Visitor's Guide 2017 issue

The Inside Story We’ve all been there. We arrive in a new or even a familiar place for a vacation or day trip and the choices are amazing and impressive.

But how to really know where to eat, where to stay, what places to visit?

What we really want to know is: Where do the locals go? In our towns, there are hundreds of “ambassadors” who can point you in the right direction. Some have lived here all their lives, some are relatively new. But almost all are happy to give a recommendation or two. For this edition of the Visitor’s Guide, we’ve asked a few of them from different walks of life — starting with 100-year-old Agnes Van Put — to act as your personal guides to our wonderfully varied area. We hope you enjoy this insider’s look at Livingston Manor, Roscoe, DeBruce and Lew Beach. And thank you for visiting us!

The Visitor’s Guide Staff

www.LivingstonManor.org | www.RoscoeNY.com

6 10 12 15 18 23 26 28 34 40 42 44 47 48 50 53 58

contents

Agnes Van Put, Local Treasure by Barbara Gref Brian Facquet by Alexis Eggleton Sims & Kirsten Foster by Kris Neidecker Carolyn Duke by Emily Gref Susan & Marc Jaffe by Kris Neidecker Bradley Diuguid by Emily Gref Fishing the Seasons by Ken Tutalo Fishing Maps by George Fulton Bob Eckert by Alexis Eggleton Miriam Stone by Kris Neidecker Along the River in Roscoe, It’s not the Camping of Yesteryear by Lou Ruggiero Finger Lakes Trail in the Catskills by Lisa M. Lyons Doug Smith by Maria Bivins DeBruce Remembered: An Interview with Marilyn Lusker 2017 Calendar of Events Business Directory Renewed Life for Historic Bridge Over Fabled Waters by Dr Joyce Conroy

Co-Editors: Maria Bivins, Emily Gref Creative Director: Carolyn Bivins

For additional information:

Livingston Manor Chamber of Commerce PO Box 122, Livingston Manor, NY 12758 www.livingstonmanor.org email: lmchamber@livingstonmanor.org Roscoe Chamber of Commerce PO Box 443, Roscoe, NY 12776 www.roscoeny.com email: info@roscoeny.com Produced by Visitors Guide, 265 Willowemoc Rd, Livingston Manor, NY 12758 (845) 707-2723 email: visitorsguide2017@gmail.com

Photo credit Dana Duke 4

visitor’s guide 2017

On the Cover Several years ago, local artist Jack Yelle presented the Visitor’s Guide with a digital collection of many of his renderings.

In his characteristically generous fashion, he said, “Use them as you see fit!” Indeed, we’ve displayed many of them in the Visitor’s Guide over the years. In addition to the local renown Jack has enjoyed as a painter of still lifes, country pastorals, fly fishing scenes and his murals in downtown Roscoe, he earned a reputation far and wide for his mastery. For years, he and his wife, Pat Yelle, displayed their work in the Morning Star Gallery in Roscoe.

In December 2015, Jack Yelle died at the age of 81. In honor of his talent and of his many contributions to the community, on the cover of the 2017 Visitor’s Guide, we are pleased to present four images taken from the collection Jack bestowed on us in 2011.

Thank you, Jack!

Jack Yelle paintings on the cover: clockwise: Summer Tree; Beaverkill Bridge; First Cast 2011; Snow Kids. On the right: You’ve Got Mail.

Contributors: Apple Pond Farm | Carolyn Bivins | Maria Bivins, Life Repurposed | Buck Brook Alpacas

CAS Arts Center | CFFCM | Dr. Joyce Conroy | Marie D’Antoni, Moxie Alley | Carolyn Duke, Duke Pottery Dana Duke | Alexis Eggleton | Dave & Phil Eggleton, Trout Town Adventures & Guide Services Elaine Fettig | George Fulton | Iris Fen Gillingham, Manor Ink | Barbara Gref | Emily Gref Charlie Irace, Roscoe O&W Railway Museum | Susan & Marc Jaffe, Snowdance Farm | Judy La Verde Marilyn Lusker, DeBruce Farm | Kyle Lowe | Lisa M. Lyons, Morgan Outdoors | Van Morrow, Mountain Bear Crafts Kris Neidecker | The Roscoe NY Beer Co. | Scott Conley & Lou Ruggiero, Roscoe Campsite Park Jill C. Smith Photography | Laurie Spath, Pepacton Natural Foods | Miriam Stone, Annie’s Place Ken Tutalo, Baxter House River Outfitters | Jill Wiener, Earthgirl Flowers | Pat & Jack Yelle

Our thanks to all who contributed to the 2017 Visitor’s Guide

visitor’s guide 2017

5

Agnes Van Put, Local Treasure by Barbara Gref

At 100, A Local Treasure Loves Sharing Her Wisdom Fly Fishing Center’s Youthful Centenarian Known for Her Opening Day Soup Most people use a mirror to check their looks — is the hair in place, the makeup right?

Not Agnes Van Put. For her, a mirror is more like a calendar.

If not for her mirror, she’d never believe she was 100 years old.

NY Governor Andrew Cuomo got to visit with Agnes during the 2016 Catskill Challenge 6

visitor’s guide 2017

“Out here, you see that I am old,” she says waving a hand toward herself. “But in here?” she touches her chest.

“I don’t feel it!”

Truth be told, even the mirror is not a good gauge.

“Twice [since hitting the century mark in August 2016], I’ve had to show my license to people. They didn’t believe me.”

There’s good reason for disbelief. Mrs. Van Put, the longest-serving member of the staff at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center (CFFCM), gets around without a wheelchair or walker and generally without a cane. Her mind is as sharp as anyone’s and the twinkle in her eye could fool the keenest of observers into thinking she’s a mere 80.

And, like someone even younger than 80, she gets in her car every week to drive the few miles to the CFFCM where she takes up the post she’s held for more than 30 years.

At the center’s gift shop, Agnes is often the one to greet visitors and provide information not just about the CFFCM, but about the area in general. She is best known for the soup she makes and serves every year for the opening day of trout season festivities — this year to be

held on the traditional date, April 1, a Saturday. But cookies and the occasional rum cake have also been known to come from her kitchen, as do the preserves that are for sale in the CFFCM shop.

Agnes began her time at the gift shop as a volunteer, but within a short time, she was added to the payroll.

She has put her many experiences to work for the Center and Museum.

Born in 1916 in Prospect Park, New Jersey, the self-described “Jersey girl” grew up in a family of limited means and went to work in the local silk manufacturer at the age of 15, making slips and panties for 10 cents an hour until a job action upped the hourly wage to 35 cents.

She met her husband Emil in the usual way — a girl friend of hers knew his brother and they all got together down the hill in Paterson one day.

Agnes and Emil retired to the banks of the Willowemoc, having been lured to the area by their son, the noted fly fisherman and angling historian Ed Van Put, who lived just across the street from the barn his folks eventually bought and converted to their home.

Over the years, Agnes was relied upon for her wisdom as well as her baking. Joan and Lee Wulff employed Agnes as the baker for their fishing school on the nearby Beaverkill. Agnes would make sour cream cookies and oatmeal spice, as well cakes such as chocolate and her rum cake. The school was a busy place with many comings and goings, including Lee Wulff’s plane, which he’d land right on the property. Once, Agnes confides, he took her up for a ride. And it was Lee Wulff who advised Agnes in the ways of making a trout fly — not a tied fly, but one made with a certain emulsion to bind the parts to a molded plastic body. Agnes once demonstrated the technique of the Lee Wulff innovation at the museum and sold $300 worth of her flies that one day at $4 a piece.

Of course, tied flies are the true calling card of the Catskills, the place where the dry fly was essentially invented and came into wide use.

Flies are one of the top lines of inquiry at the CFFCM. When the question comes up — “What flies are they using?” — Agnes will refer anglers to the hatching chart just outside the gift shop’s front door. And she will then be sure to let visitors know they can see the desks of some of the great fly tyers of all time inside the museum: Elsie and Harry Darbee’s, as well as Winnie, Walt and Mary Dette’s, plus flies tied by Art Flick and, of course, Poul Jorgensen. The gallery devoted

to Lee and Joan Wulff is not to be missed, nor is the collection of rods and reels and the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame.

Agnes is so good at what she does as an ambassador for tourists, she was honored not long ago with the TOAST award by the Sullivan County Visitors Association. The acronym stands for Tribute to Outstanding Associate Serving Tourism. It’s an apt description for the level of service she provides and that she has provided for many years.

But then again, she is doing what she enjoys, she says: “Keeping busy, meeting people.”

Agnes recommends: u Inside the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum gift shop: The signature mug

is her favorite item. Those wishing to take a little of Mrs. Van Put’s culinary skill home with them might consider a jar of her jam, also for sale in the shop. 1031 Old Route 17, Livingston Manor. (845) 439-4810, www.cffcm.com

u Best fishing: Hendrickson’s Pool. See our Willowemoc and Beaverkill fly fishing map, page 28. u For gifts: Shirley Fulton’s Wildlife Gift Shop, Waterwheel Junction. Agnes is fond of the jewelry selection and the chocolates. 13 Main Street, Livingston Manor.

(845) 439-3938, www.facebook.com/Wildlife-Gift-Shop-167858693424425 u For dinner: The Rockland House for prime rib, 159 Rockland Road, Roscoe.

607-498-4240. Or, Raimondo’s Italian Restaurant, for the grilled portobello mushroom, 62 Stewart Avenue, Roscoe. 607-498-4702, www.facebook.com/ RaimondosRestaurant Also, Madison’s Restaurant is high on her list, 46 Main Street, Livingston Manor. 845-439-4368, www.madstand.com

u To stay: Creekside Cabins. Set along the Willowemoc, these cabins offer fishing right outside the back door. 12 Wegman Road, Livingston Manor. 607-498-5873, www.creeksidecabins.com

visitor’s guide 2017

7

Geotourism: Even More Local Knowledge

If you like the idea of tapping into the local storehouse of knowledge about a place or region, then you will like the National Geographic Geotourism initiative.

Since 2002, the National Geographic Society has collaborated with places around the world to create what are called sustainable tourism programs under the heading of geotourism.

According to the National Geographic, geotourism is defined as “tourism that sustains or enhances the distinctive geographical character of a place — its environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture and the well-being of its residents.” Or, to put it even more succinctly, National Geographic says its geotourism feature provides “a travel guide to the places most respected and recommended by locals.”

Because of the region’s connection to the Delaware River, Livingston Manor, as the gateway to the Catskill Park, and Roscoe, as Trout Town, USA, are both featured in the #ScenicWildDelawareRiver section on the geotourism website, a tourism area that spreads over parts of three states: New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Many of the Livingston Manor and Roscoe businesses, attractions, museums and annual events — from the three historic covered bridges, to the galleries and museums, to the unique shops along our main streets, to the Annual Trout Parade — mentioned in this 2017 Visitors Guide are featured on the geotourism site.

To help plan your trip, visit the interactive Map Guide at delawareriver.natgeotourism.com.

8

visitor’s guide 2017

Our Covered Bridges The Beaverkill Covered Bridge is one of three covered bridges found in the Town of Rockland. Two other bridges span the Willowemoc Creek: the Mott/Van Tran/Livingston Manor Bridge and the Bendo/Willowemoc/Covered Bridge Campsite bridge. Both were built in 1860.

To get to the Van Tran Bridge: From Route 17 Exit 96, make a right onto Old Route 17.

In about 1/3 mile, make a left onto Covered Bridge Road.

To get to the Bendo Covered Bridge: From Route 17 Exit 96, make a right, then drive almost 6 miles east on County Route 82 to DeBruce, then 2 miles right on Willowemoc Road, then right onto Covered Bridge Campsites and the bridge.

Camping available during the season.

For more information on these and other covered bridges in New York state, visit nycoveredbridges.org.

Turn to page 58 to read Dr. Joyce Conroy’s story, Renewed Life for Historic Bridge Over Fabled Waters.

visitor’s guide 2017

9

Brian Facquet by Alexis Eggleton

When Spirits Meet Craftsmanship Brian Facquet is a tinkerer.

He’s the type of guy who takes things apart to understand how they work. He enjoys the process and the details in the craftsmanship that go into making a great product. He believes in honoring the rich history of Roscoe and the Catskill Mountains, and carefully curates and highlights a variety of locally sourced materials.

“Is he a carpenter?” you might wonder. “A mason? An artist?”

On any given day he could wear one or all of those titles, and several more besides, as the founder of Roscoe’s own Prohibition Distillery.

Built in the old Roscoe Firehouse in 2013, Prohibition Distillery creates high-quality spirits that showcase the very best of what the Catskills have to offer visitors. Their Bootlegger 21 Vodka and Gin have both won numerous prestigious awards nationally and internationally, and their Bootlegger 21 Bourbon is widely 10

visitor’s guide 2017

featured in bars and restaurants across the United States because it truly represents “American made.”

That same spirit led Brian to open a distillery to harness his entrepreneurial spirit and build something to leave behind for his family. One might call it the American Dream personified, but Brian would probably just smile and ask if you’ve tried a Roscoe Julep, his favorite cocktail in the Distillery’s Alley Bar. And they don’t just make good products at Prohibition; Brian and the staff truly do good in the community. The distillery quietly supports a number of local and national charities throughout the year, and donates proceeds from any tasting at the Distillery to the Navy Seal Foundation.

For more information or for the live music schedule (Memorial Day through Labor Day), please visit www.prohibitiondistillery.com.

u For Coffee: Raimondo’s, 62 Stewart Avenue, Roscoe (607) 498-4702 u For Lunch: Soup at Pepacton Natural Foods, Roscoe (607) 441-9156, pepactonnaturalfoods.com u For the Best “Local” Meal: Broiled Native Trout at The Rockland House, 159 Rockland Rd. (607) 498-4240 u Best Way to Spend a Day: Cocktails in The Alley Bar, 10 Union Street, Roscoe, and dinner on the deck at Northern Farmhouse Pasta, 65 Rockland Rd, Roscoe.

(607) 498-4064, www.northernfarmhousepasta.com u Favorite Local Festival: The Memorial Day Parade in Roscoe. “As a veteran, I believe it’s important to memorialize our fallen soldiers. Roscoe’s service is so special.”

Brian from Prohibition Distillery at The Chef ’s Table dinner.

visitor’s guide 2017

11

Sims & Kirsten Foster by Kris Neidecker

Fostering Pride: Turning Love for the Area into a Hospitality Revival Sims and Kirsten Foster may now be staples of the area’s hospitality industry, but they loved the area long before they opened their first business.

Sims’ family has been in the area for generations, since the 1910s. His father graduated from Livingston Manor school in 1960, and his mother taught there for 37 years. In 1994, he attended college in West Virginia, and moved to New York City in 2000.

There, he was introduced to all the skills he’d need later, working in a popular nightclub, Lotus. He found himself thrown into the deep end, where he managed the club and had to balance the needs of guests and the business.

Kirsten spent time in Germany as a child, and has traveled extensively. She worked as an economist in New York City, and met Sims by pure coincidence when traveling with her brother to the area on a fishing trip. She fell in love with the area — so much so that she and Sims were married in Beaverkill Valley.

In the end, Sims came back to the place he loved most.

Moving back to Livingston Manor, Sims and Kirsten decided to try their hands at running a business themselves, and 12

visitor’s guide 2017

Peez Leweez, serving coffee and sandwiches to rave reviews, was born. Then followed the Resort, and then the Lazy Beagle, and on to their first full-on hospitality and restaurant mix, the Arnold House.

Sims and Kirsten feel the area has a lot to offer, from its unique flavor, to the ability to leave behind some of our digital trappings and go “analog” for a while, to a diverse and interesting Main Street.

Therapeutic Massage provided by the area’s best

NYS Licensed Therapist 839 S h a n d e l e e Ro a d L i v i n g s t o n Ma n o r N Y (845) 439 1264 Spa@thearnoldhouse.com

Sims recommends exploring the following: u For Hiking: Frick Pond, where you can find a relaxing hiking

trail around the pond itself. Accessed via the Quick Lake/Flynn Trail Trailhead, located near the end of Beech Mountain Road. www.dec. ny.gov/lands/9146.html

u For “an enjoyable ride”: First, the “Mosey Hike” at Alder Lake

in Beaverkill Valley, accessed by Alder Creek Road (County Route 54) in the Town of Hardenburgh, Ulster County, 18 miles north of Livingston Manor, where you can walk the comfortable Alder Lake loop. When done there, head to Roscoe and enjoy the town, and then head back up Old Route 17 into Livingston Manor.

u For a local brew:

Roscoe Beer Company 145 Rockland Rd, Roscoe.

(607) 290-5002, roscoebeercompany.com Catskill Brewery 672 Old Rte 17, Livingston Manor.

(845) 439-1232, catskillbrewery.com Callicoon Brewing Company 16 Upper Main St, Callicoon.

(845) 887-5500

visitor’s guide 2017

13

Carolyn Duke by Emily Gref

Art and Life Hand-Built on a Hilltop Insiders know the best time of year to visit Duke Pottery is in the fall and winter months, when the days are short enough that the opening hours overlap with twilight.

If you’re lucky enough to be in the gallery and gift shop at this time, you’ll be treated to a stunning sunset over the hills of Obernburg: easily one of the best views in the area.

In fact, that sunset is the entire reason Duke Pottery is where it stands today.

In the late 1980s, Carolyn Duke and her husband Dana left city life behind and came up to the Catskills to start a new life with their two small children. When touring properties, they happened to view the spot at 855 County Road 93 just as the sun was sinking in the sky. For photographer Dana, it was love at first sight — and fated, too. Though someone else had already put a bid on the property, it fell through and the Dukes were able to build the house and studio spaces of their dreams.

Although Carolyn had always loved pottery and working with clay, when her boys were small most of her time was spent homeschooling. Pottery was relegated to weekends and summers — easy enough, as Carolyn doesn’t use a wheel, and instead builds her pieces by hand, able to pick up the clay whenever able and shape her rustic bowls, plates and vases whenever she had spare time. Once her oldest son was off to college, however, she had a lot more free time. That’s when Duke Pottery really began to take off: “I started out with just a tableful of work in the chicken coop,” Carolyn recalls. That’s hard to believe now, looking at the Duke Pottery gallery and gift shop: several rooms in the second story of a barn, full of beautiful pottery and artwork from 30 other local artists.

Carolyn’s passion is clay and its connection to the earth, which shows when you browse her wares. Primarily

pinch pots, each piece is unique, and draws inspiration and design from nature — literally. Many of her pieces feature imprints made from pressing leaves, twigs, shells and other bits of nature into the clay, forming patterns that embody the natural beauty of the Catskills. For the pottery aficionado, you’ll find Carolyn’s work is made with a variety of firing methods, including raku, horsehair, barrel firing and smoking, in addition to her high fired stoneware that can withstand everyday use and be put in the dishwasher.

In addition to her own work, Duke Pottery showcases pieces from other local potters, as well as paintings, handspun yarn, one-of-a-kind lampshades, books by local authors, local maple syrup and jams, CDs, handmade soaps, jewelry and much, much more.

Duke Pottery is also a designated “infoasis” for the Sullivan County Visitors Association, so in addition to beautiful views and art, Carolyn can provide you with maps and point you to the next hidden gem of a spot during your time in the area. visitor’s guide 2017

15

Here are some of Carolyn’s top recommendations: u For going off the beaten track: Morgan Outdoors. So many of Carolyn’s customers come up from the city, and they’re eager to take full advantage of the great outdoors. So she sends them over to Morgan Outdoors, where they can pick up trail maps and find everything they need to explore the beautiful Livingston Manor - Roscoe area that she takes so much inspiration from. 46 Main St, Livingston Manor. (845) 439-5507, morgan-outdoors.com u For baked goods: Brandenburg Bakery. Carolyn especially recommends the bagels and chocolate chip cookies! 66 Main St, Livingston Manor. (845) 439-0200, www.brandenburgbakery.com u For an alpaca experience: Buck Brook Alpacas Farm, just down the road from Duke Pottery. Learn all about alpacas and pick up some of the softest scarves, gloves and hats to be found!

99 Bestenheider Rd, Roscoe. (845) 807-3104, www.buckbrookalpacas.com

16

visitor’s guide 2017

Susan & Marc Jaffe by Kris Neidecker

From City Living to Humane Animal Husbandry Susan and Marc Jaffe have spent the last almost two decades entranced with the Livingston Manor area. Originally, what is now Snowdance Farm was a weekend home — a fine getaway from the hustle and bustle of their busy careers in New York City. Then, Susan specialized in economic and business development, while Marc worked in the tech industry. They loved the area from the start, and spent what time they could here, enjoying the picturesque views and clean air and quiet.

Over time, however, the area pulled them in, and in 2001 they moved into their home full time, leaving behind their busy careers to pursue their dream of running a true small farmstead.

Over the years, starting from scratch since the home wasn’t a farm to begin with, Snowdance Farm was created. Starting with a few chickens and supplying them to local businesses and restaurants, they expanded to ducks, cows, pigs, sheep, goats and more. Everything had to be learned as they went, and Marc and Susan spent a lot of time teaching themselves all the ins and outs of husbandry with the help of all of the wonderful local resources for small farms.

Now they run the farm full time and provide produce for many local businesses.

Some things Marc and Susan love about the area: u Beaverkill Trout Hatchery:

“It’s fun for the little kids.” Hatchery and fishing preserve. 22 Alder Rd, Livingston Manor. (845) 439-4947, www.facebook.com/Beaverkill-Trout-Hatchery-208774409231937

u Justine’s Just Breathe Yoga: Susan spends time here unwinding

and practicing yoga routines. 108 Somewhere in Time Ln, Parksville.

(845) 807-8704, www.facebook.com/Justines-Just-Breathe-Yoga-405190189537902

u Rolling River Cafe: The Guide happens to know Rolling River for its

great Eastern European cuisine, intimate riverside location and outdoor woodland seating (weather permitting). 25 Cooley Rd., Parksville.

(845) 747-4123, www.rollingriver.net

u Congregation Agudas Achim: A very inclusive and enjoyable Syna-

gogue. Friday night services the first Friday of the month. ”It’s just a fun evening.” 587 Old Route 17, Livingston Manor. (845) 439-3600, www.congregationagudasachim.org

18

visitor’s guide 2017

Moxie Alley at 6 Pearl Street carries handcrafted hats, jewelry, soaps and body care.

visitor’s guide 2017

19

Building A Community, One Flower at a Time The Livingston Manor Renaissance is a group of volunteers who work tirelessly through the seasons to improve the natural beauty of our community. Through their efforts, the business district is enhanced by hanging flower baskets, benches, window planters, street planters, strategically placed perennial beds, informational kiosks, historical plaques on buildings, and an artistic display from local businesses and organizations at the corners of Main & Pearl Streets.

Join the fun and festivities this year on Flower Day in Livingston Manor on May 20th. The streets will be lined with vendors selling their plants & flowers, garden art and so much more while many participating businesses will have garden wares galore and will be donating a portion of proceeds to the LM Renaissance. For more information visit them on Facebook /Livingston Manor Renaissance. Donations may be sent to 11 Johnston Rd, Livingston Manor, NY 12758.

Photo credit Iris Fen Gillingham

20

visitor’s guide 2017

Trails, Trails and More Trails The Sullivan County Visitors Association has done an excellent job of developing trail maps for many of the tourist-friendly amenities in this part of the world and all of them pass through the Livingston Manor-Roscoe region. There is the Good Taste Craft Beverage trail map; the Fresh from the Farm Agricultural trail map; Track History Museum trail map and more. See them all at scva.net.

Mongaup State Park

154 sites dot the perimeter and beyond of the 120-acre lake the largest body of water in the Catskill Park outside of the New York City reservoirs. Boating, picnicking, and some enticing hiking trails are offered. See dec.ny.gov

For the tech-savvy and on-the-go traveler, visit our websites at www.LivingstonManor.org and www.RoscoeNY.com for a digital, page-flip edition that can be easily downloaded and shared.

Mongaup State Park

visitor’s guide 2017

21

Young people gather along the stream to learn the principle of trout fishing catch and release from a Catskill Fly Fishing Center guide. Educational programs for all ages are among the hallmarks of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum.

The CFFCM is located along the Willowemoc Creek, at 1031 Old Route 17, Livingston Manor, NY, 845-439-4810.

To find out more about the CFFCM and their events, visit the organization’s page on Facebook or see our calendar pages in this edition of the Visitor’s Guide.

22

visitor’s guide 2017

Photo credit Nathaniel DePaul / Manor Ink

Bradley Diuguid by Emily Gref

The Arts Add Heart to Our Small Towns

Many towns have vibrant arts scenes, but for Bradley Diuguid, the Livingston Manor and Roscoe arts community is special because of the deep love and reverence residents have for their towns and the surrounding outdoors.

“It’s creek country out here,” Bradley says, and the local culture really reflects the local pride in the scenic waterways and fishing lore that has come to define the area. That pride, more than anything else, is what Bradley thinks distinguishes Livingston Manor and Roscoe from other towns.

Bradley was named executive director of the Catskill Arts Society, based in Livingston Manor, in February 2013.

Previously, he had held arts administration and arts education positions in places as varied as the Juilliard School, the American Repertory Theater and the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival after earning his Ed.M. in Arts in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education. But for Bradley, CAS hasn’t been just another job — it’s been a homecoming.

Bradley is a Sullivan County boy through and through.

Growing up in Monticello, going to high school in Eldred and living in Callicoon and Livingston Manor as an adult, he is intimately familiar with the Catskills — and with the many artists who call these hills and creeks their home.

Whether local artists live here full time, over weekends and summers, or have come to the area only as retirees, all share a profound love of the natural beauty of the area, he says.

It’s part of what Bradley loves to showcase at CAS.

CAS is a small-town arts center with a big vision.

The Main Street, Livingston Manor, space encompasses several multi-arts galleries, including paintings, pottery, digital arts, and temporary exhibitions. CAS is currently expanding its upper floor into a dedicated performance space.

In addition to the main building, the Laundry King annex houses an alternative exhibition space in a renovated laundromat. March through November, the Laundry King can accommodate more “spontaneous” arts exhibitions, as Bradley puts it, allowing for diverse, community-driven exhibits and performances.

If you have kids, definitely check out the arts education programming at CAS - something that Bradley founded when he came to CAS and is still going strong. Free for kids under 18, each class focuses on a different medium and is taught by local teaching artists.

The Catskill Arts Society has produced the Livingston Manor Trout parade, a 14-year-old town institution, since 2010. This year, the parade — a celebration of all things trout, with puppets, creative hats, music and fun for all — will be on Saturday, June 10, at 1:00 p.m. Make sure you save a spot on Livingston Manor’s Main Street to join in the fishy fun! visitor’s guide 2017

23

Bradley recommends u For theater: NACL Theatre (North American Cultural

Laboratory), based in Highland Lake but frequently travelling to outdoor spaces and festivals. Bradley’s a bit biased, as he is on the board and sometimes performs with NACL, but there’s no better place for fresh, innovative, local theater. 110 Highland Lake Rd, Highland Lake. (845) 557-0694, www.nacl.org

u For music: The Arnold House on Shandelee Road features local

musicians during the warmer months in a converted barn, and the Catskill Brewery off Old Route 17 hosts pop-up performances such as the Catskill Back Forty Revival in their expansive brewery space.

The Arnold House: 839 Shandelee Rd, Livingston Manor.

(845) 439-5070, www.thearnoldhouse.com Catskill Brewery: 672 Old Rte 17, Livingston Manor.

(845) 439-1232, catskillbrewery.com

u For a good cocktail The Arnold House. Bradley’s favorite?

“The Hot Toddy. It definitely keeps you warm at night!”

See details above.

24

visitor’s guide 2017

visitor’s guide 2017

25

Fishing the Seasons by Ken Tutalo

Fishing the Seasons: A Guide to the Catskills and Upper Delaware Region The Catskill Mountains and the Upper Delaware Watershed have a long history with trout fishermen. The Beaverkill River and the area around Roscoe are well-known as the birthplace of American Fly Fishing.

Every year, from the opening day of trout fishing on April 1 through the late autumn, anglers from all over the world come

26

visitor’s guide 2017

to wet their lines in these famous waters. Options abound here for the angler. The mountains are full of lakes, ponds and reservoirs. Five of America’s top trout streams are within a short ride from downtown Roscoe and Livingston Manor.

The streams, reservoirs and ponds are home to brown, rainbow and brook trout.

Another big attraction is the smallmouth bass fishery.

These lively gamefish are found in most of the local waters, but they really thrive in Pepacton Reservoir and in the Main Stem of the Delaware River. Pepacton is well-known for trophy-sized bass while the Delaware has a huge population of smallies in all sizes.

Both the trout and smallmouth bass fisheries offer a variety of opportunities for anglers of all levels. Anglers can choose to fish remote mountain ponds and brooks for wild brook trout, or fish from a drift boat for trophy-sized wild trout on the Delaware River.

There are plenty of professional river outfitters and fishing guides in the area that specialize in helping to plan any type of fishing adventure.

Best Times and Locations The season kicks off in April. This month is all about trout fishing. The best choices will be targeting local rivers, lakes and

ponds just after the ice goes out.

The Beaverkill, Willowemoc and the East and West Branches of the Delaware most always fish well in early season. April fishermen should note that this time period also will bring some of the most unpredictable weather conditions of the season, so it is often a good idea to consult with one of the local fly shops before heading out to the water.

During May and June, the weather usually turns pleasant and the best period of dry fly trout fishing occurs. This eight-week period will see all of the major insect hatches. The abundance of insects at this time will entice the largest trout in the rivers to

visitor’s guide 2017

27

feed from the surface. This is the time of year that seasoned fly fishermen cherish. The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are exceptional at this time.

This is also the period when the reservoirs, lakes and high elevation ponds will begin to fish well for trout. Most of the attention at this time will focus on Pepacton Reservoir. This 20-mile long reservoir is known for producing huge brown trout, and every year some amazing fish appear in the early season. There are also plenty of mountain ponds that are only accessible by foot; these offer great action for wild brook trout.

July and August bring change to the rivers and lakes. During this time, the waters will warm to their highest temperatures of the season. It is during these months that the smallmouth bass fishery kicks into high gear. Visiting anglers will find these gamefish to be active in all of our waters. The prime locations, however, are Pepacton Reservoir and the Main Stem of the Delaware River. The bass are very aggressive and they will readily take soft plastic baits fished on jigheads, crankbaits or flies. One of the most relaxing methods to fish for smallies is a float trip on the Main Delaware. There are several outfitters in Roscoe who specialize in this type of fishing charter. Summer

L OO

cCKSON’S P

DRI HEN TO

28

visitor’s guide 2017

is also the perfect time to take the kids out fishing, and smallies are the perfect fish to target.

September and October offer anglers a full slate of options.

All of the local waters will fish well at this time. The trout and insects start to become more active again with the cooling weather. The smallmouth bass are still active and aggressive.

This is a time when anglers can catch a variety of fish in a single day. It was reported that last September, one angler

caught several different species of fish while on a Delaware River float trip. This period is also one of the most beautiful times to enjoy the mountain scenery.

November brings much colder weather in the mountains; fishing options will narrow quickly once the snow flies. That said, fly anglers will find good afternoon dry fly fishing daily due to the abundant blue wing olive hatches in all of the local rivers.

Thanks for Visiting the Town of Rockland.

Please help us keep our Town and streams clean for others to enjoy.

Fulton Surveying

Property, Topographic, Mortgage Title and Construction Surveys 15 Main Street | PO Box 950 | Livingston Manor, NY 12758 | Phone: (845) 439-5578 | Fax: (845) 439-4849 visitor’s guide 2017

29

30

visitor’s guide 2017

Article and photos contributed by Ken Tutalo Owner of Baxter House River Outfitters and Licensed NYS Fishing Guide, 2012 Old Rte 17, Roscoe. (607) 290-4022, www.baxterhouse.net

Phil Eggleton of Trout Town Adventures and Guide Service helping his clients master their approach on the beautiful Beaverkill River.

Photo credit Dave Eggleton

32

visitor’s guide 2017

Photo credit Roscoe Campsite Park

UPPER DELAWARE FISHING CALENDAR

Bob Eckert by Alexis Eggleton

Making Roscoe Proud with Pasta

If you hear one voice above the others at the shop at Northern Farmhouse Pasta, chances are it’s the owner, Bob Eckert.

Bob, also known as “Pasta Bob” or “Bobby Pasta,” is larger than life and his enthusiasm for Roscoe, his family and his pasta is infectious.

Bob will tell you he found Roscoe the day he met his wife Jennifer, when he was the best man and she the maid of honor in a wedding. He grew up fly fishing in salt water, but as he grew to love his (now) wife, he also found a love for fly fishing on the Beaverkill.

Bob spent more than ten years commuting from Roscoe to New York City, serving as the project manager for high-rise construction projects in Manhattan. His desire to build something locally and to create a business he could share with his wife and family led him to recreate his grandmother’s pasta recipes, using wheat from New York’s Finger Lakes region and locally sourced cheese, herbs and vegetables. The early pasta was created in a commercial kitchen Bob converted from a two-car garage.

Selling those early raviolis and fettuccinis at local farmer’s markets, Bob was often asked where his pasta would be available during the week. A few years later, Bob put his construction background to use, restoring a 200-year-old home on Rockland Road to create a commercial kitchen, retail storefront and restaurant overlooking Roscoe’s “Duck Pond.”

34

visitor’s guide 2017

If the pasta came first, then the restaurant was not far behind.

Bob and Jennifer opened for dinner two nights a week in 2015, and added Sunday dinners during the summer season in 2016.

Their plans for 2017 include expanding their shipping beyond the 60 stores that carry their products, and adding Sunday brunch during the summer.

For more information or to make reservations, please visit www.northernfarmhousepasta.com.

Bob recommends: u For Coffee: The Roscoe Diner, 1908 Old Rte 17, Roscoe. (607) 498-

4405, www.theroscoediner.com

u For the Best Way to Spend a Day Locally: Fishing on the Beaverkill,

hiking at one of the state parks, live music in the Alley Bar at Prohibition Distillery, 10 Union Street, Roscoe (see p.36), and dinner on the deck at Northern Farmhouse Pasta.

u Favorite Local Brew: For a

Local Festival: The Spring Fling at the Roscoe Beer Company because “it kicks off the season and welcomes everyone back after a long winter.” Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 145 Rockland Rd, Roscoe. (607) 290-5002, roscoebeercompany.com

visitor’s guide 2017

35

New Look, New Life for Roscoe O&W Railway Museum

Almost ten years from the date of a region-wide flood that brought devastation to Roscoe, including its railway museum, a plan to reimagine and revitalize the O&W Railway Museum began in earnest in May 2016. The result is a modernized, organized, visitor-friendly storehouse of local railroad history and information for all ages.

For the first time, exhibits are presented according to subject, with placards explaining what is exhibited and why. Interactive

36

visitor’s guide 2017

buttons and monitors have been installed for children and adults to better enjoy and understand how the railway cooperated with the local communities and industries.

The front entrance is designed to have the appearance of a typical early 20th century train depot. Once inside the main entrance, visitors will find an array of newly reorganized rooms and exhibits.

The Wilmer Sipple NY O&W History & Artifacts Room, named for a main, beloved figure in the founding of the museum, is the main exhibit hall dedicated to NY O&W history, artifacts and operations of the railway and its impact on the surrounding community. This room has four train layouts: Scale NY O&W layout featuring the motive, power and rolling stock of the railway; animated displays of the industries it served; antique and toy operating display; and wooden and small electrical train displays that children can operate.

Located to the right of the entrance is The Depot, a museum store to sell railroad and historical books, track maps, prints, posters, calendars, O&W-related clothing articles and items to help in fundraising for museum improvements. To the left of the entrance is the Local History Wing, an area dedicated for a historical and cultural exhibit of Livingston Manor, Rockland, Roscoe and surrounding region, ranging from the first inhabitants of the area, the Lenape-Delaware Native Americans, to mid-20th century residents.

Also new is the Small Media Room. This is where many visitors can stop and view various documentaries on the very items and

The Roscoe NY O&W Railway Museum originated in 1984. Last year, an extensive makeover brought the museum to a new level. Above, the new entrance area welcomes visitor’s.

history of exhibits they will encounter in the museum, better enabling them to relate to the attractions and historic displays.

The left rear of the museum will have revolving exhibits.

Presently, it will feature an antique toy exhibit of interest to young families. This area also doubles as a large audience media room where presentations can be displayed. To the very rear of the museum is a space dedicated to additional regional history and the display of a 19th century buggy, sled, tools and household items.

The Roscoe O&W Railway Museum is located at 7 Railroad Avenue, Roscoe. (607) 495-4346. Also, see the latest about the museum on Facebook / Roscoe O&W Railway Museum.

visitor’s guide 2016

37

65 Rockland Rd, Roscoe NY (607) 290-4064

Pasta & Ravioli Shop Restaurant on the Weekends Dinner & Brunch Like us on Facebook for our menu that changes every week www.northernfarmhousepasta.com

38

visitor’s guide 2017

Artful Trout Run Through It

Noted local sculptor Paul Kean was commissioned in 2016 to create this themed sculpture for Roscoe’s main street, Stewart Avenue. As Kean wrote: “The Chamber of Commerce was looking for a sculpture to broadcast the notion of Roscoe: ‘Trout Town USA’ as the premier trout fishing area of the east. I developed this concept of a school of trout swimming by an underwater branch. The branch is hand-cut and hand-painted. It is 4 ft. by 7 ft. total size. The trout are hand-cut blanks with digital prints of the trout on both sides.

They vary in size from 22 inches in length to 9 inches in length. There are 4 trout on each side of the branch.”

Photo credit Dana Duke

visitor’s guide 2017

39

Fly Fishing and Country Living: Miriam and Sandy Stone in Trout Town USA

by Kris Neidecker Miriam Stone has been a part of Roscoe’s tight-knit community for the last few decades. She and her husband, Sandy Stone, first bought a weekend home in the area for wonderful, relaxing time away from their busy New York City careers.

Fishing is what brought them to the area, well-known for its beautiful creeks and plentiful trout. Sandy was quick to teach Miriam all the ins and outs of fishing in the area, and she found a love for the activity that would help define her life.

After years of using the home as a getaway, they finally took the plunge and moved here full time. Over the years, Miriam collected a lot of antiques and local country living items in their home, and she decided to open an antique store while her husband started up Stone Realty. Sandy and Stone Realty worked hard to keep Roscoe’s streets full of active and vibrant businesses, because they believed beautiful and busy streets full of storefronts would keep Roscoe on the map.

For 12 years, she acted as President of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum.

Her store, Annie’s Place, has been in business for 15 years, and now specializes in country living gifts and items, from candles to kitchen items to baby toys and books.

40

visitor’s guide 2017

Miriam recommends people enjoy some of the following: u For hiking: Crystal Lake Wild Forest, 497 acres of wild forest

with a 1.3-mile trail and activities, located very close to Roscoe and accessed via Crystal Lake Road www.dec.ny.gov/lands/79594.html

u For a round of golf: Tennanah Lake Golf and Tennis Club, “a

wonderful golfing experience.” 100 Fairway View Dr, Roscoe.

(607) 498-5000, www.tennanah.com

u For dining:

Riverside Cafe, where you can enjoy lunch and watch fishermen enjoy the waters. 16624 County Rd 17, Roscoe. (607) 498-5305, www.riversidecafeandlodge.com The Courtyard, where Miriam often enjoys lunch. “The ambiance is great.” 182 Rockland Rd, Roscoe. (607) 498-4130, courtyard-bar.com

For current events and weekly happenings check us out online! www.RoscoeNY.com | Facebook / Roscoe, NY - Trout Town USA www.LivingstonManor.org | Facebook / Livingston Manor Chamber of Commerce Dave, Riley, and Harper Eggleton cool off at the falls in Russell Brook, NYS land.

visitor’s guide 2017

41

Photo credit Kyle Lowe

Along the River in Roscoe, It’s Not the Camping of Yesteryear

by Lou Ruggiero, Roscoe Campsite Park / Visitor’s Guide

After 40 years of family camping in the United States, our family has seen dramatic changes in campgrounds and the way America camps. Back in the seventies, when gasoline was affordable, a family of four was able to jump into the family station wagon and head for the open roads. Camping consisted of a wide variety of methods, from tents and pop-ups to tow-along travel trailers.

The family station wagon had the engine-power to pull those early models. Most campgrounds offered just the basics: water and sometimes electric, with a dump station upon your departure or those dreadful trips with the portable blue “honey-wagon”.

Amenities in the early days were whatever you brought with you or what nature provided.

As the years went by, camping expanded to elephant-sized motor homes with more and more amenities. Campgrounds changed as the public expected more for their effort.

Full hook-ups were added, larger level sites, camp stores selling camping necessities, game rooms with music and fields for outdoor sporting activities. Some changes were good, some not so good, but changes were undeniably in the wind.

Then came a major interruption to the RV industry: gasoline prices became a larger expense. First we went through the great gas shortage. Gas rationing on odd or even days made longdistance travel confusing to plan. Gas-guzzling engines were replaced by “economy” engines, which led to more vans and pick-up trucks for travel-trailering. Family vacations shifted to the airlines, with their cheaper air fares. The family of four was now vacationing for shorter times to far-away resorts. Cruise ships took families to exotic ports and Disney World offered something 42

visitor’s guide 2017

for everyone in the family. Then as family values began to change again, no more plastic squirrels: it was back to nature. Camgrounds responded with greater emphasis on “book-to-stay” accommodations for the family. Extended weekend packages became seasonal packages where the family could enjoy the camping experience over the entire camping season, without the hassle of the long towing

commute. The family car no longer had to huff and puff over the crowded bridges or rolling mountains to arrive at their camping destination. RV sites now became a permanent seasonal home base for outdoor activities. The camping industry responded with even larger, more spacious RVs that would be commercially towed to the family’s favorite campground and permanently placed on a more substantial site.

In recent years, Roscoe Campsite Park has taken an ecofriendly approach that has addressed the environmental threats that face many of our waterways and are important to all of today’s campers. Waterborne diseases and parasites are now affecting the health of native fish species around the country. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has recognized the park as the nearest location for many boaters using the Pepacton Reservoir system and many local lakes. As a result, there is a DEC-certified kayak/canoe washing station on site in the park. Also available is a wader washing area for those fishermen traveling to other watersheds throughout the country. This certification goes a long way to protecting the future of our precious water systems for future generations.

In August of 2015, the new management of the Roscoe Campsite Park determined it was time to bring the flavor and excitement of the western-type campgrounds to the Catskill Mountains. The ranch style entrance announced a new “sheriff” had come to town.

Roscoe residents gazed in curiosity as work trucks began to arrive with a variety of construction materials. The entrance driveway was repaved with blacktop. Two hundred and sixty trees were brought in for replanting throughout the park.

The bath-

house got a complete remodeling to bring this facility up to the new standards of cleanliness, which would be the hallmark of the new ownership’s determination to raise the bar to the park. Stone masons from the other side of the Hudson River brought their skills to design and build a new pavilion at the entrance to the park proper. The new playground included a Big Toy and softer landings for happy children.

The entire playground was then sectioned off with a retaining wall and rustic fence for the children’s safety. And then the bluestone arrived from Johnson and Rhodes. Large blocks now delineate the tenting areas, so there can be no confusion when visiting campers arrive. Other well-placed stones double as natural seating or mini play sets for children.

The electric upgrades were among the most important changes for a campground catering to the campers of the 21st century. The major overhaul of the winter of 2015 was to the electrical infrastructure. The larger RVs now require greater amounts of electric to run all of the modern conveniences that today’s campers demanded: large air conditioning units, larger electric water heaters, microwave ovens, household refrigerators and the all-important flat screen TVs in each room. Roscoe Campsite Park responded with a redesigned electrical system that not only gave each seasonal campsite higher voltage, but went even further by installing a security system that enables management to monitor activities throughout the park. A Wi-Fi network for all campers, seasonal members and transient campers was added to allow everyone to connect to the internet without charge. But the feature that brought the loudest cheers from our seasonal members was DirectTV service for all seasonal members of the park.

The new look for 2016 has been the planting of new trees to enhance the natural setting of the Park. The new look for visiting campers includes the “Yellowstone” feel with split rail fencing around many of the communal areas. Each of these improvements undertaken by the new ownership was first offered to local contractors and suppliers as a means to build support among the local community. Increasing the health and cooperation of local businesses and its economy has been a goal from the very start. visitor’s guide 2017

43

Finger Lakes Trail in the Catskills

Sample a part of Something Big

by Lisa M. Lyons / Visitor’s Guide

Alder Lake

Right in our backyard is New York’s version of the Appalachian Trail: the 580-mile Finger Lakes Trail (FLT).

As you can tell by its name, the FLT had its beginnings west of the Catskills, in the Finger Lakes region. But over the last 60 years, new sections have been built to link it to existing trail sections in the Catskill Park near Livingston Manor and Roscoe.

Now you can walk or hike along a section that has been traveled by a thru-hiker with a backpack, hiking the entire 580 miles. That happened to me in August 2015 when I signed in the trail register for a short hike, right below the signature of thru-hiker Heather Housekeeper from Pennsylvania, who hiked the main trail and all side trails in one continuous trip (nearly 1000 miles).

TRAIL DETAILS: The main Finger Lakes Trail starts in western New York at the PA-NY border in Allegany State Park, traverses southern New York into the Catskills, and ends in the town of Denning near Claryville, at the intersection with the Long Path at the base of Slide Mountain. There are six branch trails and 29 loop trails and spur trails that extend from the main FLT, adding another 400+ miles to the FLT trail system.

The FLT passes through eight New York State Parks, including Watkins Glen and Letchworth, with beautiful gorges and cascading waterfalls. Hundreds of public and private landowners have given permission for the trail to cross their land. There are almost 70 miles of FLT footpath within the Catskill Park, accessed by dozens of trailhead park44

visitor’s guide 2017

ing areas, with trail registers and kiosks.

Where to begin?!

WELCOME TO THE FLT: The gentlest local section of the FLT is at Alder Lake, where you can start with a simple stroll along the north side of

continue to the back of the lake where an intersecting trail heads uphill toward Balsam Lake Mountain – the highest elevation on the entire FLT is at 3660 feet near this summit. Also known as the Mill Brook Ridge Trail, I love ascending

Rick Roberts on FLT section Cannonsville Reservoir

Alder Lake (clockwise, red markers) for a little over a half-mile. From the trailhead parking area, you’ll immediately pass the stone foundation of a grand mansion built by railroad magnate Samuel D. Coykendall in 1899 overlooking the lake.

There is picnicking, a panoramic view and a port-o-john. A welcoming trio!

The loop around the lake is 1.5 miles.

If you’re ready for a longer hike,

the 1.5 miles to Beaver Meadow Lean-to, where you can enjoy a picnic and refill your water bottle at the spring. Camping in the lean-to is on a first-come, firstserved basis. If you bring along a bag to stash trash found along the trail, you get a gold star in my book.

Directions: From Livingston Manor, follow Old Route 17 west 1.4 miles, turn right onto Beaverkill Road (CR 151).

Continue 12 miles to the steel bridge in Turnwood and turn left onto Alder Creek Road (CR 54) continuing for 2.2 miles. You will pass the Beaverkill Fish Hatchery, a 5th generation fish farm operated by the Shaver family. In summer, consider a stop to fish in the farm pond or just enjoy the outdoor hatchery ponds.

At the end of Alder Creek Rd. turn right, past an old yellow gate, onto the one-lane dirt driveway to Alder Lake. In winter, park at the gate and walk or snowshoe up to the lake.

Alder Lake incoming brook late Spring. Photo by Lisa M. Lyons TRAIL BUILDING TO COMPLETE the FLT: A decade ago, linking the FLT to Catskill trails meant using miles of local, county and state roads to complete a continuous foot path, including the land near the Cannonsville Reservoir.

In 2009, New York City agreed to a series of new trails on their watershed lands north of Hancock, New York. Since then, nearly 20 miles of new trails have been constructed near the Cannonsville reservoir. The trails eliminate 16 miles of hiking on local roads and include a visit to the Rock Rift Fire Tower.

The trails also follow the abandoned O&W rail bed in several areas.

The FLT’s Catskill Coordinator, Rick Roberts, has been intimately involved in this process for 5 years. Rick has mapped out various routes and put together work crews to construct and mark the trails. He has also served as the chief trail maintainer for the nearly 70 miles of the FLT in the Catskill Park.

When I asked Rick to choose his favorite Catskill FLT trail section, he replied, “The trails around Rock Rift. I know every portion of it: where the local bears like to gnaw and scratch on the old telephone poles leading to the fire tower; I can tell you about the railroad switchbacks leading into the Village of Rock Rift. They were razed for the construction of the reservoir in 1960. I know where the hidden springs are located.”

Admittedly, the 1.5-mile hike from the trailhead parking area visitor’s guide 2017

45

by the Cannonsville Reservoir (near intersection of NYS Routes 268 and 10) to the fire tower is strenuous, but it is well worth the effort.

To find out more about the trail to Rock Rift fire tower, around Alder Lake, and all other sections of the Finger Lakes Trail, there’s an amazing interactive map feature on the Finger Lakes Trail Conference website: www.fingerlakestrail. org. The Rock Rift map section is M28 and Alder Lake is M31.

There is also a large wall map and FLT brochures available at Morgan Outdoors.

Lisa M. Lyons is an avid hiker and owner of Morgan Outdoors in Livingston Manor. 46 Main St, Livingston Manor. (845) 439-5507, morgan-outdoors.com

Anna Han 46

visitor’s guide 2017

Doug Smith by Maria Bivins

It Always Comes Back to the Drums

Photo credit Jill C. Smith Photography

Doug recommends: u Favorite Outdoor Activities: Camping, hiking or skiing

(depending on the season) and, of course, playing drums in an outdoor venue on a warm evening

u For the Best “Local” Meal: Doug recommends the Pork

Schnitzel at Riverside Café & Lodge, and gets his salad with the Asian Sesame Dressing (that is to die for). County Rte 17, Exit 92, Horton. (607)498-5305, www.riversidecafeandlodge.com

Doug is a Jersey-born boy who has been a member of the Livingston Manor community since he was an infant.

For years, his family had a summer home on Berry Brook Road and they moved to LM permanently forty years ago.

He was enrolled at LMCS for his last few years of high school, where he met his future “Mrs,” Jeanne.

For years, Doug commuted to Manhattan and New Jersey, working union jobs. In 1987, he took a job locally as a New York State corrections officer. He and Jeanne have raised three sons, all of whom graduated from LMCS and have remained “close to home.”

Doug has been a member of the LM Rotary Club for 25 years and believes the services, events and scholarships they provide to local youth are invaluable. He and Jeanne operate Bows & Boughs Trees & Wreaths, 28 Beaverkill Rd, Livingston Manor, open Friday through Sunday from December 1st through 24th, and Doug has been known to proudly don (parents, watch who is listening when you read this part) a Santa suit for holiday events.

Most recently, he has been dubbed “Big Doug,” the drummer of the David Walton Band, a must-see and must-dancealong-to local band that plays at the Arnold House, Rolling River Café, Cabernet Frank’s, the Plunk Shop, the Catskill Brewery, the Callicoon Brewery and the Downtown Barn.

He finds himself playing a mix of classic rock with some original songs by the DWB thrown into the set lists.

Doug’s love of all music, but especially the drums, has been passed down to his sons (and even grandson). His son Dan, a percussionist himself, is the band director at LMCS and is most easily recognized during his jaunts down Main Street during the Trout Parade while directing the Middle School Marchers.

u Favorite Local Festival: As Rotary co-Park Commissioner you

would hope that the Annual Ice Carnival would be at the top of his list – and it is. But why? “It is such a long-standing tradition for our town and I think it brings the community together.”

The 58th Annual LM Rotary Ice Carnival will be held on Sunday, January 22nd this year.

u The David Walton Band (DWB): This group of local musicians

and business owners includes David Walton, guitar and vocals; Carolin Walton-Brown, vocals; Kevin Oriol, bass, guitar & vocals; Kurt Knuth, lead guitar and vocals; and of course Doug on the drums. Follow them on Facebook for planned events.

visitor’s guide 2017

47

De Bruce Remembered: An Interview with Marilyn Lusker Marilyn Kocher Lusker is the longtime innkeeper at the De Bruce Country Inn and offers this retrospective.

Q. Marilyn, how long have you lived in De Bruce?

A. It is just recently that De Bruce has become my residence, but I have been coming to the area since I was 8, when I went to camp. On visiting weekends, when my parents came to visit, they stayed at the Ararat Hotel (we called it Nangle’s). That is where my Dad undoubtedly met Bert Leitner over a few drinks in the bar. Nangle’s is now the De Bruce Country Inn, which Ron and I have operated since 1983. Bert introduced Dad to Congressman Charlie Ward, owner of the iconic De Bruce Club Inn, which De Bruce Club Inn, Maple had catered to the fly Avenue, (now, Goff Road) De Bruce, NY, 1943 fishermen for half a century, previously as the Homestead and the Hearthstone hotels.

Q. How were your days spent in those days?

A. We were in camp until the end of August. Until I was 16. There was a tennis court and 10-hole Turnesa golf course. We explored the woods and along the streams, swimming in the creek. But we looked forward to the Sunday softball games with the boys from St. John’s camp and the Hunter Lake families. The Inn had weekend activities for the guests and the younger generation such as movies, square dancing, amateur night and costume and other competitions.

48

visitor’s guide 2017

Q. Has De Bruce changed much as you remember it?

A. I remember the one-room schoolhouse on De Bruce Rd near the Mongaup Creek. There was a general store near the flagpole. It was full of interesting things. It was also a post office and gas station. I think there were a few more churches.

The De Bruce Farm was still operating, with Black Angus Cattle and sheep, chickens, pigs. The fishermen and women still enjoyed their fishing in the famous stream. The hydroelectric structure, blue stone waterways, the trout hatchery and farm buildings were still intact: chicken coops, pig pens, hay barn and silo, a stone barn with two basements. They dated to the early 1900s and were still used. We walked in the woods and explored the farmhouses, pretty much in ruin.

The “Villa” was partially standing.

That’s what we called Ward’s

House near the Willowemoc, with a view upstream and downstream. We were intrigued by its wrought iron greenhouse and two-sided fireplace. You can still see the remains of these structures. The farmstead has recently found itself with chickens, Angus cattle, ducks and a produce garden, offering its traditional hospitality in several cottages along the Old Maple Avenue (now Goff Road), next to Davidson’s General Store, pictured at lower left.

Above, the beautiful red hay barn still stands at De Bruce Farm; pictured at left, is fresh produce awaiting harvest for your table from De Bruce Farm.

Q. So did you take over the running of your parents’ De Bruce Club Inn? A. No. My brother did that, when I was away studying.

The De Bruce Club Inn closed its doors in the 1960s, along with many Sullivan County resorts and hotels, because of economic and cultural changes. When Ron and I sold our house in Greenport on the North Shore of Long Island, we spent summers here in De Bruce at the family’s cottages.

When we started looking in De Bruce for a place to establish our art studios and work on our art projects, the old Nangle’s hotel was available. We planned to have our art studios here and do our art in this inspirational setting. Instead, the spirits of the hotel called the shots, and we began a new venture as innkeepers.

visitor’s guide 2017

49

CALENDAR OF EVENTS YEAR-ROUND

Jan. 3 - Dec. 26 Every Tuesday: Pre-School Story Time, Livingston Manor Free Library, stories, songs & games, 11:15-11:45 a.m.

May 27 - Oct. 8 Roscoe O&W Museum, every Saturday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., every Sunday 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

June 30 - Sept. 1 Summer Fridays Live Music, The Arnold House Barn

18 Comedy Night at The Arnold House

25 3rd Annual Ice Fishing Derby, The Arnold House, (845) 439-5070

MARCH

11 Comedy Night at the Arnold House

12 Natural Soap Making Demonstration, Moxie Alley, 1 p.m., RSVP (917) 407-8065

13-14 Fiberglass Rod Making Class, CFFCM, registration and RSVP (845) 439-4810 19-24 Bamboo Rod Making Class, CFFCM, registration and RSVP (845) 439-4810 20 Renewable Energy Field Day, Apple Pond Farm, 12-3 p.m.

(845) 482-4764 20 History of Japanese Fly Fishing Rods, CFFCM

31 Anglers Reunion, Rockland House, Roscoe, marks the historicalnight before NYS

opening of fishing season

1

JANUARY

15-30 Babies in the Barn, newborn lambs due, special programs frequently, Apple Pond Farm, (845) 482-4764 22 58th Annual Ice Carnival, “Snowmen on Broadway,” Rotary Park, Livingston Manor, 1 p.m.

Events will also be held on the 21st for school groups & community organizations.

More on Facebook: Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnival.

28 Trout Town Winter Festival, Roscoe Beer Co., 145 Rockland Road, Roscoe. Live music, food, horse-drawn carriage rides, snowshoeing and more. Watch for more details on Facebook.

FEBRUARY 4

Flyfest, Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum (CFFCM)

5

1st Annual Mad Hatter’s Winter Tea Social, Moxie Alley, 1 p.m., RSVP (917) 407-8065

50

visitor’s guide 2017

Opening Day Traditional First Cast at Junction Pool, Roscoe Trout Season Opening Celebration, CFFCM

1 8

Catskill Legends Dinner, CFFCM Catskill Fly Tyers Guild Rendezvous, CFFCM

8

Two-Headed Trout Dinner, The Rockland House, 6 p.m.

9

Skincare Botanicals Workshop, Moxie Alley, 1 p.m., RSVP (917) 407-8065

15 Comedy Night at The Arnold House 23 Shandelee Music Festival Play the Classics at Bethel Woods Center for the Performing Arts in the Event Gallery, 3 p.m., (845) 439-3277, www.shandelee. org/play-the-classics

MAY

May 6-June 24 Every Saturday: Farming with Kids, Apple Pond Farm, 10 a.m., (845) 482-4764 6

Trout Town Spring Fling Flavor Festival, Roscoe Beer Co.

7

Shandelee Music Festival Play the Classics at Bethel Woods Center for the Performing Arts in the Event Gallery, 3 p.m., (845) 439-3277, www.shandelee. org/play-the-classics

13 Comedy Night at the Arnold House

3-4 2nd Annual Dance Recital, “Broadway Bound,” Rhythm & Grace Performing Art Studio, Roscoe Central School. Saturday at 5 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m.

3

12th Annual Hike on National Trails Day, sponsored by Morgan Outdoors, 11 a.m.

9

Annual Trout Parade Kick-Off with Live Music, The Arnold House Barn

9-14 Bamboo Rod Making Class, CFFCM, registration and RSVP (845) 439-4810

APRIL

1

JUNE

20 Flower Day, Livingston Manor 21 Mad Hatter’s Spring Hat Show & Tea Social, Moxie Alley, 1 p.m., RSVP (917) 407-8065

10 The 14th Annual Trout Parade, Livingston Manor, 1pm, Local businesses and organizations are known to put on their creative hats and add some witty wacky, twist to their march down Main Street. Professional musicians, puppeteers and dancers add to the festivities. Contact us!

(845) 436-4227. info@catskillartsociety.org.

26 3rd Annual BBQ for Barry, The Arnold House Barn

10 Livingston Manor Free Library Services Auction @ The Trout Parade

27 CFFCM Annual Meeting & Banquet at the Center

10 BBQ & Brews Festival, Roscoe Beer Co.

27 Opening of Roscoe O&W Museum, every Saturday 11am - 3pm, every Sunday noon -3pm, thru October 9.

11 A Lotta Ricotta, Apple Pond Farm, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. RSVP (845) 482-4764

28 Pig Roast & Live Music, The Arnold House Barn 28 Annual Chicken BBQ, Lew Beach Fire House 29 Memorial Day Parade & Service, Roscoe 29 Memorial Day Parade & Service, Livingston Manor, 10am

24 Make & Take Healing Salve and Insect Repellent, Apple Pond Farm, 12 - 3 p.m. RSVP (845) 482-4764 25 Learn about Summer Skincare the Natural Way, Moxie Alley, 1 p.m., RSVP (917) 407-8065

CAS ARTS CENTER 2017 EXHIBITION SEASON JULY

1

Independence Day Parade, Roscoe

July 1 – August 26 Every Friday & Saturday: Farming with Kids, Apple Pond Farm, 10 a.m., (845) 482-4764 2

Pig Roast & Live Music, The Arnold House Barn

July 5 – September 6 Every Wednesday: Callicoon Center Band, 8p.m.

22 Trout Town Summerfest, Roscoe Beer Co. 29 A Lotta Ricotta, Apple Pond Farm, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. RSVP (845) 482-4764

AUGUST 5

5 5

Trout Town Proud Parade & Follow Your Thirst 5k, Roscoe Town-Wide Yard Sale, Roscoe Make & Take Pickles and Kimchi, Apple Pond Farm, 12-3 p.m., (845) 482-4764

10-19 Shandelee Music Festival, 24th Sunset Concert Series in in the SMF Pavilion, (845) 439-3277, www.shandelee.com, details page 11.

12

Town-Wide Yard Sale, Roscoe

SEPTEMBER

September 2-October 28 Every Saturday: Farming with Kids, Apple Pond Farm, 10 a.m., (845) 482-4764 3 Pig Roast & Live Music, The Arnold House Barn 3

Livingston Manor Free Library Labor Day Celebration

3

A Lotta Ricotta, Apple Pond Farm, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. RSVP (845) 482-4764

16 Partridge Days, CFFCM 23 National Alpaca Day, celebrate at Buck Brook Alpacas, 99 Bestenheider Rd, Roscoe Annual Chicken BBQ, Roscoe Presbyterian Church

15 2nd Annual Town Tag Sale, Livingston Manor 16 Soap Making with Herbs, Moxie Alley, 1 p.m., RSVP (917) 407-8065

5 & 6 Summerfest/Anglers Market/ Casting Competitions, Agnes Van Put Celebration, CFFCM 6

Natural Soap Making Demonstration, Moxie Alley, 1 p.m., RSVP (917) 407-8065

Three Dimensions MaryKate Maher/Sui Park/ Elizabeth Riggle March 4 – April 9 Artist Talk 2pm / Opening Reception 3-5pm

9-10 23rd Annual Catskill Rodmakers Gathering, CFFCM

8

Small Things of Uknowable Value Matthew Bliss The Thing Is Paula Elliott Encaustics Donise English Thru February 12

24 Learn to Make a Classic Beret, Moxie Alley, 1 p.m., RSVP ( 917) 407-8065, materials and refreshments provided, $50 30 Trout Town Oktoberfest, Roscoe Beer Co.

Artists of New Hope Community April 13 – April 23 Opening Reception 6-8pm

CAS Sullivan County High School Art Show co-sponsored by SC BOCES April 28 – May 21 Opening Reception 5pm-7pm

CAS Summer Members Show May 27 – June 25 Opening Reception 4-6pm

CAS Invitational Show Lavern Kelley Retrospective, curated by Sydney Waller July 1 – July 30 Artist Talk 3pm / Opening Reception 4-6pm

Arboreta Teresa Audet/Frid Branham/Allan Rubin/Walter Stevens August 5 – September 4 Artist Talk 3pm / Opening Reception 4-6pm

Light and Dark Mac Adams/Adam Crosson/Kaytea Petro/Carolina Rubio MacWright/ Yoav Ruda September 9 – October 15 Artist Talk 3pm / Opening Reception 4-6pm

Lost Presence Elise Church Big Collars Barbara Friedman October 21 – November 19 Artist Talk 3pm / Opening Reception 4-6pm

CAS Winter Members Show November 25 – December 31 Annual Members Meeting 2pm Opening Reception 3-5pm

(845) 436-4227 48 Main St, Livingston Manor, NY

www.catskillartsociety.org visitor’s guide 2017

51

OCTOBER

Thru October 28 Every Saturday: Farming with Kids, Apple Pond Farm, 10 a.m., (845) 482-4764 7

CFFCM Fly Fishing Hall of Fame Induction & Dinner

15 Traditional Christstollen is available until New Year’s Eve, Brandenburg Bakery, Livingston Manor 15 A Little Bit of Everything, Apple Pond Farm, (845) 482-4764, 11 a.m - 3 p.m. tba 2nd Annual Oktoberfest, The Arnold House Barn 22 Fascinator Sunday, Moxie Alley, 1 p.m., RSVP (917) 407-8065, materials and refreshments provided, $50

52

visitor’s guide 2017

24 Pre-order your Thanksgiving and Holiday Pies, Brandenburg Bakery, Livingston Manor 28 2nd Annual Halloween Party, Catskill Pizza Garden & the Livingston Manor Free Library 31 Annual Halloween Parade, LM Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary, 4 p.m.

NOVEMBER

4-5 The Roscoe Chamber Annual Murder Mystery Dinner, Tennanah Lake Wolff’s 1910, Saturday 6 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m.

Appetizers, dinner, dessert/coffee and Show. Lilly (845) 439-3990 x306, or Marge (607) 498-5464 4-5 CFFCM Arts of the Angler Show, Danbury, CT

tba Turkey Trot, Livingston Manor Free Library 7 Election Day Chicken ‘n’ Biscuits Luncheon, Roscoe Presbyterian Church, 11 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., (607) 498-4468 26 Decorative Touches in Soapmaking Workshop, Moxie Alley, 1 p.m., RSVP (917) 407-8065

Check our Facebook pages for current events.

Roscoe, NY - Trout Town USA Livingston Manor Chamber of Commerce

DECEMBER

2 3

CFFCM Holiday Open House Santa Claus & Holiday Party, LM Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary

3-24 Christmas at the Brandenburg Bakery, Livingston Manor 9

Festivus Holiday Party!, The Arnold House

10 Potpourri Workshop, Moxie Alley, 1 p.m., RSVP (917) 407-8065 31 New Year’s Eve Celebrations, The Arnold House and The North Branch Inn

Baxter House 2012 Old Rte 17, Roscoe (607) 290-4022 (607) 348-7497 (Winter) www.baxterhouse.net ken2tut@aol.com Brookside Farmhouse Roscoe (845) 701-3565 www.homeaway.com/vacationrental/p927447 visitbrooksidefarmhouse @gmail.com Facebook / Brookside Farmhouse Buck-Horn Lodge & Housekeeping Cottages 1579 State Hwy 30, East Branch (607) 363-7432 buckhorncottages@yahoo.com Creekside Lodging Roscoe (607) 498-5873 Fax (607) 498-4706 www.creeksidecabins.com info@creeksidecabins.com Huber’s Shandelee Lake Farm Huber Rd, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5293 Merrill’s Farm 3617 Horton Brook Rd, Roscoe (607) 498-4212 Pepacton Cabins 348 Hood Lane, Downsville (607) 363-2094 www.pepactoncabins.com pepacton@catskill.net Facebook/Pepacton Cabins Reynolds House Inn & Motel 1934 Old Rte 17, Roscoe (607) 498-4422 www.reynoldshouseinn.com reynoldshouseinn@aim.com Facebook / Reynolds House Inn & Motel Roscoe Motel 2054 Old Rte 17, Roscoe (607) 498-5220 www.roscoemotel.com roscoemotel@gmail.com Facebook/Roscoe Motel Tennanah Lake Golf and Tennis Club 100 Fairway Dr, Roscoe (607) 498-5000, (888) 561-3835 www.tennanah.com tennanahlake@aol.com

Facebook/Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club Three Pines Cottage 35 Hazel Spur Rd, Roscoe (212) 925-5811 www.threepinescottage.com Facebook/Three Pines Cottage Instagram/threepinescottage

ACCOMMODATIONS with RESTAURANTS

Beaverkill Valley Inn 7 Barnhart Rd, Lew Beach (845) 439-4844 www.beaverkillvalleyinn.com innkeeper@beaverkillvalleyinn.com Facebook / Beaverkill Valley Inn

mountainbearcrafts@gmail.com Facebook / Mountain Bear Crafts

AGRICULTURE

Apple Pond Farm & Renewable Energy Education Center 80 Hahn Rd, Callicoon Center www.applepondfarm.com Sonja@applepondfarm.com Facebook / Apple Pond Farm Buck Brook Alpacas 99 Bestenheider Rd, Roscoe (845) 807-3104 Fax (845) 887-5878 www.buckbrookalpacas.com buckbrookalpacas@yahoo.com Facebook /Buck Brook Alpacas, Inc.

Riverside Café and Lodge County Rte 17, Exit 92, Horton (607) 498-5305 www.riversidecafeandlodge.com Facebook / Riverside Café & Lodge

De Bruce Farm Corner of De Bruce & Goff Road De Bruce, NY (845) 439-3702

Rockland House & Motel 159 Rockland Rd, Roscoe (607) 498-4240 www.rocklandhouse.com Facebook / Rockland House

Stewart International Newburgh (845) 564-2100 www.panynj.gov

Rolling River Café, Gallery & Inn 25 Cooley Rd, Parksville (845) 747-4123 www.rollingriver.net info@rollingriver.net Facebook/Rolling River Café, Gallery, Inn The Arnold House 839 Shandelee Rd, Liv Manor (845) 439-5070 www.thearnoldhouse.com info@thearnoldhouse.com Facebook / The Arnold House The North Branch Inn 869 N. Branch Rd, North Branch (845) 482-2339 www.northbranchinn.com info@northbranchinn.com Facebook / The North Branch Inn ADVERTISING Graphic Detail Paul Kean (845) 439-1163 www.keanartworks.com Mountain Bear Crafts Custom embroidery & screen printing 8 Pearl St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-8050 www.mountainbearcrafts.com

AIRPORTS

Sullivan County International White Lake (845) 583-6600 ANTIQUES Good Old Days 400 Old Rte 17, Livingston Manor (845) 439-4290 deevrees@aol.com Facebook / Good Old Days @goodolddaysantique My Favorite Place PO Box 668, Roscoe (607) 498-6131 micheledahlman@hotmail.com

ART GALLERIES, ATTRACTIONS, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, MUSEUMS & THEATRE

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts 200 Hurd Rd, Bethel (866) 781-2922 www.BethelWoodsCenter.org Facebook / Bethel Woods Center for the Arts CAS Arts Center 48 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 436-4227 www.catskillartsociety.org info@catskillartsociety.org Facebook / CAS Arts Center

Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum 1031 Old Rte 17, Liv Manor (845) 439-4810 www.cffcm.com Facebook / Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum Duke Pottery 855 County Rd 93, Roscoe (607) 498-5207 www.dukepottery.com carolyn@dukepottery.com Facebook / Duke Pottery

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

ACCOMMODATIONS

Forestburgh Playhouse 39 Forestburgh Rd, Forestburgh (845) 794-1194 www.fbplayhouse.org info@fbplayhouse.org Facebook / Forestburgh Playhouse Parksville USA Music Festival 12 Main Street, Parksville (845) 292-0400 www.parksvilleusa.com

Roscoe O&W Railway Museum Railroad Ave, Roscoe (607) 498-4346 www.nyow.org Facebook/Roscoe O&W Railway Museum Shandelee Music Festival PO Box 1264, Livingston Manor (845) 439-3277 Fax (845) 439-3307 www.shandelee.org Facebook / Shandelee Music Festival

Rolling River Café, Gallery & Inn 25 Cooley Road, Parksville (845) 747-4123 www.rollingriver.net nfo@rollingriver.net Facebook /Rolling River Cafe, Gallery, Inn

ATTORNEYS

Karl Bressler 62 Main St, PO Box 958 Livingston Manor (845) 439-6049 KBressler@hvc.rr.com www.KBresslerlaw.com Susan L. Gross 1922 Old Rte 17, Roscoe (607) 498-6111 Fax (845) 791-8602 legalbar@aol.com www.susanlgross.com

Brandenburg Bakery had their aprons custom embroidered at Mountain Bear Crafts.

visitor’s guide 2017

53

AUTOMOTIVE

Babich Auto Service Professional Automotive Repair 97 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-3661 Manor Motors Inc. 477 Old Rte 17, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5447 Fax (845) 439-4271 www.manormotors.com manormotors@hvc.rr.com

Donna’s Beauty Salon Rockland Rd, Roscoe (607) 498-4705 Johnny’s Barber Shop 47 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5310 Michele’s Magic Mirror Rockland Rd, Roscoe (607) 498-4406

Niko’s Auto Repairs LLC 173 Rockland Road, Roscoe (607) 290-4048 Facebook / Niko’s Auto Repair LLC

The Spa at the Arnold 839 Shandelee Rd, Livingston Manor (845) 439-1264 Facebook / The Spa at The Arnold

Shakelton Napa Auto Parts 28 Cottage Street, Roscoe (607) 498-4604 www.napaonline.com

Viv’s Cuts & Creations Unisex Salon 90 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-3848

BAKERY

BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES

Brandenburg Bakery 66 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 482-2537 www.brandenburgpastry.com sarah@brandenburgpastry.com Facebook / Brandenburg Bakery

BANKS

NBDC (ATM) 42 Stewart Ave, Roscoe (607) 290-4070 Fax (607) 290-4082 ldixon@nbdcbank.com M & T Bank (ATM) Stewart Ave, Roscoe (607) 498-5901 www.mandtbank.com Jeff Bank (ATM) 33 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-8123 Fax (845) 439-8117 lfisk@jeffbank.com www.jeffbank.com Facebook / Jeff Bank

BARBERS, BEAUTY SHOPS & SPAS Annie’s Tips and Toes Rockland Rd, Roscoe (607) 498-5665 www.anniestipsandtoes.com

Headquarters 49 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-4790 Facebook / Jessica’s Beth’s Headquarters

54

visitor’s guide 2017

The Catskill Brewery 672 Old Rte 17, PO Box 33, Livingston Manor (845) 439-1232 www.catskillbrewery.com info@catskillbrewery.com Facebook / The Catskill Brewery Prohibition Distillery USA 10 Union St, PO Box 351, Roscoe (607) 498-4511 www.bootlegger21.com Facebook / Prohibition Distillery Roscoe Beer Company 145 Rockland Rd, Roscoe (607) 290-5002 www.RoscoeBeerCompany.com inquiries@RoscoeBeer Company.com Facebook / Roscoe Beer Company

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

Armstrong Builders Tennanah Lake Rd, Roscoe NY (845) 665-6652 P. Buckel & Sons (painting) 108 Cooks Falls Rd, Cooks Falls (607) 498-5950, (877) 498-5950 Cat Hollow Sand & Gravel Cat Hollow Rd, Roscoe (607) 498-5131 Dahlman and Son 59 Youngs Rd, Roscoe (607) 498-4335

Decker Construction Rockland Rd, Roscoe (607) 498-5889 michaeldecker60@yahoo.com JA Tech (painting) Roscoe (607) 348-6088 Robinson Construction Cooks Falls - Roscoe (607) 498-5606 carolynerff@hotmail.com Roscoe Lumber Yard, Inc. 25 Railroad Avenue, Roscoe (607) 498-4131 Fax: (607) 498-5655 roscoelumber@frontiernet.net Facebook /Roscoe Lumber Yard Inc.

Onteora Scout Reservation (NY) Livingston Manor (845) 439-5687 Roscoe Campsite Park 2179 Old Rte 17, Roscoe (607) 498-5264 www.RoscoeCampsitePark.com info@roscoecp.com Facebook / Roscoe Campsites Russell Brook Campsites 731 Russell Brook Rd, Roscoe (607) 498-5416 Fax (607) 498-5417 www.russellbrook.com russellbrook@hotmail.com Facebook /Russell Brook Campsites

Jim Rose (electrical) PO Box 499, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5173

Timberlake West (children’s camp) 76 Timberlake Rd, Roscoe (845) 439-4440 www.timberlakewest.com info@timberlakewest.com

CAMPING

CHURCHES & SYNAGOGUES

Beaverkill State Campground (NY) 792 Berrybrook Rd, Roscoe (845) 439-4281, (800) 456-2267 Butternut Grove Cooks Falls - Roscoe (607) 498-4224 Facebook / Butternut Grove Campsite DeBruce Conservation Camp (NY) DeBruce Rd, Livingston Manor (845) 439-4627 Little Pond Campsite (NY) 549 Little Pond Rd, Lew Beach (845) 439-5480, 800-456-camp Livingston Manor Covered Bridge Park (picnic, fishing) Covered Bridge Rd, Livingston Manor (845) 807-0261 Long Pond Lean-To (NY) Willowemoc (845) 439-5480 Miller Hollow Campsite Pepacton Reservoir (607) 363-7492 millerhollowcamp@frontiernet.net Mongaup Pond Campsite (NY) 231 Mongaup Fish Hatchery Rd 10 miles NE of Rte 17 (Exit 96) Livingston Manor 800-456-2267, (845) 439-4233

Agudas Achim Synagogue Old Rte 17, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5708 www.congrgationagudasachim.org Beaverkill Church Beaverkill Cornerstone Community Church Grooville, Livingston Manor Gate of Heaven Roman Catholic Highland Ave, Roscoe Lew Beach Community Church Lew Beach Presbyterian Church Old Rte 17, Livingston Manor (845) 439-4410 Presbyterian Church E Main St, Roscoe (607) 498-4468 Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church DeBruce Rd, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5625 Sisters of Bethlehem Knickerbocker Rd, Liv Manor (845) 439-4300 St Aloysius Roman Catholic Church Church St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5625 Facebook / St. Aloysius/ Gate of Heaven

Beaverkill Valley Fire Dept

Child Abuse and Maltreatment (800) 342-3720 Cooks Falls Fire Dept

Photo credit Judy La Verde

Deaf Emergency (NYS Police) (800) 342-4357

St Nektarious Greek Orthodox Monastery Roscoe (607) 498-5285

Livingston Manor Fire Dept Livingston Manor Volunteer Ambulance Poison Control Center (845) 353-1000 Roscoe-Rockland Fire Dept Roscoe-Rockland Volunteer Ambulance

United Church Main St, Roscoe (607) 498-5153

State Police (845) 292-6600, (607) 498-5297

United Methodist Pearl St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5134

Suicide and Crisis Counseling (845) 626-8109

Willowemoc Baptist Church Church St, Willowemoc

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Livingston Manor Central School 19 School St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-4400 www.lmcs.k12.ny.us Livingston Manor Free Library Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5440 www.livingstonmanorlibrary.org liv@rcls.org Facebook / Livingston Manor Free Library Roscoe Central School Academy St, Roscoe (607) 498-5880 www.roscoe.k12.ny.us Roscoe Free Library Highland Avenue, Roscoe (607) 498-5574 www.roscoelibrary.org Sullivan Renaissance (845) 295-2445 www.sullivanrenaissance.org Facebook / Sullivan Renaissance Twitter @SullivanBloom

Sullivan County Help Line (845) 794-3232 Sullivan County Sheriff’s Dept.

(845) 794-7100 Wildlife Rehabilitator Lac415@hotmail.com Wildlife, Fish & Environmental Crimes NYS DEC Police 24/7 (800) TIPPDEC or (877) 457-5680

FARM & NATURAL MARKETS

Main Street Farm Market & Cafe 36 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-4309, (845) 665-9266 www.mainstreetfarm.com info@mainstreetfarm.com Facebook / Main Street Farm Pepacton Natural Foods 45 Stewart Ave, Roscoe (607) 441-9156 www.pepactonnaturalfoods.com Facebook / Pepacton Natural Foods – The Page Roscoe Farmers Market Old Route 17, Roscoe Open Sundays 10 am to 2 pm May 7th thru October 8th Facebook / Roscoe Farmers Market

FISHING, TACKLE, SPORTING GOODS & GUIDE SERVICES

Baxter House River Outfitters 2012 Old Rte 17, Roscoe (607) 290-4022 www.baxterhouse.net bhoutfitters@aol.com Facebook / Baxter House River Outfitters Beaverkill Angler 64 Stewart Ave, Roscoe (607) 498-5194 www.beaverkillangler.com mail@beaverkillangler.com Facebook / Beaverkill Angler Fly Shop Big Dog Arms Guns & Ammo 48 Stewart Avenue, Roscoe (607) 498-GUNS (4867) www.bigdogarms.com vinnyb@bigdogarms.com Facebook / Big Dog Arms Blast & Cast Guide Service Roscoe (845) 807-3942 jeffaportz@gmail.com Catskill Flies Fly Shop 6 Stewart Ave, Roscoe (607) 498-6146 Fax (845) 434-4473 www.catskillflies.com flyshop@catskillflies.com Twitter@catskillflies Facebook / Catskill Flies

Dan’s Guide Service County Rte 17, Exit 92, Horton (845) 807-1679 www.riversidecafeandlodge.com beaverkilldan@yahoo.com Dette Trout Flies 68 Cottage St, Roscoe (607) 498-4991 www.dettetroutflies.com joe@dettetroutflies.com Facebook / Dette Trout Flies Dick Smith (Fly Fishing Guide) 16 Park Ave, Roscoe (607) 498-6024 darbee1@juno.com Fur, Fin & Feather Sport Shop New & Used Guns (Bought Sold & Traded) 109 DeBruce Rd, Livingston Manor (845) 439-4476 Morgan Outdoors 46 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5507

www.morgan-outdoors.com info@morgan-outdoors.com Facebook / Morgan Outdoors NYS Fish Hatchery 402 Mongaup Rd, Liv. Manor (845) 439-4328

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

911 EMERGENCY SERVICES

The Little Store 59 Stewart Ave, Roscoe (607) 498-5553 Roscoelittlestore@frontiernet.net Trout Town Adventures & Guide Services PO Box 402, Roscoe (845) 665-9521, (845) 665-2079 ttags2@gmail.com www.trouttownadventuresan guideservice.com Facebook / Trout Town Adventures & Guide Services

FUND RAISING/ NON-PROFITS

Catskill Mountainkeeper 47B Main St, PO Box 1000 Livingston Manor info@catskillmountainkeeper.org www.catskillmountainkeeper.org Facebook / Catskill Mountainkeeper The Alford Group 96 Willowemoc Rd, Liv Manor (845) 439-1242 www.alford.com ahines@alford.com

FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES

Harris Funeral Home Railroad Ave, PO Box 8, Roscoe (607) 498-4929 or (845) 292-5200 Fax (845) 292-3051 www.harris-fh.com roscoefh@aol.com

GARDEN DESIGN & FLORISTS

Earthgirl Flowers & Earthgirl Pottery 92 Bayer Rd, Callicoon Center www.earthgirlflowers.com earthgirlpottery@gmail.com Facebook / Earthgirl Pottery E.L.M. Garden Design PO Box 341, Livingston Manor (845) 439-1005 www.houzz.com eustaciamarsales@earthlink.net Instagram @elmgardendesign

visitor’s guide 2017

55

Urgent Care Crystal Run Healthcare Rock Hill (845) 796-5444

Sullivan County Transfer Station Beaverkill Rd, Livingston Manor (845) 439-3654

HOUSING

Town Highway Department Beaverkill Rd, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5110

Sherwood Heights Senior Apts.

16 Sherwood Blvd, Liv Manor (845) 439-3508

INSURANCE

Misner Agency 52 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5220 www.misneragency.com general@misneragency.com Sugar Blossom Flowers 36 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 701-3565 sugarblossomflowers@gmail.com Facebook / Sugar Blossom Flowers

GOLF COURSES

Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club 100 Fairway View Dr, Roscoe (607) 498-5000, 888-561-3935 www.tennanah.com tennanahlake@aol.com Facebook / Tennanah Lake Golf and Tennis Twin Village Golf Course Rockland Rd, Roscoe (607) 498-5829 www.roscoegolf.com

GAS & CONVENIENCE

Catskill Grocers Supermarket Stewart Ave, Roscoe (607) 498-4931 Horton Country Store-Sunoco Horton (607) 498-4484 Liv Manor Country Store-Sunoco 40 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5430 Citgo Corner Old Rte 17 & Main St Livingston Manor (845) 439-5251 Roscoe Country Store-Sunoco E Main St, Roscoe (607) 498-5547 Roscoe Exxon E Main St, Roscoe Roscoe Mobil Mart Cottage St, Roscoe (607) 498-5341

HOME HEATING OIL

Suburban Propane 2582 State Rte 52, Liberty (845) 292-8411

56

visitor’s guide 2017

Mirabito 170 Rockland Rd, Roscoe (607) 498-5295 Van Etten Oil 79 John St, Monticello (845) 794-5511 Facebook / Van Etten Oil

HORSEBACK RIDING

Bridle Hill Farm 190 Hemmer Rd, Jeffersonville (845) 482-3993 www.bridlehillfarm.com young@bridlehillfarm.com Facebook / Bridle Hill Farm

HOSPITALS, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS & NURSING HOMES

Austin Physical Therapy, PLLC 45 Stewart Ave, PO Box 157 Roscoe (607) 498-5653 Fax (607) 498-5671 www.austinpt.net Catskill Regional Medical Center 68 Harris-Bushville Rd, Harris (845) 794-3300 www.crmcny.org info@crmcny.org Catskill Regional Medical Group 36 Pearl St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-3579 www.CatskillRegionalMedicalGroup.org

Mike Preis, Inc. 55 Stewart Ave, Roscoe (607) 498-4301 Fax: (845) 498-4605 www.mikepreis.com insure@mikepreis.com

LANDSCAPING & PLOWING G&N Lawncare Roscoe (607) 498-4624

LAUNDROMAT

Roscoe Laundromat Highland Ave, Roscoe (607) 498-4931

LIQUOR STORES

Livingston Manor Spirits 29A Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-4007 shelms@pecksmarket.com Roscoe Fine Wine & Spirits 54 Stewart Ave, Roscoe (607) 498-5927 MUNICIPAL OFFICES Livingston Manor Chamber of Commerce PO Box 122, Livingston Manor www.livingstonmanor.org livingstonmanorchamber @gmail.com Facebook / Livingston Manor Chamber of Commerce

Delaware Valley Hospital Walton (607) 865-4101

Roscoe Chamber of Commerce www.roscoeny.com info@roscoeny.com Facebook /Roscoe–Trout Town USA

Roscoe Health Center of DV Hospital Roscoe (607) 498-4800

Town Supervisor, Rob Eggleton 95 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5450 Ext 301

Roscoe Regional Rehabilitation & Residential Health Care Facility 420 Rockland Rd, Roscoe (607) 498-4121

Town Clerk, Judy Newman 95 Main St, Livingston Manor (800) 462-3042, (845) 439-5450 Ext 300

Town Justice Court Roscoe (607) 498-4320 Tax Assessor 95 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5450 Ext 306 US Post Office Main St, Livingston Manor (800) ASK-USPS (845) 439-8196 US Post Office Maple St, Roscoe (607) 498-5270

PHARMACY

Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy 47 Stewart Ave, Roscoe (607) 498-4111 roscoemedicineshoppe@gmail.com Facebook/Roscoe Medicine Shoppe

REAL ESTATE SERVICES

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Peters Realty 15 Sullivan Ave, Ste 1, Liberty (845) 292-6333 Fax (845) 292-6020 PeterFeinberg@PetersRealty.com www.BHHSPetersRealty.com Facebook/Pete Feinberg Eagle River Realty, LLC 53 Stewart Ave, Roscoe (845) 397-1937 Fax 315-824-8991 rw@eagleriver-realty.com www.eagleriver-realty.com Facebook / Eagle River Realty LLC Elliott & Pomeroy Real Estate 1922 Old Rte 17, Roscoe (607) 498-5222 Fax (607) 441-1107 www.elliott-pomeroy.com inquiries@elliott-pomeroy.com Facebook / Elliott & Pomeroy Real Estate RM Farm Real Estate 54 Main St, PO Box 391 Livingston Manor (845) 439-5511 Fax (845) 439-5599 www.rmfarmrealestate.com rmfarmrealestate@hvc.rr.com

Roscoe Bistro 49 Stewart Ave, Roscoe (607) 498-4900

Roscoe Campsite Park Outfitters 47 Stewart Ave, Roscoe (607) 498-9936 www.RoscoeCampsitePark.com info@roscoecp.com

Roscoe Diner 1908 Old Rte 17, Roscoe (607) 498-4405 Fax (607) 498-5370 roscoediner1@aol.com www.theroscoediner.com Facebook / Roscoe Diner

RESTAURANTS, DINERS, COFFEE SHOPS & ICE CREAM STANDS Also See Accommodations w/Restaurants

Spiro’s 179 Rockland Rd, Roscoe (607) 498-4419 comments@spiroscountryside.com www.spiroscountryside.com

Casey’s Place 45 Stewart Ave, Roscoe (607) 290-4023, cell (845) 665-6285

Tennanah Lake Grill at Tennanah Lake Golf 100 Fairway Dr, Roscoe (607) 498-5000 www.tennanah.com

RECREATION

Chinatown Kitchen 40 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-3000 Courtyard Restaurant & Bar 182 Rockland Rd, Roscoe (607) 498-4130 Facebook / Courtyard Dead End Café 6 Main St, Parksville (845) 292-0400 www.ParksvilleUSA.com ladymichelewtom@gmail.com Facebook/Dead End Café @DeadEndCafeParksvilleUSA Madison’s Restaurant & Main St Stand 46 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-4368 www.madstand.com Facebook/Madison’s Main Street Restaurant Main Street Farm Market & Café 49 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-4309 www.mainstreetfarm.com info@mainstreetfarm.com Facebook / Main Street Farm Northern Farmhouse Pasta 65 Rockland Rd, Roscoe www.northernfarmhousepasta.com Facebook / Northern Farmhouse Pasta Raimondo’s Italian Restaurant Stewart Ave, Roscoe (607) 498-4702 Facebook / Raimondo’s Restaurant and Pizzeria @RaimondosRestaurant

RETAIL SHOPPING

Annie’s Place 51 Stewart Ave, Roscoe (607) 498-4139 msstone@hughes.net Duke Pottery 855 Country Rd 93, Roscoe (607) 498-5207 www.dukepottery.com carolyn@dukepottery.com Facebook / Duke Pottery Life Repurposed 8 Pearl St, Livingston Manor (845) 707-2723 www.liferepurposed.net mariabivins@gmail.com Facebook / Life Repurposed Morgan Outdoors 46 Main St, PO Box 792 Livingston Manor (845) 439-5507 www.morgan-outdoors.com info@morgan-outdoors.com Facebook/Morgan Outdoors Moxie Alley 6 Pearl St, Livingston Manor (917) 407-8065 mariedantoni1@gmail.com www.moxiealley.com Facebook/Moxie Alley Nest 34 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 252-3424 www.nest-store.com Facebook/Nest in Narrowsburg,NY

Peck’s Market of Livingston Manor 29 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-4091 Fax (845) 439-3136 www.pecksmarket.com Facebook/Peck’s Market The Delightful Place 54 Main St, Livingston Manor Gallery, vintage goods & graphic design (718) 406-6907 www.delightfulplace.com robyn@delightfulplace.com Facebook / The Delightful Place The Plunk Shop 372 Old Rte 17, Livingston Manor (212) 951-0439 Facebook/The Plunk Shop plunkshop@gmail.com Wildlife Gift Shop 13 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-3938 sfulton@hvc.rr.com Facebook / Wildlife Gift Shop Will Hardware Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-4480 Willow and Brown 36A Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-1088 www.willowandbrown.com carolin@willowandbrown.com Facebook / Willow and Brown

SPECIALTY BUSINESSES

Big Twig Recording Studio 855 County Rd 93, Roscoe (607) 498-4308 www.bigtwig.com dana@bigtwig.com Expert Clock Repairs John Bockelmann 370 Tennanah Lake Rd, Roscoe (607) 498-5480 jbockelmann@frontiernet.net Facebook / Bocks Clocks Davis Coding Group & Associates Inc. 280 Elk Point Rd, Livingston Manor (845) 292-4240 mrcoding@aol.com Global Natural Foods 672 Old Rte 17, Livingston Manor (845) 439-3292

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Roscoe New York Realty PO Box 599, Roscoe (607) 498-4618 www.trulia/NY/Roscoe

R.E. Shaver, Inc. (movers) 12 Pearl St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5644 (607) 498-5294 Yolanda Custom Interiors 8 Pearl St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-3476 Yolanda@yolandacustom interiors.com Facebook / Yolanda Custom Interiors

SURVEYORS

George H. Fulton Bruce A. Fulton 1 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-5578 Fax (845) 439-4849

TAXI/TRANSPORTATION Roscoe-Rockland Car Service Inc. PO Box 295, Roscoe (607) 498-4400 Fax (607) 865-7406 philvallone@rollingv.com www.rollingv.com

Rolling V Bus Corp 68 School St, Livingston Manor (845) 434-0511 info@rollingv.com Shortline Bus (Chinatown Kitchen) Liv Manor (Roscoe Mobil) Roscoe (800) 631-8405

UTILITIES

Frontier Communication (800) 921-8101 NYSEG (800) 572-1111 Time Warner Cable (845) 431-8878 Verizon (914) 890-0200

VETERINARIAN

Luann M. Steele, DVM 90 Main St, Livingston Manor (845) 439-3004 Facebook / Luann M. Steele, D.V.M ZIP CODES Cooks Falls 12776 Lew Beach 12758 Livingston Manor 12758 Parksville 12768 Roscoe 12776

visitor’s guide 2017

57

Photo credit Times Herald Record

Renewed Life for Historic Bridge Over Fabled Waters

By Dr. Joyce Conroy / The Visitor’s Guide

The Beaverkill Covered Bridge dates back to 1865, stretches 116 feet across a favorite fishing stretch of the Beaverkill River and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was in the news last year after a local group, Friends of the Beaverkill Community, pressed successfully to have it saved and then again as the $1.97 million restoration work on the bridge was wrapping up. The bridge is central to the lore of the area. Here’s what Town of Rockland Historian Dr. Joyce Conroy has to say about it:

What’s the big deal about a covered bridge? Let’s look at this concept for a moment. Many folks thought the bridge was covered to prevent horses or cattle from being spooked or frightened when they crossed running water. Others, engineers especially, thought by adding a roof or walls it strengthened the actual bridge. But the most valid reason was to keep the weather out. Sun, rain, sleet and snow would rot the boards and the bridge wouldn’t last very long. Also, the cover on the bridge provided shelter to the traveler caught in a sudden storm.

(Courting couples also thought it was a sheltered spot to steal a kiss, unseen by parental eyes.)

The Beaverkill Covered Bridge is a really good example of all of the above reasons. The bridge, a hemlock (type of wood) lattice truss (way it was put together) was built in 1865 by John Davidson. The deck is constructed of wooden planks. The buildings seen in old postcards of the bridge are Babcock & Ellsworth’s Tannery, built in 1832 and later burned down in 1887. This was a very busy area in the day.

Remembering the Beaverkill’s tendency to flood occasionally, residents in the small

58

visitor’s guide 2017

1907 postcard provided by Dr. Joyce Conroy

hamlet near the bridge were very concerned about the safety of the tannery dam and tore the dam down in 1889.

They felt it was not needed since the industry was gone, leaving just a few farms nearby. Boarding homes took over to supply the fly fishing enthusiasts with a place to eat, dry off and go back to angling for the elusive prize trout.

All wooden bridges were one lane and had stone abutments holding up the ends, as is the case with the Beaverkill Covered Bridge. Prudence meant drivers would look to make sure no one else was on the bridge before starting their wagons

through, as it’s hard to back up a team of oxen. Naturally, the pools under the bridge became ideal swimming holes, and the fishermen were happy about the deep area where the dam used to be located.

During the 1920s, the state looked around for places for fishermen to camp rather than having to stay at a hotel or boarding home. The areas on each side of the bridge were chosen and the bridge became a symbol, fitting into the Catskill Forest Preserve’s promise of “forever wild.”

The hamlet has disappeared but the covered bridge lives on, repaired, painted, photographed and, of course, treasured.

- Joyce Conroy Getting There To see the bridge, take Exit 96 off Route 17, Livingston Manor.

Make a right onto Old Route 17, in about one mile, make a right onto Beaverkill Road. Travel about two miles, then make a left onto Camspite Road, follow this to the bridge.

Two More Covered Bridges... see page 9