VISITVortex Hudson Valley Spring 2023

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All Roads Lead to The Plaza

visit vortex who we are

our mission is to help stimulate the local economy by promoting and introducing the faces behind independently owned businesses and organizations.

VISITvortex is a celebration of each season and a portal to the great people and places of the Hudson Valley. Sharing the very best of local.

Jesse Marcus

Melissa Hewitt

Jane Anderson

Melissa Hewitt, Melissa Orozco

Jesse Marcus, Alisha Dingee

Melissa Orozco

Rachel Collet

Susanne Schulz

Anne Pyburn Craig

if you’d like to advertise in this quarterly magazine or on the website, please call us at 845-687-3470. ©2023 visitvortex

instagram: @visitvortex | facebook.com/visithudsonvalley | visitvortex.com

Meet the Owners

visit vortex

by anne pyburn craig

“I was always longing to live in a closer community. A place where neighbors knew and cared for each other, looked out for each other.”

- Jesse Marcus, Co-Owner

This magazine and our website are, like the businesses described on their pages, a labor of love. We hope you find much here that’s useful and enjoyable, and that we can help you to feel truly at home here, whether you’re up for the afternoon or looking out the window of the house your grandfather built.

For the first time, it’s occurred to us to introduce ourselves in these pages as we do so many others. Our Meet the Owners stories are intended to help you feel comfortable and familiar in checking out new places, so what better place to start than by adding that comfortable familiarity to our own magazine?

Jesse Marcus grew up in New Jersey and moved to the Upper East Side in

1995, working in advertising, something he’d discovered a knack for while working with his family’s jewelry business.

Melissa Hewitt grew up on Long Island, in a family that owned a print shop, and discovered her own knack for design and marketing and began working for an ad agency.

Though the two hadn’t found each other yet, they were already looking for the same thing. “There was a lot to love about the city, but I was always longing to live in a closer community,” says Marcus. “A place where neighbors knew and cared for each other, looked out for each other.” Hewitt, meanwhile, had been feeling a similar longing. A mom of three, she wanted to raise them somewhere where there was more of a sense of place, more of a village.

In 2001, both found their way to Ulster County. In the next couple of years, their paths would cross around the offices of the BlueStone Press, and after love at first sight they were soon exploring together as a couple and as a family. They loved what they found, from mom-and-pop stores to delicious foods and useful services. Excited by checking out each new find, they’d befriend the owners and staff, and when a neighborhood business went under, it strengthened their mission to support local. They started VISITvortex in 2008.

Wanting to use their skills on behalf of the place that had won their hearts, the couple began making videos of their adventures, giving business owners a face and a voice, encouraging them to show off their wares.

“There was no real social media yet, and nobody was doing this,” says Marcus. “We designed and implemented an online portal where you could see the videos we were making of indie shops, local restaurants, farmers; the idea was to encourage shopping the neighborhood instead of the big-box stores and to help get their word out and make a better living.”

The videos were a hit, even drawing in a boost of cooperation from the folks running the I Love New York campaign, and the print magazine soon followed. “We both love print, how tangible it is, and wanted to make a beautiful quarterly magazine,” says Marcus. “Melissa, of course, has that background—she grew up around marketing and printing and had her own letterpress print shop. We wanted to showcase what we were doing on the website and spread the word farther.”

“That’s why we call it Vortex; we feel this place really draws you in, and want to help other people feel that too.”

- Melissa Hewitt, Co-Owner

The website and the magazine share a similar flow, and that’s by design. “We always try to be relatable to everyone, whether you’re a tourist, a new resident, or someone who grew up here,” says Hewitt. “We love this community with a passion, and we want everyone to feel at home while they’re here, know where to find what they need, and be enticed into some new adventures. That’s why we call it Vortex; we feel this place really draws you in, and want to help people feel that too.”

It’s been 15 years. Melissa’s three oldest are happily launched on their own creative pursuits, and Milo, the child they had together, is 11. “He’s helping pick the covers for each issue,” says his designer mom. “All of the kids have helped through the years, and Milo now is taking an interest.”

As a contributing writer I have worked with VISITVortex since 2013. I’m with Milo: it’s work that never fails to be interesting. Every business, from the third-generation legacy families to the newly minted entrepreneurs whose dreams are just finding their wings, is as unique as a fingerprint; giving them the chance to talk about it is about as much

fun as a reporter can have. These are stories of dedication and love and hard, smart work; they’re inspiring to write and, I hope, inspiring to read. If you have a dream, take it from the people you’ll meet in our pages: It can become your reality and transform your life—usually into something that demands far more from you than you ever knew you had, but that’s half the joy of it.

Thank you for letting us be your guide to the beauty of this beloved community, the Hudson Valley and Catskills. We’re hoping you’ll love the place the way we do, and we’re going to keep on showcasing the best parts. People seem to like it. “Just distributing the magazine four times a year is a blast,” says Marcus. “I walk in and people grab one and light up. It’s like I’m bringing them a gift—and really, they’re giving me one.”

visit vortex

Hudson Valley | Catskills

845-687-3470

visitvortex.com

“Distributing the magazine is a blast. I walk in and people grab one and light up. It’s like I’m bringing them a gift—and really, they’re giving me one.” - Jesse Marcus

We are located in the heart of The Catskill Mountains. We carry Minnetonka Moccasins, chimes, puzzles, local books & maps, gemstones, homemade fudge, jewelry, candy, t-shirts, games, crafts and so much more. We are packed to the rafters with fun, practical, and hard-to-find merchandise. Come visit us for a unique shopping experience.

OUR HOMEMADE FUDGE IS WORTH THE TRIP! nesteggshop.com

Spring into Nature at Mohonk Preserve

Photo by Maryalice Citera

by anne pyburn craig

Outdoors OUTDOORS 21

The Hudson Valley’s network of rail trails is a triumph of adaptive reuse. They provide a cornucopia of opportunities for adventure along wide, safe pathways whose moderate grades and gentle curves lead through forests, meadows, and urban centers.

When the rails that once ruled fell into disuse, the glories of our local scenery vanished—only to return when smart organizers realized the value of the paths they left behind, and applied surfaces of stone or asphalt. Bikers, walkers, and joggers will find hours of relaxation here; surfaces range from crushed stone to smooth, ADA-compliant pavement.

The fun part of rail trails (well, one of the fun parts) is that, like the engines they once accommodated, they serve destinations. Every few miles, you’ll find yourself within easy walking or riding distance of a town or village; that’s to say, some good food and a cold mug of craft brew, along with people-watching and shop-ortunities galore. (Hint: If you’re traveling by bike, just about any retailer will likely be happy to hold your purchase for later pickup.)

These days, thanks to the Empire State Trail, you can actually saddle up at the Battery down in Manhattan and bike all the way to the Canadian border or west to Buffalo with minimal interference from motorized vehicles. But there’s plenty to be discovered right here in the Hudson Valley.

O&W RAIL TRAIL

The O&W Rail Trail in Western Ulster is 27 miles long and runs from Kingston to Ellenville. You’ll catch views of the Catskills to the west and the Shawangunks to the east. You’ll find the Esopus Creek Crossing parking area just a couple of miles south of the Thruway along Route 209.

Details:

Hurley Parking: 0.3 miles south of 1791 US Route 209, Kingston

Leggett Road Parking: 1.2 miles off of US Route 209, Stone Ridge

Ellenville Parking: Hoar St, Ellenville, NY, 0.2 miles past Little League fields

theoandwrailtrail.org

there’s something out there for just about any rider’s mood on any given day:

WALLKILL VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

The southern stretch of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail stretches from New Paltz to Gardiner. It offers unique views of the Shawangunk Ridge for miles and lots of goodies at each end of the journey, from the Water Street Market in New Paltz to the farm bar and distillery at Gardiner Liquid Mercantile.

Details: 22+ miles from Gardiner through New Paltz, Rosendale, and Ulster to the Kingston city line wallkillvalleylt.org

ROSENDALE TRESTLE

The Rosendale Trestle, on a trail that leads from Gardiner to Kingston as part of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, offers a delectable bird’s-eye view of the Rondout Creek and the town’s enticing Main Street. Stop downtown for a beer and a look around, or head west seven-tenths of a mile on Route 213 for a visit to the Century House Historical Society and the Widow Jane Mine.

Details:

Route 213, Rosendale

Park in the dedicated parking area wallkillvalleylt.org

Photo by Reid K Dalland

WILLIAM R. STEINHAUS DUTCHESS RAIL TRAIL

The Hopewell Depot Museum, just over 13 miles east of the Walkway along the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail, offers a look at how these byways functioned in their glory days. Hopewell Junction, as its name suggests, was once a bustling place to make connections; you’ll find fascinating exhibits at the restored 1870s depot, including a caboose, and there are plenty of food options just a five-minute ride away.

Details:

From the Highland entrance of the Walkway Over the Hudson to the Hopewell Depot Museum at 36 Railroad Avenue, Hopewell Junction dutchessny.gov/Departments/Parks/Dutchess-Rail-Trail.htm

Photo by Neco Turkienicz

WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON

The Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge, built on a former trestle connecting Highland and Poughkeepsie. The Walkway is part of the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors a year from all over the world, so don’t expect to be able to zoom across at top speed on a sunny afternoon (that would be a waste of that glorious view, anyhow). You’ll find welcome centers, restrooms, interpretive signage, and bike rentals, not to mention food options at both ends.

Details:

Highland Entrance: 87 Haviland Road

Poughkeepsie Entrance: 61 Parker Avenue

Upper Landing Park Elevator Entrance: 83 North Water St, Poughkeepsie walkway.org

ASHOKAN RAIL TRAIL

The Ashokan Rail Trail is open to the public from sunrise to sunset yearround. The 11.5-mile recreational trail runs along Ashokan Reservoir between West Hurley and Boiceville. The ART trail surface is 12 feet in width and surfaced with highly compacted fine crushed stone. Both the trail and trailhead parking areas (including the portable restrooms) are ADA compliant and accessible for persons with disabilities.

Details:

Woodstock Dike Trailhead is located at 1285 NY-28 in West Hurley.

Ashokan Station Trailhead is located at 3045 NY-28 in Shokan.

Boiceville Bridge Trailhead is located at 5080 Route 28A in Boiceville.

ashokanrailtrail.com

RAIL TRAIL CAFE

Located on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail at Stone Mountain Farm. A great destination for healthy food while on your ride. Have a quick recharge, snack, breakfast, lunch, or an evening meal. like wood-fired pizza, salads, baked goods, or fresh smoothies. Or catch live music playing in the woods. railtrailcaferosendale.com

OVERLOOK BICYCLES BIKE RENTALS

Rent right on the Ashokan Rail Trail. Book your bike rentals with their super-easy online rental system.

Located across the street from the Shokan parking area for the Ashokan Rail Trail

1 Mountain Road, Shokan

845-657-4001

overlookbicycles.com

RAIL EXPLORERS

Experience the magic of the historic Ulster & Delaware Railroad as you travel alongside the Esopus Creek through the beautiful woods of the Catskill Mountains on a railbike. Seats are limited, so book early.

70 Lower High Street, Phoenicia 877-833-8588

railexplorers.net

by anne pyburn craig photos by rachel collet

Just three and a half miles from Rhinebeck’s epicenter is an oasis of tranquility, a rambling ranch-style home atop a gentle hill that’s been welcoming travelers as a B&B since 1985. “You can’t help but leave the city pressures behind as you drive up the fence-lined driveway to this farm where horses graze,” says a review on Fodor’s.

“I called it WhistleWood because when the wind blows, the fences sing,” says owner Maggie Myer, who grew up in the Tannersville mountain country. “I’ve always been a country girl; the only thing I ever wanted to do was ride horses.”

As a young adult, Myer studied art at Ulster County Community College and worked at the Holiday Inn in Kingston before moving across the river to the farm, where renting rooms emerged as a logical way to use her hospitality skills and make some extra income. “A girlfriend of mine who was in the real estate business said, ‘You should do a bed and breakfast, the way they do in England,’” says Myer. “It wasn’t really here yet. So I started making coffee and baking Bundt cake and muffins to put out. Then people kept asking if I could do eggs and more, so I started doing a country breakfast, nothing fancy.”

Myer’s down-to-earth warmth has made the place a beloved home away from home for visitors from all over.

Thus was WhistleWood conjured into existence. The Bundt cake and muffins have become a tradition of all-day baked goods, desserts, and fresh fruits mentioned in review after review. And Myer’s down-to-earth warmth has made the place a beloved home

away from home for visitors from all over. The Main Lodge offers two queen and two king rooms, and the Carriage House is a vacation rental now that sleeps four guests comfortably and features a full kitchen with all you need to cook your own breakfast.

Antiques in cherry and bird’s-eye maple are blended with Myer’s favorites and finds for a cozy, eclectic elegance. “I grew up in the northern Catskills and you can see the Adirondack influences from my childhood,” she says, “and I’m a lover of the rich colors

There are multiple places to sit and chill, as well as decks and porches where you can savor the sunset over the Catskills.

you find in Pendleton blankets and Oriental rugs. I also love collecting Northwestern American Indian articles, and cowboy paraphernalia, and what I collect goes up on the walls.”

There are multiple places to sit and chill, as well as decks and porches where you can savor the sunset over the Catskills—the view, Myer points out, is “why all the millionaires built those mansions over here on the east bank.” Another of Myer’s hobbies, gardening, has helped shape the lush, mature landscaping over the years.

There are miles of trails to walk, and lots of critters to befriend. A flock of free-range chickens provides your breakfast eggs, and you’re welcome to visit with the horses: WhistleWood is an active horse-boarding operation. Once specializing in foaling out Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, and Morgans, WhistleWood now welcomes all breeds—there are natural-gaited Tennessee Walkers, Quarter Horses, a Rocky Mountain Saddle Horse, and a Danish Warm Blood to admire. Myer herself owns a “frisky” 6-year-old mare. Thirty-year-old donkey Tigger and Myers’ two dogs all thrive on being loved on by guests.

“I called it WhistleWood because when the wind blows, the fences sing.” - Owner, Maggie Myer

Myer thrives on offering decades of local knowledge and laid-back welcome to visitors. “Some have been coming back for twenty years and are like family,” she says. “I love it when people come back. I’ve had people from everywhere; there’s a couple from Scotland who come three or four times a year, and many

others from Europe as well.

“One of my dreams, when I was young, was to travel the world as a flight attendant, or stewardess as they called them in the ‘70s. Never did that, but it really does feel like the world has come to me.”

845-876-6838 whistlewood.com

Outdoors

hike the W estern catskills

The Western Catskills are glorious in springtime, with views that just keep coming and charming villages to explore. Hikers will find something different and wild

up here, and they’ll understand why Rip Van Winkle wandered here, drank with a bowling team of little people, and curled up for a nap. Here are a few hike suggestions to give you a taste.

Photo by Solomiia Kratsylo

ANDES RAIL TRAIL

Andes Rail Trail offers a quick, easy, two-mile, out-and-back ramble through fields and woodlands with panoramic views. Got more time, or want more of a challenge? Continue onto the Bullet Hole Spur, a moderately tough, two-mile loop that climbs the ridge through mature hardwoods and open forests with some gorgeous views of the Tremperskill Valley.

Directions: Take Route 28 west to Route 2 (Depot Street) in Andes. You’ll find the trailhead at a lovely pergola. catskillmountainclub.org/ andes-rail-trail-hiking-guide

Photo by Mark Ballou

BEAR SPRING MOUNTAIN PARK & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

Bear Spring Mountain Park and Wildlife Management Area in Walton has enough variety to fuel at least a full summer’s worth of weekends. With 7,000 acres sprawling across the towns of Hancock, Walton, and Colchester, the preserve offers 24 miles of multi-use trails: There are plenty of quick, easy walks that lead to lovely views, along with tougher stuff for those seeking more of a challenge. Some sections are ADA-compliant; you can camp here (or use the campground’s restroom and playground) or take a swim in Launt Pond.

Directions: From the Quickway (Route 17) take exit 90, or take Route 28 west. Follow Route 30 (north from 17, south from 28) to Route 206. You’ll find parking along Trout Brook Road and West Trout Brook Road. greatwesterncatskills.com/bear-springmountain-park-wildlife-management-area

Photo by New York State Office of Parks and Recreation

PALMER HILL

Palmer Hill in Andes will satiate your desire for glorious views of the High Peaks along a 3.7-mile length. Its loops lead you through open meadows, past old stone walls and historic foundations, among apple trees that still produce. If time’s really limited, just a 1.2-mile round trip along the first section will reward you with the historic ruins of a farmstead and barn. Crafted by the Catskill Mountain Club, this is one of the best trails around for open sky and serenity matched with stunning panoramas.

Directions: Take Rt. 28 west nine miles from Margaretville; trailhead parking is available at the scenic overlook site on Finkle Road. catskillmountainclub.org/palmer-hill-trail

Left photo by Betsy O’Brien

There’s enough variety to fuel at least a full spring and summer’s worth of weekends.

BRAMLEY MOUNTAIN TRAIL

Bramley Mountain Trail was designed by hikers for hikers, courtesy of the Catskill Mountain Club. Take an easy, 0.9-mile hike along a woodsy road to the gorgeous bluestone quarry; then it’s a 1.2-mile gradual ascent along a footpath past stone walls, cliffs, and caves to the summit, with exquisite views of the High Peaks of the Cats to the south and the Pepacton Range to the west. Take the Summit Trail back down for the full, four-mile loop. Directions: Take Route 28 to Delhi; then turn right on Glen Burnie Road to reach the trailhead, on your right after 3.3 miles. bramleymountainfiretower.org

DRY BROOK RIDGE TRAIL

The Dry Brook Ridge Trail offers a 13-mile, point-to-point challenge that takes around seven hours and crosses Pakatakan Mountain and Dry Brook Ridge. The trail varies—you may find yourself roughing it through the underbrush in spots, and there’s a 3,075-feet elevation gain involved—but this one takes you deep into genuine backcountry on a journey from Margaretville to Balsam Lake.

Directions: From Routes 28 and 30 in Margaretville, take Southside Road to Huckleberry Brook Road (about two miles.) You’ll find parking areas on Huckleberry Brook Road and another on Hill Road. dec.ny.gov/ lands/96749.html

Photo by Kristi Allen at PeakVisor

Meet The Owners

high voltage kitchen & bar

Need to refresh and recharge out in the Sullivan County Catskills? Need a good excuse to go exploring out in that wild and lovely terrain? Head to the cozy hamlet of Mountain Dale, located within the town of Fallsburg, and hit up the High Voltage Kitchen and Bar. You’ll find the warmest of welcomes in a beautiful setting, with exquisitely crafted

brunches and dinners served from the vintage trailer, to be enjoyed creekside with your choice of craft beverage.

Co-founders Jason Thomson and Sonia Jozajtis were based down on the Jersey Shore (Thomson still edits a small alternative weekly in Asbury Park) when they started feeling the timeless pull of the Catskills, and

by anne pyburn craig images provided by high voltage

Asbury Park started feeling a bit too crowded. “I grew up on the beach,” says Thomson, “but I started traveling to the Catskills about eight years ago and fell in love with the rural setting. I think I really enjoyed the feeling of space and a strong connection to nature that I was craving more and more. Eventually I was offered an opportunity to open a restaurant in Mountaindale. I ultimately sold my other businesses in New Jersey and moved up here full time three years ago.”

A restaurateur friend, Nhi Mundi, was helping co-curate the Mountaindale business community and believed Thomson would be a great fit. He’d already experienced the kind of trial by fire that makes or breaks a restaurant pro: “Working as a busboy and bar back for a really hardcore restaurant owner taught me how to pay attention to detail,” Thomson says. “If the tablecloth wasn’t perfectly aligned, or the ketchup bottle was half empty, you’d get yelled at. So I learned

“I grew up on the beach, but I started traveling to the Catskills about eight years ago and fell in love with the rural setting. I think I really enjoyed the feeling of space and a strong connection to nature that I was craving.”

- Jason Thomson, co-owner

“We didn’t want to do something you would see in a big city, and so you’ll see lots of antique and vintage items inside High Voltage, lots of taxidermy and a real lived-in vibe.”

to follow directions and do things exactly the way the owner wanted them, even if I thought there was a better way. I think that really shaped the way I look at things. My favorite saying is that the only thing that matters is everything. It’s the little things that count.”

At High Voltage, the little things that make all the difference add up to a strikingly original vibe. “We definitely have a strong sense of design and aesthetic, and it was important for us to create something that felt like it belonged in the Catskills,” says Thomson, who dreamed of becoming an architect as a kid and then studied graphic and interior design. “We didn’t want to do something you would see in a big city, and

“Our Creek Bar is one of the most unique establishments you’ll visit. A vintage travel trailer bar in the woods with the Sandburg Creek running through it, and picnic and biergarten tables scattered about.”

so you’ll see lots of antique and vintage items inside High Voltage, lots of taxidermy and a real lived-in vibe. Our Creek Bar is one of the most unique establishments you’ll ever visit. A vintage travel trailer bar in the woods with the Sandburg Creek running through it, and picnic and biergarten tables scattered about, tons of candles at night, a firepit, a stage for live music and lots of cozy Moroccan blankets and pillows throughout. Pure magic is how most people describe it when they pass our garden and enter through the woods.”

The menu makes its own kind of magic, with lots of comfort food

choices and a rave-worthy burger. On it last June were Brioche French Toast at brunch-time and honey-drizzle chicken for dinner, to name but two treats; it may change with the seasons, but the philosophy of excellence isn’t going anywhere. “My goal is to create a special restaurant environment and experience that people will remember,” Thomson says. “To constantly grow and change, to keep things exciting and fresh and cool and unique.”

Dinner is served Thursday through Sunday and brunch on weekends; with live music on Fridays and Saturdays, drawing what Thomson

calls “a mix of true locals and new locals, plus a substantial base of AirBnB guests” for delicious eats and drinks by the creek. “The best part of running a restaurant is the people we meet and the reactions we get when they come to our establishment,” says Thomson. “We’re always working on our spaces and this year we’ve added more seating, a new stage and covered pergola for bad weather days; and our neighbors and regulars keep cheering us on.”

The last couple of years haven’t been the easiest in Mountain Dale or anywhere else, but Thomson and Jozajtis’s solid foundations and love of what they do have pulled High Voltage through. “My dad owned a deli and a grocery and was always an entrepreneur, so I think it’s just in my blood,” Thomson says. “The restaurant world is challenging these days, but working outside in the woods with a solid playlist and a fire pit burning definitely makes the day more special.

And we’re excited to be playing a role in revitalizing this truly amazing community.”

k itchen & c reek b ar

47 Main Street Mountaindale, NY

highvoltageupstate.com

Photo: Forged in the North

Restaurants

d ining out d oors

Creekside, Rosendale

Long summer days and warm summer nights are here, bringing us the carefree feeling of endless time for those post-work hikes and late dinners with friends. And as if that weren’t enough to rejoice over, those warm days herald the return of glorious outdoor dining.

When life throws obstacles in your way, you can throw up your hands or find a path around them— and sometimes the detour you take reveals wonderful things you weren’t supposed to miss. Such has been the reality of our region’s deliciously di-

verse dining scene in the pandemic era. It wasn’t possible everywhere, of course, but just about every restaurant that could do it opened outdoor seating—and many found, once the practical issues were smoothed out, that it was way too wellloved to quit. There are good reasons for that. There’s nothing like a meal outdoors in the Hudson Valley. Dine on the waterfront and watch the river flow by in all its effortless power, or beside a babbling brook or pounding waterfall. Dine with a panoramic

view of a Catskill Mountains sunset, alongside a meadow full of flowers or a pasture, or among an orchard full of ripening buds. Dine and people-watch on a village street, or in an intriguingly tucked-away courtyard. Feast on wood-fired pizza while live jazz wafts its way to the clouds or a zydeco band gets you dancing in your seat. DIY it—pack a basket with the finest to-go treats and head for a summit, a mossy creek-bank, a gazebo at the park beside the swings. Just do take full advantage of our outdoor dining while the weather’s right—everything pairs well with fresh air.

some great al fresco dining options:

Aba’s Falafel, Rhinebeck

Angela’s Pizza, Lake Katrine

Annarella Ristorante, Saugerties

Arkville Bread & Breakfast, Arkville

Bacchus, New Paltz

Bistro To Go, Kingston

Brickmen Kitchen + Bar, Kingston

Brio’s, Phoenicia

Brooklyn Cider House, New Paltz

Cafe Marguerite, Margaretville

Cafe Mio, Gardiner

Colony, Woodstock

Country Inn & Petaly’s Restaurant, Olivebridge

Creekside, Rosendale

Bacchus

Brooklyn Cider House

Colony Woodstock Country Inn

High Voltage Creek Bar, Mountaindale

Darlings, Tillson

Eggs Nest, High Falls

Emerson’s Woodnotes Grille, Mt. Tremper

First Capital Poke Bar, Kingston

Gardiner Brewing, Gardiner

Garvan’s Gastropub, New Paltz

Grazery, New Paltz

Hickory BBQ, Kingston

High Falls Café, Kingston

Hoffman House, Kingston

Jar’d Wine Pub, New Paltz

Jessie’s Harvest House, Tannersville

Kelder’s Loading Dock, Kerhonkson

Main Course, New Paltz

Emerson’s Woodnotes Darlings

Egg’s Nest

Yum Yum Noodle Bar

Garvan’s Grazery

Hoffman House

Jessie’s Harvest House

Jar’d Kelder’s Farm

Ole Savannah

Ollie’s Main Course

Parish Runa

Peekamoose

Sportsman’s Alamo Cantina

Stone Ridge Orchard

Mill + Main Restaurant, Kerhonkson

Ole Savannah, Kingston

Ollie’s Pizza, High Falls

The Parish, New Paltz

The Phoenician Steakhouse, Phoenicia

The Spy, High Falls

Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room, Big Indian

Runa, New Paltz

Seconds, Catskill

Sportsman’s Alamo Cantina, Phoenicia

Stone Ridge Orchard, Stone Ridge

Stella Station, Saugerties

Terrapin, Rhinebeck

Tetta’s, Olivebridge

Yum Yum Noodle Bar, Kingston, Red Hook, Woodstock

Stella’s Station Terrapin

Photo by Taylor Del Villar

Photo by Taylor Del Villar

Photo by Taylor Del Villar

MarbletownAnimalHospital.com

3056 Route 213 East Stone Ridge, NY, 12484

845-687-7800

Now offering daytime urgent care. Call for more info. MarbletownAnimalHospital.com

Wellness

stinging nettle apothecary , catskill

All medicines have their origins somewhere in nature; for many of us, it makes sense to go straight to the source, whether our goal is to feel better or to look our best. When we do, we want solid science and expertise to guide us—and that’s what you’ll find at Stinging Nettle Apothecary in Catskill, alongside an array of organic and natural house-made items.

“We offer personalized service to customers; all our products are handmade with great care from natural ingredients, from the herbs in our shop,” says Pat Argoff. “We offer tea blends, custom teas, salves, infused oils, bath and skin products, soaps, candles, aromatherapy oils, and handmade gifts. We also have some culinary spice mixes and infused vinegars. We are very eager to work with our customers if they have specific items they would like us to make.”

All medicines have their origins in nature; for many of us, it makes sense to go straight to the source.

“We offer personalized service to customers; all our products are handmade with great care from natural ingredients, from the herbs in our shop.”

Argoff and her husband Charles are both native New Yorkers (Long Island and Brooklyn, respectively) who relocated upriver to the Capital region 15 years ago. During the pandemic, they spent time scouting locations and fell in love with the Village of Catskill. “It’s a beautiful small village surrounded by mountains on the Hudson River,” says Argoff. “Most importantly, it’s a

dynamic community with a lot of energy, with many new creative businesses.” They found the right spot and opened their doors in July 2022 as Stinging Nettle Apothecary, the name chosen “because the stinging nettle is a wonderful herb with a multitude of uses, and it’s also a metaphor for herbalism in that we have to be cautious in our approach.”

The couple knew they had something to offer when it came to healing and beautifying. “I’m a registered nurse with a master’s degree in Herbal Medicine and a master’s degree in Public Health,” says Argoff. “Charles is a neurologist and pain management specialist. We have been keeping organic vegetable, herb, and flower gardens for many years; it’s become increasingly evident, both in general and specifically to us, that herbal

- Pat Argoff, Stinging Nettle Apothecary

products can support a truly holistic approach to a person’s health and well-being.

“The Apothecary weaves together the different threads of our lives in a holistic fashion,” she continues. “We share a holistic point of view, that herbalism has a lot to offer people to promote health and wellness and that it complements allopathic medicine very well.”

Their diverse customers agree. “We serve many people from Catskill and surrounding communities, but also many who are visiting from NYC or from other states,” says Argoff. “Most have a desire to incorporate natural products into their personal care. Many are already knowledgeable about the benefits of plant-based products; some are curious to learn. Almost all of our clients are concerned about the prevalence of harmful chemicals and plastics in mass-produced products, and are happy to find alternatives.”

And they’re happy with the alternatives they find here. “Since the days of old, the wisest women in the village have come forward to protect the body and soul,” writes a Google reviewer. “Patricia Argoff and her daughters have cultivated an impressive collection of both products & knowledge to help heal what ails you…This lovely little shop (the only one of its kind in the nearby forests of Rip Van Winkle) stocks an inventory that is in equal parts both beautiful and beneficial.”

Stinging Nettle is a family project in every way.

“Charles loves to come and work with customers on his days off from Albany Medical Center, and he takes care of a lot of the business and legal worries,” Argoff says. “I work most days researching and developing new ideas, making products, and taking care of customers. Our daughter Melanie is working with me several days a week to help run the store; she also helps make some of the skin-

“It’s become increasingly evident that herb-based therapies can support a truly holistic approach to a person’s health and well-being.”

- Pat Argoff, Stinging Nettle Apothecary

care and beauty products. She’s developed a line of face cleansers, face masks, and oils, Beauty Botanics, that have been very popular with our customers. Our son is a software engineer and helps out with the tech stuff, and our youngest daughter is an art student and does some handpainted cards for the store.”

with customers, offering options based on a long history of herbal tradition, and having the customer come back and tell me they feel a bit better!”

It’s a labor of love for all concerned. “We love the creative aspects of it—building something new, to our own standards, that can help people, and being part of a community of merchants working together to make the downtown vibrant,” says Argoff. “I enjoy finding creative ways to incorporate the benefits of herbs into everyday products and handcrafting them, but my favorite part of the work is the day-to-day interacting

New products are added and others discontinued based on customer feedback, so the inventory is as customized as the products—and those are made with enormous care. “Making all of our products right in our shop, we can absolutely guarantee the highest quality with no hidden surprises,” Argoff says. “What you see is exactly what our customers are getting. Making our own also means that we can customize products to meet individual needs.”

Google for Stinging Nettle coupons, or come on a First Friday, when the whole merchant community conspires to offer specials and good times. But stopping by Stinging Nettle is a good time, anytime. “We try to make the shop environment as artistically beautiful and peaceful as possible,” says Argoff. “It’s a pleasure to spend the day there; many of our customers tell us that they feel better just walking in the door. Soothing our senses is a great stress-reliever.”

stinging nettle apothecary

424 Main Street, Catskill

518-719-0018

stinging-nettle-apothecary.square.site

Heading to Catskill? Check print publications and

WHAT IS FLOATATION THERAPY?

Floatation therapy is a luxurious escape from the constant stress of life’s daily pressures and a natural way to heal the body and mind. 800 pounds of epsom salt dissolved into a tub of skin temperature water creates a zero gravity experience, releasing both body and mind. Light proof and sound proof, this peaceful space frees you of gravity, noise, and other distractions. Your body and mind achieve calmness, entering into a theta brain wave state resulting in a profound state of relaxation. Floatation therapy allows your body and mind to enter into its deepest state of relaxation. email: MFSquad@mountainfloatspa.com

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A FAMILY BUSINESS OFFERING ORGANIC HERB-BASED PRODUCTS HANDMADE ON-SITE. VISIT US FOR:

• medicinal herbs and culinary herb blends

• tea blends

• soaps, salves, balms, and infused oils

• bath soaks, scrubs, and clay masks

• handcrafted candles, jewelry, notecards and charms

424 Main St, Catskill, NY 12414 518-719-0018 stingingnettle.ny@gmail.com stingingnettleny.com

•

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Rt 9 Between Rhinebeck & Hyde Park

Meet The Owner

catskill

by

In the best spaces, you immediately know you can be your real self, because the owner’s real self is everywhere you look. Such a place is Citiot, a village of Catskill outpost of all sorts of things wrapped in warm liveliness. “As our tagline on Instagram states,” says Pim Zeegers, founder of Citiot, “we have Local and European. Co-working & coffee-sipping. Fresh buys and vintage finds.

Our shop can’t make up its mind and we dig that! I guess we have a theme lol. We sell a roster of retail items from gifts, books, art, T-shirts to pottery. Besides having a coffee corner with goodies, part of the store is a co-working space where you can rent a desk on a drop-in basis, for half a day or a full day.”

Zeegers grew up in a small eastern Netherlands town called

anne pyburn craig photos by rachel collet

citiot ,

Dalfsen, “a lot like Catskill.” He earned his media psychology degree at Utrecht University, married husband Gertjan Meijer, and polished his skills—and when the Big Apple called, he and Meijer were ready. “We got the opportunity to move to the US 12 years ago and did not think twice,” he says. “We moved to NYC in 2010, got a place in Catskill in 2016, and became full-timers three years ago. We have been loving it ever since.”

Downstate, Zeegers specialized in boutique travel and opened Pim Philip Experiences, while Meijer, a sales executive, directed project management and creative design in the retail space. Little did either of them know that those talents would one day blend gloriously into the recipe for

“As long as I can remember I wanted to have a store and sell fun things, create a place of happiness.”

– Pim Zeegers, Owner, Citiot

Citiot. The name was inspired by teasing from a born-andraised local neighbor and good friend during a lawn mowing lesson soon after the pandemic turned the couple into full-time Catskillians. Secure in their welcome, Zeegers embraced the term with tongue just a bit in cheek and a footnote: True wisdom is knowing when one doesn’t know everything,

“I never knew what I wanted to do with my life!” Zeegers says. “Still don’t, in a way. I was and am interested in a lot of different things, but I like to have fun along the way, figuring it out. I am not the type of person that works towards retire -

ment. I like to keep developing and hope to experience lots of inspiring endeavors in the future. I guess my main drivers are connecting, creativity, listening to my gut and utilizing my passions in life.”

One of those passions was always shopkeeping. “As long as I can remember I wanted to have a store and sell fun things,” he says. “Create a place of happiness. It always sounded kind of childish, something to fantasize about, not pursue in real life. But the pandemic made me rethink that idea and I decided to give it a go! And I am very happy I did.”

“You have to keep reinventing yourself to stay interesting, understand your customers and adapt to your surroundings.” – Pim Zeegers

So are the denizens of Catskill. Citiot opened in July of 2021 and was an immediate sensation.

“Love, Love, Love this store!! As soon as you walk in, you feel so comfortable,” writes a reviewer on Google. “I love the merchandise that is well chosen and has so much style. Citiot supports local artists, exhibiting and selling their creations, such as the beautiful pottery in the back. I love the soundproof Zoom rooms next door. The coffee they sell is delicious! This was by far the best coffee I had in a long time. After my Cortado, I walked out with my Citiot Ground Coffee Bag. I can’t wait to come back. I found a lovely hangout place, not just a store.”

The love and warmth draw in visitors from everywhere. “Our clientele is a great mix of people,” Zeegers says. “Locals, old and new ones of all ages, visitors, weekenders, and tourists. The goal was to create an inviting, inclusive, happy place where you can find something for your everyday needs, a beautiful space where people feel welcome. A place where you can find something beautiful, hang out, work, shop, taste.”

Catskill, he says, is the perfect place. “We have loved this little town since we found it, and this had to be the location. Hudson was already so established; it felt like Catskill’s Main Street was right at the beginning of a revival. In the past two years

“The goal was to create an inviting, inclusive, happy place where you can find something for your everyday needs, a beautiful space where people feel welcome.”

– Pim Zeegers, Owner, Citiot

so much new energy has come to this town and new things are popping up left and right. There is a great mix of people, a lot of interesting makers, artists, musicians, and inspiring personalities. This town is just not so polished, which is what I like.”

Zeegers is Citiot’s owner; he and Meijer share managerial duties.

“Some days we are baristas & sales associates, some days we manage the practicalities,” he says. “Most days we are a supporting act to the needs of our co-workers and the shop. We have a great team, and together we try to create energy and happy vibes—from silent disco dancing to live jazz, from pop-ups to exhibits! And the products we sell feed that vibe. Just to name some, we have kimonos, cool T-shirts, books, but also an extended pantry. Come by and check it out!”

It’s a clear case of the right people, right place, and right time.

“I have a background in retail, among many other experiences that seem to fit perfectly into this,” Zeegers says. “I love people, marketing, collaborating, and being creative. You have to keep reinventing yourself to stay interesting, understand your customers and adapt to your surroundings. I am just following my gut, doing everything I would like myself. Looking from the outside in, I guess what is different here

is that we couldn’t make up our minds and offer a vast diverse array of products and services. Also, we are very people-centric and like to organize stuff.”

It’s a general store for the third millennium. “Some products are staples and some are limited-availability; once sold, they won’t come back. People respond really well to always having something new to explore,” says Zeegers. “We did a pop-up with Japanese wear and Anagama pottery; we worried that it might be too niche, but we sold so many kimonos! We decided to transform our rear space into an art gallery, and the shows we have done there were super successful. It’s a bit trial and error, but people are here for it!”

are one of the initiators of First Fridays and every month we come up with something new,” says Zeegers. “Stay tuned to our Instagram. We announce all the news there, and you never know what might be next.”

In 2023, Zeegers plans to develop an online presence so that Citiot fans can visit and shop from wherever. Those of us lucky enough to live or hang out around here, though, shouldn’t miss a bricksand-mortar visit. “We can shop online for almost everything, but we also like an experience and like to be surprised,” he observes. “The store is like a living organism. It changes all the time. And it is a very welcoming living organism!”

c itiot

404 Main Street

The store and hangout space have swiftly become integral to the fabric of this river village. “We

Catskill, NY

nycitiot.com

Meet the Owner

miniature W orks

by anne

There’s something curiously magnetic about tiny things. Looking at an intricate dollhouse, we’re drawn into imagination. What it would be like to shrink,

Alice-in-Wonderland-style, and be transported to that wee world? How did the artist find the patience and craft it took to create such detail?

pyburn craig photos by rachel collet

Lovers of fine tiny things will find bliss at Miniature Works in High Falls among the endless variety of tiny furnishings and household items crafted by Brigitte Nagle. Her jam is crafting artful items that look as though the fairies—or perhaps the Borrowers—have just stepped out for a moment and will be right back. And if there’s a miniature item or particular vignette you’d like to have, as a special keepsake or gift, she’ll build it to your specifications. “This place is so cool, and the artist is a dynamite human,” reads a five-star review on Google. “If you’re in High Falls, this place is a must-see.”

loved the fine details: of architecture, of interior design, art, and history. I love miniatures. Those passions, combined, are at the core of Miniature Works.”

Her early dream of growing up to be a circus clown failed to come to fruition, but she found that teaching social studies—as well as being half the team responsible for the legendary Spy Social Eatery and Bar in High Falls—made for a satisfying life. But her love of making little things never faded, and in July of 2022, she opened her gallery and shop.

Nagle grew up mostly in Ulster County, but spent time in Astoria, Queens and Bakersfield, California, where her father worked rodeos as a bull rider. “I spent rodeo days playing make-believe under the grandstands, and I loved building shoebox troll houses at recess,” she says. “And I’ve always

Since then, her fellow fans of small perfections have been gathering round. “There have been a variety of curious shoppers since opening,” she says. “Some heard of me through word of mouth, and some stumbled across the shop by chance. I love finding out why and how they came to stop in! There

Lovers of fine tiny things will find bliss at Miniature Works.

have been other miniaturists and makers, model train collectors, writers, CEOs…all sorts of diverse people are drawn to these. There are also young people just attracted to all things small.”

dollhouse furniture to furnish a dollhouse in multiple scales, classes, and the service that sparks the most joy—the making of a place, a moment, or event to salute someone’s life using photographs.”

Some have heard of her custom services and realize they can order a bespoke piece as a truly one-of-akind gift for that friend who has everything. “When I first opened the shop, I consciously set it up to have something for everyone,” she says. “We have a vintage collection, kits, handmade and manufactured

Nagle’s passion is creating works that tell a story as unique as the humans behind it. “I’ve always found that the deepest connections were made in my classroom through storytelling,” she writes on her website. “Sharing not only facts and dates, but the stories that provide depth. My favorite part

“I’ve always loved the fine details: of architecture, of interior design, art, and history. I love miniatures. Those passions, combined, are at the core of Miniature Works.”

–

Brigitte Nagle

was always learning which stories my students connected with and how different their interpretations were from mine—and that is what I seek to create in my miniatures: stories that I share, to which the viewer can attach their own personal connection.”

scenes that elicit lots of questions: What were they reading? Why is the phone off the hook? Where were they going in such a rush?”

Inspiration comes from the world around her, from found objects, and sometimes straight from her imagination. “I often find myself looking at a discarded scrap of some sort and saying, ‘I can turn that into something!’” she says. “Often an experiment, or an inspired design, will end up becoming three or four pieces that undeniably form a recognizable room in a dwelling. And the history teacher in me comes out when I make a scene. I love

It’s a quirky business and a great fit for the quirky little town of High Falls, known to locals with tongue (partly) in cheek as the Center of the Universe. “This has been our community for the past 30 years as the Spy Social Eatery,” she says, “and our customers are now our friends. Because we are connected to the community, it only seemed right to stay in High Falls. When our current location became available, I drove by it every day and longingly peered into the window, imagining it as Miniature Works. It was meant to be.”

Some have heard of her custom services and realized they can order a bespoke piece as a truly one-of-a-kind gift for that friend who has everything.

As a largely self-taught artist (“I’m a visual, detail-oriented person, and I learned through research, practice and then more practice,” she says), Nagle is very aware of the joy of making, and wants to spread the fun as widely as possible. Miniature Works hosts a variety of classes; in early 2023, you could sign up for an evening of learning how to make your own tiny paper flowers or craft miniature food items from polymer clay, working with clay, or building a diorama kit to tell an entire story.

Years of thriving in not one but two very people-oriented fields, restaurants and education, have polished Nagle’s hostessing and entertaining skills, and whether you’re signing up

for a class, thinking about a custom project, or just stopping in to marvel at her teeny tiny world, you’ll find a warm welcome. “My goal is, of course, to build this not-so-common business that supports itself,” she says.

“Perhaps even more so, my goal is to restart or unleash the creative in everyone. We all have it; it just might be deep within. We could all use help to bring it to the forefront, maybe in a new, uncharted genre.”

Store:

Nagle’s passion is creating works that tell a story as unique as the humans behind it.

in praise of pollinators Our Farms

by anne pyburn craig

Seventeen years ago, beekeepers began noticing something extremely alarming: colony collapse disorder, in which entire hives of adult honeybees would simply… disappear. The situation led many to a new awareness of the fact that our very survival depends on insects. In 2008, about 60 percent of honeybee colonies were collapsing. The situation has improved, but not because a simple solution has been found; one study looked at 61 possible stressors and found that no single one could be

blamed. Pesticides, pathogens, habitat loss, and climate change all play a role. Another complicating factor is the narrow genetic base of North American honeybees, a non-native species first imported from Europe in the 1600s. Thankfully, the honeybee situation has leveled off a bit as beekeepers and researchers work to find solutions, but colony collapse continues to be a problem, worse in some years than others. And the honeybees ar-

en’t even the whole story—not even close. Pollination, the thing they do for us that’s even more important than the sticky golden sweetness they produce, is a group effort: beetles, flies, ants, moths, butterflies, bumblebees, solitary bees, and wasps all do their part, too. Over 200,000 species are involved in pollinating, almost all of them insects. And aside from the genetics issue, the problems listed above impact every one of them.

From a farmer’s point of view, pollinators are crucial allies. Making them feel at home is a big part of raising any flowering plant, a category that includes the vast majority of vegetables and all fruits. In springtime,

a healthy farm is alive with buzzing wings and crawling things—and farmers walk a fine line, making things as hospitable as possible while not sacrificing entire crops to their appetites. Elizabeth Ryan , owner of several Hudson Valley farms including Stone Ridge Orchard and Breezy Hill Orchard in Staatsburg, says it all works together. “I grow a lot of pollen crops that require bee pollination,” she says. “And one of the things that you honor deeply if you’re studying fruit production is understanding the entire ecosystem, the wide and narrow of it. If you’re a fruit grower, you’re thinking about this all the time. Bees have to have a friendly environment,

“We’re on the cutting edge of techniques like biocontrol, which involves tactics like supporting and enhancing the habitat for the beneficial insects.”

– Elizabeth Ryan, pomologist, local farmer

so we’re very pro-pollinator. And we’re not merely concerned with pollinators, either. It’s the entire ecosystem that you have to uphold, support, honor, and elevate: the birds and the bees, the spiders and the mycorrhizae.”

reasons. And in general, the Northeast houses some of the most forward-looking and proactive sustainable growers in the country.”

As a pomologist with a graduate degree from Cornell and a lifelong grower, Ryan knows exactly what she’s talking about. “When I began farming in the Hudson Valley 42 years ago, I swore off herbicides, period; we went cold turkey,” she says. “Using herbicide is a pretty standard practice in conventional farming, and I don’t want to sound like I’m criticizing anyone—all growers have to make very complicated decisions for very complicated

That’s certainly true here in the Hudson Valley, where our farms range from legacy to newborn operations and carry a lot of the weight of an extremely large and hungry population just a few miles to the south. A New York State apple crop relies on the services of around 30,000 honeybee colonies to produce its deliciousness. When colony collapse first emerged as a problem, beehives, beekeeping classes, and new concern for the welfare of the pollinators flowered here.

A healthy farm is alive with buzzing wings and crawling things—and farmers walk a fine line, making things as hospitable as possible while not sacrificing entire crops to their appetites.

Elizabeth Ryan, pomologist and owner of Stone Ridge Orchard

“Here in the Hudson Valley, partnering with Cornell, we’re on the cutting edge of techniques like biocontrol,” says Ryan, “which involves tactics like supporting and enhancing the habitat for the beneficial insects. We’ve done releases of beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings, which consume the insects that are more problematic. We look for the ways in which natural systems have evolved and adapted for success, and strive to support that.”

those orchards every day, and no matter what their production practices, there’s a finely tuned awareness of the bees.”

Fruit farmers depend on a narrow window of time during which their trees are blossoming, usually in late April or early May. “We only need five percent of the orchard’s blossoms to be pollinated to get a good crop,” says Ryan, “but without that…It’s become pretty much universal practice: Nobody sprays their orchard while the bees are flying. Growers in general are very thoughtful folks; we’re in

Ryan says beekeeping culture used to be even more robust in the region. “We had immigrant beekeepers from Poland and Ukraine and Italy, doing things old school, honoring the bees. I can remember when there were 10 beekeepers on my road alone. Honey was a cottage industry. A lot of those beekeepers have passed, and they haven’t been fully replaced by new ones.” Today, large-scale growing operations often contract with beekeepers to bring in hives at pollination time.

Ryan herself used to keep hives at Breezy Hill, 50 of them at one point. She stopped about 30 years ago and realized it hardly mattered at her scale. “You’d still walk into the orchard and hear the wonderful buzz, see bumblebees and wasps at

From a farmer’s point of view, pollinators are crucial allies.

Come on July 22nd for a Pollinator Masquerade Ball in the Orchard.

work. It’s a magical feeling, pollination time—a fertile and sacred time.”

The magic keeps happening. Studies from both Cornell and Hawthorne Valley have identified Ryan’s orchards as containing the highest and most diverse native pollinator populations in the region, counting 38 different species in all. “When we stopped beekeeping and using commercial bees, we knew we had to pay a lot more attention to native pollinators.”

To learn more about supporting native pollinators—besides the basic lore of increasing your yard’s overall biodiversity and decreasing its toxicity—visit Xerxes. org, online home of the Xerxes Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Local beekeeping expertise can be found at the Ulster County Beekeepers Association (ulsterbees.org.) and on the Pol-

linator Support page in the Gardening section at the website of the Cornell Cooperative Extension (https://ulster.cce. cornell.edu/gardening/pollinator-support). Getting to know these tiny neighbors is bound to enhance your joy in the music of their buzz—and inspire the gratitude they’re due with every bite of locally grown deliciousness.

Come celebrate pollinators on July 22nd for Stone Ridge Orchard and Circle Creative Collective’s POLLINATOR MASQUERADE BALL .

Come dance under the stars dressed as birds, flowers, bees, butterflies, and nature spirits of all kinds. Either wear your own masks, crowns, and costumes created at home, join us at one of Circle’s mask making workshops, or come to Circle’s Handmade Costume Market to find costumes made by local artists using upcycled and honorably harvested materials.

Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider Farm Bar. Cider Tastings! Wood-Fired Pizza. Check our site for fun upcoming events!

3012 Route 213, Stone Ridge 845-687-2587

instagram: @StoneRidgeOrchard stoneridgeorchard.com

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Gardening

spring garden tips

by anne pyburn craig

The earlier you can get started on your outdoor space in spring, the earlier you’ll get it shipshape and lovely and ready for plantings and pleasures.

Here are things you’ll want to do in your yard and garden now, before things really start to spring up and bloom.

Now’s the time to walk every bit of your outdoor space and survey everything in detail.

TAKE AN INVENTORY

Walk every bit of your outdoor space with a notepad and/or your phone, and survey everything in detail. Are your raised beds in need of a board? Does the path need a fresh layer of gravel? Are there woody plants in need of pruning, or drainage issues that need to be addressed? These are things that are easier to spot before the foliage fills in.

TIDY UP

Clear unwanted leaves, dead vegetation and brush. If you’ve let the leaves lie on your garden over the winter to protect the soil, now’s the time to gently rake the larger ones aside. Once the soil is dry, you can till the more decomposed bits into the top layer of soil. Don’t disturb the soil until it’s dry, though— the bugs and mycorrhizal fungi are busy doing important work down there.

EXECUTE PROJECTS

Move forward on any project plans—like deck-building, painting, walkway installation, or fencing—that might disrupt your vegetation if done after things sprout and bloom. This way, not only will plants be undamaged, the greens and florals will mature up around your new additions for a wonderfully integrated look.

PLAN YOUR GARDEN

If you’re new to this, or to your particular property, you can lean heavily on the folks at the local garden centers and nurseries for tips and suggestions—you can bring in a photo of a spot and get an expert’s opinion on what would thrive there. You can even go farther and pay an expert to come take a look and make a plan with you.

GET YOUR TOOLS IN ORDER

Pruners, loppers, and shears should be all be sharp, for both safety and efficiency. Make sure any wooden handles aren’t sprouting splinters. Treat yourself to a new pair of gloves, a big hat, and a pad to sit or kneel on.

DON’T OVERCOMMIT

Jokes about excess tomatoes and zucchini aside, all of those plants will need TLC through the season. Native plants and hardscapes can lighten the overall workload. Just don’t make the mistake of putting in such a big garden or so many temperamental ornamentals that you’re signing up for a season of endless toil or frustrating failure.

Lean heavily on the folks at local garden centers and nurseries for tips and suggestions.

START SEEDLINGS

Start seedlings in containers that can be moved outdoors once the weather breaks. Try recycling materials you already have at home. Some delicious greens—broccoli, parsley, onions, leeks, arugula—can be planted in early March. In midMarch, as soon as the soil is dry enough to work, you can start peas.

SWAP PLANTS

If there are plants that are getting out of hand, check local social media for plant swaps. You can dig up some of yours, and go see what’s available. Plant swaps are great for fresh ideas. Look out for Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Plant Swap and Sale.

PLAN A RELAX SPOT

Make yourself a comfy hangout spot or two. Outdoor furniture, pretty ceramic or stone, a firepit and/or a gazing ball, some solar lights for nighttime, and a good wind chime will make for blissful relaxation. Lattice-work or ornamental grasses can be used to add privacy.

by anne pyburn craig photos by rachel collet

Buying plants and seedlings is like adopting pets. This is a living creature, and you want to be sure that it’s been treated right, because those formative weeks before you meet will impact the happy, healthy relationship you plan to build.

Your best ally: a truly great nursery. Where to find that? Augustine Nursery, in Kingston.

could offer healthier, cheaper plants by growing their own. They started a nursery so that they could take charge of their offerings from Day One, and branched out into serving commercial customers.

Back in the 70s, Ron and Michael Augustine discovered that they shared a knack for landscapes. Even with just a used Dodge Dart and a few push mowers at their disposal, their customers loved the results. As the business grew, they saw that they

It worked out well. In 1987, the family invested in six acres bordered by Van Kleeck Avenue and Route 9W; in the 1990s, they planted their first acre of trees, once again wanting to stock the very best. The trees thrived in the fertile soil of the Esopus Creek delta, and soon there were 10 acres, then 30; today, there are some 20,000 trees growing happily in a 60-acre “tree paradise.”

“From trees and shrubs, annuals and perennials, to walkways, lighting and more, we customize each design to the needs of you and your family as well as to the characteristics of your land.”

- Ron and Michael Augustine

The trees and shrubs weren’t the only thing growing beautifully. Michael married kindred spirit Penny, who manages the nursery these days; their son, Michael, brought his college and grad school education back home and joined the business as a landscape designer in 2008.

The root of the business—offering fine quality at affordable prices—has remained healthy and strong, well-watered and fertilized by intelligent hard work and love. The offerings that have branched out from the sturdy trunk are often the first and only choice for in-the-know contractors, landscapers, and homeowners. Whether you want

an expert to look at your space, listen to your dreams, and make them a reality, or you just need a few seedlings or the perfect slab of bluestone, Augustine Nursery has your ground covered.

The seven-acre nursery can supply your every landscaping need. There’s a wide selection: hundreds of

Today, there are some 20,000 trees growing happily in Augustine Nursery’s 60-acre “tree paradise.”

Whether you want an expert to look at your space, listen to your dreams, and make them a reality, or you just need a few seedlings or the perfect slab of bluestone, Augustine Nursery has your ground covered.

varieties of broadleaf evergreens, deciduous shrubs and trees, evergreen shrubs and trees, perennials, and vines, to name just some of the plant family thriving here. There are all kinds of bulk landscaping materials: mulch and topsoil, pea gravel, river rock and Item 4. There’s a stone yard where you can find fine natural bluestone, stone for steps, wall stone…pretty much a stone for any purpose under the sun. It’s all about helping you craft an outdoorscape that puts joy

in your heart and works beautifully as a living space. Out front, say the Augustines, “We create a stunning first impression.” Out back, “we create beautiful and functional living spaces. From trees and shrubs, annuals and perennials to walkways, lighting and more, we customize each design to the needs of you and your family as well as to the characteristics of your land.” Think about what bugs you about your yard. Is it noisy or lacking in privacy? Do you want

a sturdy play zone for the kids or a superbly chill hangout spot?

From consultation through design and installation, you’ll be working with people who have the know-how and experience to take you from vague idea to glorious execution while respecting your budget. They’ll also help you solve erosion and wildlife issues.

level some might call obsessive. But if you’re not obsessive, you simply can’t grow better trees.”

It’s all true to the vision of two kids from Kingston, and the goal has never changed: to provide you with the finest possible trees, “grander in stature, truer in form and confirmation, and stronger in constitution than our competitors,” as the Augustines pledge on their website. To get there, the Augustines do it right: young saplings have plenty of room to spread out, get just the right amount of organic fertilizer, and are weeded and watered “at a

As the ancient Greek proverb says, a society becomes great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. But there’s another level of greatness in play when we care for our trees like the kinfolk they are. Augustine Nursery is the place where you’ll find that knowledge being lived every day—and you’ll see the results of those righteous roots in the trees and shrubs you adopt and take home as part of the family.

Nothing gets one’s tidying energy up-’n-going like the feeling of company coming. Even if the expected visitor is someone near and dear, we tend to at least straighten the couch and bus up the coffee-table debris. Guests from the wider world can inspire those of us who lead laid-back lives to become human tsunamis. Whether you’re aiming to put your best domestic foot forward for a dinner party, a meeting, a real-estate showing, or just the refreshed feeling of having things straight and pretty for a bit, HERE ARE TIPS

FOR A SWIFT, SIMPLE PROCESS.

company’s coming!

quick clean tips

OPEN UP

Open as many windows and doors as you can before you start to clean, so you’re filling the place with fresh outdoor air.

DECLUTTER

Have a container (baskets are great) handy in each room where you can put the stuff that lives in that room but needs to be out of the way, to be stowed easily in a closet if you wish. When you take things back out, you can weed out any stuff that’s pointless and end up with less clutter.

Even if the expected visitor is someone near and dear, we tend to at least straighten the couch and bus up the coffee-table.

TOP DOWN

Clean from the top down. Save the floor for last. Do one task at a time, throughout the house: dusting, wiping, vacuuming, and mopping everywhere that it’s needed—it’s way more efficient and less frustrating.

DUSTING TRICKS

For cobwebs or grunge you can’t reach, a dampened high-nap paint roller is handy. An old sock on your hand (also dampened) is a great way to clean slatted blinds; just grasp each piece and slide it through your hand to get both sides at once. The sock trick is also great for moldings and other surfaces where a duster might miss spots. Slip an old pillowcase over ceiling fan blades and use it to wipe them without taking a dust shower.

PRE-SPRITZ

In the kitchen and bathroom, spritz icky spots on washable surfaces with your cleaning solution and then go do something else or take five. The crud comes right off when you come back.

Have baskets handy in each room where you can put the stuff that lives in that room but needs to be out of the way.

For real-estate showings, you’re presenting a template where someone else will be trying to imagine their own style.

stage it just right

Getting your house set for real-estate showings is a bit different. Instead of showcasing your personal style, you’re presenting a template where someone else will be trying to imagine theirs.

YOUR REALTOR MAY HAVE SUGGESTIONS TO ADD TO THESE:

MINIMIZE BELONGINGS

You’re going to be moving anyway, yes? Everything you can eliminate now is one less thing you’ll be carrying then. Store away everything you can possibly live without but don’t want to part with permanently.

MAKE REPAIRS

Consider making minor repairs and finishing any small projects that are half-done.

FRESH PAINT

Go with an eggshell or off-white rather than flat white, and invest in a decent paint that will give good coverage.

GUEST ROOM

If you have an extra room that you haven’t been using, clear it and replace clutter with a simple arrangement that suggests a use—a desk and chair, an extra bed.

binne W ater ice co . Meet The Owners

by anne pyburn craig

Water is life. Can’t argue with that. And between the 1830s and the advent of mechanical refrigeration, frozen water was life’s preservation—the only way of keeping food fresh. Over that century, residents of a growing New York City area relied largely on the watery Hudson Valley for their ice.

These days, the Hudson Valley pretty much relies on Binnewater Ice Co., founded in 1910 in Rosendale as Binnewater Lakes Ice Company by two guys with four ice wagons. In 1925, they bought the third and fifth of the Binnewater Lakes in 1925. They sold those lakes in 1929 to the Williams family,

Binnewater Ice Co. was founded in 1910 in Rosendale as Binnewater Lakes Ice Company by two guys with four ice wagons.

operators of what was once an iconic hotel, while retaining ice-harvesting rights.

Harvesting and processing ice was a formative Hudson Valley industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries, revolutionizing the practices of farmers and fishermen alike now that food could be shipped to the city and beyond. In the 1880s, a workforce of 20,000 in various companies handled ice in 135 storehouses along the Hudson between Albany

and Poughkeepsie. Ice harvesting was rough work; people ran the risk of falling in or getting squashed by hundred-pound ice blocks. It was also one of the only jobs that hired women, people of color, and less-favored immigrants; you could earn a dollar a day, and a lot of families survived the winter by ice harvesting.

By 1930, the bulk of the industry had melted, so to speak; companies that couldn’t diversify their

services just…dried up. Ice houses fell to ruin. The Binnewater folks, seeing the writing on the wall, had taken to manufacturing ice in a Kingston plant, since local markets for ice were still strong.

With the industry tightening and the Great Depression ongoing, things got a little crazy and some rivals got downright inconsiderate. Binnewater’s plant burned in a suspicious

fire in 1938; about a year later, two bombs were found. One exploded hard enough to “rock the city” but did “no great damage,” according to the newspaper headline at the time.

Fittingly, the Binnewater folks stayed cool and carried on, helping Rondout Valley farmers get their fresh produce to market. When the company went up for sale in the 1970s, it was purchased by corn farmers Gordon and Robert Davenport. Business—selling to retail stores and restaurants—was strong, especially as bagged ice cubes were now sold at many stores.

The Davenports formed an alliance with A.T. Reynolds & Sons, an ice company from Kiamesha Lake that had developed a better way to bag cubes, and joined them in distributing Leisure Time bottled water in the 1980s. But

when Reynolds & Sons was bought out by Canadian companies, Binnewater decided to go its own way, developing their own Binnewater brand sourced from protected natural springs. Today’s Binnewater is a busy place. “We serve nine counties, which is a lot of miles and a lot of trucks,” says Marshall Gogg. “It gets crazy busy, especially in summer. And we try to cover all aspects of what you can do with our product.”

That they do. Besides providing ice, bottled water, and dispensers to offices, restaurants, retailers, and festivities of all sorts, Binnewater offers a coffee and tea service, de-icing products, and snowmaking. They’ve been hired to make snow for local movie productions, notably The Road to Wellville and Family Man, as well as for advertising, skiing and

Harvesting and processing ice was a formative Hudson Valley industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

snowboarding ramps, and the occasional homeowner who just wants that White Christmas vibe.

- Marshall Gogg, Binnewater Ice Co.

And water is still, and always, life. Sometimes the need is very immediate indeed, and when the power goes out, some things really must stay cold.

“We do a lot of standby emergencies,” says Gogg. “If a medical facility has an emergency, we’re the ones they call.”

If you’re in need of water (more than a few neighborhoods in this area have sulfur-flavored water, which won’t hurt you but smells and tastes strong) or ice for a party, why not go straight to the source? Binnewater can onboard you for regular delivery in a heartbeat.

You’ll be dealing with happy people. “We’ve got an absolutely great crew of guys and gals,” says Gogg. “Even when it gets tough, we show up the next day with smiles on our faces.”

b inne W ater i ce c o .

25 S Pine Street, Kingston 845-331-0237

binnewater.com

“We serve nine counties, which is a lot of miles and a lot of trucks.”

your hometown hardware store

A & M HARDWARE

Mon-Sat 7:30-6 Sun 8:30-4 5000 Route 209, Accord, NY 845-626-2788 amhardware.doitbest.com

CUSTOM SHOWERS. CERAMIC AND STONE TILE. STONE VENEERS. FULL BATH BUILD-OUTS. INSURED. visitvortex.com/storefront/matthew-flamhaft

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MATTHEW FLAMHAFT 845-687-9735

MATTHEW FLAMHAFT 845-687-9735

Meet The Owners

hatter chimney s W eeps

mad

by anne pyburn craig

As long as there have been chimneys, they’ve needed sweeping. The first ordinance making it a requirement was passed in England in 1582, and increasing industrialization made the process all the more important.

enough to shimmy through the tight, filthy, hot space. Children were apprenticed out from the workhouse or otherwise sold into the chimney life.

Early on, six was considered the ideal age to enter training as an apprentice sweep—strong enough for the climb, small

During the 19th century, awareness grew that the inside of a fireplace flue was no place for a human of any size; regulations tightened, and chimneys slimmed down; it was only after

1900, when children being forced up chimneys had largely faded into memory, that chimney sweeping became somewhat romanticized, peaking in 1964 with the iconic Bert from Mary Poppins. (“Though I spends me time in the ashes and smoke/In this ‘ole wide world there’s no ‘appier bloke.”)

In 1978, 14 years after the dizzy glee of Chim Chim Cheree, Mike O’Connor founded Mad Hatter Chimney Sweeps, inspired not by any illusions of unending bliss but by the fact that lots of people around Ulster County needed their chimneys swept. His son Flynn, current owner of Mad Hatter, began helping out in elementary school.

“Dad named it that because of the traditionIn 1978, Mike O’Connor founded Mad Hatter Chimney Sweeps. His son Flynn, current owner of Mad Hatter, began helping out in elementary school.

al top-hat and Alice in Wonderland,” says the younger O’Connor. “I still have his original hat, too. There used to be ads in Mother Earth News, promoting the profession—you could send away for the tools and the training manual.”

With the energy crisis on at that time, many homeowners were turning to wood or coal to stay warm, and a clean flue was as important to health and safety as ever. Many houses still had older stone chimneys, and the O’Connors not only cleaned chimneys, they installed the stainless steel liners that—then and now—made fireplaces much safer and simpler.

“When I was a kid, you needed two people to install the stainless liners—it involved hooking two sections together inside the chimney, and Dad couldn’t have some random person doing it—so he taught me and I’d go with him and do that on Saturdays,” says O’Connor. “When we started, a lot of the stuff that we were working on was older. There are still some chimneys around here that are hundreds of years old, though that’s gotten rarer. But there are a lot that were redone around mid-century, and those IBM-era ones are past their prime now too.”

“Dad named it that because of the traditional top-hat and Alice in Wonderland. I still have his original hat, too.” – Flynn O’Connor

Even if you don’t have a wood stove, you need a chimney sweep. “Chimneys for central heating should be serviced annually, checked, and tuned up, or your efficiency can go down 20 percent,” says Flynn O’Connor.

Happily, with modern flues far too small to accommodate even a wee child, O’Connor’s state-of-the-art arsenal of inspection cameras, rotating brushes, and rods does the trick, allowing chimneys to be cleaned from below. Infrared cameras are used to check for leaks. O’Connor uses (and represents at trade shows)

the SnapLok line of chimney-cleaning equipment, manufactured in Connecticut by its inventor, a longtime friend.

“We cover all fuel types, but we don’t do masonry chimneys any more—we just have too many annual cleanings to do, and those jobs are extremely labor-intensive; we just don’t have the manpower,” he says. “But we do have a mason we can recommend.”

fore my dad; they were always friends, and the alliance just continued into this generation,” says O’Connor. “We work together really well— there’s a similar vibe around hard work, customer service, and safety.”

a lot of deteriorated masonry from sulfur and heating oil. Trust me: you don’t want unplanned heat loss, but carbon monoxide poisoning is far worse.”

Mad Hatter works closely with local retailers and installers like Fireside Warmth in Phoenicia. “They got started just a couple years be -

Even if you don’t have a wood stove, you need a chimney sweep. “Chimneys for central heating should be serviced annually, checked, and tuned up, or your efficiency can go down 20 percent,” says O’Connor. “People tend not to think about it—every year we get emergency calls for blockages and collapsed tiles, all the way up to houses where everything has been updated, but the boiler chimney’s been run all winter long, every winter, since the 1950s. People tend to assume that when the furnace gets serviced, the chimney is checked out, but the furnace people don’t have the equipment for that, so those systems are often much more neglected than wood-burning systems, with

The best time to get your chimney serviced is in spring or early summer, long before the rush, because fall backlogs can get crazy. “Plan ahead, call and get it serviced when you’re done for the year and you won’t have to think about it,” says O’Connor.

Technology has come a long way during this latest wave of interest in greener heat. “Just last Wednesday I installed a new wood stove of my own, and it’s mind-blowing,” says O’Connor. “The emissions are super clean, there’s almost no smoke to bother the neighbors, and a much lower risk of chimney fires. It’s supposed to run 24 hours on one load of wood; my old one would only do 12.”

Sure, chimney cleaning’s in his blood, but did the younger O’Connor ever seek employment farther afield?

“I did try a ‘normal’ job once,” he recalls. “After one week it was, ‘Okay, that’s enough of that.’ I got started on this young, and my father and I had quite a journey, from childhood on through becoming partners and me ultimately buying him out. I still have the top hat, he’s down in Florida, but you know what’s funny? Neither of us has ever watched Mary Poppins. It’s like this weird aversion thing. But we did actually go jumping from roof to roof down on the Strand in Kingston one time, just because we could, which felt a bit like something they’d do in a movie.”

m ad h atter c himney s W eeps

84 Rochester Center Road, Accord, NY 845-687-4745

madhatterchimney.com

Local History

thomas cole national historic site

Founding The Hudson River School

text from great northern catskills

Born in 1801, Thomas Cole and his family moved to America from Britain, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, in the early 19th century. Cole had taught himself to sketch and paint, and worked for a time painting portraits in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and even Ohio.

His journey up the Hudson River in the autumn of 1825 proved to be a dazzling turning point in his life as he marveled at the colorful fall foliage surrounding the river banks. Compared to an English autumn, and the churning wheels of production and industrial steel found in cities, New York’s pastoral landscape was an untamed riot of color that led into a vast and unspoiled wilderness.

Cole spent his time on the boat sketching scraps of the landscape, and once docked, of the mountains and waterfalls that rose and crashed before him. Inspired by the wild beauty of the Catskills

landscape, he exhibited a series of small paintings upon his return to New York City, earning him the attention of Asher Brown Durand, an established figure among the City’s artistic set, who would become one of Cole’s lifelong supporters and friends.

t W o masters : beauty and sublime

Friends of my heart, lovers of Nature’s works, Let me transport you to those wild blue mountains That rear their summits near the Hudson’s wave Though not the loftiest that begirt the land, They yet sublimely rise, and on their heights Your souls may have a sweet foretaste of heaven, And traverse wide the boundless.

For Cole, America’s untamed wilderness became a thing of mythic inspiration, a muse that would alter the course of his life and lead to the creation of America’s first major artistic style—the Hudson River School.

Within Cole’s body of work there are many themes, from the power of natural landscapes, to the cycle of life, and even the potency of architectural design – and two overarching concepts: an ephemeral quality of Beauty juxtaposed against an element of the Sublime.

Though he traveled abroad for some years, earning a reputation as a painter of masterly skill, Cole returned to the Catskills by the early 1830s to establish a rural studio in Catskill. Here, the famous painter rented studio space at a property known as Cedar Grove, which would, in the years that followed, become his permanent residence.

In Cole’s hands, Beauty was epitomized as an inviting landscape in which man and nature lived together in harmony. The Sublime represented a fearsome landscape, and was often depicted as an impending storm pregnant with rain, or a gnarled tree with broken branches and exposed roots.

Cedar Grove is now the Thomas Cole National Historic Site.

Throughout his collection of paintings and sketches, Cole’s two concepts can be seen as intertwining themes, used to convey the force of nature and to imbue the divine spirit of the wilderness into the landscape.

–Thomas Cole, from “The Wild”

Cole’s intertwining themes were used to convey the force of nature and to imbue the divine spirit of the wilderness into the landscape.

For a visual representation of Cole’s concepts and themes, his 1827 painting titled The Clove, Catskills features a balance of these elements and themes.

the emerging master : cole ’ s beginnings

Initially, Cole taught himself to draw using instructional step-by-step manuals such as Elements of Drawing that covered the basics of sketching and form. Later, he studied at the Philadelphia Academy, and his canvases were included in the Academy’s exhibitions. While in the Catskills, he began to paint en plein air, taking his direction from the light and landscape surrounding him. From the Catskills to the Adirondacks, the White Mountains to Europe, Cole’s paintings captured not only the scene, but the sense of place it evoked within him.

He called this a “deep toned emotion,” that forced him to confront and contemplate eternity. After deciding on a subject for a painting, particularly his landscapes, Cole is quoted as saying that he would sit with his memories, absorbing the scene, letting the non-essential “common details” fade until he had an impression of the scene, the Beauty and the Sublime. And then, back at his studio, he would begin to paint the final composition. Cole referred to this process as “time drawing a veil,” reinforcing the perspective of nature as a crucible of both creation and destruction.

cole ’ s patron

Cole, like many artists, had several patrons who provided both financial and moral support to further the development of his skill. Luman Reed,

For Cole, America’s untamed wilderness became a thing of mythic inspiration, a muse that would alter the course of his life and lead to the creation of America’s first major artistic style—the Hudson River School.

a prosperous, retired merchant, supported Cole in his artistic endeavors, commissioning several works of art including the five-canvas Course of Empire, which garnered Cole considerable attention and favorable reviews. Through Cole, Reed contributed significantly to the development of the Hudson River School of art.

a lasting legacy :

the hudson river school of art

In 1844, Cole took on a young artist named Frederic Church as a student at his studio in Catskill. For two years, Church studied under the well-known Cole, before striking out on his own.

On February 11, 1848, Cole died suddenly after suffering an attack of pleurisy just a few days previously. He was buried in the family vault not far from

Cedar Grove, though his body was later moved to the Thomson Street Cemetery, now known as the Catskill Village Cemetery, located at the corner of Thomson and Spring streets in Catskill.

A year after Cole’s death in 1849, Church was elected into the National Academy of Design, becoming the youngest associate in the organization’s history at the age of 23. His prodigious natural talent, coupled with his acceptance into the Academy and the sheen of having studied under Cole, established Church as the leader of the Hudson River School of art’s second generation of painters.

thomas c ole

national historic site

218 Spring Street, Catskill

518-943-7465, thomascole.org

The Thomas Cole National Historic Site is located in the village of Catskill. The house and Cole’s studio are open for tours, events, and workshops throughout the year.

Everywhere you go in the Hudson Valley, you’ll find layers of visible history. It’s in the downtown streetscapes and the place names, in the old fieldstone walls you encounter on hikes, in the very DNA of the twisty back roads. And if you’d like to deepen your understanding of the lives lived here before, there’s absolutely no better place to start than at Historic Huguenot Street.

The first European residents of the neighborhood, French Huguenots, cherished their spot on the bank of the Wallkill with its fertile growing land and splendid sunset views; they built their houses to last, and lived in them for generations.

In the 1890s, Abraham Deyo Brodhead owned a two-room stone farmhouse on Huguenot Street, and was a founding member of the Huguenot Patriotic, Historical, and Monumental Society in 1894. For many decades, the Society maintained its legacy nicely—Huguenot Street was a peaceful oasis in the busy college town, a great place to walk and wonder about what life must have been like inside those stone houses. These days, we no longer have

to guess: In the last couple of decades, Historic Huguenot Street, chartered by the New York State Department of Education, has created a 10-acre marvel of historic education from that lovely legacy.

the stories of a French Huguenot settlement as it evolved over time along with the history of the area’s Indigenous and enslaved African peoples and Dutch settlers.

Now, visitors can stroll Huguenot Street and tour seven historic stone-house museums, a reconstructed 1717 French Church, the Huguenot community’s original burying ground, and a replica Esopus Munsee wigwam. Period rooms and exhibits tell

Rich programming includes community holidays and visits from reenactors, after-school and summer camp programs for kids, multimedia educational presentations and nature walks. Guided tours led by passionate experts happen regularly.

If you’d like to deepen your understanding of the lives lived here before, there’s absolutely no better place to start than at Historic Huguenot Street.

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON HUGUENOT STREET THIS SPRING:

MAY 2023 INDIGENOUS BIRDS OF PREY

with Ellen Kalish from Ravensbeard Wildlife Sanctuary and Justin Wexler from Wild Hudson Valley. Ellen will be bringing birds of prey from the Sanctuary and talking about their natural history, what they need to flourish, and how each bird came to Ravensbeard. Justin will add information on the presence of the species in the region when the Esopus Munsee inhabited the lands, what the name of the bird species is in the Munsee dialect, as well as any folklore associated with the species. Exact date, time and ticket price TBD.

JUNE 10-11, 2023 RETURN OF THE NEW NETHERLAND MARKETPLACE

, 1645: Living History Event, which first took place last May. Visitors will experience a mid-17th century marketplace, where they’ll come face-to-face with reenactors and representatives of Indigenous, European, and the free and enslaved Black community which was present in 1645 New Netherland.

LENAPE and DELAWARE representatives will be returning to their ancestral homelands to portray the life of their ancestors and their eco -

There are seven historic stone-house museums, a reconstructed 1717 French Church, the Huguenot community’s original burying ground, and a replica Esopus Munsee wigwam.

nomic relationship with the Dutch. Their camp will have ongoing open fire cooking, cordage making, bow shooting, flintknapping, arrow making, and hide tanning demonstrations throughout the weekend. Several enrolled members from the five federally recognized sovereign Lenape and Delaware Tribal Nations will be present representing their people and culture and speaking about their communities today.

JUNE 18, 2023

Living historians portraying Dutch merchants, traders, and craftspeople will be offering demonstrations on leather and woodworking, hearth cooking, tailoring, wampum making, and more. The marketplace will also include displays of camp gear and furs, clothing, wooden bowls, and spoons for sale.

New Paltz Community’s Annual JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION , a collaborative effort between HHS, the Elting Memorial Library, the Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis Black History Research & Cultural Center, the SUNY New Paltz Black Studies Dept, and other community organizers. The celebration includes featured speakers and presentations, tours of the historic district that focus on the history of New Paltz’s Black community, live music, a community potluck, and more.

h istoric h uguenot s t .

81 Huguenot St, New Paltz

845-255-1660

huguenotstreet.org

Historic Huguenot Street has worked wonders, creating a deep and wise 10-acre marvel of historic education.

2023

Dutchess County Fairgrounds Find Your Fun...

e May 5, 6 & 7 Rhinebeck Antique Car Show & Swap Meet

e May 20 & 21 Northeast Outdoor Show

e May 27 & 28 Barn Star Antiques at Rhinebeck

e June 3 & 4 Vintage Vibes

e June 24 & 25 Rhinebeck Crafts Festival

e August 22 - 27 177th DUTCHESS COUNTY FAIR

e September 9 & 10 Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival

e September 30 & October 1 Octoberfest Handcrafted at Rhinebeck

e October 7 & 8 Barn Star Antiques at Rhinebeck

e October 21 & 22 NYS Sheep & Wool Family Festival

For A Full List of Events, Tickets, & More Information Visit dutchessfair.com

PEACE, LOVE & SO

MUCH MORE

HISTORY | CONCERTS | CREATIVITY | FESTIVALS

For a full listing of concerts & events visit: BethelWoodsCenter.org

MEET ME AT TM

AUGMENTED REALITY TOUR OF THE HISTORIC SITE

Experience the festival with 360-degree visuals and stories from attendees. Watch a 3D model of the stage appear right where it stood in ’69 and turn up the volume to hear the authentic crowd sounds, stage announcements, and more!

Happy Trails and Bon

Tour the Dove Trail— a tribute to the 1969 Woodstock festival. Sip on the Good Taste Craft Beverage Trail. Meander through dozens of hiking trails. When it’s time to dine, imaginative chefs and creative mixologists rule the foodie scene.

BETHEL WOODS CENTER FOR THE ARTS

A two-day foodie affair with local and celebrity chefs and farm-fresh seasonal ingredients.

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SullivanCatskills.com

1.800.882.CATS

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Sims and Kirsten Harlow Foster, Foster Supply Hospitality of the DeBruce, Arnold House Tavern, and Kenoza Hall are a 2023 James Beard Foundation Semi-Finalist for Outstanding Restaurateur.

Step outside and discover nature’s renewal in the gorgeous Hudson Valley, where winding trails, rugged cliffs, and shimmering watersheds invite you to forget your cares, test your endurance, and reconnect with the great outdoors. Hike the Mohonk Preserve, scale the Shawangunk Ridge, savor the seasonal flavors of local family farms, and bask in the epic beauty of springtime in Ulster County.