Mayflower and married into the Howard family. That was Anna Howard Warner’s lineage.

Warner was one of the founding members of the Delaware County Historical Association. At a meeting in the Delhi Courthouse on May 4, 1957, he spoke about 21 veterans buried in Stamford, including one Theopolis Howard who was said to have participated in the Boston Tea Party.

Warner drew for daughter Victorine a round genealogical chart with her placed at the center. It’s on a sheet of paper approximately three feet square, with eleven rings and 1575 the earliest date listed. It resides at the Harpersfield Historical Society.

In 1957 the Village of Stamford declared a “LaMont Warner Day” as a tribute. Warner was also named “the friendliest person in town.” The Mount Utsayantha Regional Arts League opened its 1983 season with a retrospective of Warner’s work. Winterthur, the museum of American decorative arts in the state of Delaware, once the home of Henry Francis DuPont, holds a large collection of materials connected to LaMont Warner.

IMAGES OF THE NORTHERN CATSKILLS

By Francis X. Driscoll

T. M. Bradshaw shares other thoughts on history at tmbradshawbooks.com.

Spring in the Catskills

Windham Fine Arts

5380 Main Street

Windham, NY 12496

windhamfinearts.com

518 734 6850

Windham Fine Arts (WFA) is a contemporary art gallery located in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, at the base of Windham Mountain Club. WFA represents more than 60 artists showcasing a diverse collection of original paintings, photography and sculptures. The gallery offers 3,000 square feet of curated artwork exhibited in inspiring landscapes, abstracts, figuratives, Hudson River School style and more. Windham Fine Arts—23 years in business, a gem of artistic inspiration. Custom-designed artwork by appointment. Open 12:00 – 5:00.

Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts

34 Big Hollow Road

Maplecrest, NY 12454

sugarmaples.org

A program of the Catskill Mountain Foundation, Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts offers short term adult workshop programming in ceramics, painting, drawing, fiber arts and weekly classes in ceramics and fiber arts during the summer season, as well as year-round short courses for adults and youth in ceramics, painting, and drawing.

ART GALLERY

ART INSTRUCTION

The Clubhouse at Inness Resort in Accord.

Photo by Adrian Gaut, courtesy of Ulster County Tourism

ATTRACTION

Catskill Mountain Foundation’s Piano Performance Museum

7971 Main Street Hunter, NY 12442

catskillmtn.org 518 263 2063

The home of the Steven E. Greenstein Piano Collection, a one-of-a-kind collection of historic pianos and musical artifacts. A destination unlike any other in the U.S., the Piano Performance Museum offers a unique glimpse into the development of pianos in Europe and America over the past four centuries. Open on Fridays and Saturdays 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

BOOKSTORE

Briars & Brambles Books

Route 296 & South Street Windham, NY 12496

briarsandbramblesbooks.com 518 750 8599

Your go-to Indie Bookstore in the heart of the Catskill Mountains. Briars & Brambles Books is a dream come true for owner & Windham resident, Jen Schwartz. Jen has combined her love of books with her vast experience in libraries to create an inviting, knowledgeable and professional atmosphere. The team understands that being a bookseller involves so much more than simply “selling books” and is committed to providing unparalleled personal attention.

Thorpe’s GMC

5964 Main Street

Tannersville, NY 12485

thorpesgmcinc.com

518 589 7142

Thorpe’s unmatched service and diverse GMC inventory have set them apart as the preferred dealer in Tannersville. With a full-service team of sales and service professionals, visit them today to discover why they have the best reputation in the area. They offer one of the largest GMC inventories in New York, and their trained sales staff will help you every step of the way.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Main Street

Community Center

5494 NY-23

Windham, NY 12496

mainstreetcenter.org

518 734 4168

The Main Street Community Center strives to build a caring, welcoming and inclusive environment to benefit all of the communities on the Mountain Top. Centrally located in Windham, the building contains multiple rooms, including two bathrooms (one is handicap accessible), a large sitting area, a conference room, individual workspaces with computer monitors and a large screen TV, free WIFI, access to printers, and a studio for creative activities. The Artist’s Hideaway

provides individual lockers for artists to safely store their supplies. There is plenty of on site parking. The Center has an ever increasing offering of classes, programs, and events for people of all ages.

Phoenix Web Collective

7947 Main Street

Hunter, NY 12442

phoenixwebcollective.com

518 628 5101

Mutual aid resource on the mountain!

Local artist shop, makers’ space, and our free mart, where you can get gently used and vintage clothing, home goods, food, toys, books, music, movies, jewelry, electronics, and more for free or pay-what-you-can. We also host small events and workshops. All are welcome!

GARDEN, LANDSCAPE & NURSERY

Augustine Nursery

9W & Van Kleecks Lane

Kingston, NY 12401

AugustineNursery.com

845 338 4936

We’ve been creating landscapes of distinction throughout the Hudson Valley since 1974. We started small in our hometown of Kingston. Today, Augustine Nursery has grown to become one of the leading residential and commercial landscape design firms and the “nursery of choice” among high-end landscape architects, independent contractors and discerning homeowners. We offer a stunning selection of larger scale, estate-grade trees, shrubs and plants. There are hundreds of varieties, ranging from the most popular to

the new and emerging. We also offer a full menu of nursery services, from planning and design to installation and dress finish for greenscapes and hardscapes.

Gardens by Trista

The Plant Centre

4865 County Route 23C Jewett, NY 12444

GardensByTrista.com 518 231 3876

Let us enhance your property with stunning garden designs that reflect your home’s unique style. We specialize in creating beautiful outdoor spaces with thoughtful, creative designs tailored to your landscape and gardening needs. Our services include: custom landscape design & installation; foundation plantings & perennial gardens; kitchen & herb gardens; and garden maintenance. The Plant Centre is opening this April—your ultimate plant destination in the heart of the Catskills! Once home to Kern’s Nursery, The Plant Centre proudly carries on the legacy of premium plants and expert gardening advice. We grow much of our selection right here, ensuring each plant thrives in our unique Catskill climate. From vibrant annuals and hardy vegetable starts to stunning shrubs and trees, we offer everything you need to create a thriving garden.

Photo courtesy Gardens by Trista

Catskill Mountain Foundation

2025 Performing Arts Season

Doctorow Center for the Arts

7971 Main St., Hunter, NY 12442

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

6050 Main St.

Tannersville, NY 12485

catskillmtn.org

Ticket line: 518 263 2063

Live performances in March begin on Sunday, March 2 at the Orpheum, when Cahoots Theatre will present The Vanishing Elephant, the story of a young boy who befriends an Asian Elephant. Their friendship is the first step on an adventure so huge, it spans decades and continents. March 8 is the first in our Concerts & Conversations series at the Piano Performance museum at the Doctorow Center for the Arts. Anthony Bonamici will perform a series of pieces by the American composer John Knowles Paine, who was the first music professor at Harvard University. Anthony will perform on pianos from the collection of the Piano Performance Museum. On March 22, Ballet Hispánico’s Junior Ensemble comes to the Orpheum to perform works from the Ballet Hispánico repertory and a new creation. This performance is the culmination of a week-long residency. On March 28 and 29 the Maude Adams Theater Hub presents True West, by Sam Shepard, the inaugural production on a new, innovative circular stage: the Apex Lounge at the Rounds at Scribner’s

Lodge in Tannersville. And on March 29, Passion Fruit Dance Company brings their immersive street dance theater blend, putting into full effect the Orpheum’s recent technical upgrades. See the culmination of a technical residency for “Dimensions” prior to the work’s world premiere at American Dance Festival. This production is presented by the Catskill Mountain Foundation in partnership with Works & Process at the Guggenheim and American Dance Festival. Greenville Arms

LODGING

11135 State Route 32

Greenville, NY 12083

greenvillearms.com 518 966 5219

Originally built in 1889, our historically registered Inn is situated on six acres of gardens, lawns, and woodlands. The Queen Anne Revival-style main house, renovated Carriage House, and recently constructed Cottage building are host to 16 guest rooms open year-round to guests. Every guest room is uniquely decorated with a blend of antiques and modern amenities. A hot, cooked-to-order breakfast is included with each room.

Photo by Lyudmila Lucienne/ shutterstock.com

Hampton Inn

1307 Ulster Avenue

Kingston, NY 12401

Kingston.hamptoninn.com

845 382 2600

Additional location in New Paltz: 4 S. Putt Corners Road

New Paltz, NY 12561

Newpaltz.hamptoninn.com 845 255 4200

Our hotel is near I-87, with several restaurants within walking distance.

Historic Downtown Waterfront and Uptown Kingston are both just four miles away with many local shops and dining options. Spend some family time at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, seven miles away. An hour drive or less from 3 popular ski mountains. Unwind in our indoor saltwater pool. Enjoy complimentary hot breakfast and free WiFi.

Windham Manor

1161 Co Rd 10 Windham, NY 12496

windhammanor.com

518 944 1448

Windham Manor is the premiere wedding and event venue in The Catskill Mountains. Our 45-acre property features The Manor House, a Victorian Estate with 12 beautiful guest suites. The property also boasts The Barn, a luxurious space which can hold 300+ guests for dinner, dancing, seminars, and other events, and two incredible outdoor ceremony spaces—The Lawn and The Enchanted Forest. Call us to set up a tour or schedule on our website!

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Illuminating Wellness/ Mountain Top Massage

illuminatingwellness.care

518 718 4228

Transformative therapeutic massage practice combines elements of many of the healing arts such as Acupressure, Reflexology, Reiki, Chiropractic adjustment and many forms of Asian and Thai massage. BioPhoton Light Therapy – Biontology is a European healing process that detoxes, neutralizes and resets the body so that healing begins. This practice finds the root cause of any symptom-producing malady and neutralizes it, raising the body’s immune system, the key to your health. (biontology.com).

MOVIE THEATER

Mountain Cinema

7971 Main Street

Hunter, NY 12442

catskillmtn.org

518 263 4702

Hollywood, foreign & independent films just a mile west of Hunter Mountain and a short drive from Windham. Shows running Friday through Sunday. Also available for rental.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Catskill Mountain Foundation

7971 Main Street

Hunter, NY 12442

catskillmtn.org

518 263 2000

Now in its 27th year, the Catskill Mountain Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization which offers a variety of programs and workshops centered on the arts. It owns and runs The Orpheum Performing Arts Center, The Doctorow Center for the Arts (which includes the Mountain Cinema, a performance space, and the Piano Performance Museum), Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts, a Natural Agriculture farm and the Guide Magazine. The Foundation has long term partnership programs with The Joyce Theater Foundation, Works & Process at the Guggenheim, the National Dance Institute and Catskill Mountain Shakespeare, and is also home to the Hunter International Music Festival, The Academy of Fortepiano Performance, the Orpheum Dance Program, and the Maude Adams Theater Hub.

Catskill Mountain Foundation’s

Windham Foundation

windhamfoundation.org

info@windhamfoundation.org

518 734 9636

Our mission is to enhance and enrich our community by providing charitable grants for historical preservation, the arts, education, recreation, and initiatives deemed to make Windham an extraordinary place to live, work, and visit. Established in 2004, the Windham Foundation is run by an all-volunteer Board. Donations are tax deductible.

Images of the Northern Catskills by Francis X. Driscoll

Work available for purchase at:

Tannersville Antiques & Artisans: 518 589 5600

Rustic Mountain Antiques: 518 589 1202

Smitty’s Nursery: 518 734 3489

francisxdriscoll.com • 518 821 1339

A frequent contributor to the Guide magazine, Francis X. Driscoll is an award-winning nature photographer whose work involves total immersion in a setting so that he might capture that rare glimpse. His primary subject is the Catskill Forest Preserve. He shares his craft with others by leading hikes, conducting workshops and giving private instruction.

PLUMBING & HEATING

Rice Plumbing and Heating

Accord:

riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com 845 626 5088

Boiceville: riceplumbingboiceville@gmail.com 845 657 7423

riceplumbingandheating.com

Whether you’re dealing with a leaky faucet, a clogged drain, or a plumbing emergency, we’ve got you covered. Our team of experienced and licensed plumbers, our commitment to quality craftsmanship, prompt service, and customer satisfaction sets us apart. Explore our website to discover our wide range of services, from plumbing repairs and installations to maintenance and inspections. We take pride in using the latest industry techniques and high-quality materials to ensure reliable and long-lasting solutions for all your plumbing needs. We offer quick response times and strive to complete every job efficiently and effectively.

Photo by Brandt Bolding/shutterstock.com

Kaatscast

kaatscast.com

Free to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Kaatscast is a biweekly podcast focusing on Catskills history, community, arts & culture, sustainability, and tourism. Voted “Best Regional Podcast” two years in a row, the podcast has collaborated on programming with several regional organizations and is produced by Brett Barry, of Chichester-based Silver Hollow Audio, a creator of podcasts, audio tours, public radio segments, and audiobooks.

RADIO STATIONS

WIOX 91.3FM

MTC Cable Channel 20

WIOXRADIO.ORG

on computers and smartphones

WIOX Community Radio—where public access meets public service to build public trust. WIOX programming is wildly diverse, live, local, and non-commercial, broadcasting from the Catskill Mountains, in the heart of the New York City Watershed. WIOX talk and music programs range from farming to brewing to cooking, forestry to healthcare, Rock to Pop, Bach and Goth, Blues, Folk, Country, Americana, Jazz and Salsa. WIOX: produced and supported—by you!

WRIP 97.9FM

wripfm.com

Streaming at rip979.com

The radio voice of the Mountaintop and Valley. Broadcasting 24/7 with the equivalent of 6,000 watts of power, we are the only radio station covering the entire region between the Hudson Valley and Oneonta. WRIP is independently owned and operated. WRIP is heard on these FM frequencies: 97.9 in Windham & Hunter, 97.5 in Durham & Greenville, 103.7 in Catskill & Hudson, 104.5 in Stamford & Delaware County, and streaming worldwide at rip979.com.

REAL ESTATE

Brainard Ridge Realty

237 South Street

Windham, NY 12496

brainardridge.com

518 734 5333

Specializing in Windham Mountain and the surrounding area for over 35 years. Visit our web site at brainardridge.com for a variety of listings both on and off the mountain: Homes, Townhomes, Rentals and Land. Whatever your needs we are here for you. Call us today!

Carol Shaw, Broker/Owner

Shaw Country Realty

5359 State Route 23

Windham, NY 12496

518 734 3500

I have been a real estate broker in the mountain top area for nearly four decades, representing buyers and sellers, as well as dealing with various types of properties. With our many years in the industry, Shaw Country Realty has built a strong network, deep understanding of the market trends, and a keen ability to match buyers with suitable properties and help sellers navigate successful transactions.

Win Morrison Realty

63 John St. Kingston, NY 12401

Additional locations in

Catskill, Phoenicia, Saugerties, Windham & Woodstock winmorrisonrealty.com

845 339 9999 (Kingston)

At Win Morrison Realty we listen to your wants and needs while assisting you to make them a reality. We pride ourselves on being the largest and most respected real estate company in the Hudson Valley. Whether it is a weekend retreat, mansion, land, commercial property or business, our experienced agents will assist you every step of the way. We have seven offices located throughout the Hudson Valley and a team of over 100 real estate professionals. We are members of numerous MLS (Multiple Listing Services) to serve you, from New York City to the Adirondacks.

REGIONAL INFORMATION

Catskill Center for Conservation & Development

43355 Route 28

Arkville, NY 12406

catskillcenter.org

845 586 2611

Since 1969, the Catskill Center has led the effort to protect the more than 700,000 acres of the Catskill Park and Catskill Forest Preserve. Their mission is to protect and foster the environmental, cultural,and economic well-being of the Catskill Region.

Catskill Visitor’s Center

5096 State Route 28

Mt. Tremper, NY 12457

catskillsvisitorscenter.org

845 688 3369

Your gateway to Catskills, where you can learn about the vast outdoor recreational opportunities in the area as well as discover the cultural and natural history of the Region. The center features educational exhibits along with maps, books, gear, and gifts, as well a friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Photo courtesy of Ulster County Tourism

Greene

County Economic Development Corporation

411 Main Street

Catskill, NY 12414

greenecountyedc.com

518 719 3290

Your gateway to establishing your business in Greene County. Their team connects entrepreneurs, developers, and corporate leadership with resources, municipalities, and investment incentives for job-creating businesses.

Sullivan County Tourism SullivanCatskills.com

1 800 882

CATS

The Sullivan Catskills is a legendary destination known for its warm, friendly hospitality. Over nearly 1,000 square miles, this picturesque county is a collection of charming small towns full of adventure, extraordinary cuisine, arts and culture, and outstanding accommodations. The Main Streets are framed by historic former hotels, mercantiles, apothecaries, taverns, firehouses, boarding houses turned art and antique galleries, acclaimed restaurants, intriguing small shops, studios, and bookstores. Relive calmer days when the world moved slower with the simpler rhythms of rural hamlet life. Relax, browse, and visit the farmers’ markets and country fairs. Hike through seasonal splendor, paddle a kayak, fish world-class streams, and read a book by the fire in a bakery.

Ulster County Tourism VisitUlsterCountyNY.com

Welcome to the season where nature begins its lush, vibrant transformation. In the Catskills, the transition from winter to spring is extraordinary. Budding trees, eruption of wildflowers and the crisp mountain air is all available. This time of renewal is the perfect time for a rejuvenating, wellness retreat in Ulster County. With its breathtaking views and tranquil atmosphere, Ulster County offers a perfect setting to reconnect to what’s important.

RETAIL

Camp Catskill

6006 Main Street

Tannersville, NY 12485

campcatskill.co 518 303 6050

Your destination for sustainable gear & gifts, including clothing, footwear, backpacks, and hiking gear. Our mission is to help you feel good about what you buy, what you wear, and the gear you use (and reuse) in the wild. Having the right gear lets you spend more time outside in nature, which in turn connects you directly to the importance of preserving the natural wonders of our world. We work with brands that care about their impact on the planet and its people, and we donate 1% of our revenue to environmental nonprofits here in the Catskills.

Catskill Mountain Foundation Gift Shop

6042 Main Street

Tannersville, NY 12485

518 589 7500

Operated by the Catskill Mountain Foundation and located next door to the Orpheum Performing Arts Center, our shop features a curated selection of home decor items and gifts from around the Region and around the world. Open Friday through Sunday and holiday Mondays from 11 am to 6 pm.

The Nest Egg

84 Main Street

Phoenicia, NY 12464

nesteggshop.com

845 688 5851

An old-fashioned country store in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, offering relaxed shopping and mountain hospitality. You’ll find lots of specialty and artisan crafted foods here, from local maple syrup, honey, jams, jellies and preserves, to nostalgic candies and gourmet chocolate, to gourmet peanut butter, and more! Your source for mountain clothing and souvenirs, including Minnetonka Moccasins, t-shirts & sweatshirts, local area books and hiking maps, candles, soaps, incense, jewelry, toys, puzzles, games and souvenirs. Our home-made delicious fudge is worth the trip! Owner Robin Kirk’s family has owned The Nest Egg since 1968.

Photo courtesy Ulster County Tourism

Windham Mountain Club

19 Resort Drive

Windham, NY 12496

windhammountain.com

1 800 754 9463

Windham Mountain Club is a premier multi-generational, four-season resort in the Northeast, located in the Great Northern Catskills, two and a half hours north of New York City. Boasting 285 skiable acres across 54 trails and serviced by 11 lifts (four of which are high speed), the mountain offers an award-winning Ski and Ride School, lodging, onmountain dining, a tubing park, and world-class alpine and freestyle competition teams.

MENLA | Dewa Spa

375 Pantherkill Road

Phoenicia, NY 12464

menla.org

A hidden oasis in the heart of the Catskill mountains, Menla features wellness and spiritual retreats, exclusive getaways, and

the world-class Dewa Spa. Immerse yourself in the magic of pristine mountain forests. Explore hiking trails, encounter wildlife, and discover a rich tapestry of wellness experiences and activities. Dewa Spa’s unique architecture and Tibetan accents evoke peace and tranquillity. Eastern and Western treatments, such as Tibetan KuNye massage, herbal baths, Shirodhara, sounds baths, energy readings, and customized facials are a few of the lavish therapies found at our spa.

WOODWORKING

WoodLab …

From Tree to Table

5316 State Route 23

Windham, NY 12496

woodlabslabs.com 518 734 5700

Our one-of-a-kind tables incorporate the unique characteristics of Parota and Monkey Pod slabs, imported from Costa Rica. Coveted for their exotic beauty, these rare, large species wood slabs are handselected, allowing us to create family heirloom dining and office tables.

A Greene County Garden in March: Moss and Lichen

By Margaret Donsbach Tomlinson

Gardens that include a large tree will often support a mini-garden of mosses and lichens on its trunk and larger branches. You’ve probably heard that mosses are a guide to direction for hikers, because of the traditional saying that moss grows on the north side of a tree trunk. You may also have noticed that moss often grows all the way around a tree trunk. Is the old saying nonsense? Not entirely. Moss does grow best in shade. In the northern hemisphere, where the sun shines at a slight angle from the south rather than directly overhead, it can cast more shadow on a tree’s north side. But a big tree with a dense leaf canopy creates its own shade all the way around its trunk, and a tree growing near a building will be in the building’s shade.

The fissured bark of mature trees like oak, ash and maple stays damp after a rain and offers shaded crevices where moss spores can land and begin to grow, helped along by nutrients in the bark. A covering of moss actually helps the tree, creating a protective layer that holds moisture and prevents insects from attacking the bark. The velvety, deep green moss in the photograph might be a tree moss, which will grow on trees but is actually named for its structure, which looks like a miniature forest.

Some types of lichen will also grow on trees. Like moss, these lichens can grow on any side of the trunk or a large branch, wher-

ever it finds moisture and shade. Also like moss, it will protect rather than harm the tree. Unlike moss, lichen is not actually a plant. Lichens occur when a fungus joins with an algae and the two merge. Algae can photosythesize and gain nutrients from sunlight, which the fungus cannot, while the fungus is good at absorbing and holding water, needed by the algae.

The ruffly bluish-green lichen at the right side of the photograph is probably common greenshield lichen (Flavoparmelia caperata). Most lichens are highly sensitive to air pollution, but common greenshield is less so, the reason it can be found in cities and towns where exhaust from cars and trucks and other emissions prevent most lichens from growing. The yellowish-green lichen that seems to be dusted across the bark might be lemon lichen (Candelaria concolor), another pollution-tolerant lichen which grows on tree bark. If many different types of lichen are growing on the trees and rocks in your garden, you are lucky— the air where you live is exceptionally pure.

Margaret Donsbach Tomlinson enjoys gardening in Catskill. She also writes a weekly Substack series, The Generous Garden, online at mtomlinson.substack.com.

Moss & lichen

A THE GREAT OUTDOORS IN THE CATSKILLS

re you ready for the end of winter and the start of spring? March is often the time of the year that we start to shake off cabin fever and start to get outside more often. March is also often when winter and spring battle in the Catskills. It is a month with the potential for highly variable weather conditions, temperatures and snowpack. Visitors to the Catskills in March should be prepared for all different kinds of conditions, should keep an eye on the forecast, and check on the latest trail conditions before they leave for their Catskill adventure.

Now is

the

Time to Speak Up for the

Catskills

in New York State’s Next Budget!

The Catskill Park Coalition represents dozens of organizations who work in and care for the Catskill Park and the surrounding Catskill Region. Every year the Coalition establishes Catskills priorities for the NYS budget and advocates for equitable funding of the Catskill Park and Catskills communities.

The Coalition knows that investments in the Catskill Park protect our natural resources, support important jobs for our region, and provide clean drinking water protection for millions of New Yorkers. The priorities for the Coalition in the upcoming NYS Budget affirm tourism opportunities, natural resource pro-

By Jeff Senterman

tections, clean water, public health protections, climate resilience, recreational access, job creation, and quality of life for residents of and visitors to the Catskill Park.

Public Safety and Catskill Park Management

The NYSDEC must be adequately staffed, including new staff in the Division of Lands and Forests and annual Forest Ranger Academies.

Environmental Protection Fund (EPF)

Fund the Environmental Protection Fund at $500 million. Within the EPF, maintain existing funding lines for the Catskills including: $12 million Forest Preserve line; $250,000 line for the Catskills Visitor Center; $200,000 line for Catskill Science Collaborative; $500,000 for the “Save the Hemlocks” initiative; and $400,000 in dedicated annual Catskills funding for Smart Growth Grants.

Supporting Local Economies

Support Catskills communities by investing in projects with direct community benefits, improve cellular service, expand affordable housing in and around the Catskill Park, implement

The Catskill Mountain Foundation presents SATURDAY, MARCH 22

7:00PM

community benefits recommendations of CAG Final Report, implement Catskill Park Gateway Signage, support community trails, support Catskill Stewards Program, and implement VUMs for Kaaterskill Clove and the Formerly Trailless Peaks.

What can you do to help? Contact your local elected officials—the Governor, State Senators, and State Assemblymembers—and let them know that you support the priorities of the Catskill Park Coalition! It doesn’t matter where in New York you live, your elected officials need to know you support the Catskills!

Catskills Great Outdoor Expo

The popular Catskills Great Outdoor Expo returns this June on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the Catskills Visitor Center in Mount Tremper, NY. The Catskills Great Outdoor Expo is your opportunity to learn about all the best the Catskills have to offer in hiking, paddling, bicycling, fishing, and all outdoor recreation activities. This one-day Expo will feature dozens of exhibitors, along with expert presentations, free samples and raffles—plus the famous Catskill Center Gear Sale. More information is available at catskillsoutdoorexpo.com.

Trail Safety in March

March is a month where hiking, skiing and snowshoeing conditions can change quickly in the Catskills. A warm spring hike can

suddenly turn dangerous when it starts raining and temperatures drop quickly. In the winter months, the mountains can be unforgiving with low temperatures, high winds and a deep snowpack. March is an even trickier month with the opportunity for winter snow storms and cold temperatures, along with wet spring weather and warmer temperatures. You truly must be prepared for just about any weather when you are exploring the Catskills in March. Anyone planning on being outdoors in the Catskills should keep in mind a few general safety guidelines for any trip. It is a good idea to consider all four of these guidelines for every trip you take into the backcountry, no matter if it’s summer, winter, for a few hours or for a few days:

WEATHER: Always obtain local weather conditions from sources like the Albany National Weather Service, or local services like the Hudson Valley Weather website, all of which provide local conditions and weather discussion for areas throughout the Catskills.

WARNING: Wilderness conditions can change suddenly, and all users should plan accordingly, including bringing a flashlight, first aid equipment, extra food and clothing. Weather conditions may alter your plans; you should always be prepared to spend an unplanned night in the woods before entering the backcountry. Backcountry hiking trails can be rugged and rough—they are not maintained as park walkways—so always wear proper footwear and clothing!

REMEMBER: Weather and trail conditions can change rapidly, especially during fall, winter and spring. Plan and prepare accordingly.

ALWAYS: Inform someone of your itinerary and when you expect to return so they can alert authorities if you do not return on time.

For more detailed information on the condition and status of trails and trailheads in the Catskills, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation offers a page on their website with backcountry information (dec.ny.gov/outdoor/108207. html). While this information is regularly updated, it may not reflect current, specific conditions. Regularly updated trail conditions are posted by the Catskills Visitor Center at catskillsvisitorcenter.org.

The local Forest Ranger is the best source for more current and specific information. To contact the Forest Rangers for Region 3 (Ulster & Sullivan Counties), please call the NYSDEC’s New Paltz regional office at 845 256 3026. For Forest Rangers in Region 4 (Greene and Delaware Counties), please call the NYSDEC’s Schenectady regional office at 518 357 2161. These numbers should also be used to report backcountry emergencies, such as lost or injured hikers, and wildland fires to the DEC Forest Rangers.

Photo by Dirk M. deBoer/shutterstock.com

PASSION FRUIT DANCE COMPANY Dimensions

New York City-based Passion Fruit Dance Company brings their immersive street dance theater blend, putting into full effect the Orpheum’s recent technical upgrades. See the culmination of a technical residency for “Dimensions” prior to the work’s world premiere at American Dance Festival. Led by director and choreographer Tatiana Desardouin, don’t miss this multi-disciplinary experience featuring dance, live music, live painting, animation, body casting, and VJing, inspired by the photography of Lauriane Ogay.

Doctorow Fund, The Orville and Ethel Slutzky Family Foundation, Platte Clove Bruderhof Community,

#RecreateResponsibly in the Catskills

Time in nature, and outdoor recreation has proven to be essential for all.

Especially during uncertain times, all of us, from seasoned outdoor enthusiasts, to families heading out to their local park for the first time, can turn to community and simple reminders about how to safely & responsibly recreate outdoors while caring for one another.

The Recreate Responsibly guidelines came together to offer a starting point for getting outside to keep yourself and others safe while working to maintain access to our beloved natural spaces.

Read on to learn the primary tips on how to responsibly recreate outdoors. Each edition of the guidelines have been developed by bringing together topline issues and experts to distill key concepts that when implemented, build a community of care in the outdoors.

Learn more at recreateresponsibly.org

Know Before you Go

Check the status of the place you want to visit for closures, fire restrictions, and weather.

Plan and Prepare

Reservations and permits may be required.

Make sure you have the gear you need and a back-up plan

Build an Inclusive Outdoors

Be an active part of making the outdoors safe and welcoming for all identities and abilities.

Respect Others

There is space for everyone and countless outdoor activities. Be kind to all who use the outdoors and nature differently.

Leave

No Trace

Respect the land, water, wildlife, and Native communities. Follow the seven Leave No Trace principles. Learn more at LeaveNoTrace.org

Make It Better

We all have a responsibility to sustain the places we love. Volunteer, donate, and advocate for the outdoors.

Catskill Park Trail Conditions

Local recreational opportunities are always changing in the Catskill Park, and by visiting the Catskills Visitor Center’s Trail Conditions page, you can stay on top of those changes. Staff at the Visitor Center are regularly posting updates related to the Catskill Park, Catskill trails, Catskill campgrounds and camping, Catskill boating, and more at catskillstrailconditions.com.

Hike the Catskills with the Hiker Trash Husbands

Looking to explore the trails of the Catskills (and beyond) before you hike them? My husband and I have a YouTube channel about our hiking and snowshoeing adventures! You can find The Hiker Trash Husbands on YouTube at youtube. com/thehikertrashhusbands.

For Moe and me, this is an effort to provide positive LGBTQ+ representation in the hiking world. You can learn more by visiting our website at hikertrashhusbands.com.

If you’re in the Catskills and have cable provided by MTC, you can catch our videos on CatskillsAir, MTC Channel 1.

Visit the Catskill Park’s Visitor Center

Located at 5096 Route 28 in Mount Tremper, the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center (CVC) is the official visitor center for the Catskill Park. Open Fridays through Mondays from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm in the winter months, the CVC offers maps, advice, and a gift shop with hiking maps and regional books. Staff are available for questions via email at info@catskillcenter. org or by phone at 845 688 3369.

Visitors can enjoy 1.5 miles of trails and the 80-foot Upper Esopus Fire Tower, with stunning views of the mountains and Esopus Creek valley. Explore the CVC online at catskillsvisitorcenter.org, on Facebook at facebook.com/catskillsvisitorcenter, and on Instagram at @catskills. visitor.center.

The MOUNTAIN CINEMA

Open Friday-Monday

THE

SEED OF THE SACRED FIG

Investigating judge Iman grapples with paranoia amid political unrest in Tehran. When his gun vanishes, he suspects his wife and daughters, imposing draconian measures that strain family ties as societal rules crumble. 2/28-3/2

LAST BREATH

A true story that follows seasoned deep-sea divers as they battle the raging elements to rescue their crew mate trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean’s surface. Opens 2/28

MICKEY 17

Adapted from the novel by Edward Ashton, Mickey 17 stars Robert Pattinson as an “expendable”—a disposable crew member on a space mission, selected for dangerous tasks because he can be renewed if his body dies. With one regeneration, though, things go very wrong. Opens 3/7

THE ROOM NEXT DOOR

Ingrid and Martha were close friends in their youth. After years of being out of touch, they meet again in an extreme but strangely sweet situation. 3/7-3/9, 3/14-3/16

THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE

Porky and Daffy turn into unlikely heroes when their antics at the local bubble gum factory uncover a secret alien mind control plot. Against all odds, the two are determined to save their town—and the world! Opens 3/14

I’M STILL HERE

A mother is forced to reinvent herself when her family’s life is shattered by an act of arbitrary violence during the tightening grip of a military dictatorship in Brazil, 1971. 3/21-3/23, 3/28-3/30

Catskill Park Advisory Committee

The Catskill Park Advisory Committee (CPAC) was established by the Catskill Center in consultation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and is composed of representatives from local governments and organizations. The Committee is chaired by the Catskill Center and provides a forum for communities, user groups and stakeholders of the Catskill Park and the Catskill Watershed to discuss issues of regional importance. The purpose of the Committee is to provide assistance, advice and guidance to the DEC, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and other land managers in the management of the New York State Forest Preserve, the Catskill Park and the Catskill Watershed. Meetings are held quarterly and are open to the public. If you’d like to learn more, join the mailing list or attend the next meeting, please contact the Catskill Center at 845 586 2611 or email them at cccd@ catskillcenter.org with CPAC in the subject asking to be added to the mailing list.

Give Back to the Catskills

The natural beauty, the majesty of the mountains, the protection of the Catskill Forest Preserve, the region’s natural and cultural resources, all need your help! By supporting the work of the

Catskill Center, you support: stewardship of our Catskill Park and its vast natural resources; the Center’s collaborative spirit as we convene, create partnerships and facilitate discussions that benefit the region; and the Center’s work to support education, arts and culture throughout the Catskills.

To support the work of the Catskill Center, become a member online through their website at catskillcenter.org/membership or donate by mail: Checks made out to the “Catskill Center” can be mailed to Catskill Center, PO Box 504, Arkville, NY 12406.

Jeff Senterman is the Executive Director of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development in Arkville, NY, a member of the Board of Directors for the Catskill Watershed Corporation and the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce. Jeff graduated with a degree in Environmental Science from Lyndon State College and worked for many years as an Environmental Planner in New England before coming back to the Catskills in the nonprofit sector.

Photo by Sujatha Vempaty/shutterstock.com

FORTEPIANO

Hosted by Patricia García Gil, Maria Rose & Yi-heng Yang

Connecting fortepiano lovers from all around the world

Music and Ideas: Coming to the Table SPRING 2025 SERIES

Streaming LIVE on Facebook and YouTube

The International Fortepiano Salon’s Spring 2025 series will explore the relationship between music, ideas, culture, and historical keyboard music, exploring how historical pianos, its music and practitioners have been carriers of culture, politics and meaning. We will be discovering unknown music, celebrating new and underrepresented voices, and having thoughtful discussions which deepen the variety and richness of the classical musical community.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9 AT 2:00PM

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: A PALACE OF LOVE AND POWER

Guest Artist: Jean-Bernard Cerin

Our February 9 Salon welcomes guest artist Jean-Bernard Cerin, associate professor at Cornell University and multi-faceted singer and scholar. Cerin will visit with us and present portraits and performances of 18th-20th century composers from the African Diaspora, including Ignatius Sancho, Juste Chanlatte, and Carmen Brouard, on early to modern pianos.

SUNDAY, MARCH 9 AT 2:00PM

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: WOMEN IN LATIN AMERICA

Guest Artist: Karin Cuéllar Rendón

In this episode of the Fortepiano Salon celebrating Women’s history month, Bolivian violinist and researcher Karin Cuellar Rendon introduces us to pianist-composers who revolutionized music in South America: Brazilian Chiquinha Gonzaga (18471935), Bolivian Modesta Sanjines (1832-1883) and Venezuelan Teresa Careño (1853-1917). Join us in a conversation about the intersection of music and politics in 19th century nation building efforts by these brilliant composers.

SUNDAY, MAY 18 AT 2:00PM

ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER MONTH: SILENCE AND TRANSFORMATION

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

This is just a sampling of all of the events in the Catskills this March. To request that your event be included in future calendars, please email tafts@catskillmtn.org

Please call ahead or visit the website for each event to confirm details, including any admission costs.

ONGOING

Experiences at Frederick Farm Goat Sanctuary Experience Adventure Hikes with the Herd, Hugs & Hikes with the Herd, and Art with Heart: Paint with Rescue Goats. By reservation only.

Location: Frederick Farm Goats, 12 Sholam Road, Napanoch

More Info: frederickfarmgoats.com

Delhi Winter Farmers Market

The Delhi Farmers Market has an amazing line up of dedicated farmers, bakers, makers and more. You will find a variety of your kitchen staples—fresh bread, farm fresh cheeses, vegetables, jams, poultry and more. You will also find crocheted apparel, distilled spirits, amaryllis bulbs, homemade pie, and unique jewelers.

Location: Delhi American Legion, 41 Page Avenue, Delhi

Hours: Every Wednesday, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

More Info: facebook.com/DelhiFarmersMarket/

Phoenicia Winter Farmers Market

Phoenicia Farmers Market brings together local farms, artisanal makers, full-time residents, and seasonal visitors to a weekly market to shop, learn, gather, and compost. EBT/SNAP Benefits are accepted.

Location: Pine Hill Community Center, 287 Main Street, Pine Hill

Hours: Every Sunday, 11:00 am-2:00 pm

More Info: phoeniciafarmersmarket.com

Online Meditation with Bushel

Online meditation sessions that include guided meditation, group interaction, and support. New sitters and seasoned sitters are welcome. Meditation sessions are free and open to all, but donations are welcome to support this program.

Location: Join via Zoom

Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30-7:00 am

More Info & Zoom Link: bushelcollective.org/meditation-calendar/

Iyengar Yoga with Carolyn Christie

With breath as conditioner, the mind as the seeker, Iyengar yoga practice gives strength mobility to the body, stability to the mind. Open to all; class is for all levels. Fee payable to instructor.

Location: Bushel Collective, 106 Main St, Delhi

Time: Saturdays, 10:00-11:30 am

More Info: bushelcollective.org

Magic On Main—

An Intimate Parlor Experience

Join Magician Sean Doolan for a magic show in his private library located in a historic building on Main Street in Windham. Sean will weave his personal story of transitioning from a trial lawyer to a magician in interactive magical routines. By reservation only, no walk-ins. Dates and times subject to change without notice.

Location: 5428 NY Route 23 (Main Street), Windham

Dates & Times: Check website for most up-todate schedule

More Info: MagicOnMainWindham.com

THROUGH MARCH 2

Weather Lamps

A window show featuring the work of Jacky Connolly, a recent contributor to the Whitney Biennial. Exhibition on view 24/7 in the storefront. Location: Athens Cultural Center, 24 Second Street, Athens

More Info: athensculturalcenter.org

Youth Empowerment & Sustainability Summit

A global climate solution and leadership summit for young people who are ready to change their lives and their communities by working towards climate resilience.

Location: The Ashokan Center 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge Time: 2:00-4:00 pm

More Info: ashokancenter.org

The Mousetrap

As a snowstorm traps guests at a newly opened countryside inn, an unsettling message arrives: a murderer is on the loose, and the killer may be among them. Tensions rise as secrets unravel, alliances shift, and danger closes in. Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap keeps you guessing until the final, jaw-dropping twist.

Location: The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, 661 Route 308, Rhinebeck Days & Times: Friday & Saturday @ 8:00 pm; Sunday @ 3:00 pm

More Info: CenterforPerformingArts.org

THROUGH MARCH 9

What We Hold: Stories + Objects

In honor of Women’s History Month, CREATE Council On The Arts is excited to announce that the organization has expanded its annual showcase of women artists this year with an extended exhibition on two floors of gallery space. “What We Hold: Stories + Objects” reflects the diverse creativity and experience of over 70 regional women artists. This collective exhibit was conceived as an invitation to share their experiences as women through the art they create, whether by objects or images.

Location: CREATE, 398 Main Street, Catskill More Info: createcouncil.org

THROUGH MARCH 16

Members’ Late Winter Group Show

Selections from our monthly members group exhibition.

Location: Longyear Gallery, 785 Main Street, Margaretville Gallery Hours: Friday-Sunday and holiday Mondays from 12:00-5:00 pm More Info: longyeargallery.org

THROUGH MARCH 22

Exhibition: Ki i ‘no Hawai’i

A solo show by Elaine Mayes featuring her photographs from Hawaii. In 1991 Mayes received a Guggenheim Fellowship to photograph in Hawaii, and with an Atherton Foundation grant (2003) published this work in a limited edition book titled Ki’i No Hawai’i in 2009. Elaine Mayes has been an active visual artist since 1960. A main focus and emphasis for her work has been investigations of ‘seeing’ and documentary forms in photography.

Location: Roxbury Arts Group, 5025 Vega Mountain Road, Roxbury More Info: roxburyartsgroup.org

CATSKILL MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION

TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH THE ARTS

THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS & SUPPORTERS!

Catskill Mountain Foundation is supported in part by New York State Council on the Arts, the Greene County Cultural Fund administered by the Greene County Legislature, The Jarvis and Constance Doctorow Family Foundation, The Royce Family Foundation, The Samuel and Esther Doctorow Fund, The Orville and Ethel Slutzky Family Foundation, Platte Clove Bruderhof Community, Bank of Greene County Charitable Foundation, The Greene County Youth Bureau, Marshall & Sterling Insurance, All Souls’ Church, Stewarts Shops, Windham Foundation, and by private donations.

7971 Main Street, Village of Hunter 518 263 2001 • www.catskillmtn.org

THROUGH APRIL 5

Exhibition: A/Symmetrical Worlds

The artworks in A/Symmetrical Worlds, an exhibition of recent work by Carol Levine and Helen Quinn, are full of paradoxes and iconic and archetypal shapes that ignite the viewer’s imagination. The artists offer us two very different worlds in which the play between symmetry and asymmetry compels us to explore themes of balance, movement, growth and protection.

Location: Headwaters Arts Center, 66 Main Street, Stamford

Artists’ Talk: Saturday, March 15, 12:00-2:00 pm

More Info: roxburyartsgroup.org

MARCH 1

KLK Ukrainian Ski Club Race

Races for adults, seniors and kids.

Location: Hunter Mountain, 64 Klein Avenue, Hunter

More information: huntermtn.com

Film Screening: We Have Just Begun

During the Red Summer of 1919, dozens of race and labor riots erupted throughout every major city in the U.S.—but in Elaine, a rural war on Black workers eclipsed them all. We Have Just Begun examines the legacy of the 1919 Elaine Massacre, a pivotal event in U.S. history where hundreds of Black sharecroppers were murdered for collective organizing under colonial conditions. This live screening features narration by poet and activist Tongo Eisen-Martin, whose spoken word brings a resonant depth to the film’s exploration of erasure, justice, and memory. Musician and vocalist Joshua Asante provides a live score, blending soulful arrangements and atmospheric soundscapes to enhance the film’s spectral visuals.

Location: Kleinert/James Center for the Arts, 36 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 4:00-6:30 pm

More Info: woodstockguild.org

Winterfest—Ski Patrol Fundraiser

This annual event is one not to be missed. All proceeds benefit the Plattekill Volunteer Patrol and features live music (back by popular demand) “The Lonely Birds” and Chicken BBQ, plus huge raffle! Skiers and non-skiers welcome!

Location: Plattekill Mountain, 469 Plattekill Rd., Roxbury

Time: 5:00-10:00 pm

More Info: plattekill.com

Driftwood with Andrea Maddox and the Hey Y’alls

Come join us for a night of folk rock with upstate New York outfit, Driftwood, on March 1st with Andrea Maddox and the Hey Y’alls!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

Hudson Valley Next Gen Music Revue: Mona Freaka/LowLight/Rhythm Revival

Emerging home grown talent at our Hudson Valley Next Gen Music Revue! Featuring the likes of Mona Freaka—self described as “Your Cool Sisters—an all-girl teen band with 90s influenced garage punk and riot girrrl vibes, interpreted through the lens of Gen Z” ; as well as Woodstock-based teen boys “LowLight” and “Rhythm Revival.”

Location: The Local, 16 John Street, Saugerties Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: thelocalsaugerties.com

MARCH 1-31

Collective Expression: New Works at WFA Windham Fine Arts presents Collective Expression: New Works at WFA. The Hudson River and Adirondacks take center stage in new works presented by artists Barry DeBaun and Ken Salaz. With its enormous role in American history, “Across the Hudson” by Barry DeBaun, expresses the sublime beauty and grandeur of the Hudson River. A testament by artist Ken Salaz that beauty is eternal and ever-present, “Sunset at Lake Placid” feeds our body and soul. French artist Philippe Pittoni brings us the newest in his Human Waves series, “Astres Galants” with a view that we are all shining stars in the universe—with 23 years in business, our future is bright and our doors are open, Windham Fine Arts, 5380 Main Street in Windham.

Location: Windham Fine Arts, 5380 Main Street, Windham

More Info: director@windhamfinearts.com, 518 734 6850, or windhamfinearts.com

MARCH 1-APRIL 6

Annual Byrdcliffe Members Show

The Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild is proud to present its 2025 Annual Members’ Show. Open to all current members, come view works of art in a variety of styles and mediums.

Location: Kleinert/James Center for the Arts, 36 Tinker Street, Woodstock

Opening Reception: Saturday, March 1, 4:006:00 pm

More Info: woodstockguild.org

Carol Levine

“Across the Hudson,” by Barry DeBaun

MARCH 2

US Chef Ski Club Race #2

Club members, Chefs, Restaurateurs, Hospitality members and friends are eligible to participate in this Dual GS Race.

Location: Hunter Mountain, 64 Klein Avenue, Hunter

More information: huntermtn.com

Maple Festival

Experience a taste of the sweet world of maple sugaring at CCE’s Agroforestry Resource Center. This event will provide participants with the opportunity to tour our own sugar shack, see a demonstration tree tapping, and taste fresh sap. If you want to dive in deeper, sign up for the educational session offered in the afternoon. Visit with Taste NY staff and local vendors to purchase all things maple.

Location: Cornell Cooperative Extension, 6055 Route 23, Acra

Time: 10:00 am-1:00 pm

More information: ccecolumbiagreene.org

Maple Sugaring, from Past to Present

Join us at CCE Columbia Greene’s Agroforestry Resource Center to explore the wonderful world of maple. CCE staff will take participants on a journey from the past to the present. Learn about the historical practices of maple sugaring, experience current methods to collect sap, see maple processing equipment in action, taste sap straight from the tree, and take home a tapping kit of your own. This offer includes a short walk up a hill to discuss woodland management for maple production. Please reach out if you have accessibility limitations. Register in advance, space is limited! Fee: $20

Location: Cornell Cooperative Extension, 6055 Route 23, Acra

Time: 1:00-3:00 pm

More information: ccecolumbiagreene.org

Cahoots Theatre: The Vanishing Elephant

Opu, a young boy in Bengal, dreams of one day becoming an elephant trainer. When he befriends Janu, an Asian Elephant, their friendship is the first step on an adventure so huge, it spans decades and continents. On their separate paths they face many challenges: fearsome encounters, stormy seas and strange new worlds. Years in the future, Opu, now an old man, hears that world famous magician Harry Houdini will vanish an elephant, live on stage in New York City. Could it really be Janu, Opu’s old friend, so far from home? He too must bravely make the long journey into the unknown to find out.

Location: Orpheum Performing Arts Center, 6050 Main Street, Tannersville

Time: 2:00 pm

More Info: catskillmtn.org

Two Many Guitars:

Cindy Cashdollar & Jack Petruzzelli

Cindy Cashdollar and Jack Petruzzelli present Two Many Guitars, highlighting music from the past 100 years. Together, with Brandon Morrison on bass, they will create a musical timeline through traditional American and European styles; songs from the mountains to the American songbook. Cindy and Jack are well known through their work with Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Asleep at The Wheel, Joan Osborne and many more. They have enjoyed performing and recording together, and have created this program to play music that has greatly influenced them.

Location: The Local, 16 John Street, Saugerties Time: 5:00 pm

More Info: thelocalsaugerties.com

Woodstock Film Festival

2025 Oscar Viewing Party

Celebrate Hollywood’s biggest night with The Woodstock Film Festival —The Oscars®! Indulge in delicious food, drinks, and entertainment, and enjoy a live screening of the Academy Awards surrounded by fellow film lovers. Dress code is semi-casual (glam up is optional but no jeans or sneakers, please). A fabulous silent auction will also be available, featuring incredible items up for bid. Take part in our Oscars® Winning Prediction Ballot—bring cash or card and make your best guesses! Doors open at 6:00 pm. The Academy Awards ceremony begins at 7:00 pm. Admission cost: $75-$125.

Location: Assembly Kingston, 236 Wall Street, Kingston Time: 6:00 pm

More Info: woodtockfilmfestival.org

Ladies of the Valley:

A Singer-Songwriter Showcase

Get ready to be blown away by the incredible talent of female singer-songwriters from the valley.

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

MARCH 3 & 17

Deep Listening sessions led by Rachel Condry Over more than 60 years, composer Pauline Oliveros has developed and wrote extensively about what would become known as Deep Listening practice. Sonic meditations, deep listening pieces, a variety games, a gentle movement practice (listening through the body)

a dream practice (24 hour listening) all work to expand our idea of listening and connects those who practice to themselves, to others and to the world around us. In this age, where the dominant paradigm relies on manipulating our listening for the profit of a few, Deep LIstening offers tools and avenues to use our listening for the benefit of all. Join Deep Listening practitioner Rachel Condry on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month to experience all that Deep Listening has to offer.

Location: Bushel Collective, 106 Main St, Delhi Time: 5:00-7:00 pm

More Info: bushelcollective.org

MARCH 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31

The World Famous Colony Open Mic! Sign-ups start at 7pm and go on all evening! House guitar & piano available! This is a very busy and long night, so just one song each so all get a chance to go on!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

MARCH 4

Tim Kliphuis & Jimmy Grant Concert Award-winning jazz violin legend and rising guitar star celebrate the music of famed musical duo, Stéphane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt.

Location: The Ashokan Center 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge

Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: ashokancenter.org

MARCH 4 & 5

Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve

Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve have been cohorts and bandmates since 1977, appearing together on more than twenty-five recordings and performing on stages from the Grosse Freiheit 36 in Hamburg to the Royal Albert Hall in London, debuting songs such as “Accidents Will Happen” and “Shot With His Own Gun” with only piano accompaniment and playing their first two-man shows in 1995, then undertaking “The Lonely World Tour” together in 2003. In this tour, they play selections from a songbook that is fifty years long and twice as deep.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

MARCH 4, 11, 18 & 25

MAJOR MAYHEM KARAOKE with Sabrina

Get ready for a wild night of singing your heart out at MAJOR MAYHEM KARAOKE with Sabrina

- Every Tuesday at Colony!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 6:30 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

MARCH 5

Regina Bonelli - Monthly Blues Night

The tour de force singer Regina Bonelli joins us for Colony’s Monthly Blues Night.

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

MARCH 6

Exquisite Corpse: A Wintertide Event

An evening of communal drawing and collective unconscious word-smithing through the Exquisite Corpse game, made popular by the Surrealists in the early part of the 20th century.

Location: Roxbury Arts Group, 5025 Vega Mountain Road, Roxbury

Time: 6:00-8:00 pm

More Info: roxburyartsgroup.org

Sam Grisman Project

Friends paying tribute to the musical legacy of David “Dawg” Grisman and Jerry Garcia.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

Low Cut Connie

“This record is all kink and no shame,” says Adam Weiner of Art Dealers, the tough, sexy and tender new album coming from Low Cut Connie. For years now, Low Cut Connie has built its grassroots coalition of oddballs, underdogs, and fun-loving weirdos with songs that celebrate life on the fringes of polite society. The band’s infamously wild, passionate live shows provide a total release—of stress, of inhibition, of shame—working up a primordial rock n roll sweat for fans to get blissfully soaked in. The new album, and its full-length companion film, sizzle with that same cathartic sweat, reminding us that it’s time to get dirty again, and to feel alive.

Location: Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: levonhelm.com

St Patrick’s Celebration with Irish Legends Lúnasa + special guests

The celebrated Irish traditional band Lúnasa are joined by two legends of Irish music: Dublin folk singer Daoiri Farrell, winner of multiple BBC and RTÉ Folk Awards, and Co. Tyrone banjo and fiddle player, Cathal Hayden, founder of the band “4 Men & a Dog” and one of Ireland’s most revered traditional musicians. Called “The Hottest Irish Acoustic band on the Planet” by The Irish Voice, Lúnasa was formed in 1997 from members of some of the greatest Irish groups of

the previous decade. From the start, the band’s complex arrangements and unique sound reshaped the boundaries of traditional music and energized audiences the world over. Critical acclaim followed: MOJO magazine named the band “the new gods of Irish music,” and Billboard raved that “anybody who listens can’t help but find them contagious.”

Location: The Local, 16 John Street, Saugerties

Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: thelocalsaugerties.com

MARCH

7

First Fridays Athens

The Athens Cultural Center opens its doors to celebrate the rich tapestry of culture and creativity that defines our community. Best of all, it’s absolutely free to attend! Discover new exhibitions and connect with fellow art enthusiasts.

Location: Athens Cultural Center, 24 Second Street, Athens

Time: 5:00-7:00 pm

More Info: friendsofathens.org

First Fridays Catskill

Stroll Main Street, Catskill on the 1st Friday of every month. Local shops are open late, most until 8 pm, offering specials like sips & snacks, pop-ups, music, discounts, and FUN!

Location: Main Street & Bridge Street, Catskill

More Info: firstfridayscatskill.com

Walton First Fridays

Local shops in Walton stay open late with deals and events for the community to enjoy!

Location: Walton

More Info: instagram.com/waltonfirstfridays

The Surfrajettes w/ Black Widows

Break out the go-go boots and dreamy surf rock sounds of The Surfrajettes on March 7th with Black Widows.

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

Kim Deal

Kim Deal was the original bassist and covocalist in the alternative rock band the Pixies from 1986 to 1993 and 2004 to 2013. She is the frontwoman of the Breeders, which she formed in 1989. Her debut album, Nobody Loves You More was released this past November to universal acclaim.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

Jeffrey Martin with Bob Sumner

On a small corner lot in southeast Portland, OR, Jeffrey Martin holed up through the winter recording his quietly potent new album Thank God We Left The Garden. Long nights bled into mornings in the tiny shack he built in the backyard. What began as demos meant for a later visit to a proper studio became the album itself, spare and intimate and true. Thank God We Left The Garden came out on Portland’s beloved Fluff and Gravy Records November 3.

Location: Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: levonhelm.com

The Boogaloo Beat:

Spanglish Fly + Dance Lesson

Spanglish Fly perform Boogaloo, that mix of Latin and soul/R&B that emerged from the clubs, the street corners, the transistor radios and the pool halls of 1960s Spanish Harlem, “El Barrio.” Inspired by Latin boogaloo, or bugalú, Spanglish Fly plays irresistible grooves that blend AfroCaribbean rhythms with the fervor, the feeling, and the harmonics of 60s soul. Spanglish Fly “roars through covers, originals, and transformations of previously untouched soul hits” (Village Voice), paying homage to the boogaloo genre while refreshing it for a new generation. Join us for a dance lesson before the show.

Location: The Local, 16 John Street, Saugerties Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: thelocalsaugerties.com

MARCH 7-23

On Beams of Light

On Beams of Light brings together Natalie Boburka, Chris DeMarco, Carole Krinsky, and Enrico Scull, four ACC member artists whose practices navigate the shifting intersections of nature, time, and human connection through material and process.

Location: Athens Cultural Center, 24 Second Street, Athens

Opening Reception: Friday, March 7, 5:00-7:00 pm

Gallery Hours: Saturdays & Sundays, 12:005:00 pm

More Info: athensculturalcenter.org

MARCH 8

Hunter Mountain Mini World Cup #3

The Mini World Cup is a kids racing event developed by the Rip Van Winkle Ski Council hosted by Hunter Mountain and other areas within the council.

Location: Hunter Mountain, 64 Klein Avenue, Hunter

More information: huntermtn.com

Second Saturday Trunk Sale

Shopping for a Cause! Presented by Cultivate Catskill: Come for the selling, shopping, and socializing!

Location: Greene County Water Street Parking Lot, situated behind the Greene County office building Time: 9:00 am-1:00 pm

More information: cultivatecatskill.org

“Exquisite Corpse,” by Jake and Dinos Chapman

Photo by Alex Da Corte

Navigating the World of Mushroom Supplements with Luke Sarrantonio

Mushroom supplements are hitting the market at an astounding rate these days and the benefits can be life changing for many, but with so many to choose from it’s hard to know what the best or safest product is. Join Mycologist Luke Sarrantonio for a cup of functional mushroom tea and discussion on mushrooms vs mycelium, history of human use, extraction methods, safety, what to look for on a label and what to ask producers to hold them accountable. We’ll also touch briefly on the biology and ecology of Morels, as they will be arriving in the coming months. Bring all your mushroom questions! Registration is required and is a $10 suggested donation for non-members. Members are free.

Location: Mountain Top Arboretum, 4 Maude Adams Road, Tannersville

Time: 10:00 am

More information: mtarboretum.org

Maple Fest 2025

Come enjoy a day of maple sugaring, pancakes, and good times for all ages! Blacksmithing demos, live music, cozy campfires, and guided hikes to the place where the magic happens— the sugar shack!

Location: The Ashokan Center 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge

Time: 10:00 am-7:00 pm

More Info: ashokancenter.org

Borderland\The Line Within – A Fundraiser for Ulster Immigrant Defense Network, Hosted by Amnesty Mid-Hudson

Amnesty Mid-Hudson 11th Annual Human Rights Film and Panel Screening of Borderland\The Line Within with Filmmakers Pamela Yates and Paco De Onis. The United States border is not just a geographic location. The border is everywhere. It lies within every undocumented immigrant family with the threat that at any moment they can be captured, incarcerated, deported; their lives destroyed. Borderland | The Line Within not only exposes the profitable business of immigration and its human cost, but weaves together the stories of immigrant heroines and heroes resisting and showing a way forward, intent on building a movement in the shadow of the border industrial complex, recognizing the human rights of all. Fundraiser and Silent Auction for Ulster Immigrant Defense Network. Music by Livia and Bill Vanaver.

Location: Rosendale Theatre, 408 Main Street, Rosendale

Time: 1:00 pm

More Info: rosendaletheatre.org

Concerts & Conversations:

Music from America’s Gilded Age with Anthony Bonamici, fortepiano Anthony Bonamici will perform a series of pieces by the American composer John Knowles Paine, who was the first music professor at Harvard University. In 1861, he was appointed Harvard’s first University organist and choirmaster. At the end of the episode “A Long Ladder” (S01E04) of the HBO television series The Gilded Age, in a scene set in New York in 1882, the Boston Symphony Orchestra is shown under the composer’s direction performing Paine’s Symphony No.2. Anthony will perform on the 1824 William Geib Square Piano, the 1829 Conrad Graf Concert Grand, and the 1842 John Broadwood Semi-Grand.

Location: Piano Performance Museum, Doctorow Center for the Arts, 7971 Main Street, Hunter Time: 2:00 pm

More Info: catskillmtn.org

Knitting Circle

On the second Saturday of every month, from 2-5pm, come hang out at Made X Hudson for Knitting Circle. Bring whatever you’re working on these days (knitting, crochet, embroidery, hand-sewing ...) and join the fun in our beautiful Catskill shop, where we’ve got a wall of yarns and crafting supplies for you. For knitting help, whether you are a first-time knitter or more advanced, Cecilia from Nor’Easter Yarns is here for you. And there’s even food and drink available from our café.

Location: Made X Hudson, 391 Main Street , Catskill

Time: 2:00 pm

More Info: madexhudson.com

Deck Party

Dance Party on the Deck – don’t miss this FUN EVENT! Sam Reed will be at Plattekill with his saxaphone playing along to dance party hits! He’ll have the whole crowd going after a day on the slopes, plus outdoor bar and more!

Location: Plattekill Mountain, 469 Plattekill Rd., Roxbury

Time: 3:00 pm

More Info: plattekill.com

Adam Ippolitto & The Elderly Brothers

Adam Ippolito’s career as a pianist spans 50 years. He has recorded with three Hall Of Fame Artists, including Kool & The Gang, John Lennon, and Chuck Berry. He also played for The Joffrey Ballet and Broadway shows such as Dancin’ and Grease. Earlier in his career he was a member of the rock bands, Elephants Memory and Pig Iron, both of which had recording contracts with Apple and Columbia Records. Adam was a member of John Lennon’s band for two years, over which time he recorded many songs and albums and has appeared in videos and on television many times.

Location: Pine Hill Community Center, 287 Main Street, Pine Hill Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: pinehillcommunitycenter.org

WMN Unite presents International Women’s Day: A Global Harmony

Join us and prepare to be inspired by an extraordinary lineup of performances, including the powerful rhythms of Japanese Taiko drummers, the soul-stirring melodies of Indian classical music, vibrant African cirque dancers, passionate Kuchipudi dances, and more!

Complementing these performances are powerful keynote speakers who will share stories and insights that celebrate the resilience, strength, and harmony of women around the world.

Location: Woodstock Playhouse, 103 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock

Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: woodstockplayhouse.org

Main Stage Concert: Charm City Junction

Award-winning acoustic roots quartet blending Bluegrass, Irish and Old Time music. Carrying on the torch of interesting, rootsy music.

Location: Walton Theatre, 30 Gardiner Place, Walton

Time: 7:30 pm

More Info: musiconthedelaware.org

30th Annual Pisces Party with DJ Dave Leonard and Friends

Dave Leonard is the founder and driving force behind JTD Productions, a full-service DJ & entertainment company based in The Hudson Valley. He is also a Hudson Valley radio veteran as co-founder of WKZE 98.1 FM and former WDST afternoon drive DJ and Vice President of Programming for Radio Woodstock and host of syndicated radio show Radio Unleashed. Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

MARCH 8 & 22

Woodstock Farm Festival Winter Market Shop around and help support local farmers with Woodstock’s Farm Festival Winter Market! Location: Woodstock Community Center, 56 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Hours: 10:00 am–1:00 pm

More Info: woodstockfarmfestival.org

MARCH 9

Songwriters’ Circle

A musical collective welcoming songwriters of all levels and genres. Our mission is to cultivate creativity, offer constructive critique (if desired), workshop ideas, showcase new work, nurture a supportive environment, exchange resources, and promote collaboration. Please RSVP to Christina at livingarchive.catskills@gmail.com.

Location: Bushel Collective, 106 Main St, Delhi Time: 11:00 am-12:30 pm

More Info: bushelcollective.org

International Fortepiano Salon: Women’s History Month: Women in South America

Bolivian violinist and researcher Karin Cuéllar Rendón introduces us to pianist-composers who revolutionized music in South America: Brazilian Chiquinha Gonzaga, Bolivian Modesta Sanjines, and Venezuelan Teresa Careño. Join us in a conversation about the intersection of music and politics in the 19th century.

Location: Streaming online on Facebook and YouTube

Time: 2:00 pm

More Info: catskillmtn.org

Women’s History of the Historic Property

Join 2025 Cole Fellow Frances to learn about the women that lived, labored, and made art at the historic property.

Location: Thomas Cole House, 218 Spring Street, Catskill

Time: 2:00 pm

More Info: thomascole.org

Dean Friedman w/ Vance Gilbert

Come see Dean Friedman and Vance Gilbert live—it’s gonna be a night to remember!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

MARCH 11-15

Puzzle Week: A Wintertide Event Winter blues got you feeling puzzled? Come puzzle it out with us!

Location: Roxbury Arts Group, 5025 Vega Mountain Road, Roxbury Time: 10:00 am-3:00 pm

More Info: roxburyartsgroup.org

MARCH 12

Let’s Talk Ticks: What Every Livestock Producer Needs to Know Ticks have been on the rise in New York and a new tick in town is raising the stakes even further. More ticks in more places increase your risk of tick encounters and the disease-causing pathogens they inject during their blood meal. Joellen Lampman, Community IPM Extension Support Specialist from the NYS Integrated Pest Management Program will discuss what we know about the impacts of ticks and tick-borne diseases on livestock in New York, steps being taken to learn more, and what we might do to mitigate risks for our stock and ourselves.

Location: Cornell Cooperative Extension, 6055 Route 23, Acra

Time: 6:30-7:30 pm

More information: ccecolumbiagreene.org

Conservation Book Club

Join Greene Land Trust for the inaugural meeting of our Conservation Book Club! We’ll be reading Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet by Ben Goldfarb and discussing the surprising ways roads impact the landscape. The book club is free, but space is limited—be sure to reserve your spot today!

Location: The Willows at Brandow Point, 480 Route 385, Athens

Time: 7:00 pm

More information: ccecolumbiagreene.org

Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg To honor Women’s History Month 2025, Rosendale Theatre will examine an overlooked chapter in rock n’ roll history. Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg is about a woman who was muse, lover and instigator of the high and low points of the music and career of the legendary Rolling Stones. Demonized by many, and accused of trying to break up the Rolling Stones, Pallenberg was an actress, mother and a creative force, defiantly independent and ahead of her time. This 2024 documentary corrects the myths and rumors, using the late Pallenberg’s own diary entries and archival footage. (Pallenberg’s words are read by Scarlett Johansson.) Directed by Alexis Bloom and Svetlana Zill.

Location: Rosendale Theatre, 408 Main Street, Rosendale Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: rosendaletheatre.org

MARCH

13

Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Goodnight Moon is a celebration of familiar nighttime rituals, while The Runaway Bunny’s pretend tale of leaving home evokes reassuring responses from his loving mum. Both feature endearing rabbit characters, and the soothing rhythms of bunny banter and dream-like imagery never fail to infuse young readers with a reassuring sense of security. Mermaid’s staged adaptation brings a new sense of appreciation to stories that have delighted several generations.

Location: Ulster Performing Arts Center, 601 Broadway, Kingston Time: 10:00 am

More Info: bardavon.org

Introspective Folk-Pop with Singer/Songwriter Josh Rouse

Josh Rouse is known for his introspective folk-pop and worldly perspective and has built a reputation as a critically acclaimed and perennially reliable singer/songwriter. While any long-running catalog is going to have its outliers, Josh Rouse’s impressive body of work has largely provided listeners with a casual companion for life’s most lived-in moments. Rouse’s easygoing melodies have always felt like the ideal accompaniment for a meandering stroll through familiar neighborhoods or a heartening toast among close friends—the comfortable soundtrack for some of life’s most personal and poignant moments.

Location: The Local, 16 John Street, Saugerties

Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: thelocalsaugerties.com

Classic Film Series: A Face in the Crowd (1957)

Featuring Andy Griffith in a role you’ll never forget, A Face in the Crowd is a biting social commentary on the power of television and media, exploring themes of manipulation, fame, and the American thirst for entertainment. Directed by Elia Kazan, the story follows Larry “Lonesome” Rhodes, Andy Griffith in his first major film role. A charismatic and manipulative drifter, Rhodes’ raw, folksy charm and quick wit make him an instant hit on a local TV show, and he rapidly rises to national fame. However, as his popularity grows, so does his ego and cynicism, and he becomes increasingly unscrupulous in his pursuit of power, using his influence over the public to manipulate politics and personal relationships for his own gain. Andy Griffith’s portrayal of Lonesome Rhodes is widely regarded as a standout performance and marks a departure from his later more affable roles in television. A Face in the Crowd is notable for its prescient examination of media manipulation and celebrity culture, which remains highly relevant today.

Location: Rosendale Theatre, 408 Main Street, Rosendale Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: rosendaletheatre.org

Rubblebucket

Rubblebucket is an American art-pop and indie-rock band from Brooklyn, New York. The primary members are a musical couple Annakalmia Traver and Alex Toth.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

MARCH 14

The Travelin’ McCourys

Enjoy the Bluegrass / Americana stylings of The Travelin’ McCourys on March 14 at Colony!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

John Street Jam

The John Street Jam in the round at The Local. With Frank Critelli, Amy Laber, Stephen Clair, Julie Corbalis, Paul Maloney and Dylan Patrick Ward.

Location: The Local, 16 John Street, Saugerties Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: thelocalsaugerties.com

Photo by Chris Weiss

Joe Russo’s Selcouth Quartet

Selcouth Quartet is a dynamic new ensemble featuring Joe Russo, Stuart Bogie, Jon Shaw, and Jonathan Goldberger. Their self-titled debut album is a mesmerizing exploration of a range of styles and moods. Born of creative immersion in a remote and otherworldly environment, their sound seamlessly drifts between hauntingly beautiful melodies, propulsive improvisation, expansive atmospheres, and towering sonic constructs.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

MARCH 14 & 15

Platte Clove Community Theater presents ALADDIN!

The Platte Clove School is collaborating with members of the Platte Clove Community on a stunning production of Aladdin! This will be an event that young and old will enjoy.

Location: Platte Clove Community, 2255 Platte Clove Rd #1014, Elka Park

Time: 6:00 pm

More Info: eventbrite.com/e/platte-clovecommunity-theater-presents-aladdin-tickets1236290270479

MARCH 14-30

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, it features a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a fresh and vibrant score by William Finn. This bee is a heart-warming and unforgettable experience. An eclectic group of six midpubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! At least the losers get a juice box and, perhaps, learn that winning doesn’t have to be everything.

Location: The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, 661 Route 308, Rhinebeck Days & Times: March 14-16: Friday & Saturday @ 8:00 pm; Sunday @ 3:00 pm. March 21-30: Friday @ 8:00 pm; Saturday & Sunday @ 3:00 pm More Info: CenterforPerformingArts.org

MARCH 15

St. Platty’s Day Plattekill will have a Shamrock Hunt for your kiddos at 9:00 am (register your child in the main office, no ticket required). Plus, a real life leprechaun will be onsite too to help assist the kids!!!! Free for all to participate. Then … live music by the “McGroovin Duo” from 3:00-6:00 pm playing fun Irish tunes and lots of sing-along songs And OF COURSE corned beef and cabbage dinners!

Location: Plattekill Mountain, 469 Plattekill Rd., Roxbury

More Info: plattekill.com

Clover Classic 5K on the Hudson Valley Rail Trail

Race begins and ends at Tony Williams Park. Racers will be on the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. Attendance to festivities after the race are free and includes music and games. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Wear your best shamrock green for a chance to win the best dressed prize!

Location: Tony Williams Town Park, 113 S Riverside Road, Highland

Time: Registration begins at 9:00 am. Race begins at 11:00 am. Music and games from 12:00 to 3:00 pm

More Info: townoflloyd.com

Garden Tool Care 101 with Richard Kilberg Even the best garden tools wear down over time, especially those you use most frequently. Your tools need some TLC—that is, cleaning and sharpening—to restore their optimal functioning and prolong their life. This presentation will review essential garden tools and will show you how to sharpen and care for garden shears, shovels, and other tools you’ve been ignoring in the back of the shed. Registration is free for members and a $10 donation for non-members. Registration is required.

Location: Mountain Top Arboretum, 4 Maude Adams Road, Tannersville Time: 10:00 am

More information: mtarboretum.org

Linda Montano: Laugh/Cry with the Chakras This workshop will consist of group sound, movement, and performative interactions based on Linda Mary Montano’s 14 YEARS OF LIVING ART, a Chakra Endurance. Please bring a blanket/ matt and if you wish, dress entirely in your favorite Chakra color. Linda Mary Montano trained as a sculptor but when she discovered performance in 1969, she became a Living Sculpture, performing as Chicken Woman, Bob Dylan, Mother Teresa, and Paul McMahon. She is a visionary figure in contemporary feminist performance art and her work, since the mid1960s, has been critical in the development of video by, for, and about women.

Location: Kleinert/James Center for the Arts, 36 Tinker Street, Woodstock

Time: 12:00-2:00 pm

More Info: woodstockguild.org

Greene County Women’s League presents 2nd Annual Cabin Fever

Greene County Women’s League presents the 2nd Annual Cabin Fever, happening at The Wire in Coxsackie, NY. Mark your calendars – it’s going to be an amazing day, and we hope you can join us! The event includes light snacks and desserts, live auction, silent auction, and brown bag auction and raffles.

Location: The Wire Event Center at the James Newbury, 60 S River St Building 2, Coxsackie More Info: greenecountywomensleague.com

Film Screening: The Battle of Algiers

The Battle of Algiers is based on action undertaken by rebels during the Algerian War (1954–1962) against the French government in North Africa, the most prominent being the eponymous Battle of Algiers, the capital of Algeria. It was shot on location in a Roberto Rossellini-inspired newsreel style: in black and white with documentary-type editing to add to its sense of historical authenticity, with mostly non-professional actors who had lived through the real battle. The film’s score was composed by Pontecorvo and Ennio Morricone. It is often associated with Italian neorealist cinema.

Location: Kleinert/James Center for the Arts, 36 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 4:00 pm

More Info: woodstockguild.org

Celtic Fest

Join Ze Wine Bar on Saturday, March 15th, as the Fest series continues with a spirited Celtic Fest celebration! Enjoy an Irish takeover featuring a special menu and Irish beer. Secure your spot now – book on Resy or contact Cordelia at 518 755 8630. Sláinte!

Location: Ze Wine Bar at Jägerberg, 7722 Main Street, Hunter

More Info: jagerberghall.com

Harvest & Rust - A Neil Young Experience

Harvest & Rust - a Neil Young Experience - return to Colony Saturday, March 15th with a different setlist playing Harvest Moon to Live Rust!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

Photo by Annie Sprinkle

Saturday Creature Features: A Godzilla “MECHADOUBLE” FEATURE!!

Two Godzilla classics featuring Mechagodzilla! Both films are the Japanese versions with English subtitles. Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla (1974): Regarded as one of the more iconic entries of the 1970s era, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla is notable for introducing Mechagodzilla, one of the most popular and enduring kaiju characters. The film blends traditional Godzilla action with elements of science fiction, including advanced robotics and alien invaders. Terror Of Mechagodzilla (1975): The final film of the Showa era of Godzilla films and directed by Ishirō Honda, Terror Of Mechagodzilla is a direct sequel to Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974), continuing the story of the giant robot Mechagodzilla. Also included is a mysterious sea monster named Titanosaurus who is unleashed by the aliens, working as an ally to Mechagodzilla. This formidable creature, adds to the chaos as Godzilla faces not only Mechagodzilla but also this new menace! Come by for all the Giant Monster Fun with Big Theatre Sound on the Big Screen!

Location: Rosendale Theatre, 408 Main Street, Rosendale

Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: rosendaletheatre.org

God Street Wine

Formed in 1988, God Street Wine played a prominent role in the early jam band scene alongside fellow New Yorkers Blues Traveler and Spin Doctors. They released five albums and performed more than 1,000 shows across the United States in their first decade together. 2024 brings more activity for GSW! On top of marking the 30th anniversary of the band’s first major label release, $1.99 Romances, and digitally releasing the long-lost Hot Sweet & Juicy, the band is also releasing three albums from their catalog (Bag, $1.99 Romances, Hot Sweet & Juicy) on vinyl for the first time. This will all culminate with the original fivesome performing together again with four New York area shows!

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

The Helm Family Midnight Ramble with Special Guest Leslie Mendelson Born inside the hallowed walls of Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY, the Midnight Ramble has preserved and furthered Levon Helm’s legacy for nearly two decades, playing the iconic music of The Band, and Levon Helm. With her enchanted voice and evocative songwriting, Leslie Mendelson has won the hearts and minds of both an adoring fanbase and fellow

artists alike. No less than Jackson Browne has declared, “Leslie’s melodies are timeless. They reach me way back in my youth somewhere. I hear traces of Burt Bacharach and Carole King, and hooks and passages that remind me of the pop songs I grew up hearing on the radio.” while The Wallflowers frontman Jakob Dylan shares: “Voices like Leslie’s can get away with almost anything. Along with being a great songwriter, this leaves her with few if any peers.”

Location: Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: levonhelm.com

Tuvan Throat Songs: Alash Ensemble + workshop

From the tiny Central Asian nation of Tuva, Trio Alash specialize in throat singing, an ancient art form passed down through generations of shepherds—a Central Asian country music of sorts. The magic of Tuvan throat singing lies in each singer’s ability to produce (at least) two notes at once: a low, growling drone that resembles an electric buzz and a high, clean whistling that evokes the wind. It’s one of the most astonishing sounds a human body can produce. Alash are also masters of the traditional Tuvan instruments igil (2 stringed bowed lute), guitar; doshpuluur (long-necked lute), kengirge and shyngyrash (percussion), shoor and murgu (flute) and xomus (jaw harp).

Location: The Local, 16 John Street, Saugerties Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: thelocalsaugerties.com

MARCH 15-16

Women in Powder

During Women’s History Month on the weekend of March 15-16, Hunter Mountain celebrates Women in Powder.

Location: Hunter Mountain, 64 Klein Avenue, Hunter

More information: huntermtn.com

MARCH 16

Winter Animal ID: Tracks and Traces

Join Ashokan educators Del Orloske and Tom Raffaldi to learn tips for discovering what wildlife are around us in winter.

Location: The Ashokan Center 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge

Time: 2:00-4:00 pm

More Info: ashokancenter.org

Sunday Salon @ Thomas Cole National

Historic Site: Why Did Thomas Cole Paint a Second Voyage of Life? With leading Cole Scholar Alan Wallach, PhD

In 1840, Thomas Cole completed his wellknown, four-part series, The Voyage of Life. Two years later, while in Rome, he painted a second version. Until now, scholars have been unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for Cole’s decision to execute a second Voyage of Life. In this talk, Alan Wallach will reveal the reasons why Cole painted his second version and why he chose to do so in Rome.

Location: Thomas Cole House, 218 Spring Street, Catskill

Time: 2:00-4:00 pm

More Info: thomascole.org

Local Seisiún with singer/guitarist

Bill Seneschal

Local Seisiún Trio, with Jim Haggerty on whistle and flute, Kathy Shimberg on fiddle, and Jean Withrow on concertina, are three friends who have enjoyed playing music in the Irish tradition together for nearly 18 years in casual “sessions” both at home and in community gathering places around Delaware, Otsego, and Chenango Counties. They particularly enjoy informal community occasions, including farmers’ markets, art openings, porch fests, and street fairs. Bill Seneschal has been playing guitar and 5-string banjo and singing timeless folk and country music since the 1960s. He has been on the Coffeehouse stage several times, both as soloist and member of ensembles, playing a blend of country, bluegrass, folk, blues, old rock n’ roll, and some pop. For this occasion, Bill will bring us some favorite songs from Ireland. This concert is FREE, with donations accepted.

Location: Walton Theatre, 30 Gardiner Pl, Walton

Time: 6:00 pm

More Info: waltontheatre.org

CLOSE UP: Time Passages

A pandemic rages across the globe. In the final months of his mother Elaine’s late-stage dementia, gay filmmaker Kyle Henry uses his extensive family archive to travel back in time, exploring the complicated bonds of identity, history, and belonging in his large Texas family. Charting Elaine’s promising early life through her years of motherhood and self-sacrifice, finally tracing their relationship to its inevitable end, Time Passages playfully explores Kyle’s conflicting feelings of love, grief, guilt, and helplessness. Beneath the Kodachrome smiles and grainy Super-8 home movies lie the difficult truths that so many families hide. With their unearthing, Time Passages becomes a memento mori: a testament to love, legacy and the things that carry us through life’s most challenging times. (dir. Kyle Henry, U.S.A., 2024, 86 mins)

Location: Orpheum Theatre, 198 Main Street, Saugerties

Time: 6:30 pm

More Info: upstatefilms.org

Boston Blackthorne - St. Patrick’s Day Bash

Get ready to party at our St. Patrick’s Day Bash with Boston Blackthorne on Sunday, March 16th!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

MARCH 18

A Life in Music: Producer Joe Boyd discusses his acclaimed new book And the Roots of Rhythm Remain

From the legendary producer of Pink Floyd, Nick Drake, REM, and Taj Mahal and author of White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s comes a riveting new book And the Roots of Rhythm Remain: A Journey Through Global Music, a world-spanning tour of the artists, histories, controversies, and collaborations that shaped global music.

Location: The Local, 16 John Street, Saugerties Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: thelocalsaugerties.com

MARCH 19

Mystical Music of Armenia: Naghash Ensemble

Naghash Ensemble perform original compositions based on sacred texts by the medieval Armenian mystic poet, artist, and priest Mkrtich Naghash. Armenian-American composer and pianist John Hodian has brought together some of the finest musicians and singers in Armenia to combine the earthy spirituality of Armenian folk songs, new classical music, and medieval polyphonic vocals music utilizing layered vocals, piano, and Armenian traditional instruments duduk (double reed woodwind), oud (plucked lute), and dhol (percussion). The ensemble’s performances are known for their emotional depth and spiritual resonance, transporting listeners to a realm where the past and present converge. Through their music, they pay homage to Armenian traditions while pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

Location: The Local, 16 John Street, Saugerties

Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: thelocalsaugerties.com

MARCH 20

Independent Film Series: Good One, with producer Graham Mason

During a weekend backpacking trip in the Catskills, 17-year-old Sam navigates the clash of egos between her father and his oldest friend. Producer Graham Mason will attend a postshowing Q&A via Zoom. Admission is FREE.

Location: Mountain Cinema, 7971 Main Street, Hunter

Time: 6:00 pm

More Info: catskillmtn.org

Book Discussion: The Man Who Fell to Earth

Join The Lost Bookshop for a discussion of Walter Tevis’s The Man Who Fell to Earth

Location: The Lost Bookshop, 120 Main Street, Delhi

Time: 6:00 pm

More Info: thelostbookshop.com

Seed Rematriation: Reconnecting Plants & their People with Shiloh Maples (Webinar)

As Indigenous communities organize towards cultural resurgence, food sovereignty, and climate adaptation, culturally significant seeds and plants play a crucial role. However, over many generations and through many different means, Indigenous communities have been disconnected from their plant and seed kin. This presentation will discuss how return, recovery, and stewardship of these more-than-human kin are essential to adapting to today’s challenges and our collective future. Shiloh Maples is an Anishinaabe community organizer, seed keeper, and storyteller. Registration is free and required. Only registrants will receive the link to the webinar.

Location: Online. Registrants will receive the link to the webinar.

Time: 6:00 pm

More information: mtarboretum.org

Gary Louris (of The Jayhawks) w/ Chris Maxwell

Come see Gary Louris of The Jayhawks with Chris Maxwell live on March 20!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

Bill Brooks’ Remarkable Rosendale Postcard and Photo Show!

Come by for a super special Rosendale evening as Rosendale Town Historian Bill Brooks presents a wonderful photo walk through Rosendale’s colorful history! With special guests

The Rosendale Improvement Association Brass Band and Social Club! “Four Bills” (Bill Liggan, Bill Moylan, Bill Pape, and of course Bill Brooks!) Redwing Blackbird Theater Puppets. Your evening emcee: Carl Welden! Partial proceeds benefit The Rosendale Food Pantry and The Rosendale Fire Department

Location: Rosendale Theatre, 408 Main Street, Rosendale

Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: rosendaletheatre.org

MARCH 21

The Feelies

The Feelies are an American rock band from Haledon, NJ. They formed in 1976 and disbanded in 1992 after having released four albums. The band reunited in 2008, and released new albums in 2011 and 2017. Their first live album, Some Kinda Love, performing the music of The Velvet Underground, was released in 2023.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

John Gullo’s ROLLING STONES

John Gullo’s ROLLING STONES are back again on March 21st - come out and get your Satisfaction!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

Meshell Ndegeocello

The prescience of James Baldwin is alive nearly forty years after his passing. His essays, novels, plays, and poetry have assessed and often reproached the human condition. As an activist, his oratory prowess was bar none, lending his outspoken views on Black oppression with profundity and eloquence. 2024 marked the centennial of the eminent writer’s birth, a momentous occasion that is celebrated by the release of one of Meshell Ndegeocello’s most intrepid efforts to date: No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin. With No More Water, Ndegeocello embarks on a prophetic musical odyssey that transcends boundaries and genres, delving headfirst into race, sexuality, religion, and other recurring themes explored in the celebrated writer’s canon.

Location: Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: levonhelm.com

Fotiba West African Drum and Dance with Mohamed “Mamadouba” Camara West African multiinstrumentalist Mohamed “Mamadouba” is a percussionist, balafon player, dancer, and teacher and an important cultural ambassador of music, dance and culture of Guinea, West Africa. Mamadouba, dubbed the “Master of Masters” of the djembe drum, is a performer known worldwide for his high energy drumming and amazing percussive talents. Kids under 12 come free accompanied by an adult. Free West African drum workshop with Mamadouba at 6:00 pm. You must bring a djembe or hand drum to participate. Some knowledge of drumming is expected.

Location: The Local, 16 John Street, Saugerties Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: thelocalsaugerties.com

MARCH 21-APRIL 21

Special Exhibit:

“The Subject/Object Closely Observed”

A special exhibit, plus a members group show.

Location: Longyear Gallery, 785 Main Street, Margaretville

Opening Reception: Saturday, March 22, 3:00-5:00 pm

Gallery Hours: Friday-Sunday and holiday Mondays from 12:00-5:00 pm

More Info: longyeargallery.org

MARCH 22

Ulster County Fiber & Cider Tour

Tour Ulster County sheep & apple farms + yarn shops! Spin-In after party at Twin Star Orchard to follow!

Location: Farms in Saugerties, Accord, Kingston & Gardiner

Time: 10:00 am-3:00 pm

More Info: On Instagram: ulstercountyfibertour

Community Creates:

Make Your Own Sketchbook

A monthly opportunity for folks of all ages to explore their creativity through free creative projects.

Location: Headwaters Arts Center, 66 Main Street, Stamford

Time: 12:00-2:00 pm

More Info: roxburyartsgroup.org

The Hudson River Schools of Art and their Ice Age Origins

Join Robert and Johanna Titus for a presentation on the Ice Age history that inspired the arts of the Hudson Valley. In the 19th century, the Hudson Valley experienced a cultural renaissance, giving rise to America’s first world-class literature, landscape architecture, and the Hudson River School of Art, led by Thomas Cole. We argue that none of this would have happened without the region’s heavy glaciation. We explore how glaciers shaped the landscapes that inspired great artists. Understanding this Ice Age history enriches our appreciation of the region’s artistic legacy.

Location: The Willows at Brandow Point, 480 Route 385, Athens

Time: 2:00 pm

More information: ccecolumbiagreene.org

Ballet Hispánico’s Junior Ensemble:

A Performance of Works from the Ballet Hispánico Repertory and a New Creation

For over five decades, Ballet Hispánico’s School of Dance has been a beacon of excellence in dance education, igniting the passion for movement in countless young artists. Ballet Hispánico is honored to partner with the Catskill Mountain Foundation. The artists of the Junior Ensemble will be in residence for one week culminating in this exciting performance on the beautiful Orpheum stage, inspiring and entertaining audiences of all ages.

Location: Orpheum Performing Arts Center, 6050 Main Street, Tannersville

Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: catskillmtn.org

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists: Shake The Sheets 20th Anniversary w/ Nova One

Don’t miss Ted Leo & the Pharmacists on March 22 playing Shake The Sheets in its entirety for the 20th anniversary and more w/ Nova One!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

Woodstock Symphony Orchestra: Impressions & Reflections with Art WSO Artistic Director, Mina Kim, conducts a program that will include: Fauré: Masques et Bergamasques, Op. 112; Fauré: Pavane, Op.50; DeSanctis: Sinfonietta (World Premiere); Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition. The pieces in this concert link music with dance, theater, and visual art, and are coordinated with an Art Exhibit in the Playhouse Lobby.

Location: Woodstock Playhouse, 103 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock

Time: 7:30 pm

More Info: woodstockplayhouse.org

Lila Downs

Iconic Grammy and Latin Grammy Award winning singer Lila Downs is one of the world’s most singular and powerful voices, whose compelling stage presence and poignant storytelling transcend all language barriers. Raised in Minnesota and Oaxaca, this global superstar’s exquisite artistry bridges traditions from across the Americas, with influences ranging from the folk and ranchera music of Mexico and South America to North American folk, jazz, blues, and hip-hop. As a passionate human-rights activist, Lila’s lyrics often highlight issues relating to social justice, sharing stories that too often go untold.

Location: Ulster Performing Arts Center, 601 Broadway, Kingston Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bardavon.org

An Evening with Ida & Tsunami

In the mid-1990s, the musical lives of DCbased Tsunami and the NYC-based Ida were intertwined. In addition to sharing many bills and tours together, Tsunami’s label, Simple Machines Records, released Ida’s first three albums, and the band members frequently collaborated on other musical projects. Now, 25 years later, both bands are celebrating the reissue of their 1990s releases by The Numero Group with the Coin Toss tour. In a nod to equity, whimsy, and jamming econo, the two bands plan to share equipment and van space, as well as determining each night’s stage order by a flip of the coin. The audience is encouraged to join the bands for the entire evening as Ida

and Tsunami fuse their sets together. Special guests—representing the bands’ wide network of musical friends and heroes—are expected to join them on stage at most shows, to lend a crazy guitar part, or guest vocals, or one of their own songs.

Location: Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: levonhelm.com

MARCH 22 & 23

Greenville Tomorrow

Todd and Marion, thirty-something AfricanAmerican professional dancers, move from their tiny apartment in Brooklyn to a beautiful first home in lovely Greenville, South Carolina. As they settle in, however, hidden agendas emerge including a boss who’d like Todd to be the first “person of color” to participate in “some nice, friendly Civil War reenactments.” Mortified by the implications but still wildly in love with their new home, Todd and Marion must examine their own relationship and how far they are willing to go to live the American dream.

Location: Kleinert/James Center for the Arts, 36 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 3:00 pm

More Info: woodstockguild.org

MARCH 23

Epic Promise Hunter Cup Series Race #3 The Final

The Hunter Cup Race Series was created to celebrate Hunter Mountain’s 25th season of operation.

Location: Hunter Mountain, 64 Klein Avenue, Hunter

More information: huntermtn.com

MARCH 24

Tarta Relena: New Polyphonic Folk from the Mediterranean and beyond Time and distance collapse in the music of Catalan a capella duo Tarta Relena. With little more than voices and a decidedly contemporary take on oral repertoires dating back hundreds of years, Marta Torrella and Helena Ros revisit and interpret the far corners of Mediterranean musical tradition enriched by subtle electronics and rhythmic patterns played on a ceramic amphora, creating a unique texture to their vocal artistry. The two singers embrace the perspective that folklore is living and ever-changing—therefore moldable with modern instruments now within reach to provide new meaning, but without leaving aside the innate origins.

Location: The Local, 16 John Street, Saugerties Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: thelocalsaugerties.com

MARCH

26

Noam Pikelny & Friends

Noam Pikelny is widely recognized as the preeminent banjoist of his generation. Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as the “pros’ top banjo picker,” Noam is a founding member of Punch Brothers, a string ensemble which The Boston Globe calls “a virtuosic revelation” and The New Yorker describes as “wide- ranging and restlessly imaginative.” Most recently, Noam has been performing with the new bluegrass band, Mighty Poplar, and co-hosting The Energy Curfew Music Hour, a Chris Thile and Punch Brothers musical variety podcast released by Audible in fall of 2024.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

MARCH 27

The Lost Writers Guild

Join The Lost Bookshop for The Lost Writers Guild! 30 minutes on the craft of creative writing, 30 minutes for Guild members to discuss current projects, and 30 minutes of writing time. $10.

Location: The Lost Bookshop, 120 Main Street, Delhi Time: 6:00 pm

More Info: thelostbookshop.com

Angélique Kidjo

Five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo is one of the greatest artists in international music today, a creative force with sixteen albums to her name. Time Magazine has called her “Africa’s premier diva” and named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world for 2021. As a performer, her striking voice, stage presence and fluency in multiple cultures and languages have won respect from her peers and expanded her following across national borders. Kidjo has cross-pollinated the West African traditions of her childhood in Benin with elements of American R&B, funk and jazz, as well as influences from Europe and Latin America.

Location: Ulster Performing Arts Center, 601 Broadway, Kingston

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bardavon.org

MARCH 28

Anda Union Concert

Join us at the Ashokan Center to see Anda Union on Friday, March 28th - the ten strong band unite tribal and music traditions from all over Inner Mongolia!

Location: The Ashokan Center 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: ashokancenter.org

The Big Takeover

Get ready for the finest roots reggae from Hudson Valley, The Big Takeover on March 28 presented by Upstate Reggae!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

Horsegirl

Horsegirl is an American rock band from Chicago, Illinois, made of Nora Cheng, Penelope Lowenstein, and Gigi Reece.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

MARCH 28-29

Maude Adams Theater Hub presents True West by Sam Shepard True West tells the story of two estranged brothers, who reunite at their mother’s home just outside the California desert. The unlikely duo write a screenplay for a producer, and as they navigate their complicated past, conflicting personalities, and combined interests, the lines between reality and fiction begin to blur. This will be the inaugural production on a new, innovative circular stage: the Apex Lounge at the Rounds.

Location: The Apex Lounge at Scribner’s Lodge, 13 Scribner Hollow Road, Hunter Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: catskillmtn.org

MARCH 29

Spring Gardening Day

This annual event offers inspiring workshops led by Master Gardener Volunteers, a delightful continental breakfast, and the chance to shop unique finds at the Master Gardeners Marketplace, featuring books, tools, and plant cuttings (cash only). Plus, try your luck with exciting door prizes! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a curious beginner, this event will have something to nurture your green thumb!

Location: Cornell Cooperative Extension, 6055 Route 23, Acra Time: 8:00 am-3:00 pm

More information: ccecolumbiagreene.org

The Olana Partnership Presents: Expert’s Eye: Church as Forest Ecologist with Marc Wolf Investigate Frederic Church’s intimate forest paintings with Marc Wolf, Director of Horticulture and Environmental Stewardship at Mountain Top Arboretum in the Catskills. During this conversation, Marc will explore Church’s ecological eye in three different forest scenes, illuminating the

artist’s observations of humanity’s environmental impact. This program is $15 per person or $10 for members or Columbia/Greene County residents. Advanced registration required.

Location: Olana State Historic Site, 5720 State Route 9G, Hudson, Time: 2:00 pm

More information: olana.org

The Weather Station: Humanhood Tour

It takes only 10 seconds for Tamara Lindeman to pull us to the floor on Humanhood, the seventh and most arresting album she has ever made as The Weather Station.

Location: Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: levonhelm.com

MARCH 29 & 30

Un Hombre: A Golem Story by Stephen Kaplan Rebecca Wolfson, a sculptor, is struggling to get back on track after the untimely death of her husband. She is suffering from intense artist’s block, and her son is withdrawn, failing Spanish, and unprepared for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah. All seems hopeless until a lot of wine and a little magic transform a hunk of clay into the answer to all of their problems. But when her creation begins questioning his own purpose and existence, both mother and son are forced to confront their grief and grow in ways they never expected.

Location: Kleinert/James Center for the Arts, 36 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 3:00 pm

More Info: woodstockguild.org

MARCH 30

Last Sunday Honky Tonk w/ Hudson Valley Flyers

Two-step the night away at Colony’s Last Sunday Honky Tonk with Hudson Valley Flyers! Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

T Bone Burnett

Joseph Henry “T Bone” Burnett III is a record producer, guitarist, singer, and songwriter who was a guitarist in Bob Dylan’s band during the 1970s. Burnett has won several Grammy Awards for his work on film soundtracks, namely O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Cold Mountain, Walk the Line, and Crazy Heart

Location: Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: levonhelm.com

PURCHASE TICKETS AT CATSKILLMTN.ORG

2025 PERFORMING ARTS SEASON

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11 AT 7:00PM

PRINCESS LOCKEROOO AND THE FABULOUS WAACK DANCERS WITH A DANCE BATTLE!

Presented in partnership with Works & Process at the Guggenheim.

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

Get moving in the New Year with Princess Lockerooo, hailed by The New York Times as the “Queen of Waacking”. Direct from performing on Dancing With the Stars: Soul Train Night, and following a sold out performance with Works & Process at Lincoln Center, Princess Lockerooo will share the history of Waacking, teach a mini lesson, and her company The Fabulous Waack Dancers will perform culminating in a dance battle, all before headlining the Guggenheim Rotunda as part of the Works & Process Underground Uptown Dance Festival. In the 1970s, a dance form called waacking was born in the Black gay underground clubs of Los Angeles. Inspired by old Hollywood films and distinguishable by its rotational arm movements, posing and emphasis on expressiveness, waacking entered the mainstream becoming a global dance phenomenon associated with Toni Basil, performed on “Soul Train” by dancer and pioneer waacker Tyrone Proctor, Princess Lockerooo’s teacher. It eventually was picked up by celebrities and even featured on tour with Diana Ross.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 AT 7:00PM

NELLA: A CONCERT INSPIRED BY ANDALUSIAN AND VENEZUELAN MUSICAL ROOTS

Doctorow Center for the Arts

Born in Venezuela, Nella rapidly rose to international fame thanks to her powerful voice and undeniable presence. Merging Venezuela’s folkloric roots, modern production element, and inspiration from Andalusia, Nella’s music echoes globally.

FEBRUARY

12-16

V-SEASON

Maude Adams Theater Hub Catskill Mountain Foundation

Doctorow Center for the Arts

FEBRUARY 12 & 15 AT 7:00PM

Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon

FEBRUARY 13 AT 7:00 PM & FEBRUARY 15 AT 2:00 PM

Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson, Apt. 2B by Kate Hamill

FEBRUARY 14 AT 7:00 PM & FEBRUARY 16 AT 2:00PM

Bell, Book and Candle by John Van Druten

V Season: What do a witch, two newlyweds, and a famous sleuth have in common? MATH’s 3rd Annual V Season: three plays that will transport you from your mid-winter blues and into small worlds of wonder.

Princess Lockerooo and The Fabulous Waack Dancers at Works & Process’s Underground Uptown Dance Festival at Lincoln Center on January 12, 2024. Photo: Lawrence Sumulong

Nella

INTERNATIONAL

FORTEPIANO

SALONS ONLINE MUSIC AND IDEAS: COMING TO THE TABLE

Yi-heng Yang, Maria Rose & Patricia García-Gil Hosts

Streaming LIVE on Facebook and YouTube

The International Fortepiano Salon’s Spring 2025 series will explore the relationship between music, ideas, culture, and historical keyboard music, exploring how historical pianos, its music and practitioners have been carriers of culture, politics and meaning. We will be discovering unknown music, celebrating new and underrepresented voices, and having thoughtful discussions which deepen the variety and richness of the classical musical community.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9 AT 2:00PM

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: A PALACE OF LOVE AND POWER

Guest Artist: Jean-Bernard Cerin

Our February 9 Salon welcomes guest artist Jean-Bernard Cerin, associate professor at Cornell University and multifaceted singer and scholar. Cerin will visit with us and present portraits and performances of 18th-20th century composers from the African Diaspora, including Ignatius Sancho, Juste Chanlatte, and Carmen Brouard, on early to modern pianos.

SUNDAY, MARCH 9 AT 2:00PM WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: WOMEN IN SOUTH AMERICA

Guest Artist: Karin Cuéllar Rendón

In this episode of the Fortepiano Salon celebrating Women’s history month, Bolivian violinist and researcher Karin Cuellar Rendon introduces us to pianist-composers who revolutionized music in South America: Brazilian Chiquinha Gonzaga (1847-1935), Bolivian Modesta Sanjines (1832-1883) and Venezuelan Teresa Careño (1853-1917). Join us in a conversation about the intersection of music and politics in 19th century nation building efforts by these brilliant composers.

SUNDAY, MAY 18 AT 2:00PM

ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER MONTH: SILENCE AND TRANSFORMATION

www.internationalfortepianosalon.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 AT 7:00PM

OPERA FAVORITES CELEBRATING GLIMMERGLASS FESTIVAL’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Presented in partnership with Glimmerglass Festival Doctorow Center for the Arts

The Glimmerglass Festival—a one-of-a-kind summer destination since 1975—blends innovative, world-class opera and musical theater with a relaxed atmosphere and a beautiful lakeside setting in Cooperstown, NY, less than two hours from Hunter. Experience the amazing voices of Glimmerglass Festival artists in concert with Artistic & General Director Rob Ainsley in a thrilling program of opera favorites, musical theater showstoppers, and highlights from the upcoming 50th Anniversary season.

SUNDAY, MARCH 2 AT 2:00PM

THE VANISHING ELEPHANT CAHOOTS THEATER

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

Opu, a young boy in Bengal, dreams of one day becoming an elephant trainer. When he befriends Janu, an Asian Elephant, their friendship is the first step on an adventure so huge, it spans decades and continents. On their separate paths they face many challenges – fearsome encounters, stormy seas and strange new worlds. Years in the future, Opu, now an old man, hears that world famous magician Harry Houdini will vanish an elephant, live on stage in New York City. Could it really be Janu, Opu’s old friend, so far from home? He too must bravely make the long journey into the unknown to find out.

Cahoots Theater: The Vanishing Elephant.

Photo by Melissa Gordon

Jean-Bernard Cerin

SATURDAY, MARCH 8 AT 2:00PM

CONCERTS & CONVERSATIONS

MUSIC FROM AMERICA’S GILDED AGE ANTHONY BONAMICI, FORTEPIANIST

Piano Performance Museum

Doctorow Center for the Arts

Anthony Bonamici will perform a series of pieces by the American composer John Knowles Paine, who was the first music professor at Harvard University. In 1861, he was appointed Harvard’s first University organist and choirmaster. At the end of the episode “A Long Ladder” (S01E04) of the HBO television series The Gilded Age, in a scene set in New York in 1882, the Boston Symphony Orchestra is shown under the composer’s direction performing Paine’s Symphony No.2. Anthony will perform on the 1824 William Geib Square Piano, the 1829 Conrad Graf Concert Grand, and the 1842 John Broadwood Semi-Grand.

SATURDAY, MARCH 22 AT 7:00PM

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

For over five decades, Ballet Hispánico’s School of Dance has been a beacon of excellence in dance education, igniting the passion for movement in countless young artists. With a legacy spanning 54 years, the school stands as a testament to the transformative power of dance in shaping both individual lives and the broader artistic landscape. Through its dynamic curriculum meticulously crafted for the demands of today’s ever-evolving field, Ballet Hispánico’s School of Dance not only imparts technical prowess but also fosters creativity, resilience, and cultural appreciation.

Ballet Hispánico is honored to partner with the Catskill Mountain Foundation. The artists of the Junior Ensemble will be in residence for one week culminating in this exciting performance on the beautiful Orpheum stage, inspiring and entertaining audiences of all ages.

MARCH 28 & 29 AT 7:00PM

TRUE WEST, BY SAM SHEPARD

Maude Adams Theater Hub Catskill Mountain Foundation

The Apex Lounge at Scribner’s Lodge 13 Scribner Hollow Road, Hunter

True West tells the story of two estranged brothers, who reunite at their mother’s home just outside the California desert. The unlikely duo write a screenplay for a producer, and as they navigate their complicated past, conflicting personalities, and combined interests, the lines between reality and fiction begin to blur. This will be the inaugural production on a new, innovative circular stage: the Apex Lounge at the Rounds.

SATURDAY, MARCH 29 AT 7:00PM

PASSION FRUIT DANCE COMPANY: DIMENSIONS

Presented in partnership with Works & Process at the Guggenheim and American Dance Festival Orpheum Performing Arts Center

New York City-based Passion Fruit Dance Company brings their immersive street dance theater blend, putting into full effect the Orpheum’s recent technical upgrades. See the culmination of a technical residency for “Dimensions” prior to the work’s world premiere at American Dance Festival. Led by director and choreographer Tatiana Desardouin, don’t miss this multi-disciplinary experience featuring dance, live music, live painting, animation, body casting, and VJing, inspired by the photography of Lauriane Ogay.

SATURDAY,

APRIL 5 AT 2:00PM

THE SCATTERING BY EMILY COATES

Presented in partnership with Works & Process at the Guggenheim Orpheum Performing Arts Center

Former member of the New York City Ballet, dancer and choreographer Emily Coates’s new performance project sources George Balanchine’s brief history beyond the metropolis to reflect on how the body and spirit of a choreographer scatters, living on in unexpected places, starting with his arrival in America in 1933. Coates, working with Ain Gordon (direction and dramaturgy), Derek Lucci (performer), Charles Burnham (musician-composer), and Melvin Chen (pianist), collages misplaced and overlooked archival traces and transmissions of Balanchine and related artists into a new whole. The poignancy of Coates’ time at the Orpheum is underscored by Catskill Mountain Foundation board member in memoriam Jacques d’Amboise, a dance icon and New York City Ballet principal dancer who worked closely with George Balanchine, called Hunter home for seven decades, and whose legacy continues with the National Dance Institute’s annual summer program on the mountain top. The Scattering will premiere at Works & Process at the Guggenheim in Fall 2025.

Ballet Hispánico

SATURDAY, APRIL 26 AT 7:00PM

HEADLINERS AND ONE LINERS: SONGS & STORIES OF THE CATSKILLS RESORTS

Doctorow Center for the Arts

On May 21, 2005, the Catskill Mountain Foundation launched The Mountaintop Celebration of Song, a series of musical revues created for the CMF, with a production of Headliners and OneLiners: Songs & Stories of the Catskills Resorts. The show was performed for a rapturous, standing room only audience in the Red Barn. On April 26, 2025, almost twenty years to the date of its debut performance, the CMF is bringing Headliners back, this time at Evelyn Weiberg Hall in the Doctorow Center for the Arts, to be performed by its original creative team of Julia Mendelsohn, Mark Singer and Darcy Dunn, joined by two electrifying performers, Emma Green and Mychal Leverage. Headliners is a nostalgic tribute to the heyday of the Borscht Belt resorts of New York’s Catskill Mountains, and to the great entertainers that performed there. It revisits the days when singers like Judy Garland, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin, and comedians like Jerry Lewis, Jackie Mason and Billy Crystal were regulars on the Catskills circuit. The show has the stories and the laughs—and the glorious music of Richard Rogers, Burt Bacharach, Cole Porter, Kurt Weill, Harold Arlen and many others—that made the Borscht Belt era such an extraordinary time and place. With original staging and musical arrangements by Julia Mendelsohn, a script by Mark Singer and a wonderful ensemble cast, it will be an entertaining, joyous evening of engaging theater and timeless schtick!

SATURDAY, MAY 3 AT 7:30PM PERICLES

Doctorow Center for the Arts

Catskill Mountain Shakespeare is excited to launch its second Catskills-wide Touring Production of Pericles in the spring of 2025! From March 24 to May 3, 2025, Catskill Mountain Shakespeare will tour to local middle schools, high schools, libraries, and other community venues throughout the Catskill Region. CMS is one of 40 recipients in the country of the prestigious Shakespeare in American Communities grant, a program of The National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Head to catskillmountainshakespeare.com for more information!

SATURDAY, MAY 10 AT 7:00PM

AYODELE CASEL

RENOWNED TAP DANCER CASEL PERFORMS WITH POETS, DANCERS AND MUSICIANS

Presented in partnership with The Joyce Theater Foundation.

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

Renowned tap dancer and choreographer Ayodele Casel, her team of collaborators, poets, dancers, musicians, and director Torya Beard will be in residence with Catskill Mountain Foundation and will present excerpts from works-in-process developed during their residency.

RESIDENCY: MAY 26-JUNE 8

ACADEMY OF FORTEPIANO

PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL

Doctorow Center for the Arts

academyfortepiano.org

An annual event celebrating the works of famed early composers performed on historical keyboards from the Piano Performance Museum.

Directors: Audrey Axinn, Maria Rose

MAY 28-30

WORKSHOP ON MAINTAINING HISTORICAL PIANOS, HARPSICHORDS, AND CLAVICHORDS

Directors: Masayuki Maki and Richard Hester

SATURDAY, MAY 31 AT 7:00 PM

FACULTY AND GUEST ARTIST CONCERT

SATURDAY, JUNE 7 AT 7:00 PM

STUDENT CONCERT

SATURDAY, MAY 17 AT 2:00PM ORPHEUM DANCE PROGRAM COMMUNITY BALLET CLASS ANNUAL RECITAL

Victoria Rinaldi

Orpheum Dance Program Director

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

The Orpheum Dance Program Community Ballet Class is a year-round program of ballet instruction for children of all ages which includes an annual student dance recital and participation in two ballets each year–A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Nutcracker. All performances take place at the Orpheum Performing Arts Center in Tannersville. The recital showcases the work of all students of Director, Victoria Rinaldi and can also include alumnae who have joined acclaimed ballet companies or who are studying dance at major universities. Ms. Rinaldi is a former ballerina with the New York Metropolitan Opera ballet corps.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 16-17 SPRING

PRODUCTION

Maude Adams Theater Hub Catskill Mountain Foundation

Doctorow Center for the Arts

SUNDAY, JUNE 29 AT 3:00PM OMNY TAIKO

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

OMNY Taiko Drummers return to the mountaintop to again share their eagerly anticipated performances with the greater Catskill Mountain community. OMNY Taiko’s mission is to foster a culture of community and support through the art of Japanese taiko drumming to impact and connect our global society. The sound of the taiko drum is as pure and as fundamental as the heartbeat and has the power to connect ourselves with those around us and with the universe at large. As such, we seek to develop and share with the audience our abilities as taiko players—rhythm, movement, teamwork, and spirit—and to promote taiko drumming through performances in the New York area and beyond.

JULY 12-13, 16-20, 24-27

ROMEO & JULIET

Outdoors & in the tent behind the Big Red Barn

JULY 20 & JULY 26-27

THE OLD FRIENDS, BY HORTON FOOTE

Doctorow Center for the Arts hortonbythestream.org

For more information: catskillmountainshakespeare.com

Catskill Mountain Shakespeare is proud to bring its Main Stage Production to the Catskill Mountain Foundation’s Red Barn. This professional, outdoor production will be accompanied by workshops, talkbacks, and outreach events to fully engage the community in the power of Shakespeare. Catskill Mountain Shakespeare endeavors to enrich the lives of residents in the rural Catskills by introducing Shakespeare, innovative theatrical productions, and affordable and artistic outreach programming to the community.

JULY 3-6

THE LITTLE MERMAID

Maude Adams Theater Hub Catskill Mountain Foundation Orpheum Performing Arts Center

Join MATH under the sea over the 4th of July weekend as they tell the beloved tale (pun intended) of a girl who yearns to see the world. Community actors of all ages come together to create magic through acting, puppetry, and plenty of whimsy and pluck.

SUNDAY, JULY 13 (TENTATIVE DATE)

STARS OF BALLET: DANCERS FROM THE NEW YORK CITY BALLET

Presented in partnership with Works & Process at the Guggenheim Orpheum Performing Arts Center

Star dancers from the New York City Ballet return to the mountaintop for a new annual tradition. The performance is under the Direction of New York City Ballet Principal Adrian Danchig-Waring.

SATURDAY, JULY 19 AT 7:00PM

NATIONAL DANCE INSTITUTE

MOUNTAINTOP SUMMER

RESIDENCY PERFORMANCE

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

National Dance Institute (NDI), founded by Jacques d’Amboise, brings its award-winning dance program to the Catskill Mountain Region, with a two-week residency for children in Grades 3 – 8. Under the Artistic Direction of NDI choreographer Dufftin Garcia, the children will participate in high energy dance classes and choreography workshops accompanied by live music, culminating in a performance onstage at the Orpheum Performing Arts Center.

The Old Friends is a play by Horton Foote about buried jealousies and loves that are rekindled when a hometown beauty returns to Harrison in 1965. The play is set in Harrison, the fictional town modeled after Horton Foote’s own hometown of Wharton, TX. Some say that going to a Horton Foote play is like catching up with family, friends and enemies at a family reunion.

JULY 31-AUGUST 10

HUNTER INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

Doctorow Center for the Arts huntermusicfestival.com

A unique, immersive, ten-day music festival with solo and chamber music performances by renowned faculty and guest artists and talented students.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1 AT 7:00 PM

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7 AT 7:00 PM

WAEL FAROUK: TWO SOLO PIANO CONCERTS Virtuoso pianist Wael Farouk will perform the complete Scriabin Piano Sonatas over two concerts.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 AT 7:00 PM FACULTY CONCERT

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9 AT 7:00 PM

GUEST ARTIST CONCERT: PARKER QUARTET

Praised by the Washington Post for “exceptional virtuosity (and) imaginative interpretation” Parker Quartet is Internationally recognized for their “fearless, yet probingly beautiful” (The Strad) performances, the Grammy Award-winning Parker Quartet has distinguished itself as one of the preeminent ensembles of its generation, dedicated purely to the sound and depth of their music. They are renowned for their fresh and unique approach to the great classics while being passionate ambassadors for music of our time. Inspired performances and exceptional musicianship are hallmarks of the Quartet, having appeared at the world’s most illustrious venues since its founding in 2002.

SALONS AND YOUNG ARTIST CONCERTS DURING THE RESIDENCY: Details to come soon!

Parker Quartet. Photo by Beowulf Sheehan

Catskill Mountain Shakespeare

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 AT 2:00 & 7:00PM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3 AT 2:00PM

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Orpheum Dance Program

Victoria Rinaldi, Director

Featuring dancers from Joffrey Ballet School New York, Aquila Theatre and Orpheum Dance Program Student Dancers

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

This unique production, conceived by former Metropolitan Opera ballerina Victoria Rinaldi, in partnership with the Joffrey Ballet School New York and Aquila Theatre transports the audience to an enchanted wood to witness what hilarity unfolds, when fairies meddle with the love lives of mortals.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 AT 2:00PM CONCERTS & CONVERSATIONS

LOUISE FARRENC: 18TH CENTURY RENOWNED FRENCH COMPOSER AND CHAMPION OF WOMEN’S EQUALITY

PATRICIA GARCIA GIL, FORTEPIANIST

Piano Performance Museum Doctorow Center for the Arts

Patricia Garcia Gil is a Postdoctoral Associate and Artist in Residence at Cornell Center for Historical Keyboards. Patricia will return to the Piano Performance Museum and perform a program of works by Louise Farrenc in commemoration of the composer’s 150 anniversary of her death in 1875. Patricia will perform on the 1829 Conrad Graf, the 1870 John Broadwood and the 1873 Erard. The music will be accompanied by readings poetry and other literary works.

RETREAT: SEPTEMBER 8-14

PERFORMANCE: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

THE SINGER SONGWRITER’S OASIS

LED BY GREG DAYTON AND MARLON SAUNDERS

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 AT 7:00PM THE MOSS ENSEMBLE: CONTINUING A LEGACY OF BRINGING HUMANITY AND MUSIC TOGETHER

Darcy Dunn - Mezzo-Soprano

Marshall Coid - Countertenor, Violin, Composer

Elizabeth Rodgers - Piano

Mary Wooten - Cello, Piano, Composer

Doctorow Center for the Arts

Please join this quartet of world-class performers for an evening of adventurous and beautiful music. This year’s concert marks Moss’s third appearance at the CMF and features new pieces by living composers, works from varied musical periods, and includes favorites from past concerts as well. As always, the ensemble will offer stories that help illuminate the music—all of which we hope will excite and move you. A wine and dessert reception will follow the concert.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 AT 3:00PM

ORPHEE MUSIQUE

Doctorow Center for the Arts

Created in France, the Orphée Musique Association offers practical training and performing opportunities to young musicians who are entering a professional career. Once a year, they hold a very special event both in Paris and in New York: “7 days 7 concerts”, during which a chosen artist will play seven days in a row, in seven different places; all different programs.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 AT 2:00PM

CONCERTS & CONVERSATIONS

STEPHANIE SCHMIDT AND ROBIN MORACE, FORTEPIANISTS

Piano Performance Museum

Doctorow Center for the Arts

While completing a piano performance M.M. in Lincoln, NE, Stephanie Schmidt discovered the artistic joys of performing on historical keyboards––and has continued to “look back” ever since. Though progressing towards a traditional piano D.M.A. at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, she spends a great deal of time practicing and performing on old and interesting pianos from the mid-1700s to the mid-1800s. Robin Morace holds degrees in performance and composition from SUNY Fredonia, where he studied piano with Fr. Sean Duggan, and is a recent graduate of the doctoral program at UNC Greensboro, where he studied modern piano and historical keyboard instruments with Andrew Willis.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 AT 7:00PM

RENNIE HARRIS PUREMOVEMENT: AMERICAN STREET DANCER (2025) BY RENNIE HARRIS

Presented in partnership with The Joyce Theater Foundation. Orpheum Performing Arts Center

American Street Dancer will explore and honor the contribution of Street dancers to the general field of dance, while simultaneously honing in on the most revered and featured movement and aesthetic of Street dance: “Foot-work.” American Street Dancer will feature styles from four different prominent American cities, including: New York City (Afro-Cuban/Salsa), Detroit, Michigan (Jitting), Chicago, Illinois (Chicago Footwork) and Philadelphia, PA (GQ).

Rennie Harris. Photo by Osamu Inouye

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 AT 2:00PM

CONCERTS & CONVERSATIONS

19TH CENTURY WOMEN COMPOSERS FROM LATIN AMERICA

JULIAN JENSEN, FORTEPIANIST

Piano Performance Museum

Doctorow Center for the Arts

Julian Jensen will perform a program featuring mid to late 19th century music by women composers from Latin America. Julian began conducting and piano lessons at an early age. Since those days, he has toured the world as an accomplished performer and passionate music teacher with the purpose to use music to improve the community and the world.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29 AT 7:00PM

WINDHAM FESTIVAL CHAMBER

ORCHESTRA: FAURE AND FRIENDS

ALEXANDER PLATT, MUSIC DIRECTOR

SPECIAL GUEST, ROBERT MANNO

Sponsored by the Mapleside Fund in honor of Dr. John Farber. Orpheum Performing Arts Center

Members of the choral ensemble ARS CHORALIS join the Windham Festival Chamber Orchestra for a beautiful and reflective evening, sharing music of some of the favorite composers of the family in whose memory the concert is sponsored. Music Director of the Maverick Concerts in nearby Woodstock, Alexander Platt is honored to follow in the footsteps of Robert Manno as Conductor. Windham Festival Chamber Orchestra was formed in 2000 by conductor Robert Manno and has performed at the Windham Civic Center, the Doctorow Center for the Arts and the Orpheum Performing Arts Center. The orchestra is comprised of the finest musicians from the New York area and includes current and former members of some of the world’s most esteemed orchestras and ensembles.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 AT 2:00 & 7:00PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 AT 2:00PM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 AT 2:00 & 7:00PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 AT 2:00PM

THE NUTCRACKER

Orpheum Dance Program

Victoria Rinaldi, Director

Featuring dancers from Joffrey Ballet School New York, Ballet Hispánico Student Dancers, and Orpheum Dance Program Student Dancers

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

The CMF Nutcracker, now in its tenth year, has become a holiday favorite of residents of the surrounding Catskills and Hudson Valley. Featuring ballet stars of the future, this spectacular production has become one of the finest Nutcrackers in upstate New York. This year, Orpheum Dance Program Director, former Met Opera ballerina Victoria Rinaldi, will partner with the Joffrey Ballet School New York and Ballet Hispánico who will provide corps de ballet dancers and dancers for star roles.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19 (RAIN/SNOW DATE: DECEMBER 20)

HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR

Maude Adams Theater Hub Catskill Mountain Foundation Doctorow Center for the Arts

This December, the community gathers once more to sing, read, and share in the seasonal spirit for the 3rd Annual Holiday Spectacular. All are welcome to be a part of the performance, and tickets are free!

OUR VENUES

DOCTOROW CENTER FOR THE ARTS 7971 MAIN STREET HUNTER, NY 12442

ORPHEUM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 6050 MAIN STREET TANNERSVILLE, NY 12485

Alexander Platt

2025 SUMMER COURSES

Unless otherwise noted, all course times are 10:00am to 4:00pm

CERAMICS FIRING ‘JULIA’ THE TRAIN KILN

Instructors: Aarti Manik (India) and Bruce Dehnert (USA)

Dates: May 28 – June 2 (6 days)

Course Fee: $600

Lab Fee: $110

Skill Level: Beginner To Advanced Bring your sunscreen because the future is bright. Come fire our new wood kiln with Aarti Manik from the renowned Golden Bridge Pottery in Pondicheri, India and Sugar Maples’ own Bruce Dehnert. Whether you’re a neophyte to the wood firing genre, or an expert in your own right, this opportunity to work together towards a beautiful result will engage and inspire you in our gorgeous environment. Participants will bring work for the firing, learn techniques for preparing for a wide range of results on surface, learn to load and fire a wood kiln, and then unload works transformed by this dynamic process. During the cooling of the kiln, there will be demonstrations of studio making, hikes into waterfalls, enjoying the environs that the Hudson River School of Painters recognized as being an artist’s heaven, and learning about Indian ceramics’ place in the world of wood-firing. There’ll be a lot of cultural to-n-fro happening. Guaranteed to be meaningful.

POURING VESSELS WITH A PINCH OF SODA: MECHANICS & INSPIRATION

Instructor: Tyler Gulden

Dates: June 13 – 17 (5 days)

Course Fee: $500

Lab Fee: $75

Some experience is useful

From the whimsical to the austere, pouring vessels have an outsized place in the pantheon of pottery forms. Using wheel throwing and handbuilding, this intensive workshop will include demonstrations and hands-on work to address

creating spouts and handles for all varieties of pottery forms. Tyler will demonstrate sectionalthrowing to increase scale, tips for creating new solutions to age-old questions of how to finish pieces with the additional complexity of appendages, and ways to prepare work for a high-temperature soda firing. Discussions about pottery forms, design, craftsmanship, function, and inspiration will bring new ideas to the table. A soda firing is planned.

FIVE DAYS WITH ADJECTIVES

Instructors: Andrea and John Gill

Dates: June 20 – 24 (5 days)

Course Fee: $600

Lab Fee: $60

Beginner - Advanced Come join us for this rare opportunity to study and work with renowned artists Andrea and John Gill. Held in the highest regard, both artists bring contemporary and historical weight to their ideas, dynamic problem solving, and unique construction techniques. This intensive workshop is guaranteed to alter your trajectories in thinking and creating. Andrea and John are both leaders in our field because of their groundbreaking work, and their amazing abilities to teach, guide, and support others in their creative quests. Working with a blend of focused spontaneity and predetermination, both artists exude a unique gift for communicating what that process looks like. There will be demonstrations, discussions, hands-on exercises, and heaps of individual attention.

AT SCALE: COIL-BUILT CERAMIC SCULPTURE

Instructor: Ebitenyefa Baralaye

Dates: June 27-July 1 (5 days)

Course Fee: $500

Lab Fee: $60

Skill Level: Beginner To Advanced

Coil-building is a foundational ceramic handbuilding process with principles used to make things that encompass pottery, sculpture, and even architecture. The techniques taught will lean heavily on understanding materiality (clay), the sensitivity of touch, and ideas of structure. In this workshop, students will engage all three of these elements; learning how to coil-build an array of forms, volumes, and structures as ceramic sculpture. In this amazing workshop, issues of intention, scale, and exploration of form will be shared.

GROWING, CONSTRUCTING WHEELING: C6

Salt Firing

Instructor: Katie Fee

Dates: July 4 – 8 (5 days)

Course Fee: $500

Lab Fee: $60

Skill Level: Beginner To Advanced

This workshop will focus on technical skills, cultivating curiosity, and learning from the surprises that arise in a studio practice. We will spend time making pots on and off the wheel, discuss clay’s material poetics, and will prepare together for a soda firing. Technical demonstrations will include wheel throwing, altering, trimming, hand building, slab making, and slip and glaze considerations. We will fire the soda/ salt kiln to Cone 6. Potters of all skill levels are welcome!

INTRO TO PLASTER MOLD MAKING & SLIP-CASTING

Instructor: Jackie Head

Dates: July 4 – 8 (5 days)

Course Fee: $500

Lab Fee: $90

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

This class will explore the world of plaster mold making! This course will cover every step of the mold making process from start to finish. To begin, the class will discuss prototype selection and development. Utilizing found objects or sculpted clay forms, students will explore a myriad of mold making methods including draft molds and multiple part molds for complex objects. To finish out the week, the class will begin the learn the process of slipcasting and how to make multiples at home. Mold making is a series of problem solving opportunities and this class will be catered to the students’ individual goals - the more complex the better!

Aarti Manik

Jackie Head

THE TAMING OF WILD CLAY: A GLAZE & CLAY SCIENCE PRIMER

Instructor: Dr. William Carty

Dates: July 11-15 (5 days)

Course Fee: $500

Lab Fee: $105

Skill Level: Beginner To Advanced

The use of locally sourced, or “Wild Clays,” is hugely popular. Unlike commercially produced clays, wild clays can be highly variable and often possess properties that are uncommon, offering significant challenges to the production of studio art. This workshop will systematically demonstrate, step by step, how to characterize and incorporate wild clay into processes that can be duplicated in the studio. This workshop will address working directly with wild clay, blending with other raw materials to improve behavior, addressing problems, and frank discussions regarding whether the clay is worth trying to tame. For the first time in a workshop, students will be invited to bring samples of wild clay and have them scientifically analyzed so their local clay can be integrated into a Unity Formula. Don’t worry if you can’t find clay. This workshop has you covered.

POETIC UTILITY: FUNCTION AND BEYOND

Instructor: Aysha Peltz

Dates: July 18 – 20 (3 days)

Course Fee: $300

Lab Fee: $50

Some experience is useful Come join Aysha for a three-day intensive workshop that will emphasize her unique approach to imagined space, scale, and the poetic properties of wheel-thrown and altered clay. Suggestions of terrain, body in motion, and flora will be explored through discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises.

Specific features of pots such as rims, feet, lids, volumes and form will be covered during this unique workshop opportunity. Students will be introduced to dynamic techniques for altering freshly thrown forms, expanding on their own conversations with porcelain.

FIGURE SCULPTURE: THE THINKING BUST

Instructor: Arthur Gonzalez

Dates: July 25 – 29 (5 days)

Course Fee: $500

Lab Fee: $60

Skill Level: Beginner To Advanced Concentrating on life-size portrait busts, we will learn to sculpt facial and upper body expressions, depict advanced emotions, and create a narrative. The foundations of academic proportions will be used as a gateway to construct invented figures! Exploring impressionistic gesture and color theory we will underglaze our completed sculptures in the greenware state. Learning the inside-out building technique we will learn how to manipulate the figure from both sides of the clay wall so the artist can express the influence of muscle and bone and skin. Come study with one of the country’s preeminent sculptors.

THROWING FOR VOLUME: DEEP BREATHS

Instructor: Harry Kunhardt

Dates: Aug 1- 3 (3 days)

Course Fee: $300

Lab Fee: $30

Skill Level: Some experience will be useful This is an intensive workshop for the potter who wants to gain the ‘chops’ necessary for throwing larger pots with greater volume. We will focus primarily on functional forms like pitchers, casseroles, jars, and bottles as forms with which to explore more advanced wheel throwing techniques. There will be discussions about shapes and forming, demonstrations of clay preparation and throwing large, and trimming/ finishing. Attention will be given to the parts of pots that provide generous containment of space, and those parts that help to define or accentuate. Also, a range of types of appendages, like handles, spouts, and lids will be explored. Participants will get heaps of hands-on time, exercises for keeping the focus, and the always important individual attention. Come join us for this first-time hyper-focus workshop!

GROWING PATTERNS: DESIGN YOUR FUTURE

Instructor: Yael Braha

Dates: August 1 – 5 (5 days)

Course Fee: $500

Lab Fee: $90

Beginner – Advanced

Handbuilding exquisite pottery forms is as ancient as the Craft is. This workshop is perfect for students who want to take handbuilding and creating dynamic surface decoration to a new level. Come study with this rising star of ceramics who will lead you through wonderful construction techniques that celebrate minimalist form thereby providing perfect planes for bold surface decoration using digital and analog approaches to pattern-making. Explore the power of line, negative space, contrast, and tension and their relationship to the forms you make. Analog and digital pattern design will be introduced, as well as embossing as an underoverlying detail. It’s complex and that’s exactly where we want to be. There will be demonstrations, discussions, hands-on work in our beautiful studio, firing, and heaps of individual attention.

STORIES AROUND THE TABLE: CERAMIC SURFACE DESIGN ON HANDBUILT POTS

Instructor: Sue Tirrell

Dates: August 8 – 12 (5 days)

Course Fee: $500

Lab Fee: $80

Beginner - Advanced

Explore the connection between form, narrative and surface design by drawing, painting and carving on leather-hard clay. Bring a sketchbook of your favorite source material and be ready to incorporate old and new influences to create a library of imagery that is uniquely yours. Participants will be guided in the process of

distilling these ideas into dynamic, colorful surface design; giving individual stories universal appeal. This workshop is appropriate for makers of all levels. Participants should be comfortable constructing simple vessel forms or tile—handbuilt and/or wheel-thrown—to be decorated in the leather-hard state using sgraffitto and painting techniques.

EVERYBODY MUST GET STONEWARED

Instructor: Doug Peltzman

Dates: August 15-19 (5 days)

Course Fee: $500

Lab Fee: $75

Skill Level: Some experience is useful Pottery as a form of utility and expression has existed for over 10,000 years. Endless iterations have spanned all cultures, and ceramic art embellishes every household in the world. The storage of food and anything else you can think of makes its way into shapes and volumes that are defined by the maker. This workshop will offer discussions, demonstrations, and experimentations with many of the boundless ways we can interpret the concepts and practice of pottery. Cups and bowls form the foundation, the entry point, and from there onward we expand our pottery vocabulary, and hopefully with tireless hours of work and dedication we discover our voice with the material. This workshop will provide an in-depth dive into the expansive universe of utilitarian pottery. There will be a bisque and high-temperature gas firing.

A CONSTRUCTIVIST BEAUTY’S SEGMENTED REALITY

Instructor: Kyle Johns

Dates: August 22 – 24 (3 days)

Course Fee: $300

Lab Fee: $60

Skill Level: Beginner – Advanced

This workshop/demonstration will introduce students to an exciting way of building forms using mold making, slip casting, rearrangement of parts, and technical construction. The instructor will lead participants through various industrial techniques that are then utilized to create artistic responses and complex forms. The use of stains and colorants as additions to clays and slips will be covered through this 3-day long demonstration/workshop.

DEVELOPING IMAGERY ON CONE 6 PORCELAIN

Instructor: Matias Braun

Dates: September 5 – 9 (5 days)

Course Fee: $500

Lab Fee: $60

Skill Level: Some experience useful In this workshop we will focus on creating interesting painterly surfaces on ceramic objects by using wax resist, stencils, incising, painting, and drawing using underglazes. We will explore hand-building and wheel throwing techniques to engage different ways of making functional vessels to then develop imagery that is unique to you and your experiences in the world.

GENERAL MAYHEM

Instructors: Steve Cook and Bruce Dehnert

Dates: September 12 – 16 (5 days)

Course Fee: $600

Lab Fee: $120

Beginner - Advanced

If you love to fire and achieve heaps of different surface effects, or are short on atmospheric firing experience, this intensive workshop is for you. Come participate in a variety of firings and see how each approach can inform your ideas and work. Participants will fire soda, wood, gas reduction, raku, and the always colorful pit. Emphasis is placed on glaze/surface preparation and firing techniques. This popular workshop is an exciting, information and results driven experience with demonstrations, lectures, and hands-on participation. You bring the bisqueware, and we will fuel your ideas with heat, atmosphere, and enjoyment.

2D PROGRAM INTRODUCTION TO OIL PAINTING

Instructor: Nathan Loda

Dates: June 20 – 22 (3 days)

Course Fee: $300

Lab Fee: $60

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced This introductory course will provide students with the basic principles and techniques when working with Oil Paint. Students will be introduced to paint-handling and application techniques, color mixing, composition, and different methods for developing a representational painting. Using an exciting direct method of applying paint, and the indirect method of monochromatic underpainting prior to color application, participants will learn how to construct a dynamic im-age. Favorite photographs will be used to learn fundamentals of observation and alla prima landscape painting. Throughout this enjoyable workshop, emphasis will be placed on lots of individual support.

GEL PLATE PRINTING & COLLAGE

Instructor: Holly Hughes

Dates: June 20-22 (3 days)

Course Fee: $300

Lab Fee: $40

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced Gel plate printing, a user friendly, kitchen table compatible printmaking technique with NO need for a press is applicable to painters, printmakers, ceramic artists, journal keepers, etc. Once the basics of Gel Plate printing are learned, it lends itself to both home, studio and travel purposes with ease and practicality. Fun and open to experimentation and improvisation - this is a method where artists with any experience level can discover new motifs and approaches for their art practice - and make beautiful, finished prints. There will be many demos including an “invisible” collage technique where your vibrant colorful prints can become raw material for larger works on paper. We will use slow drying Golden’s Open Acrylics mostly printed onto mulberry paper.

DISCOVERING YOUR CREATIVITY

Instructor: Karin Lowney-Seed

Dates: June 27 – 30 (4 days)

Course Fee: $400

Lab Fee: $50

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced Discovering Creativity is a hands-on workshop in which students dive straight into creating acrylic paintings from initial concepts to a finished piece. Attendees will learn basic painting techniques and will be encouraged to draw upon learned life experiences, new ideas and underlying inspiration. This always dynamic seminar will give the student new insights as to how to take risks, learn from experimentation, and make artistic expression a fulfilling life-long endeavor. The fun is always electric in this very popular workshop at the foot of legendary Thomas Cole Mountain.

COLOR THEORY PRIMER

Instructor: Daniel Lloyd-Miller

Dates: July 5th (1 day)

Course Fee: $100

Lab Fee: $30

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced A one day workshop covering all you could want to learn about color, and then a little bit more. No matter where your interests in color lie, this workshop will be an in-depth exploration of this essential element of the creative arts. The workshop will cover what color is and how we use it. Its glorious history and function will be the subject of lecture, demonstration, and hands-on workshopping. While this is a painting focused workshop, the underlying principles color are transferable to other mediums. Come join the fun in this place of bountiful summer color.

IN THE GARDEN: OUTDOOR PAINTING

Instructor: Daniel Lloyd-Miller

Dates: July 6 – 7 (2 days)

Course Fee: $200

Lab Fee: $20

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

This workshop will cover everything you want to know about painting outside, and more! This two day workshop will bring participants outside with their paint of choice, geared up, and ready to work. We’ll cover finding subjects, tracking light, and all the considerations you need to keep in mind when bringing your studio outside. This popular workshop is a unique opportunity to learn ways of delving more deeply into the complexities of garden and nature to create vibrant memories of summertime.

THINKING WITH YOUR HANDS

Instructor: Cyrus Highsmith

Dates: July 25-27 (3 days)

Course Fee: $300

Lab Fee: $30

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced Fonts rule our world now. In the good old days, fonts were the realm of specialists. With computers, we cross paths with endless riffs on fonts. If you’re interested in this weird artistic science of aesthetic living, writing to your grandchildren or whoever, letters can be drawn in so many ways. And in this case…YOUR WAY. Cyrus Highsmith’s approach is based on the importance of white space and sensitivity to shapes. It’s a method he applies to type design as well as image-making of all kinds. For Highsmith, it’s a way of seeing the world. This workshop will be a messy, hands-on, and computer-free exploration of us; drawing, making, and thinking about letters. Students will explore techniques involving stencils, mono-printing, and making their own drawing tools. If you’re an artist working in ANY medium, this workshop is for you.

PAINTING NATURE THROUGH THE EYES OF THOMAS COLE

Instructor: Elizabeth (Betsy) Jacks Aug 1-3 (3 days)

Course Fee: $300

Lab Fee: $60

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced Renowned painter, Thomas Cole was in awe of the beauty of the Catskill Mountains and created some of the most iconic landscape paintings in our country’s history. In this workshop, our instructor, a Cole expert, will guide students through his images and methods as well as his journal entries, poems and essays. Students will then create paintings that stem from their own passions and responses. We will explore our magnificent mountain landscape, pause for Cole quotes and imagery, and capture the parts of nature that most excite, using both sketching and photography. Back at the studio we’ll create compositions on canvas using a method that Cole used: tracing. After a demonstration and exercise about color, we will begin painting onto the prepared canvas.

“Forest Chapel,” by Nathan Loda

WATERCOLOR ADVENTURES

Instructor: Hilary Doyle

Aug 8 – 11 (4 days)

Course Fee: $400

Lab Fee: $60

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced In class students will learn techniques in watercolor, drawing and collage as they draw inspiration from the beautiful Catskill Mountains landscape. Still life rendering within natural spaces (weather permitting) will be explored so that detailing is learned. There will lots of individual attention so that each artist can apply what they’ve learned to their own unique approach. Subjects include observation of the landscape, still life and figure. Subject matter and projects are flexible and open to each artist’s unique interests and needs. Techniques taught in class will include Plein Air Painting, Watercolor Collage, Wet in Wet methods, Masking, Texture making, and Layering to create a range of painterly abstract and realistic effects in watercolor on paper. Beginners are welcome.

EXPLORATIONS IN NATURAL PAINTS, DYES & PIGMENTS

Instructor: Patricia Miranda

Dates: August 15-18 (4 days)

Course Fee: $400

Lab Fee: $50

Skill Level: Beginner To Advanced This workshop is an exploration of color using natural dyes and pigments. Participants will create color from raw materials such as cochineal, malachite, clay, oak gall, and black walnuts, for use in a diverse group of water-based binders, from gum arabic to distemper to egg tempera. We will explore the potentials of color, and how materials carry content through history, context, physical and aesthetic properties. Considerations of the environmental impact of materials will offer a framework for maintaining a sustainable safe painting practice. Participants will create a set of handmade watercolor paints, a color swatch book, and exploratory paintings on paper, textile, and panel.

POLYMORPHIC MEDIA

EXPLORATION:

CYANOTYPE,

PAINT, WOOD

Instructor: Annalise Neil

September 5 – 8 (4 days)

Course Fee: $400

Lab Fee: $60

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced Incorporating diverse materials and mediums, this workshop encourages play, curiosity and boundary-pushing. Students will create cyanotypes using photographic negatives and

specimens found in Nature and be taught how to modify their natural blue tones. The class will work with various papers and fabric and learn different mounting and finishing techniques. The integration of water-based paints and collage will be explored, as well as sculptural considerations for wood panels that can support the work. Simple wood-working techniques using manual and rotary tools will be introduced.

FIBER

FRAME LOOM WORKSHOP

Instructor: Margot Becker

Dates: June 20 – 22 (3 days)

Course Fee: $300

Lab Fee: $90

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

A playful THREE-DAY weekend workshop dedicated to frame loom and off-loom textile creation is about to ensue! Each day will spotlight a unique technique, allowing plenty of room for creative exploration in our beautiful, sun-kissed studio. Students will learn weft-faced tapestry, warp wrapping, textured weaves, lace weaving, and weaving in the third dimension while creating a small series of woven art pieces. Weaving is for everyone, and its possibilities are limitless. The versatile interlocking grid can be used to craft images, architectural structures, utilitarian cloth, and personal keepsakes. Together, we’ll explore these applications and more. Come discover the boundless potential of weaving in our friendly and beautiful environment.

DIMENSIONAL FELTING INTENSIVE

Instructor: Renee Baumann

Dates: July 18-20 (3 days)

Course Fee: $300

Lab Fee: $40

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

Learn to transform lusciously soft wool felt into three-dimensional forms. Over three days we will explore various contemporary techniques for creating three dimensional shapes, including wet felting on a resist as well as needle felting. While you might assume that your imagination is the limit, you will enjoy being in a supportive and experimental environment where anything is possible. You will create several small projects as well as at least one garment or vessel. This workshop is a first for Sugar Maples, and we are excited to host you and our incredibly talented Instructor for three days of discussions, demonstrations, and in-depth making of objects pertinent to you.

3D EMBROIDERY: THINGS THAT GO BUZZ

Instructor: Deborah Simon

Dates: July 18 – 20 (3 days)

Course Fee: $300

Lab Fee: $40

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

The Catskills are alive with nature. Learn to embroider and sculpt those complex buzzy, harbingers of summer. And while we might not want to admit this, bugs are among our most important cousins on this planet. As you know, they do a lot for us. Now let’s do something for them!

Students will learn to create wings embroidered on fabric and wire and then sculpt them into an insect body to create a three-dimensional sculpture of the beautiful, sometimes annoying, invertebrate. Students will be taught basic and complex embroidery techniques. There will be fun discussions and demonstrations on how to analyze the subject matter and then create a strategy for sculpting the object. This workshop is perfect for those who want to learn embroidery and for those who want to sculpt.

TWINNING BASKETS WITH WAXED LINEN THREAD

Instructor: Cael Chappell

Dates: August 9-13 (5 days)

Course Fee: $500

Lab Fee: $50

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

Join us for a 5-day basket weaving workshop with award winning weaver Cael Chappell! This hands-on experience will take you on a creative journey, where you’ll learn the art of twined basketry using waxed linen thread. Each day will be filled with in-depth instruction to create unique, personalized baskets. Cael’s expertise and passion will guide you through the process, from planning your project to completing beautiful baskets. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned weaver, this workshop promises to be an enriching experience.

INTRO TO WOOD SPLINT BASKETRY

Instructor: Amy Krone

Dates: August 22 – 25 (3 days)

Course Fee: $300

Lab Fee: $250

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

Turn a tree into a basket in this 3-day, beginnerfriendly course, where we will learn wood splint basketry. We will begin by exploring different methods of processing various hardwood trees from the northeastern forests, with a deep dive into white oak and white ash processing while also touching on other types of hardwoods suitable for basketry. Using both wood that we split together, as well as pre-split wood, we will learn the ins and outs of frame style, wood splint basketry as we weave a 10” basket together utilizing a white oak frame, and hand split white ash weavers. Some hand strength for weaving these beautiful materials is needed, but friendly assistance is available.

Annalise Neil

Deborah Simon

INTENSIVE: HAT, BASKETS & MORE

Instructor: Renee Baumann

Dates: Sept. 12 – 14 (3 days)

Course Fee: $500

Lab Fee: $40

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced These beautiful Catskill mountains abound with the cattail. An iconic plant, this monarch of the marsh has been used to fashion containers and coverings throughout the history of the region’s human habitation. This popular workshop will introduce you to several fundamental weaving techniques that utilize cattails including, twining, plaiting, weaving on a mold and hand forming cordage and netting. Over the course of this exciting intensive, you will try out several techniques and select one to work on for a larger project. There will discussions on how to find, harvest and prepare cattails, demonstrations, and heaps of individual attention provided by our amazingly talented instructor.

SPECIAL TOPICS

SPOON CARVING: THE WOODEN SERVER

Instructor: Miles Gracey

Dates: June 20 – 21 (2 days)

Course Fee: $200

Lab Fee: $50

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced In this introductory class, students will learn the exciting fundamentals of woodworking by making their own set of wooden utensils. Starting with an overview of the material, principles of grain, and examining spoon design and tool safety, we will explore the essentials of wood carving techniques. This is a lively course for those who are looking for an opportunity to start their woodworking journeys and makes for an idyllic place to start a dialogue between the trees of our glorious Catskills and you, the maker. Come join us in that important conversation!

THE ART OF TYING FLIES

Instructor: Judd Weisberg

Dates: June 21 (1 day)

Time: 1-4pm

Course Fee: $100

Lab Fee: $60

Skill Level: Beginner To Advanced In this introductory workshop, you’ll learn the essential techniques for crafting classic trout flies, from the alluring wet patterns that mimic aquatic insects to the vibrant streamers that tempt larger fish. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a curious beginner, this hands-on experience will equip you with the skills to create effective and beautiful lures. Under expert guidance, you’ll master the art of tying the Black & Olive Woolly Bugger, a versatile wet fly; the Black-Nosed Dace, a classic dry fly that imitates a small minnow; the Hendrickson, a dry fly designed for mayfly hatches; and assorted nymphs, essential for imitating underwater prey.

BRUSH MAKING

Instructor: Miles Gracey

Dates: Aug 1 – 2 (2 days)

Course Fee: $200

Lab Fee: $50

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

In this exciting 2-day introductory workshop, students will be introduced to the now esoteric art of brush making. While in modern times the brush has been relegated to “the oh so familiar,” this object has enjoyed a beautiful and rich history as one of humanity’s most useful tools. Through emphasis on natural materials and traditional techniques, this class will cover materials, binding methods, and several handle and decorative options to make the humble sweeper both highly useful AND exquisitely aesthetic. The woods of these glorious Catskill Mountains make for the perfect starting point learning this ancient craft.

FIELD NOTES: A WRITING WORKSHOP

Instructor: Vince Montague

Dates: Aug 22 – 24 (3 days)

Course Fee: $300

Lab Fee: $30

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

A three-day generative writing workshop for artists and writers to explore and engage together in a supportive environment. Making notes and lists of the raw materials of our surroundings in the Catskills, we will transform those delving’s into short forms of poetry or prose. Workshop includes in-class prompts, explorations of landscape and objects to inspire new methods of harnessing creativity, and roundtable discussions of student work. The goal of this workshop is to open new doors, draft new beginnings, and return home with writing inspired by our experience together in these fabled mountains. With this beloved instructor, we offer one guarantee: all minds will be opened.

WEEKLY CLASSES Wednesdays

WEEKLY HAND-BUILDING CERAMICS

Instructor: TBD

Dates: June 18 – August 20 (10 weeks)

Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm

Course Fee: $250

Lab Fee: $65

Skill Level: Beginner – Advanced

Using clay to create pottery, sculpture, architectural tile and forms, reaches back as far in time as 28,000 years ago when the paleolithic Venus figurines were sculpted. From the magnificent Native American pots to modern tilework, hand-building processes play an important role in artists’ abilities to express their imaginations and traditions through this most malleable medium. During this exciting course students will learn a wide variety of processes, tools, and approaches for realizing forms. There will be demonstrations of pinch, coil, and slab techniques as well as glazing and firing.

WEEKLY WHEEL THROWING POTTERY

Instructor: Meredith Kunhardt

Dates: June 18 – August 20 (10 weeks)

Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Course Fee: $250

Lab Fee: $65

Skill Level: Beginner – Advanced

There are many reasons why making pottery on the wheel has become so popular. Making pots puts us in touch with our ‘elemental selves’. Creating forms with our hands and minds serves our desire to invent and realize our imaginations. The “farm to table” movement has made us more aware of the relationships between locally grown foods and handmade wares. At Sugar Maples we celebrate this relationship by offering this dynamic, fun, and meaningful course. Students learn how to prepare clay, make pots, glaze, and fire. Fill up your bowls with fresh veggies from Sugar Maples’ own Natural Agriculture Farm!

WEEKLY WEAVING

Instructor: Margot Becker

Dates: May 14 – June 18 (6 weeks)

Time: 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Course Fee: $200

Lab Fee: $50

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

This six-week weaving course begins with an introduction to floor loom mechanics and the creation of a sampler to explore weaving fundamentals. The second half focuses on individual projects, where students design and weave their own textile piece with instructor support. Students will learn how tension, sett, pattern drafting, threading, and treadling interact to create textiles. All skill levels are welcome, with instruction tailored to beginners and independent work for experienced weavers.

Please Note: If a course is marked as FULL, you may visit the website and register to be put on the waiting list.

Miles Gracey

EACH YEAR, THE CATSKILL MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION

• Presents and hosts more than 20 performances and lectures

• Offers free or subsidized arts programs that are enjoyed by hundreds of local children.

• Hosts arts residencies bringing many artists to our community for extended stays.

• Operates the Catskill Mountain Foundation Gift Shop, featuring a curated selection of books and gifts from around the Region and the world.

• Publishes the monthly Guide magazine, distributed throughout the Catskill Region, and in Albany.

• Is the home of the Piano Performance Museum, a rare collection of historic playable pianos.

• Runs a dozen studio arts programs, with students from around the U.S.

• Shows more than 100 films on our three screens in Hunter.

You may be able to double your contribution if you work for or are retired from a company that has a matching gift program. To make your match, simply obtain a form from your company’s Matching Gift Coordinator and send it along with your contribution. YES! I would like to help the Catskill Mountain Foundation in its mission to bring the arts to the Mountaintop

Please accept my donation of: $

All donors are listed in our playbills and receive our weekly e-mail updates. Scan to make a donation online!

q Primary Address Name 1:

Name 2 (if joint membership):

E-mail: Phone: q Secondary Address Address:

q Check if this is a new address.

Please make your check payable to: Catskill Mountain Foundation PO Box 924 • Hunter, NY 12442

Become an “Angel of the Arts”: Make this a monthly gift I would like to donate $__________ monthly.

q Check Enclosed q Visa q Mastercard q AmEx Card # Exp. Date CVV Billing Zip Code Signature

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