Destination Hancock

Destination Hancock Gateway to the Upper Delaware M AG A Z I N E

A Visitor’s Guide to Hancock, New York and the Surrounding Areas

Spring/Summer 2022 A Special Supplement to

The Hancock Herald

Inside 9 Real Estate 9 Dining 9 Shopping 9 Entertainment and more . . .

Photo by Andrew Baker

Welcome to Hancock Gateway to the Upper Delaware Timber and Baseball . . .

Bluestone and the Statue of Liberty The Village of Hancock is “The Gateway to the Upper Delaware River.” The East and West Branches of the Delaware River converge in a Wedding of the Waters at the base of Point Mountain in Hancock to form the headwaters of the Delaware River, which eventually flow to the Atlantic Ocean.

This village, whose main industries are timber and bluestone, features streams, lakes and ponds teeming with rainbow brook and brown trout, perch bass, bullhead and eel.

Did you know?

T

he Village of Hancock heads the Delaware River and intersects with thoroughfares in the Western Catskills and New York’s Southern Tier. Sensuous mountains, lush farms, and dense forests attract people year round. Water, roads, and trails move explorers to and from points east, west, north, and south.

Hancock’s frontier, once settled by Lenape Indians, drew 20 pioneers in 1800 who wanted to work the natural resources and make them their own. Today, the Village of Hancock is a regional hub that enlivens the area’s 3,000 residents and 12,000 seasonal visitors.

Birds, bees, and butterflies travel within and beyond the borders of the region’s trails. Fleets of trout and fly fishers who keep them company grace the River’s worldrenowned nooks and crannies. And, flocks of artists and entrepreneurs find common cause for transforming raw materials into contemporary enterprises that distinguish community life in rural America.

All are welcome to enjoy an adventure that brings your story and ours together.

 World famous Louisville Slugger baseball bats were made from Hancock timber for over 85 years. The wood that made Babe Ruth’s bat was carved from a tree that grew in Hancock.  The Empire State Building and the base of the Statue of Liberty contain Hancock Bluestone.

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

~ By Anne Campos, a local resident, communicator, and curator of Dawdle—It’s Your World, an online resource where art and curiosity meet.

102 East Front Street  Hancock, NY 13783 607-637-3591  hancockherald.com

ON THE COVER: Drone photography by Andrew Baker of The Wedding of the Waters — where the East and West Branches meet to form the main stem of the Delaware River.

Read more about Andrew Baker’s photography on page 26.

Find the FISH.

Find All 15 fish that are hidden within the pages of this magazine.

Email your answers to hancockherald@hancock.net for a chance to win a 1-year subscription!

Spring/Summer 2022

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY Anderson Maple Farm, 18 Appliance Repair, 36 Austin Irving Park, 30 Auto Plus Auto Parts, 37 Beaver Mountain Log Homes, 22 Bennett Lawn & Log, 5 Bisbee Lumber & Supply, 8 Bold Gold Media Group, 8 Buck Horn Lodge & Cottages, 14 Buckingham Baptist Church, 31 Butch Haynes Construction, 5 Cadosia Valley Antiques, 7 Capra Enterprises, 44 Coughlin & Gerhart, 41 The Cowlick, 30 Cutler Hauling & Excavating, 37 DDD Pressure Washing, 15 DeGraw Builders, 14 Delaware Construction, 46 Delaware Land Office, 44 Deposit Motel, 12 Don Oralls Garage, 5 Equinunk Emporium, 7 Equinunk General Store, 15 Estates by Brophy, 13 First Presbyterian Church, 30 French Woods Golf Course, 28 Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR), 3 Gateway Shuttle/Kayak Rentals, 29 Gene's Shuttle Service, 19 The Greens/Hancock General Store, 18 Hancock Chamber of Commerce, 4 Hancock Cinemas, 15 Hancock Community Education Foundation (HCEF), 30 Hancock Golf & Country Club, 29 The Hancock Herald, 6 Hancock House Hotel, 42 Hancock Liquor Store, 36 Hancock Partners, 23 Hancock Taxi, 14 Hancock Telephone Company, 40 Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel, 37 Inn at Starlight Lake, 12 Jada Hill Farm, 39 Jen Rutledge Materials, 5 JHA Companies, 37 Jim & Gina's Greenhouse, 22

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Jim's Tree Service, 32 Kaplans Garage, 36 Kaybirds, 39 Keller Williams Real Estate, 48 Knots No More Massage Therapy, 13 Lake Lorain Golf Course, 29 Lakewood Lodge, 12 LaValley's Loving Care Adult Home, 30 Leet Insurance, 21 Little Italy II & III, 39 Lordville Presbyterian Church, 7 Lori Rae Jewelry, 31 Marino's Outdoor World, 38 McDade Real Estate, 18 Mountain Metals & More, 27 NBT Bank, 20 New Leaf Farms, 16 Nick's Barber Shop, 21 Northern Wayne Family Healthcare, 41 Old Capitol Theater, 47 Orson Vet, 38 Ostrander Kennels, 38 The Penguin, 14 Point Mountain Cleaning, 39 Possemato Auto Sales, 34 Primitive Posies, 14 Riverside Tavern, 44 Robert W Nichol Nature Center and Science Preserve, 46 Rock Valley Spirits, 16 Rotary Club of Hancock, 27 Schaeffer's Enterprises, 10 Scott's Auto Body, 37 Sherman Bible Chapel, 31 Shursky Compainies, Inc., 15 Smith's Colonial Motel, 39 Socorro's Perfectly Priced Shop, 36 St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, 38 Tailwaters Surveying, 46 TC Sports, 22 Tinklepaugh & Son, 29 Trout Brook Studio, 46 UHS/Delaware Valley Hospital, 35 United Country Real Estate, 10 Upper Delaware Inn, 34 Upper Delaware Real Estate, 45 Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, 32 Vernooy & Son Construction, 36 Villa Como Pizza, 44 Whitaker House, 11

DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

Spring/Summer 2022

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Meet the Columnists The Hancock Herald is everything you would

expect from a small town newspaper. It doesn’t cover international or national news - rather it focuses solely on what is happening right here, in our local community.

In publication since 1873, it is one of the most enduring businesses in the area. Throughout its 149 years the Herald editorial staff has reported on milestones — births, deaths, graduations, engagements and marriages. It has told the stories of natural disasters, fires and accidents.

Each week the Herald includes a “Through the Years” section which captures snapshots of what was going on,

what was important and meaningful to the people who lived here 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago. From the tragedy of losing a team of horses while harvesting ice on nearby Oquaga Lake to who starred in the school play in 1997, this section is a great trip down memory lane.

In addition to the local news -- Village and Town meetings, high school sports and activities, upcoming events, the Herald also has several contributing columnists.

Here’s a peek at what you can find in the pages of The Hancock Herald.

Backyard Living This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things

by Cindy R Ray

E

very family has a straggler. This is the person you know will be late or come rushing in just at the last minute. Maybe they’re late because they just have to do “one more thing.” Or maybe, they get so involved in whatever is in front of them they just honestly lose track of time. Whatever the reason, we adjust, accept and probably aren’t quite honest about the start time for major events like weddings and graduations.

When my kids were little we had a straggler, a dreamer really. She didn’t intend to be late but rushing just wasn’t in her DNA. And this was ok. Afterall, in a family with six siblings someone has to take the rear seat. But some things just don’t wait. For instance, the school bus – it arrives, it blows the horn, and generally leaves after a brief pause. But when you have a straggler in your midst getting to the bus on time becomes a challenge and needless to say, school day mornings were often chaotic and rushed.

One fall day, late enough in the school year that the kids were not nearly as enthusiastic about getting up to go to school as they were in early September, the usual organized chaos ensued, and we were piling into the car to make the short drive to the bus stop. The car in question was a brand-new, eight passenger Chevy Suburban – a necessity when you have six kids and have to drive in upstate New York in the winter.

The rule was that the last one in had to sit in the “way back.” I didn’t make that rule. That

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Backyard Living is a weekly column written

by Cindy R Ray, the editor and publisher of The Hancock Herald. She shares stories about the adventures of raising six kids, her love of living in rural America and occasionally offers her opinion.

was decided on by the kids and often resulted in much pushing and shoving to prove who got there first. (Maybe this is what the straggler was trying to avoid?) As I was gently encouraging “the straggler” to PLEASE hurry and get in because we were going to MISS THE BUS! I suddenly heard a very strange noise – like a tire going flat. “Drat. Now we have a flat tire. We are definitely going to miss the bus,” I thought.

Then I looked behind me. There was “the straggler” valiantly pushing the middle seat forward so she could clamor into the “way back.” But the seat wouldn’t budge and the harder she pushed the louder that strange noise became. And then I saw it. This eerie orange mist floating in the air all through the interior of the car. “What is that!?” I thought.

It turns out that, unbeknownst to me, my husband had put a can of blaze orange spray paint he had been using to mark trees with on the floor of the suburban. That orange mist was the spray paint escaping from the can that had been punctured by the metal gliders of the seat as my daughter pushed it forward to get in the back.

The interior of

DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

my brand-new, eight passenger Chevy Suburban was coated in blaze orange spray paint.

And this . . . this is why we can’t have nice things.

The paint came off the seats and the rubber floor mats, but the mesh covering the sound system speakers – not so much.

We had that SUV for another ten years.

It went to soccer games, summer camp. vacations in North Carolina and Florida. It took us all the way to South Dakota and back and transported two of the kids to college – one to Minnesota and one to Buffalo. And the flecks of orange paint remained to witness it all. 

Town Day The Blue Dishes

By Kristin Barron

R

emember the blue dishes?

Those colonial themed plates and cups that your mother or grandmother brought home from the Grand Union grocery store in Hancock during the 1970’s. (For newcomers or those too young to remember, the Grand Union grocery store was the former incarnation of Tops Market).

Those blue dishes, printed with what is known as the Liberty Blue pattern, seemed to be everywhere when I was growing up.

Everyone’s kitchen or mantel had a few pieces. A teacup and saucer with Paul Revere and the Old North Church stamped on it.

The platter with George Washington crossing the Delaware. The most ubiquitous was the dinner plate showing Independence Hall.

I found a few pieces of Liberty Blue a couple years ago in a junk shop in Narrowsburg. After not seeing them or thinking of them for years, the mere sight was a memory wallop. Sometimes it’s called “The Proust Effect” --you know the phenomenon where a sight or smell can bring you back with such nostalgia. It’s like your memory picked you up and threw you.

The shop’s proprietor told me that Liberty Blue had been sold in grocery stores all along the river valley during the Bicentennial in 1976. And I have no doubt that if your walked into The Perfectly Priced Shop in Hancock today, you might find a few castoffs on the selves.

Originally commissioned by The Benjamin Franklin Federal Savings Bank

The column name “Town Day” refers to Thursday which was the day of the week my mother went grocery shopping in Hancock, NY, aka “Town”. She never learned to drive so she relied on my aunt to take her each week. It was a big day for me as a kid—not to make it sound as if it was like some pioneer trip to the town to the buy sugar for the winter. But, as I grew older and started to ride the school bus to school, I marveled at the fact that I was actually in “Town” every day. Even then I was interested in the mix and mingle of town and country and the ideas of Insider and outsider. Like many others, I left this area for a while but moved back after starting my own family. And here I am again, after all these years, back in town almost on a daily basis as a reporter for The Herald. to celebrate their 50th anniversary which coincided with the Bicentennial, Liberty Blue china was, strangely enough, made in Britain. After the bank ended their commemoration, sets of the leftover dinnerware were sold and used in promotional giveaways in national grocery store chains.

The Bicentennial year was filled with history. My husband, John, who grew up in Massachusetts, remembers that there were commemorative events nearly every day.

It was Massachusetts after all. Teams of oxen were always trudging down his street dragging cannons as part of a reenactment of one colonial battle or another. I remember not liking the Liberty Blue china as a kid…I thought it was cheesy. I always favored my families rose printed dishes. But I think, too, I learned a bit of American history from those blue dishes. It was hard not to when eating my soup from the Betsy Ross bowl.

Today I like to use the few stray pieces I have collected. I like the vivid blue patterns and the memory of my ten-year-old self examining the gleaming displays on the Grand Union’s shelves.

Most of all I am intrigued by the blue dishes as representing a piece of collective local memory that binds us together as a community. Those of us of a certain age can remember those plates and we remember them like we

can all remember the worn velvet of the old chairs at the high school auditorium, eating clams and shrimp at Fireman’s Park, hiking up Point Mountain to the Mausoleum or walking across the railroad bridge. These are the small things that bind us together.

But they also lead to and provoke bigger questions. How is the history of a community with all its good and bad preserved? How does our history shape our future? What do we wish to preserve as our community expands? How do we welcome newcomers?

May our shared experience continue to enrich and enlighten our memories and our community. 

Spring/Summer 2022

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

Take a

HIKE The Ledges

Bouchoux Brook Road, Lordville, NY

Jensen’s Ledges, or “The Ledges,” as the locals call it, is a short but strenuous hike leading to amazing panoramic views of the Upper Delaware River Valley, along with a huge, carefully-constructed conical cairn and other stone “furniture” you can recline on as you rest from your trek and soak up the phenomenal scene.

Known officially as Bouchoux Trail, the out-and-back trip is only about two miles long, but it is VERY steep and VERY rocky. It follows the path of a former bluestone quarry, of which you’ll see evidence all along the way.

Partridge Island Walking Trail

County Road 17, Hancock, NY

For those looking for a more leisurely, accessible trek, the path along the Delaware River at Partridge Island is the perfect place to visit! This half-mile trail offers a fully handicapped-accessible, well groomed walk with views of the Delaware its entire length.

To get to the trailhead, take Fishs Eddy Exit 89 or Hancock/Cadosia Exit 87a off of Route 17/Interstate 86 and follow Old Route 17 along the river until you see the large green Partridge Island Walking Trail sign.

It’s just past the Partridge Island Cemetery if you’re heading West.

Robert W. Nichol Nature Preserve

Finger Lakes Trail The Finger Lakes Trail winds its way through our area over a large portion of the Cannonsville Reservoir, northwest into Barbour Brook, Steam Mill, and Arctic China State Forest, and northeast into Bear Spring Mountain Wildlife Management Area. There are plenty of parking spots all along the way, and you can choose to do a short, scenic hike along the reservoir or a longer trek through the wild forests.

Dewitt Reservoir

Golf Course Road, Hancock , NY

Located just outside Hancock Village proper is the Dewitt Reservoir which, in addition to being a delightful spot for a picnic, also boasts a lovely little trail that meanders around the pond. Although not handicapped accessible, it is a relatively easy jaunt for the novice trail walker/hiker. The picnic area and trailhead can be found by turning onto Sands Creek Road (towards the Route 17 West entrance at the western end of town) and then making a right onto Golf Course Road.

Follow to the end.

Kerryville State Forest

Franskevicz Road, Hancock, NY This 698-acre state forest is located between County Route 67 and State Route 268 near the Village of Hancock, New York. The area is mostly forested with both natural stands and plantations in various stages of succession. Opportunities for hunting most game species exist. Two beaver ponds used to exist on the southern portion of the forest. These ponds washed out in 2006 leaving behind two emergent wetlands.

404 W Main St., Hancock, NY

Rock Rift Rail Trail & Fire Tower

The Rock Rift trails are some of the newest addition to the greater Finger Lakes Trail System. The rail trail, approximately 7.8 miles in length, is relatively flat and makes for a fairly leisurely trek through the woods.

The fire tower trail is something different altogether. It is probably not advisable for novice hikers, and hiking poles are recommended. It should be noted that the fire tower itself is unrestored and currently closed to the public, although it is rumored there are plans to open it again eventually. The overall round trip to the tower is approximately 5-7 miles, depending on which trail entrance you choose.

Cherry Ridge Wild Forest Just beyond the Hancock Town line lies the Cherry Ridge Wild Forest, a veritable playground for hiking, snowmobiling, and camping enthusiasts. To reach the best trails (Mud Pond, Trout Pond, and Russell Brook Falls), head up Route 30 (Route 17/86 Exit 90 at East Branch) and turn right to go over the one-lane bridge into Corbett. Make a left off Corbett Road onto River Road and then a right onto Campbell Brook Road. Watch for state forest signs along the way.

To get to Russell Brook Falls, bear LEFT at the Y (Campbell Mountain Road) off Campbell Brook Road and follow to the T, making a left onto Morton Hill Road. The tricky part is to keep your eye out for a SEASONAL USE ONLY sign on the right-hand side. Turn down that road (use caution, it’s very rough in places) and watch for the parking area with the large map/kiosk. The falls are a short and pleasant walk across a picturesque bridge and over some rather wet terrain, so be sure to have on proper footwear.

The family-friendly trails of the Robert W. Nichol Nature Preserve in the Village of Hancock make for an easy, comfortable stroll through a picturesque and unique setting. Picnic tables are located throughout the property where you can enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the buzz and bustle of insects and birds that inhabit the protected wetlands in the heart of Hancock Village. The trails are simple to navigate and they provide an easy, leisurely meander suitable for all ages. The Nature Center also presents a number of nature-inspired programs throughout the year, from educational exhibits and “up close and personal” visits with live animals to wine-and-paint parties and Earth Day celebrations.

Bear Spring Mountain

512 E. Trout Brook Rd, Downsville, NY

Bear Spring Mountain is a multi-use facility managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. It features miles of trails along two ridges that are used for hiking, hunting, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The facility also offers rowboat, canoe, kayak, and paddle boat rentals, fishing at their stocked brown trout pond, and a beach with swimming.

Spring/Summer 2022

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

CA L E NDAR OF EVENTS: J UNE Callicoon Farmer’s Market every Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May through December.

2-Thursday: A Flower Workshop will be held at Willow Wisp Organic Farm, Damascus, PA, from 9 to 11 a.m. Participants will learn best varieties for cut flower gardens and markets, harvest and post-harvest methods, and design their own creation with tips from the experts. Bring clippers, and a vessel for a floral design to take home at the end of the workshop. More information at www.

FarmArtsCollective.org 4-Saturday: The Catskill Region Antique Automobile Club of America will hold a car show displaying antique, classic, and custom cars, tractors, trucks, and motorcycles beginning at 9 a.m., at the Rock Hill Firehouse, 61 Glen Wild Road, Rock Hill, NY. The 57th annual show is the longest running car show in Sullivan County. Call 845-932-8923 or 845-798-4173 or visit www. catskillregionaaca.org for more information.

4-Saturday: Come have an All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast and converse with some friendly folks over a good cup of coffee! Serving 7-11 a.m. Eat in or Take out. East Ararat United Methodist Church, 210 Crosstown Hwy, Uniondale, Pa.

Museum, 145 Second Street, Deposit, NY. Free admission and refreshments.

16-Thursday: The Wayne County Creative Arts Council will present the blues group, The Barn Cats in Honesdale’s Central Park beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Free admission.

17-Friday: An evening of music, magic, and dance will be held at The Cooperage Project, 1030 Main Street, Honesdale, PA, beginning at 6 p.m.

Festivities will include DJ’s, magicians, stand up comedy, and more. For more information call 570253-2020.

18-Saturday: A program entitled Veterans Park & More given by Kim Erickson will be held at 1 p.m. at the Equinunk Historical Society in Equinunk, PA. 18-Saturday: Father’s Day Chicken BBQ at the East Ararat United Methodist Church, 210 Crosstown Hwy, Uniondale, Pa. 18-Saturday: Summer Nights Live! at the Square 5 - 7 p.m. Opus Black String Trio- Live String Music at the Hancock Town Square. Outdoor seating, food & drink concessions. Children welcome. Sponsored by the hancockpartners.org // #visithancockny

20-Monday: The Wayne County Creative Arts Council will continue its summer festival with Wayne County’s community chorus, The Wayne Choralaires, at Central Park in Honesdale, PA, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Free admission.

23/24 Sat & Sun: Delaware County Historical Association presents Clash in the Catskills a Delhi Civil War Event. Join in celebrating the return of the 144th New York State Volunteers as they reenact the battles of Spotsylvania, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. Living History Exhibit, kids’ drill, artillery demo & more. Admission: Adults $10; Military, DCHA members $5; Children 12 and under FREE 27-Monday: The Luongo Brothers Band (featuring former members of The Poets) will be performing at Central Park in Honesdale, PA, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Free admission.

30-Thursday: The Little Big Band Group of Milford, PA, will be the featured performers at the Wayne County Creative Arts Council sponsored concert at Central Park in Honesdale, PA, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Free admission.

5-Sunday: The 16th annual Walk for Education to benefit the Lisa DaBrescia Scholarship Fund will begin at 11 a.m. at Fireman’s Field in Hancock, NY. Sponsored by the Hancock Community Education Foundation, the walk will also feature basket and gift certificate raffles with a Chicken BBQ available to benefit the Mike Robinson Scholarship Fund at 12:00 noon. All are welcome to participate. The cost is $20.00 per person for the walk.

8-Wednesday: Dairy Distribution for Delaware County residents. Receive a variety of local dairy products.

Pre-registration is required. Contact Delaware Opportunities at (607) 746-1600 11-Saturday: Oquaga Creek State Park presents first concert of the season, with the John “Lou” Liuzzo Trio. Call 607-467-4160 for details.

12-Sunday: The 26th annual Callicoon Tractor Parade will be held in Callicoon, NY. Tractors line up at the Delaware Youth Center then parade through town at 12 p.m. A BBQ will be held at the Youth Center.

13-Monday: The Wayne County Creative Arts Council will present the Northeasters Barbershop Chorus in Honesdale’s Central Park beginning at 730 p.m. Free admission. This is the first concert in the 2022 summer series.

15-Wednesday: Local historian John Darrow, will come in the character of De Witt Clinton to speak about the creation of the Erie Canal at 7 p.m. at the Deposit Historical Society

Spring/Summer 2022

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C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S : J U LY Sat/Sun: Tours at the Joel Hill Sawmill Cleveland Museum, 736 Duck Harbor Road, Equinunk Pa., will be held by reservation only. Saturday tours are 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call Greg at 570-798-2420 to reserve a spot. Space is limited.

Callicoon Farmer’s Market every Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May through December.

1 -3-Fri/Sat/Sun: East Branch Fireman’s Field Days. Fireworks both Saturday and Sunday nights.

Live music, D.J., Vendors, softball tournament, food, beer tent, $1,000 raffle, bounce house,. Firemen’s Parade on Saturday, July 3 at 6 p.m.

2-Saturday: An Independence Day celebration featuring fireworks display at dusk sponsored by the Greater Honesdale Partnership will be held at Central Park in Honesdale, Pa., Performances given by the Doug Smith Band and the Crystal Band.

Vendors, food, and refreshments available. Free admission.

2-Saturday: Oquaga Creek State Park will present a concert by Tiller Beckonfield. Call 607-467-4160 for more information.

2-Saturday: Pancake Breakfast at the East Ararat United Methodist Church.

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

7- 11 a.m. Eat in or Take out. 210 Crosstown Hwy, Uniondale, PA. Monday -Friday: K-9th Grade Summer Enrichment Program at Hancock Elementary School 8 a.m.11:45 a.m.

7-Thursday: New Moon Rising, a modern country band, will be the featured artists at The Wayne County Creative Arts Council sponsored concert at 7:30 p.m. at Central Park in Honesdale, Pa. Free admission.

8-Friday: Uncommon Johns: Indoor Beer Garden. Live Music, Food & Drinks. 7- 11 p.m. at the Capitol Theater, 170 E. Front Street, Hancock, NY. Special partnership with local breweries or distilleries to sell BBQ, spirits, pretzels, hot dogs to raise funds for Hancock Holiday Programming. $20 Box Office + $5Beer & Food Tickets.

8/9-Fri/Sat: Downsville Fire Department Annual Field Days.

Fireworks both nights at dusk.

Demolition Derby on Saturday at 4 p.m. Music, entertainment, food, and drinks available.

13-Wednesday: Dairy Distribution for Delaware County residents.

Receive a variety of local dairy

C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S : J U LY products. Pre-registration is required.

Contact Delaware Opportunities at (607) 746-1600

vendors, a benefit poster auction, street theater, and the River Dogs parade.

15-17-Fri/Sat/Sun: 46th Annual Deposit Lumberjack Festival.

Fireworks on Saturday. Three full days with rides and games, hops saw beer, raft race, giant craft fair, game of logging, kids games, food, clams, music, horseshoes, pony and tractor pulls and much more!

24-Sunday: The 24th annual Delaware River 5K/10K River Walk and Run, sponsored by the Delaware Youth Center. 8:30 a.m. start at the Delaware Youth Center, Callicoon, NY. Call 845-887-5155 or info@ delawareyouthcenter.org for more information.

16-Saturday: Lumberjack Festival 5K. Rain or Shine. Registration 9 a.m. at Firemen’s Field, Deposit, NY. Trophies and cash prizes! Free T-shirt for first 100 registrants.

25-Monday: Moss Henry and the Bryophytes will present honky-tonk country music and western swing at Central Park in Honesdale, Pa, at 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Wayne County Creative Arts Council. Free admission.

16-Saturday: Summer Nights Live! on the Square presents JAZZ NIGHT with the Wayne Tucker & The Bad Motha’s Band. 5-7 PM. Outdoor seating, Food & Drink Concessions, Children Welcome. Sponsored by the hancockpartners.org // #visithancockny 21-23-Thu/Fri/Sat: Hancock Firemen’s Field Days. Carnival rides, food, games, music, vendors.

Fireworks and parade.

24 Sunday: The 32 annual Riverfest in Narrowsburg, NY 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Includes live music, food, artisan nd

28-Thursday: The 2022 Summer Events series sponsored by the Wayne County Creative Arts Council will conclude with a celebration of Appalachian fiddle music featuring the ever-popular Old Time Fiddlers led by award-winning fiddler Steve Jacobi. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Central Park in Honesdale, PA. Free Admission.

30-Saturday: An Art Appreciation Day showcasing postcards and postcard collectors will be held at 1 p.m. at the Equinunk Historical Society, 1972 Pine Mill Road, Equinunk PA.

Spring/Summer 2022

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: AUG UST

Sat/Sun: Tours at the Joel Hill Sawmill Cleveland Museum, 736 Duck Harbor Road, Equinunk Pa., will be held by reservation only. Saturday tours are 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call Greg at 570-798-2420 to reserve a spot. Space is limited.

Callicoon Farmer’s Market every Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May through December.

August 5-13: 160th Annual Wayne County Fair Route 191 North, Honesdale, PA. 6-Saturday: 7 Annual Dylan Noble Golf Tournament. 10 a.m. at The French Woods Golf & Country Club, 17440 State Highway 97, Hancock, NY. Captain and Crew. $60/person to benefit the Dylan Noble Memorial Scholarship fund. 18 holes of Golf with cart and a Chicken Dinner. Golf prizes, raffles. th

6-Saturday: Pancake Breakfast at the East Ararat United Methodist Church. 7- 11 a.m. Eat in or Take out.

210 Crosstown Hwy, Uniondale, PA. 6-Saturday: Terrariums Carnivorous Plants workshop at the Robert W. Nichol Nature Preserve and Science Center. 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. $15 registration fee.

6-Saturday: Oquaga Creek State Park, 5995 Co Rd 20, Bainbridge, NY will present Nate Gross in concert.

Blues/Rock Musician, Teacher and Singer Songwriter keeping the blues alive for 30 years.

7-Sunday: Honest Brook Music Festival, 1885 Honest Brook Road, Delhi, NY, presents classical pianist Zhu Wang. 3 p.m. For reservations go to hbmf.org or call 607-746-3770 for more information.

13-Saturday: The 34th annual Family Raft Trip sponsored by the

Upper Delaware Council will take place on a five-mile stretch of the Delaware River from Skinners Falls to Narrowsburg, NY. Reservations are required by Friday, July 29. See page 33 for more details.

14-Sunday: Honest Brook Music Festival, 1885 Honest Brook Road, Delhi, NY, presents violinist Lun Li and pianist Ying Li at 3 p.m. For reservations go to hbmf.org or call 607-746-3770 for more information.

August 15 - 20: 135th Delaware County Fair will be held at the fairgrounds in Walton, NY. Visit DelawareCountyFair.org for more information and Fair Schedule.

17-Wednesday: Discussion and book signing of Open House, a book about Upstate NY mansions by “Big Chuck” D’Imperio at 7 p.m. at the Deposit Historical Society Museum, 145 2nd St., Deposit, NY. Free admission and refreshments.

20-Saturday: The annual meeting of the Equinunk Historical Society will be held at 1 p.m. at the Equinunk Historical Society, 1972 Pine Mill Road, Equinunk, PA. 20-Saturday: 1st Annual Don Ellis Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the Don Ellis Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Hancock Golf and Country Club, 522 Golf Course Road, Hancock, NY. Call 607-6372480 for more information.

20-Saturday: Chicken BBQ at the East Ararat United Methodist Church. 12-3 p.m. $11.

20-Saturday: Glow Ball Golf Tournament at the Hancock Golf and Country Club, 522 Golf Course Road, Hancock, NY. 1st 9-holes starts at 1 p.m. Call 607-637-2480 for more information.

Spring/Summer 2022

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Craft spirits from the Wilds of the Western Catskills

Tastings | Tours | Cocktails

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1430 John Milk Rd, Long Eddy Ny

DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

845-887-4184

rockvalleyspirits.com

An Etiquette Guide for River Users

ENJOYING THE UPPER DELAWARE RIVER: The Upper Delaware River (UDR) is extremely popular with anglers, recreational boaters, and other river users. Cold water reservoir releases sustain a nationally renowned wild trout fishery that is an important piece of the local economy and is a worldwide destination for anglers. This guide offers river users suggestions to maximize enjoyment of this magnificent river system especially during the busy spring and summer season.

RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY

PROTECTING FISH

y The stream side properties and islands of the UDR are predominantly private property y Public accesses are clearly labeled y Secure landowner approval before crossing, walking, or parking on private property

y Catch and release angling is strongly encouraged to help protect the fishery y Fishing for trout is not recommended when water temperatures reach or exceed 68F y Land fish in a timely manner to avoid extra stress on fish y Gentle handling with wet ungloved hands and a quick release maximizes fish survival y Keep fish submerged in water while handling or photographing y Please consider pinching barbed hooks and using single hooks

KEEP YOUR RIVER CLEAN y Please don’t litter y Leave only footprints Courtesy and Communication Work Best y Friendly conversation goes a long way on the river y Respect the space of other river users y Offer assistance to others when needed PARK SMART y Parking is very limited, make efficient use of available parking areas y Don’t park on private property y Only park in designated access areas BOATING y Understand and follow all safety regulations required throughout the river system www.nps.gov | parks.ny.gov | www.fishandboat.com y Put in and take out as quickly as possible at boat ramps y Attempt to navigate behind wade anglers. If unsure, ask the angler as you approach y Pass through quickly and quietly y There are times when river levels are low and may create unsafe boating conditions y Be aware of changing river conditions y For information on reservoir releases, river flows, and water temperatures: – Cannonsville Hotline 866-464-4081 – USGS.gov - National Water Dashboard – Phone Apps are available such as RiverApp WADING y y y y

Respect private property Public accesses are available throughout the system Expect to encounter watercraft Be aware of changing river conditions

NYSDEC and PA Fish and Boat Commission Fishing Regulations – NY: www.dec.ny.gov – PA: www.fishandboat.com This guide was developed by an advisory group representing a diversity of knowledgeable UDR watershed stakeholders including property owners, river users, and local businesses.

FOR EMERGENCIES AND INCIDENTS For Emergencies: Call 911 TO REPORT INCIDENTS ON THE RIVER

• NYS Department of Environmental Conservation: 877-457-5680 • PA Fish and Boat Commission Northeast Office Law Enforcement: 570-477-5717 • National Park Service Dispatch: 570-426-2457

Spring/Summer 2022

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

When Great Minds Meet

You Get a Yellow, Blue Eyed Mayfly Lots can happen when two women get together and imagine.

Linda O’Brien and Vallessa Monk came up with a great idea to teach local kids about mayflies—small, partly aquatic insects known to be an important part of the aquatic food chain in the Delaware River.

O’Brien and Monk imagined that if metal artist Vallessa could create a Mayfly sculpture then Linda, Executive Director of the Hancock Community Education Foundation, (HCEF) could come up with an idea to get grant funding to produce and install the sculpture at the Foundation’s Robert W. Nichol Nature Preserve and Science Center located in Hancock, NY. The pair received a grant from the Roxbury Arts Group, which administers The Delaware County Arts Grant of the NYS council on the Arts. The grant supports the role that local cultural organizations and individual artists play in engaging K-12 public school students and students in after school programs at community-based centers such as the Hancock Community Education Foundation’s kindergarten through ninth grade after school programs.

Monk created the mayfly sculpture and the kids helped to paint the sculpture a bright yellow, which stands out against the green lawn next to the Nature Center pavilion. The eyes are a rich, robin’s egg blue. The project was undertaken during a three-day

workshop.

The organization Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) which protects and preserves the environment of the Delaware River joined the project to teach the students about fly fishing and the importance of mayflies and their hatcheries to fishermen.

Jeff Skelding, Executive Director of FUDR, Sherry Resti Thomas, Executive Assistant, and fly-fishermen Brett Lorenzen, discussed mayflies and did a flyfishing demonstration for the kids.

Vallessa Monk is a metal artist who does custom metal fabrication and wood working and runs a gallery called Trout Brook Studios, located at 167 E. Front Street, Hancock, NY. HCEF was founded in 1999 with the mission of providing local students educational support from birth to post graduation.

Programs operated by HCEF include the Hancock Community Children’s Center, Hancock Community Preschool, the K-4th grade After School Program, the 5th through 9th grade After School Program, Summer enrichment programs, the After School Garden, and The Robert W. Nichol Nature Preserve and Science Center. 

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H

ave you ever wondered what it would be like to step into a Norman Rockwell painting? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Nestled in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, the village of Hancock invites visitors to relax, hang out, & enjoy a slower pace.

On Saturday evenings during the summer bring your friends and family and enjoy Summer Nights Live! on the Square. Don’t forget a chair!

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

Summer Reading Program Arts & Culture Music Series in the Hancock Town Square June 2022 – September 2022 The annual Summer Nights Live! outdoor concert series, hosted by the Hancock Partners, is celebrating its fifth season. The program proudly provides FREE cultural arts performances and live music in the Town Square from June to September.

The 2022 season will be a mix of unique and exciting artists you won’t want to miss!

The culturally diverse performances include dance, art, and musical groups. Thoughtful consideration is given to creating an immersive and memorable encounter with artists during each presentation.

This year each music style will be paired with traditional dishes relevant to each genre. For example: a masterclass in southern creole cooking and southern comfort foods

served by vendors in conjunction with the Jazz performance by the Wayne Tucker Band in July, followed by British classic foods such as: fish & chips for the British Invasion festival in August. Regional food trucks will also join the festivities.

July 1 - July 31

Sign-up, Log Your Reading, Play Minigames, Earn Badges and Raffle Tickets at: larml.ny11.readquared.com

(or use the ReadSquared App for you phone)

TUESDAY NIGHT ACTIVITY: 6-7 P.M.

SAVE THESE DATES: JUNE 18th 5-7 PM Opus Black String Trio – Contemporary String Trio/ String Quartet. Alternative music.

Established in 2016 JULY 16th 5-7 PM Wayne Tucker & The Bad Motha’s – NYC Jazz Band & Food Festival AUGUST 20 5-7 PM Dave Novak’s Fab Cats – British Invasion Band Cover Band & Food Festival th

SEPTEMBER 16th 5-7 PM ROCK BLOCK PARTY – Pearly Baker’s Best – Grateful Dead Cover Band & Food Festival

July 5 Octopus Week

July 12 “Starring” Fish Week

July 19 Shark Week

July 26 Puzzle Tournament

The more you read, the more chances you can earn to win one of our raffle prizes!

Spring/Summer 2022

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

If you love your Town Square and the events that take place there, the Hancock Partners are asking that you please make a donation so we can keep the Square well maintained and a beautiful focal point for our village.

It’s easy to give! Simply scan the QR Code here, send a check by mail, or donate through our website www.hancockpartners.org.

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SHOPPI SHOP PING NG

11. NAPA Shakelton’s NAPA 11.

12. Dollar DollarGeneral General 12.

18. West Walgreens 65.

Main Auto/U-Haul 19. Auto Bisbee Lumber 66.

Parts Plus SERVICES SERVICES 20. Bisbee Jim & Gina’s Greenhouse 19.

Lumber 3.3. Kaplans KaplansGarage Garage 23. Jim Cross Current Outfitters 20. & Gina’s Greenhouse 8.8. JN JNMason MasonAgency Agency 24. Cross Smokin’ Joe’s Outfitters 23.

Current 10.

10. Capra CapraCommercial CommercialLaundry Laundry 25. Smokin’ Starlights Fireworks 24.

Joe’s 16.

16. Sidney SidneyFederal FederalCredit CreditUnion Union 36. Starlights Socorro’sFireworks Perfectly Priced Shop 25.

28.

28. Don DonOralls OrallsGarage Garage&&Towing Towing 38. Socorro’s Primitive Perfectly Posies Priced Shop 36.

33.

33. Vetrone’s Vetrone’sRedemption RedemptionCenter Center 38.

39. Primitive Trout Brook Studio Posies 35.

35. Delaware DelawareLand LandOffice Office 41. Trout High Lonesome Homestead 39.

Brook Studio 43.

43.Coughlin Coughlin&&Gerhart GerhartLaw LawOffice Office 41.

42. High Marino’s Outdoor World Lonesome Homestead 45.

45. Hancock HancockTelephone TelephoneCo. Co. 48. Marino’s Kaybirds Outdoor World 42.

47.

47. Capra CapraCoin CoinLaundry Laundry 49. Kaybirds Hancock General Store 48.

50.

50. Capra CapraCar CarWash Wash 52. Hancock HancockGeneral Liquor Store 49.

Store 53.

53. James JamesWard WardLaw LawOffice Office 54. Hancock Tops Market 52.

Liquor Store 55.

55. Historical Hancock Chehocton Society Historical Society 54.

65. Tops WestMarket Main Auto/U-Haul 57.

57. Henderson-Biedekapp Henderson-BiedekappFuneral FuneralHome Home 68.

66. Valero/Country Auto Parts Plus Store 58.

58. Lourdes LourdesFamily FamilyClinic Clinic 68. Valero/Country Store Gov ’t Offi c e s 67.

67. Upper UpperDelaware DelawareReal RealEstate Estate 1. Town Clerk’s Office WORSHIP WORSHIP Gov ’t OOffice/Police ffi c e s 44. Village Clerk’s 15.

15. St. St.Paul’s Paul’sCatholic CatholicChurch Church 1. Town Clerk’s Office 56.

U.S. Post Office 17.

17. Presbyterian PresbyterianChurch Church 44. Village Clerk’s Office/Police 59.

59. Methodist MethodistChurch Church 56. U.S. Post Office 6.6. Upper UpperDelaware DelawareInn Inn 21.

21. Point PointMountain MountainLodge Lodge 40.

40. Hancock HancockHouse HouseHotel Hotel

25 25

50 50

20 20

26 26

24 24

18 18

21 21

Village of Hancock 64

61

55

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51 52 16

49

60 56 59

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47 48

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45 44 43 42 41 40

38

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Parks & Re c re at i on

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2. Hancock Hounds Dog Park 9. Hancock Cinemas 14. Robert Nichol Nature Preserve 26. OARS 27. Firemen’s Park 29. Little League Field 30. Fox Bowling 34. Scenic Overlook 46. Hancock Town Square 60. Louise Adelia Read Library 61. Hancock Central High School 63. Hancock Golf Course 64. DeWitt Reservoir

DIN I NG

4. Country Store 5. The Old Bat Factory 7. Subway 13. McDonald’s 22. MicBree’s Tavern 32. Uncle Brother 31. Circle E Diner 37. New China 40. Hancock House/Maple Room 51. Little Italy

The Bald Eagles of Hancock, NY “Eagle Man,” Andrew Baker: How to See Eagles in the Wild

By Kristin Barron

W

ildlife photographer Andrew Baker, of Hancock, NY, has been taking pictures of bald eagles in the Upper Delaware region for twelve years. Known locally as the “Eagle Man”, Baker has amassed a collection of 50,000 photos of our national bird that present these beautiful animals in all phases of their lifespan.

“Nothing gives me more pleasure than photographing the bald eagles of the East Branch of the Delaware River in Hancock, where I have an incredible bond with these magnificent creatures of the sky,” says Baker.

The Delaware River region is considered to be one of the most up and coming habitats for the bald eagle in the country.

In fact, the 120-mile stretch of the Delaware River from Hancock, N.Y. to the Delaware Water Gap is one of the largest and most vibrant inland wintering habitats of bald eagle in the Northeastern United States, according to the Delaware River Basin Commission, an organization which oversees and manages the Delaware River Basin.

It wasn’t always that way.

Large numbers of the birds were killed preceding federal protection under the Bald Eagle Act of 1940. The heavy use of DDT and other pesticides, which became prevalent in the 1940s, also had a significant effect on the bald eagle population because these chemicals impede successful reproduction by making the shells of the eagle eggs too thin to hatch. In 1972 the U.S. government banned the production of DDT which helped eagle populations to recuperate.

Conservation programs by the Delaware River Basin Commission and other agencies and organizations to keep the river and its tributaries clean, the fish plentiful, and the habitat undisturbed also have been a big aid in the recovery of the bald eagle population throughout the Upper Delaware.

Today, bald eagles are no longer considered endangered or threatened at the national level. The bird is still on the list of threatened species in New York; however, it is no longer listed in Pennsylvania where it is listed as protected under Game and Wildlife code.

Sometimes it's easy to identify a bald eagle. The bird’s dramatic white head and tail and the size of its wingspan make it hard to miss. However, it is not until an eagle reaches maturity at about five years that the white plumage develops. Immature bald eagles are brown, mottled with white. For this reason, it is important to learn the size, shape, and flying posture to correctly identify bald eagles, says the New

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“Want to see an eagle in the wild? — Take a slow ride on any road that rides along the river.” ~ Andrew Baker

York Department of Conservation (DEC). As an eagle flies, its wings are held straight out, unlike the more common turkey vulture, which soars with its wings in a V-shape. As an eagle passes overhead, the feathers at the tips of its wings are widely separated. Its relatively short tail is normally fanned open.

Eagles can also be recognized by their curved bills, clawed feet and large white tails, says the DEC. After his close study of the local eagle population, Baker can now identify individual birds.

Baker says he individually names all the bald eagles he photographs. “Some may think it strange of me, but I name them by their personalities,” he says. Baker has been capturing shots of a pair of eagles he has named “Slick” and “Princess” for the past twelve years. He also has a series of photographs of a juvenile eagle he named “Zeus” after the god of the sky in ancient Greek mythology.

Baker makes it a point to use caution when describing the locations of local eagle nests to protect the birds. The birds should remain undisturbed. Harassing, injuring, or killing an eagle is a federal offense that can carry a penalty of up to $20,000 and jail-time.

However, he does offer some tips on how to locate eagles in the wild. “Take a slow ride on any road that rides along the river,” he says.

DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

Another quality needed for eagle watching and photography is patience. Waiting quietly for hours just to get that perfect shot is a feat of perseverance and devotion. “I really love to photograph and sit and watch bald eagles because it brings me joy and happiness and a sense of freedom I can’t enjoy because of my disabilities”, says Baker. “I can sit and photograph these incredible creatures for hours,” he said.

Local areas where bald eagles are frequently sighted are NY Route 97, especially along the river corridor, Route 191 in Pennsylvania, and Peas Eddy Road in Hancock.

The DEC recommends that those wishing to observe eagles should avoid the later morning and early afternoon. Eagles are most active during the early morning hours between 7 to 9 a.m. or later afternoon between 4 to 5 p.m. It is best not to approach eagles closer than a quarter mile. Avoid roosting areas. Keep pets at home and try to be as quiet as possible. Using a pair of binoculars may also enhance viewing experience. And, as always, respect private property and avoid restricted areas.

Volunteers are needed to observe and document bald eagle activities in their communities on a daily and weekly basis, supplementing the data collected by researchers. For more information on how to help contact the DEC’s Bureau of Wildlife by email or at 518-402-8883. 

Did You Know?

Female bald eagles are larger than males. The male’s wingspan can range from six to seven feet from tipto-tip and the female from seven to eight feet from tip-to-tip.

Are bald eagles bald? No, their heads are covered with feathers which turn white as the birds mature.

The word "bald" is a derivative of "balde," an old English word meaning white.

Benjamin Franklin preferred the turkey over the bald eagle as America's national emblem. The bald eagle was selected as our national symbol on June 20, 1782, because of its long life, great strength, and stately looks.

Eagles and other birds have three eyelids. There are two outside eyelids; the bottom is bigger than the top, so they blink up instead of down. The inner eyelid is called a nictitating membrane; it grows in the inner corner of the eye, right next to the tear duct, is transparent, and sweeps across the eye from side to side.

Bald Eagles in the wild can survive up to 20-30 years of age.

Bald eagles are primarily fish eaters, which is why they build their nests and live near water, and why they migrate to open water areas during the winter months. But eagles will also eat dead animals and even ducks.

Bald eagles hold the record for the biggest bird nest ever built. One nest in Florida was over 20 feet deep, over nine feet wide, and weighed almost three tons.

Eagles nest in trees—often in tall conifers that have good visibility. Both the male and female birds help to build the nest with sticks. The inside of the nest is lined with grass, moss, and feathers. The female lays between one and three eggs which are white, usually without markings.

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GET ON THE GREENS IF

a day spent on the greens is how you RELAX, UNWIND, and ENJOY THE OUTDOORS — Hancock has what you’re looking for! With two 9-hole and one 18-hole golf course the Town of Hancock is a golf lovers dream destination.

designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, designer and architect of over 500 courses including Oak Hill-East, Pebble Beach and August National. The Clubhouse offers sweeping views overlooking the first fairway as well as the village of Hancock.

The French Woods Golf & Country Club is located seven miles from the Village of Hancock. It is golf at its finest. The 18-hole course challenges while providing a relaxing, picturesque backdrop. Enjoy breakfast or lunch at the Clubhouse while soaking in the panoramic views of the rolling hills of the Catskill Mountains.

A short 20-minute drive through beautiful north east Pennsylvania brings you to the Lake Lorain Golf Course in Poyntelle, Pa. This is a full length 9-hole course with blue, white, gold, and red tees which provide a variety of options for play. A great landscape provides an enjoyable golf experience overlooking Lake Lorain. With all the wildlife ranging from deer and rabbits to the resident bald eagle, your golf round will not be lonely! 

Located right in the heart of the Village of Hancock the Hancock Golf & Country Club is a 9-hole course

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

LEGACY OF HONOR GOLF TOURNAMENT CAP TAIN & CRE W

SEP TEMBER 3, 2 02 2

18-Hole Tournament to honor all those who f ight for our freedom. Proceeds of the Tournament go to Le gac y o f Ho n o r, a not-for-prof it organization that provides scholarships for local students , and other ve terans’ organizations .

French Woods Golf & Countr y Club Call 607-637-1800 for more information Spring/Summer 2022

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C AL E N DAR OF E VE N TS : S E PT / O C T

3 September: Pancake Breakfast at the East Ararat United Methodist Church. 7- 11 a.m. Eat in or Take out.

210 Crosstown Hwy, Uniondale, PA.

3 September: A Salsa Fiesta Food Relief Fundraiser will be held at Farm Arts Collective, located at 38 Hickory Lane, Damascus, Pa., at 6:30 p.m. The evening begins with a salsa making class with Chef Maribel Guzman and continues with a fiesta with music, food, and refreshments. This is a fundraiser for Wayne County Farm to Families Fund that provides local farm produce to Wayne County food pantries. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door. More information at www.

FarmArtsCollective.org.

10-September: Edible Plants workshop at the Robert W. Nichol Nature Preserve and Science Center, 404 W. Main St., Hancock, NY. 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. $15 fee.

17-September: Equinunk Church Window History presented by Pastor Steve Knutsen will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Equinunk United Methodist Church, 18 Lordville Rd, Equinunk, Pa. 17-September: The Deposit Historical Museum will have a sale booth at the Artisan Festival at the Red Barn, 18 Kelsey Road, Deposit, NY.

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21 September: Jack Shay, local author and historian will present U.S. Presidential Candidates from New York State at 7 p.m. at the Deposit Historical Museum, 145 2nd Street, Deposit, NY. Free admission and refreshments.

24 September: Oquaga Creek State Park will present a performance by the Laughing Budda Episodes. More information available at 607-4674160 1 October: Delhi Harvest Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Delhi Courthouse Square. Vendors, food ad more!

1 October: Pancake Breakfast at the East Ararat United Methodist Church. 7- 11 a.m. Eat in or Take out.

210 Crosstown Hwy, Uniondale, PA. 7-8 October: Hancock Harvest Festival and 13th annual Bob Ray Memorial Tractor Parade. Vendors and activities at the Town Square on Friday. Parade on Saturday.

15 October: Scarecrow Contest and Nature Puppet Making at the Robert W. Nichol Nature Preserve and Science Center, 404 W. Main St., Hancock, NY. 15 October: Chicken and Biscuit Dinner at the East Ararat United Methodist Church. Eat in or Take out.

210 Crosstown Hwy, Uniondale, PA.

DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

Spring/Summer 2022

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

Reserve by July 29 for Upper Delaware Council’s

Family Raft Trip on August 7 NARROWSBURG – The 34th Annual Family Raft Trip sponsored by the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) with deeply-discounted rates will take place on Sunday, August 7. Reservations are required by Friday, July 29.

This year’s river section to be paddled is an exciting and scenic five-mile stretch of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River from Skinners Falls to Narrowsburg.

Lander’s River Trips, a family-owned and operated business since 1955, will provide the sturdy inflatable rafts, paddles, life jackets, safety instructions, and transportation between bases.

Participants will rendezvous between 9-10 a.m. at Lander’s Narrowsburg Campground located at 69 DeMauro Lane in Narrowsburg, NY 12764 to park their vehicles, check-in at the UDC table, and board a shuttle up to the Skinners Falls Base.

The UDC’s pass-through group rate is $29 for ages 13 and up, and $19 for ages 4-12.

Advance payment by cash to the UDC office at 211 Bridge St. in Narrowsburg; a check made payable to “UDC” mailed to P.O. Box 192, Narrowsburg, NY 12764; or electronically via PayPal is requested.

Download a 2022 registration flyer posted at www.upperdelawarecouncil.org or submit the following information: Reservation name, address, phone number, and email address; a list of every raft group member; identify and provide the ages of any minor children (under age 18 as of Aug. 7); the total number of guests at the $29 and $19 rate; and the amount paid.

Participants should be in good physical condition. Children must weigh at least 40 lbs. and be able to swim. All guests must sign liability waiver forms before launching.

For optimum safety, all UDC participants (children and adults) will be required to wear a life jacket when they are on the water for the duration of the trip.

Dress to get wet, wear sunscreen and foot protection, and don’t bring valuables.

Bring plenty of drinking water. Carry out trash. Glass containers are not allowed on the river. Small coolers and waterproof bags for items such as cameras and keys may be tied into the raft. Remember and respect that the majority

This year’s river section to of land along the be paddled is an exciting and river is privately scenic five-mile stretch of owned. the Upper Delaware Scenic The average and Recreational River from length for this trip is Skinners Falls to Narrowsburg.

2.5 hours, depending on the river level, wind, and each group’s desired pace.

The UDC is a non-profit organization working since 1988 in partnership with the National Park Service to conserve the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River for the benefit of present and future generations.

Its members are the local New York towns and Pennsylvania townships which border on the river, as well as the State of New York, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Delaware River Basin Commission in a non-voting capacity.

The UDC organizes the raft trip annually to help promote stewardship of the river through direct interaction with its natural and scenic resources.

Please direct any questions to UDC Secretary Ashley Hall-Bagdonas at (845) 252-3022 or ashley@ upperdelawarecouncil.org.

The King family (Molly, Edie, Josh and Christie) joined the Upper Delaware Council’s Raft Trip in 2020 to paddle from Minisink Ford to Pond Eddy.

Spring/Summer 2022

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Take the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge!

F

or nearly a century, observers watched the forests of New York State--including the Catskill and Adirondack forest preserves-- from more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks, searching for the dangerous, telltale signs of forest fires. The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit the region's remaining five historic fire towers, as well as a new sixth fire tower that was opened at the Catskills Visitor Center in the fall of 2019.

HOW TO ENTER 1.

Visit all six Catskill Fire Towers between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. (You do not need to climb up to the cab).

Overlook Mountain - Woodstock, NY Hunter Mountain - Hunter, NY Red Hill Mountain - Denning, NY Balsam Lake Mountain - Hardenburgh, NY Tremper Mountain - Shandaken, NY Upper Esopus - Mt. Tremper, NY

2.

Fill out the log of completed hikes along with one favorite photo. Download the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge log and email it to catskillschallenge@dec. ny.gov. This can also be submitted via mail to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Outdoor Recreation, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-1010. Entries must be postmarked by January 7, 2023.

3.

Limit one entry per person.

4.

You'll receive a commemorative patch and be entered to win great outdoor prizes including hiking accessories.

Members of Hancock Boy Scout Troop 74 climb the Fire Tower at Overlook Mountain in Woodstock, NY.

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

We’re here if you need us.

New to the area, or just visiting... we have you covered.

• 24-hour ER with nationally recognized staff less than 30 minutes away • Same day Primary Care appointments, conveniently located and nearby • Quick access to state-of-the-art imaging and lab services

UHS Primary Care Walton: (607) 865-2400 2 Titus Place, Walton Downsville: (607) 363-2517 28315 State Highway 206 Roscoe: (607) 498-4800 1982 Old Route 17

UHS Delaware Valley Hospital 1 Titus Place, Walton • (607) 865-2100

nyuhs.org UHS Delaware Valley Hospital

YOUR CARE. YOUR WAY. Spring/Summer 2022

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

www.jhacompanies.com (844) 542-4757

5 1 Years in Business!

Lifetime Warranty and ASE Blue Seal Certified Repair Shop

• Scott Drumm, Owner for 51 Years • Dave Thomason, ASE Certified Tech. Over 36

PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE IN THE ENGINEERING INDUSTRY

years of experience

SCOTT’S AUTO BODY specializes in collision repairs,

painting, insurance claims, direct repair for insurance companies (Nationwide, NY Central Mutual, & Preferred Mutual) Located 1 mile down Peas Eddy Road Open 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Saturday 7 a.m. - 12 Noon

NEW YORK | PENNSYLVANIA | OHIO |WEST VIRGINIA

Spring/Summer 2022

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

Spring/Summer 2022

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Presentarts Theatre Company: A Mainstay for 30 Years PRESENTARTS THEATRE COMPANY has been a mainstay of our area for thirty years. Playwright and Director, Judith Present, left her design studio in the garment district of New York City in 1985 to live in the country. She brought her talent and love of acting, directing and playwrting to Scott Center, Pennsylvania. She brought six shows a year to the Deposit State Theatre from 1992-2002.

Enter Ernest Schenk. Schenk knew Judith from their days performing together at the New York Renaissance Theater in Manhattan. He invited Judith to write and direct for the Hancock Opera House. For that space she brought “War What’s it For?” which covered the Revolutionary War, Civil War and Vietnam, The play made its debut at the Hancock Opera House before going on tour at various Veteran organizations and churches throughout the region as well as the Roberson Museum in Binghamton, New York. “Pioneer Women,” also a first at the Hancock Opera House, became “Women Who Tamed the West,” as it was performed at the Ballroom of the Roberson Museum.

Judith knew she loved history, not by dates and events, but the people and their stories.

Historical characters seemed to fit a missing link in local theater so Presentarts refashioned itself and brought to life costumed historical personages. The characters tell their stories in monologues describing the political, economic, and social environments that shaped them. Their stories provide a connection with the past that helps to explain historical events through those who lived them. The shows engage the audience allowing them to feel like a particpant in history.

Presentarts brings you such the First Ladies - Dolley Madison, Mary Todd Lincoln and Lady Bird Johnson. They tell the “behind the scenes” stories of their marriages and impact on presidential history. The theater company brings Marie Curie, Sarah Bernhardt, Nelly Bly, the Wright Brothers and their sister Katharine, Enrico Caruso and many others into the present.

Presentarts programs can be a complement to existing programming or luncheons or can stand alone as a discrete fundraising performance for organizations. Presentarts can be reached at 607-637-3169 for their complete repertoire for museums, historical societies, organizations, theatres and places of worship.  Judith Present, Playwright and Director  Maryann Johnson, Associate Director

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

Attorney Advertising

Spring/Summer 2022

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Bass’

Hancock House Hotel 137 East Front Street | Hancock, New York 13783 | 607-637-7100

The Hancock House Hotel is located in downtown Hancock, New York, just a short walk from the headwaters of the Delaware River and the best trout fishing in America.

Honest Eddie’s Tap Room and The Maple Room Restaurant are located on the main floor where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Maple Room is available for large parties, meetings, weddings and other formal functions. Contact Kim, our banquet manager for more information.

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

A Family Enterprise: Bass Enterprises

by James Kilgore

Members of The Bass Family keep it all going — Pat & Kim Simmons, Lynn & Russell Bass, Maretta, Elijah, Ella, Josiah, Micah and Seth Simmons.

The following article was featured in the October 27, 2021 issue of The Hancock Herald as part of the Hancock Area Chamber of Commerce Spotlight series.

Russell Bass is an entrepreneur from the old school. He does not use spreadsheets and business plans but uses his keen intuition to build a business.

From his early days as a logger and teenager working at his grandfather’s sawmill Russell was not satisfied to just continue the family business. So today Russell’s family not only continues to own and run Russell Bass & Sons Lumber in Fishs Eddy but has ventured into other local businesses to include French Woods Golf Course, the Hancock House Hotel, Bass Cabins and The Old Bat Factory Mobil Mart. Russell, his wife, Lynn, sons Todd and Shane and daughter Kimberly and even the grandchildren are all involved in one or more of the family businesses.

“I grew up in the sawmill business,” says Russell. “My grandfather had a small sawmill that my dad took over so when I got out of school, I decided to cut logs,” says Russell who, like his wife, Lynn, was born and raised in the Town of Hancock.

“I cut logs and worked in the mill for 13 years before I bought the mill from my father. The mill had just one (production) line then and I automated the line and later expanded the mill.”

The mill takes in logs from its own crews and from other loggers. The mill, now operated by Russell’s son’s Todd and Shane is “medium-sized”, producing 3 ½ million board feet of lumber and an equal amount of ash sawlogs shipped overseas each year.

Russell began his second business, Bass Cabins about 24 years ago with the construction of two log cabins on then recently-logged family-owned timberland.

Russell believed there was a need for rental cabins for area recreational visitors looking for a quiet place to stay in the

woods. And he was right. Since then, he has built twelve more fully equipped cabins.

Soon after Russell built his first cabins another business took shape. Russell, for some time, mulled over the fact that there was no 18-hole golf course in the area that could serve both local and visiting golfers.

He knew by intuition there was a need for a quality course with a clubhouse. Russell owned 125 acres in French Woods and secured an adjacent 100 acres and that was just what Russell needed for his golf course. With the help of his sons and some others the land was cleared, contoured and planted. The first 9 holes opened in 1999 and the back 9 opened in 2001.

Russell added about one new over-night cabin on the golf course each year.

Russell & Lynn at The French Woods Golf & Country Club

The French Woods Golf and Country Club offers golf packages, season memberships and hosts many local golf charity events.

Russell’s wife, Lynn, manages the golf club house and “I help out wherever else I am needed,” she adds. Russell and the grandkids help cut and maintain the fairways and greens. The greens have to be cut every other day during normal growing conditions. “I mow a lot,” says a hands-on Russell.

In 2007 another of Russell’s visions became reality with the

construction of the 32-room Hancock House Hotel, restaurant and bar in the center of Hancock Village. “I saw how well the cabin rental business was doing and I saw a need for more quality lodging in Hancock. That is how this all got started,” says Russell. Russell and Lynn’s daughter, Kimberly, manages the Hancock House and her daughter’s often pitch-in to help in the kitchen and dining room.

Then there is Russell’s latest venture, The Old Bat Factory at the west end of Hancock Village. Russell bought the former Norton baseball bat factory facility about nine years ago. He decided to turn the facility into an attractive gas station/convenience store and car wash.

Russell makes it clear that though the location is convenient for large diesel trucks to use to refuel it is not a “truck stop.” Besides convenience items and a deli counter and expanded deli case the Old Bat factory recently added a line of Amish food items and candies.

Currently the second floor of the Bat Factory building is vacant but may be rented as future office space.

And what is next on Russell’s agenda?

“I may build a few more cabins,” he says.

But no new major projects are on the horizon. “I think that’s it for a while,” he says, then adding “what I am hoping is that what I am doing today will be a long-term benefit to both my family and the community.”

Russell is too low-key to say it himself but he and his family have built a very successful family enterprise that provides needed services and jobs to the community making Hancock a more attractive place to live and visit. 

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MOON FLOAT

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TEL: 607-637-2966

Participants in the 2021 Moon Float stop at the Stockport River Access for snacks and beverages during the annual Hancock Area Chamber of Commerce event.

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3rd Annual Moon Float: July 16, 2023 With over 100 participants and close to 100 kayaks, canoes, and drift boats, the second annual Moon Float was a huge success and the 2022 Float promises to be even bigger!

The float is a fundraiser for the Hancock Area Chamber of Commerce with a suggested donation of $15 per person. Glow-in-the-dark T-shirts will be available to purchase and each participant will be given a glow stick and sticker.

Participants don life jackets and head lamps and launch from Outdoor Adventure Recreational Services (OARS) at 41 S. Pennsylvania Ave, in Hancock and arrive at the final destination seven miles downriver at the Buckingham Access approximately four hours later.

Registrants are treated to hamburgers and hot dogs before hitting the water and more snacks and beverages are available at a midpoint stop at the Stockport Access. Upon reaching Buckingham Access, Chamber members meet the boaters with even more snacks, beverages and a fire.

“It was a perfect night for a float. We would definitely do this again!” ~ Bettina & Angelo, Dunmore, Pa.

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DESTINATION HANCOCK Gateway to the Upper Delaware

Spring/Summer 2022

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