VISITVortex Hudson Valley Spring 2025

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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.

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Unique Furniture for Extraordinary Outdoor Living

Featuring a variety of dining sets, deep seating groups, umbrellas, lounge chairs, hammocks & more.

springtime outings

by local county Play

Photo by @BugTiger

Wherever in the Hudson Valley you may be, you’re never far from an epic destination. Now that the weather’s warming, it’s time to enjoy the forests and the farms, the galleries and the goodies, and the splendid folks. To help you make memories and relish the realm, we’ve put together a list of expert suggestions—some of the best fun Dutchess, Ulster, Delaware, and Sullivan Counties have to offer. (We may be just a wee bit biased, but we think this may be a guide to some of the best fun on Planet Earth.)

To give you the full scoop on the fun stuff would take a book, so consider these as starting points, a glimpse of our patchwork quilt. At each county’s tourism website (listed below) you’ll find loads more ideas.

ulster county

hikes with epic scenery

Bonticou Crag at Mohonk Preserve is a 2.3-mile loop with an optional mildly challenging rock scramble that rewards you with absolutely breathtaking views. www.mohonkpreserve.org

Sam’s Point, at the south end of Minnewaska State Park, lets you choose between easy hikes with superb views and more challenging trails with rock scrambles and caves to explore. https://parks.ny.gov/parks/193/

Bonticou Crag by Collrane Forestano.

Sam's Point by Corinne K.

Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road Loop is a mostly-level 1.9-mile stroll around the lake, with stunning views of the water and the surrounding cliffs.

parks.ny.gov/parks/minnewaska rail trails

Rail trails are perfect for bicycling or jogging, but don’t let the fact that they’re mostly flat and straight fool you. They are choose-your-own-adventure wonderlands in themselves, perfect for a relaxing stroll, and we’ve got bunches of them.

Ashokan Rail Trail offers stunning views of the Ashokan Reservoir, ringed by the Catskill Mountains; the trail is fully ADA-compliant, and you’ll find porta-potties at the three public trailheads in West Hurley, Shokan, and Boiceville.

ashokanrailtrail.com

Wallkill Valley Rail Trail starts in Gardiner and goes all the way to Kingston. Highlights include spectacular views of the Shawangunks, the Water Street Market in New Paltz, and the Rosendale Railroad Trestle.

wallkillvalleylt.org/wvrt

Lake Minnewaska by Danielle Gordon.

View from Ashokan Rail Trail by Katherine Mitchell.

Wallkill Valley Rail Trail by Kelly C.

on the water

Hudson River Cruises offers a selection of scenic, historic, and entertainment cruises from its dock at the bottom of Broadway in Kingston. hudsonrivercruises.com

Osprey Marine, sailing out of the Rondout Yacht Basin in Connelly, offers private charter cruises (up to six people) aboard a 42-foot yacht, so you can set your own itinerary and enjoy luxurious comfort. Bring a feast, or let them arrange the catering. ospreymarine.com for a rainy day

Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston tells the rich, lively history of coexistence with our very own bodacious beauty. (Or maybe we’re her bodacious beauties.) hrmm.org

The Borscht Belt Museum in Ellenville is your gateway to a golden era of food, comedy, and community that happened right in our very own Catskills. borschtbeltmuseum.org

Find more ideas at visitulstercountyny.com.

Osprey Marine.

Hudson River Cruises.

Hudson River Maritime Museum.

The Borscht Belt Museum. Photo by Owley Studios.

dutchess county

history of the high life

In the heart of Millionaires Row it may be, but the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site in Hyde Park belongs to all of us now. Picnic in the beautifully landscaped gardens, tour the opulent mansion, and soak up the magnificent Hudson River views. nps.gov/vama

Also in Hyde Park, the FDR Presidential Library and Museum tells the dramatic story of this Hudson Valley favorite son and transformational president through immersive and interactive audio-visual elements and unique exhibits. Don’t miss a stop at Val-Kill, Eleanor’s house. https://www.fdrlibrary.org/ https://www.nps.gov/elro

Locust Grove Estate, the Poughkeepsie home of inventor Samuel F.B. Morse, is now run by a brilliant nonprofit and offers tours of his lovely Italianate villa, art galleries, and 5 miles of hiking trails. lgny.org

wonderful walks

Poets' Walk Park in Red Hook offers a 2-mile ramble in the footsteps of Washington Irving and legions of others who’ve found vast inspiration in

FDR Presidential Library and Museum by Jim Cheney.

Mansion National Historic Site.

Locust Grove Estate.

Poets' Walk Park by Isabel Ribeiro-Carpenter.

these river and Catskills views. There are lots of places to sit and ponder along the way. scenichudson.org/explore-the-valley/scenic-hudson-parks/poets-walk-park/

Ferncliff Forest Preserve in Rhinebeck is a 200-acre oldgrowth forest laced with 12 miles of scenic trails and stunning views—the fire tower in particular serves up unforgettable panoramas, and there’s a pretty pond. ferncliffforest.org

art adventures

The Wassaic Project is a vibrant nonprofit arts organization that’s infused the hamlet of Wassaic (which was always cool) with events and exhibits. Come for Open Studios, a gallery show, a sound bath bonfire, or a dance party. thewassaicproject.org

The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors in Wappingers Falls is on a mission to create a sanctuary of visionary art, and you’re invited to come catch the vibe and tour their psychedelic chapel. They host full-moon parties, too. cosm.org

You’ll find a host of other wonderful things to do at dutchesstourism.com.

Ferncliff Forest Preserve by Olivia Moaddel.

The Wassaic Project.

The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors.

delaware county

hike the great western cats

The Andes Rail Trail is a fun hike that can be a flat 2-mile out-andback or a moderate 4-mile journey if you want to add the Bullet Hole Spur, which climbs through mature hardwood forest to glorious views of the Tremperskill Valley. The Town of Andes has several great choices for a bite to eat afterward.

greatwesterncatskills.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/hiking

Shavertown Trail, which also starts in Andes, is a moderately strenuous hill climb that takes you to Snake Pond and a stunning view of the Pepacton Reservoir in just seven-tenths of a mile, a lot of reward for just enough effort to leave you feeling you’ve gotten some exercise.

greatwesterncatskills.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/hiking

marvelous market

Come to the historic Round Barn in tiny Halcottsville on a Saturday and experience the heart (and the delicacies) of the Catskills at the Pakatakan Farmers’ Market. You’ll find fresh artisanal foods galore, live music, and truly lovely people. roundbarnmarket.org

View from the Andes Rail Trail by Matthew Munsen.

View from the Shavertown Trail by Marcella Parisi.

Pakatakan Farmers' Market by Rachel Collet.

book bliss

Hobart Book Village is a must for people who love to read. There are seven independent bookshops in Hobart itself, plus vintage clothes and antiques to browse, and since the Book Village began back in 2005, the entire area has become positively infested with books and vintage, making this lovely corner of the Northern Catskills into a deep and diversified cultural mecca. hobartbookvillage.com

farm to table

Make a reservation to come to the hills of Bovina and feast at the Bovina Farm & Fermentory on Pink Street, where they’ll pour you a cold house beer to go with your exquisite hyper-local meal. This isn’t a typical restaurant; they host one four-course farm dinner a week, by candlelight and served at long communal tables, and they’ll tell you all about farming in the Catskills outback. bovinafarmfermentory.com

crafty quaffs

Get a taste of Delaware County’s craft beverage culture in Arkville, where you’ll find Calico Outlaw Brewing (“Local beer made with local ingredients by a local guy”) and Calico’s “partner in crime,” the Union Grove Distillery. They’re two distinct businesses under one roof; the craft cocktails here are deservedly legendary. You can tour the distillery, and the vibe is pure Catskills excellence. uniongrovedistillery.com

More, you say? Go to greatwesterncatskills.com.

Hobart Book Village by Ian Franzen.

Bovina Farm & Fermentory.

Union Grove Distillery and Calico Outlaw Brewing.

sullivan county

peace and love

The legendary Woodstock Music and Art Fair blew in here like a monsoon 56 years ago, and little Bethel was just never going to be the same. Sensibly, people have created the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on the site, complete with a packed lineup of music in the legendary natural amphitheater and the very cool Museum at Bethel Woods. bethelwoodscenter.org

slip and slide

The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark in Monticello will bring out the kid in everyone; it’s a resort, but the Splash Pass lets day guests enjoy the raft rides, drop slides, adventure river, and more. The perfect answer to a rainy day with the family. thekartrite.com

even wilder waters

Lander’s River Trips has outposts in both Narrowsburg and Callicoon; they have everything you need for a rafting, tubing, canoeing, or kayaking adventure on the Delaware, whether you’re after a placid drift or longing for whitewater thrills. They’ve been doing this since 1955, and they have it down to a (very enjoyable) science. landersrivertrips.com

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark.

Lander's River Trips.

drink local, feast local

Located in the newly renovated 1880s Olympia Hotel, the Callicoon Brewing Company’s brewpub offers fine local ales, lagers, and ciders on tap, plus outstanding pub grub, all of it overlooking the Delaware. callicoonbrewing.com

angler’s paradise

Sullivan County is where fly fishing was born, grew up, and still thrives; experience the majesty of this thoughtful sport with a visit to the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum in Livingston Manor. They’ve got a museum, an art gallery, the Heritage Crafts Center, and gorgeous walking trails alongside the Willowemoc Creek. cffcm.com

safe haven

The Arrowhead Ranch in Parksville is an equine and animal sanctuary, and you’re invited to come take a farm tour, get an inside look, and help pet the sweet horses, mini-mules and baby bulls. arrowheadranch.org

For more (and there’s so much more!), visit sullivancatskills.com.

Callicoon Brewing Company.

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum by Ed Mitchell Outdoors.

The Arrowhead Ranch by Rana Meehan.

pitch pine outfitters Meet the Owner

Heading into the forest to hike or camp? Having the right footwear, backpack, and rain gear gives you the ability to move through the woods in comfort and smile at the unexpected, bringing you the desired joyous chillaxation instead of frustration and soreness. The only thing more valuable than the right gear is local knowledge—a conversation with somebody who loves to share what they know about the territory and make a few recommendations. Both of these essentials and more—served up with energy

and expertise—can be found at Pitch Pine Outfitters in Gardiner. Bronwen Concors and her husband Brett grew up enjoying the Hudson Valley outdoors and understand the fine art of proper preparation. “I see a lot of people out on the trail in sneakers with nothing but a phone,” Bronwen says. “I always feel overprepared, and then I get thirsty and realize I’m actually being sensible and my feet don’t hurt.”

At Pitch Pine Outfitters you’ll find a selection of state-of-the-art

“Whether we're actually selling something or just giving advice, we're just so happy to be there.”

– Co-owner, Bronwen Concors

domestic and imported items from names like Patagonia, Osprey, Smartwool, KÜHL, Danner, Outdoor Research, and more. They’ve got footwear, backpacks, trekking poles (there’s a reason Gandalf had that staff), first aid kits, snacks, and outdoor wear that will stay comfy and look great for more than just one season. They’ve got camp furniture and binoculars, snowshoes, and headlamps—far too many nifty musthaves to list.

Bronwen grew up in Montgomery, and Brett lived about 15 minutes away in Pine Bush. Both grew up in outdoorsy families and spent much of their free time exploring the Gunks. Besides the outdoors,

the two shared a talent for retail.

Brett is the fourth generation of his family to run the iconic Thruway Sporting Goods in Walden, an operation with seventy years of history that retains its small-town feel while handling 25,000 square feet full of serious gear. One of Bronwen’s first jobs had been working in a Montgomery gift shop, and she’d fallen in love with the feeling of helping a shopper choose just the right thing.

The couple knew that they wanted to open an outfitting business and had been scouting locations when Bronwen found out that the property—situated at the foot of the mountain in Gardiner and convenient to Mohonk Preserve

and Minnewaska State Park Preserve—was available. One of the owners was someone she’d met at CrossFit sessions, so she reached out, and soon the dream was becoming a reality.

“It just kind of happened,” she says. “We bought the property and then put together an assortment of goods that we thought people would like to see and find convenient to purchase in that location, and it's evolving a little bit. We started out really outdoor focused, and we still are—we have all the things that one could need— but I'm mixing it up, too. I've got a really great card collection, kid’s

toys, jewelry, candles—just things I find wonderful. I want people to be able to stop and grab something that they need, a gift or whatever.”

Pitch Pine Outfitters, named for the iconic tree species that thrives atop the ridge, where few other trees feel at home, opened in May of 2024, and the response from locals and visitors alike has been warm. “We're getting really great feedback,” Bronwen says. “The community has just been super supportive, and people are still coming in for the first time going, ‘Oh, I didn't know you were here.’ Then it’s ‘wow, I can't

They’ve got footwear, backpacks, trekking poles (there’s a reason Gandalf had that staff), first aid kits, snacks, and outdoor wear that will stay comfy and look great for more than just one season.

“The community has just been super supportive, and people are still coming in for the first time going, ‘Oh, I didn't know you were here.’ Then it’s ‘wow, I can't believe you have all this stuff!”

– Co-owner, Bronwen Concors

believe you have all this stuff!’”

Customer feedback and suggestions have helped guide the store’s evolution and are always welcome. This year, Bronwen wants to start a newsletter that will keep regulars up to date on sales and events; last summer, Pitch Pine hosted a fly-fishing party and a brewery pop-up. They’ve

got a 2-acre spread with picnic tables and a firepit, and are looking forward to a summer full of fun.

So before you dive into the magical realm that is the Gunks, plan a stop at Pitch Pine. They’ve got all the good stuff you need; they know all the best places to go, and they’d love to be part of your adventure.

pitch pine outfitters

2809 U.S. 44-55, Gardiner 845-633-8483 pitchpineoutfitters.com

Spring into Nature at Mohonk Preserve!

Experience great healthy outdoor recreational activities. Discover reemerging plants and animals in our forests, fields and streams. Our Visitor Center is open free of charge daily 9am-5pm and the land is open daily sunrise to sunset. Memberships and day passes are available at all trailheads or join online at mohonkpreserve.org/join.

Photo: Pin Oak Allée by Kate Schoonmaker

a guide to dog - friendly hikes in the hudson valley & catskills

Pup Paradise

Achange of scenery full of fresh scents to whiff and a nice long walk with you is your pup’s idea of absolute bliss. Many of our Hudson Valley and Catskills trails welcome dogs on leashes, so we’ve put together a season’s worth of cool options for merry roving, most of them the less-traveled choices, all but one of them free. Check out this list of wildly varied possibilities and get out there and have some adventures together!

ULSTER COUNTY

MILLBROOK RIDGE TRAIL, GARDINER

A moderately challenging 7.4-mile loop rewards your scrambling with a walk atop those glorious white cliff faces you can see looking south from New Paltz; there you’ll find some of the best views of the Gunks and the Hudson Valley in the whole of the Mohonk Preserve, which is to say the best views from anywhere on the planet. Carriage roads offer ample side-quest possibilities.

Getting there:

Park at the Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center (3197 State Route 55, Gardiner, NY) or West Trapps parking lot (3142 Route 44, Gardiner, NY). Parking Fee: $15.

SHAUPENEAK RIDGE, ESOPUS

This superb preserve offers almost 1,000 acres to explore, with multiple trails ranging from easy strollin’ to challenging, amid a cornucopia of beauty—wildflower-filled grasslands, woods, a waterfall and pond, stunning rock formations, and an abundance of wildlife, including beaver, deer, coyotes, and turkeys—plenty of amazing scent trails to get Rover’s pulse pounding.

View from Millbrook Ridge Trail.

Photo by Samuel Bedouet.

Shaupeneak Ridge Trail.

Photo by Hannah Cave.

Getting there:

From Highland, drive 8 miles north on 9W and make a left onto County Route 16 (Old Post Road). Skip the first parking lot you see—you want the upper lot.

Continue almost 2 miles and go straight when the road splits, following Popletown Road for less than a mile to the upper lot, which will be on your left.

SULLIVAN COUNTY

TROUT POND LOOP, ROSCOE

The Trout Pond Loop is a fairly easy 4.87-mile excursion that takes you to Trout Pond, Mud Pond, and the picturesque Russell Brook Falls. There’s a small but lovely beach, and there are primitive campsites and lean-tos, should you and Rover want to spend the night.

Getting there:

From Route 206 in Roscoe, turn left onto Morton Hill Road. Russell Brook Road will be 3.1 miles in; take a left and drive half a mile to the lower lot.

TUSTEN MOUNTAIN TRAIL, NARROWSBURG

A moderately difficult 3-mile loop trail that will take you through a forest of mixed hardwood trees and the historic remains of the Tusten Settlement. At the summit, enjoy a magnificent view of the Upper Delaware River Valley. This is the only public trail partially managed by the Ten Mile River Scout Camp, and hikers are asked to stay on the trail and respect private property.

Getting there:

From Route 97, take Crawford Road, park at Ten Mile River Access, and follow

View from Trout Pond Loop.

Photo by Mike Powers.

Tusten Mountain Trail. Photo by Susan Bondy.

Ten Mile River Road on foot to the yellow-blazoned Tusten Mountain Trail on the right.

DUTCHESS COUNTY

TIVOLI BAYS STATE PARK, RED HOOK

Tivoli Bays has over 9 miles of trails in all, through a uniquely lovely stretch of estuarine shoreline with interactive informational kiosks to fill you in on the territory. The popular Overlook Trail is an easy 2.7-mile loop with scenic river views.

Getting there:

You’ll find parking and a trailhead off Route 9G just south of the Village of Tivoli.

PAWLING APPALACHIAN TRAIL, PAWLING

The Pawling Appalachian Trail has a new 1,600-foot-long scenic boardwalk across the lovely Great Swamp. The boardwalk provides several sitting areas and a 34-foot bridge that offers easy access to and from the Metro-North AT train station. The trail is an out-and-back 7.2-mile ramble with terrific views at Cat Rocks.

Getting there:

From Route 22, take East Main Street north and turn onto Memorial Avenue. The Metro-North signage makes this an easy one to find. Of course, you (and Rover, on his best behavior) can also just hop on the Metro-North Harlem Line at Grand Central.

Tivoli Bays. Photo by Jennirose Miller.

Pawling Appalachian Trail.

Photo by Jeremy Peterson.

DELAWARE COUNTY

UTSAYANTHA LAKE LOOP, STAMFORD

This is a moderately challenging 2.2-mile loop of unpaved road around a serene, pretty little reservoir. It’s usually quiet, and there are even sections where you can let Rover take a break from the leash life. Highlights include a granite marker for the alleged burial location of local Indian woman Utsayantha and some splendid views of the Adirondacks to the north.

Getting there:

Take NY-23 east from Stamford and look for the right turn onto steep Mountain Avenue. On your left at the peak is Tower Road, with a sign for the park.

CATSKILL SCENIC TRAIL—BLOOMVILLE TO ROXBURY

This 26-mile stretch of the former Ulster and Delaware Railroad is a wide, hardpacked pathway weaving through farmlands, along the banks of the Delaware River, and past small Catskill towns. There’s a slight grade. Multiple trailheads allow you and Rover to choose your own adventure.

Getting there:

Parking areas are located east of Bloomville on Route 10, in Stamford at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and South Street, and just south of Grand Gorge, where Route 30 meets Ferris Hill Road. You can also park along Route 30 at the base of Hardscrabble Road, just north of Roxbury.

View from Utsayantha Lake Loop.

Photo by Nik Tom.

Catskill Scenic Trail. Photo by Jan Peter Brajer.

Shop Local

pakatakan farmers ’ market

Looking for fresh, local food and craft beverages in the western Catskills? Maybe a distinctive pair of pretty earrings or a gift handcrafted from wood or clay? Come to the Pakatakan Farmers’ Market at the Round Barn any Saturday from mid-May through November; here you’ll find farmers, makers, and customers seeking the finest local goodies and entertainment.

Going to market is about getting good things and getting together—both of which are especially crucial if you live somewhere rural, where access to supplies and neighborly encounters take a bit of effort to achieve.

Gathering at the market is a human habit that goes back centuries and crosses all cultural lines. From the agoras, souks, and bazaars of the ancient world to shopping malls, downtowns, and flea markets, going to market is about getting good things and getting together—both of which are especially crucial if you live somewhere rural, where access to supplies and neighborly encounters take a bit of effort to achieve.

In the tiny, pretty hamlet of Halcottsville, where the population hovers at just under 50, Delaware County residents and visitors have a market that many a larger town would envy. It’s held at the 1893 Kelly Round Barn, itself a marvel of Catskills ingenuity. “Having a round dairy barn made things easier at milking time and feeding time,” says board president Tanya Moyer, who raises all-natural meat

and poultry at Mulligan Creek Acres in the slightly larger hamlet of Sprakers, about an hour to the north. “They had a silo in the center, and they’d just feed from there. It made cleanup easier too.”

Rising two stories above a solid stone foundation and 90 feet in diameter, the round barn had fallen into disrepair before being purchased by Alta Industries and donated, along with approximately 2 acres, to the Erpf Catskill Cultural Center, which successfully restored it in 1988. Eight years later, a perfect use for the space was found, and the Pakatakan Farmers’ Market has been held there ever since.

week, and I realized I should just apply to be a vendor,” she says. Like every vendor, she began in the market’s incubator program, and her purebred Berkshire pork and pastured poultry sold well. “I applied as a full-season vendor and was accepted the following year,” she says. “I enjoy the historic barn, my fellow vendors, and the patrons and community members that come out.”

Moyer has been a vendor there for nearly a decade now. “I was supplying a restaurant down in Pine Hill and I’d pass by every

For two years now, she’s been managing the nonprofit, helping new vendors through the incubation process. “We have a nice variety,” she says. “We have two vendors who sell native plants—one also offers cut flowers, the other offers landscaping plants—and two who sell vegetables. We have non-GMO, grass-fed meat and poultry; we have a maple vendor and two vendors of honey

There are prepared foods ranging from Belgian sugar waffles and tacos to quiche, soups, and charcuterie; people can grab a picnic table or grassy spot and brunch while enjoying live entertainment and the company of kindred spirits.

products. There are two who sell baked goods, two distilleries, and two cideries. We have mushrooms and medicinal herbalists, pickles and condiments, and jams and jellies. We have two vendors selling fresh fish. Then we have artisans who make and sell jewelry, clothing, soaps, ceramics and woodwork, and a coffee bean roaster who brews it up for shoppers to enjoy. You can absolutely come and find everything you need for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with tableware to serve it on, something pretty to wear, and

flowers for your centerpiece.”

There are prepared foods ranging from Belgian sugar waffles and tacos to quiche, soups, and charcuterie; people can grab a picnic table or grassy spot and brunch while enjoying live entertainment and the company of kindred spirits. “This year we’ve been working with the Roxbury Arts Group, and when they have artists in residence, we invite them to come showcase what they’re working on,” Moyer says.

“We just had Loco7, a dance pup -

pet theater group with giant butterflies—they were amazing. And we have local musicians who’ve been playing here for years.”

Nonpolitical community organizations are also welcome to come share their doings with the public, with presentations ranging from facts on hydroelectric power to “what kind of animal poop did I just see on that trail?” and other outdoor education relevant to life in the Catskills.

Admission to the market is free; service animals are welcome, but other pets should stay home. The goal, beyond good food and fellowship, is to keep the Round Barn as a historic community centerpiece for the next 130 years as well. “We just put a new roof on

in 2020—the cedar shingles were 30 years old, and it was time,” Moyer says. “Anything you do on a round structure is going to cost a bit more, but it’s a real gem and deserves the love. So we went with Enviroshake instead of cedar; it can withstand winds up to 130 miles per hour, and the water that comes off of it in a storm is potable.” One suspects the Kelly brothers would be pleased.

The Pakatakan Farmers’ Market at the Round Barn is open Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm, mid-May to mid-October; a holiday market then takes over through November 30, opening an hour later on Saturdays. Stop by, stock up, and take a moment to contemplate the creativity that flows through these hills like a rushing mountain stream.

pakatakan farmers ’ market

The Round Barn, 46676 State Hwy 30, Halcottsville 845-586-3326 roundbarnmarket.org

being your healthiest with spring and summer produce Getting Smart About Veggies

by michael t . compton , md , mph

Photo by Elias Morr.

After several months of wintertime daydreams about springtime arriving and summertime growing, I’ve awakened from a chilly, dark haze, now with a nearly electric energy returning to my body and mind. I’m feeling a rush of renewed motivation and ambition, fully awake at last, taking part in the push of spring. My blood is finally warm with spring fever, each day planning ahead for a bountiful garden of vegetables, fruits, and flowers. The garlic has appeared from its slumber underneath thick straw,

beginning a short journey that magically turns single cloves into bulbs with a dozen. The strawberries, too, are stretching toward the sun from their shroud of straw. I’ve finished pruning the red currants, Granny from so many years ago with me at each step of the way, helping me decide where to make the cuts.

Brown sticks are now bearing leaves, soon flowers, then fruit. Spring has arrived, and in no time I’ll have a summer rich with beautiful, delicious, and nutritious Hudson Valley vegetables.

In building a small organic farm, I had to get smart about veggies. My success in growing for farmers market customers and community-supported agriculture (CSA) members depended on my gaining a deep understanding of eight families of flowering plants that provide nearly all of our vegetables—from among more than 400 such flowering families. And I discovered that getting smart about veggies is good, not just for laying out my beds on the farm, but for enhancing the flavors of my garden-to-kitchen dishes and for improving my health. The journey was so rewarding that my experiences called me to write a book, Veggie Smarts, part memoir and part healthy eating guide, with a hefty dose of snark and irreverence. Though not for anyone who absolutely adores iceberg lettuce, it hopefully holds promise for improving your health while conveying a smart approach to eating vegetables. Let’s take a glimpse into eight families of vegetables that will soon abound across the Hudson Valley.

the brassicas

This large family of superfood vegetables should, I think, be at the foundation of a healthy diet. The Brassicas include arugula, bok choy, broccoli, broccoli rabe (rapini), broccolini, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, mizuna, mustard greens, napa cabbage, radishes, rutabaga, tatsoi, and turnips, among others. The green Brassicas—such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collards, and kale—are densely packed with micronutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate; health-promoting fiber; and numerous phytonutrients bolstering im-

Photo by EyeEm Mobile GmbH.

mune function, supporting digestive health, and reducing disease risk. Those that are more purple than green—like red cabbage and scarlet kale—contain anthocyanins with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Modish kale enthusiasts aside, some people find many of the Brassicas to be a bit bitter; it’s mostly related, believe it or not, to a specific gene

that allows us to either taste or not taste the isothiocyanate compounds that these plants produce. So skillful preparation (think butter and onions) and Granny’s great recipes are essential. Many of the Brassicas are easy to grow; radishes, for example, take only a month from sowing seeds to slicing atop a salad, making them the most expeditious vegetables in the garden.

the alliums

These veggies make our other veggies taste delicious: garlic, onions, shallots, leeks, scallions, and chives. Their characteristic pungent odors are produced by compounds (which, like the isothiocyanates in the Brassicas, are sulfur-containing) that can trigger a fascinating series of physiological events leading to stinging in the eyes and even uncontrollable tears. Get out your goggles and delight in spring and summer onions in the Hudson Valley. The delicious

garlicky and oniony Allium bulbs are rich in micronutrients and fiber. Their phytonutrients convey immune-, inflammation-, and cardiovascular-related health benefits. Because green veggies are usually more nutritious than white ones, chives and scallions are especially healthy. If you’re planning a garden, aim for enough garlic, onions, and shallots so that you’ll have a supply, once successfully cured, to last through fall and winter.

Photo by Lynne Lu.

Photo by Andrey Gorulko.

the legumes

Like the Brassicas, I view the Legumes as fundamental to a healthy diet. Some we eat as green vegetables, like the various peas and green beans. But many we eat as dry beans (pulses), including: adzuki beans, black beans, black-eyed peas, cannellini beans, chickpeas, cranberry beans, Great Northern beans, kidney beans, lima beans, lentils, navy beans, pigeon peas, pinto beans, small red beans, small white beans, split peas, and others, including peanuts. The Legumes are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and micronutrients, including folate, iron, zinc, and potassium. When beans and grains are eaten together (think beans with rice, hummus and pita, or peanut butter on wholegrain bread), they combine to make a complete protein, meaning they supply us with all of our essential amino acids, just like meat. Peas and green beans are easy to grow in the backyard garden. The pulses require more space and are typically grown in fields. This family also gives us the pleasure of farting and the treasure of green manure. I explain these above-ground and below-ground wonders in Veggie Smarts.

the chenopods

This relatively small group of vegetables—so named because their leaves are often shaped like a goose (chen) foot (pod)—is among the most power-packed superfoods. Beet greens, beets, spinach, and Swiss chard—as well as lamb’s quarters and pigweed— are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium, while being packed with

antioxidants and fiber. Amaranth and quinoa are Chenopod pseudocereals that are a good source of protein, fiber, and micronutrients. Every home garden, in my opinion, should boast Swiss chard, as it is such a beautiful plant and is easy to grow. And most home gardens will have lamb’s quar-

ters and pigweed, two weeds to pull and take straight to the kitchen. Remember that beet juice can stain your fancy white apron and in some people might cause pink pee (beeturia, totally benign compared to the nearly identical-appearing hematuria), both due to the plant pigment betanin.

the aster greeens

This is my new term, as I needed a surname for a small but important group of leafy green vegetables from within an enormous family of plants that gives us so many types of gorgeous flowers in addition to its few vegetables: sunflowers, echinacea, blackeyed Susans, cosmos, yarrow, zinnias, marigolds, and dahlias, among others. The Aster Greens are the lettuces and the four chicories: catalogna (Italian dandelion), escarole, frisée (curly endive), and radicchio. The Aster Greens are low in calories and rich in vitamin A, vitamin K, fiber, and miner-

als like potassium. Variations in color indicate different phytonutrients; for example, deep-purple lettuces and red radicchios contain anthocyanins that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While perhaps not superfoods like the leafy greens of the Brassicas and the Chenopods, the Aster Greens are eaten because of their super taste. We eat lettuces because they are slightly sweet; chicories because they are slightly bitter. Delicate lettuces never require a recipe; delicious chicories always benefit from one.

Photo by anmbph.

the umbellifers

Named for the shape of their fanciful flowers (pretty, lacy, flat umbrellas like those of wild carrots, or Queen Anne’s lace), the cousins in this family include carrots, celeriac, celery, cilantro, dill, Florence fennel (finocchio), lovage, parsley, and parsnips, as well as herbs such as angelica, anise, caraway, chervil, and cumin, among others. Carrots are rich in

vitamin A, vitamin K, and fiber, as well as phytonutrients that support healthy vision, immune function, and skin health. The other cousins confer diverse health benefits through their own arrays of micronutrients and phytonutrients. While carrots are fairly easy to grow, some of the other Umbellifers (like celery) require a bit more skill and practice.

the cucurbits

This might be my favorite family. Cucurbits include cucumbers, pattypan squash, yellow squash, zucchini, watermelons, cantaloupes, honeydew melons, winter squash, and pumpkins, among others. The Cucurbits are all fruits horticulturally, though most are eaten as vegetables culinarily. The skin and seeds of cucumbers and squash may be the healthiest part, providing abundant fiber. These fruits are high in water (like juicy, refresh-

ing watermelon) and high in taste, but very low in calories. Superfoods like the Brassicas, the Legumes, and the Chenopods? Nah. Mouth-wateringly delicious in the peak of summertime? Oh yeah! Despite a number of pests and challenges, many of the Cucurbits are easy to grow and quite rewarding for the grower and the grower’s neighbors, as anyone who has planted a few too many zucchini plants will understand.

Photo by Melanie Hauke.

the nightshades

The Nightshade family includes eggplants, peppers, tomatillos, ground cherries, potatoes, and perhaps most importantly among all the vegetables cited across these pages, tomatoes! Except for potatoes, which are tubers (starch storage systems attached to roots) and which are the strangest of all vegetables, as so many of us are actually addicted to them (when fried), the Nightshades

are fruits like the Cucurbits. Tomatoes and peppers offer vitamins A, B6, C, and K, potassium, and phytonutrients such as lycopene, which has been linked to eye health, cardiovascular health, and possibly reduced risk of cancer. Like me, these are sun- and heat-loving organisms, and, like me, they are most productive during the longest and hottest days of our Hudson Valley summers.

veggie smarts

I coined this straightforward term, veggie smarts, to mean having a thorough understanding of vegetables so that meals will be more delicious and health will be optimized. It means knowing how the different vegetables are and are not related to one another, thereby enhancing selections for a highly diversified way of eating that promotes physical and mental health and prevents

or reverses chronic diseases. It is the ability to confidently find, understand, and eat vegetables smartly, all the while cultivating curiosity about how vegetables are grown on farms and can be grown at home. Having veggie smarts informs decisions at grocery stores, in restaurants, and around the table, but it is also a mindset and a commitment to oneself.

Photo by Markus Spiske.

by Jonathan Kemper

Join me in becoming an unapologetic vegetable snob, a vegetable bon vivant! In Veggie Smarts, I cover more than just vegetables, like the fact that we’re bamboozled into the idea of needing so much protein, protein, protein; why our ketchup is made with GMO (genetically modified organism) corn, our mayo with GMO soybeans, and our undies with GMO cotton; the fact that Beyond Impossible fake meat concoctions contain laxatives; the ridiculousness of blueberry muffins completely lacking blueberries; and why it’s important to determine if you’re a natural-born berry picker.

We are so fortunate—here in the Hudson Valley and across the northeast—to live on fertile farmland and among many ambitious, eager, and motivated farmers pursuing sustainability and providing us with perhaps the most nutritious food on the globe. Join me in making 2025 your healthiest year ever, replete with diverse vegetables for health and longevity. Join a farm by becoming a CSA member, regularly purchase your produce from our local farmers markets, or grow some of your own vegetables. Spring has arrived in the Hudson Valley! Vegetable Nerds, Unite!

Dr. Compton is a Columbia University professor board certified in psychiatry, preventive medicine, and lifestyle medicine (www. drcompton.health). He is author of Veggie Smarts: A Doctor and Farmer Grows and Savors Eight Families of Vegetables, published by Regalo Press, which incorporates philanthropy into book publishing. As part of Regalo’s mission, a donation is being made to the Hudson Valley CSA Coalition, facilitated by the Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming, as chosen by the author.

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Eat • Stay • Play

unique date night experiences

Looking for unique date night ideas in the Hudson Valley and Catskills? From romantic dinners with stunning views to adventurous hikes followed by delicious meals, this guide offers a variety of options to suit every couple. Explore charming towns, discover hidden gems, and create unforgettable memories with your loved one.

Photo by Andrii Lysenko

hop a town

Take a walk around town and top your date off with a delicious meal at one of these popular restaurants. Or do what we call a hop: apps one place, entrees another spot, cocktails another, then dessert at our last stop. Of course, this can only be done in a walkable town if drinks are involved.

NEW PALTZ : After a day of hiking the Gunks, head down to New Paltz, walk to town or shop the quaint Water Street Market , and start with drinks at JAR'D WINE PUB , a lively bar with a great selection of craft cocktails and local beers and small bites. Then enjoy dinner at PARISH RESTAURANT , featuring New Orleans-style cuisine, with a great vibe and the best view in town. Or indulge in dinner and dessert at RŪNA , a cozy French-ish bistro with a seasonal rotating menu, including unique small plates, inspired mains, delectable desserts, and a great wine list.

RHINEBECK: Walk and shop the beautiful town of Rhinebeck, then mix it up between our faves: start with TERRAPIN , a farm-to-table restaurant with a focus on seasonal ingredients and locally sourced produce; choose between the bistro or more formal dining room. Next, enjoy classic and innovative Mediterranean cuisine made with seasonal ingredients at GIGI TRATTORIA . Finally, savor fresh and authentic Mexican cuisine at GABY’S CAFE , featuring dishes that range from traditional to their own interpretations.

PHOENICIA: Hike the Catskills, then come enjoy the quaint town of Phoenicia with the mountains as your backdrop. Go for drinks and apps at SPORTSMAN'S ALAMO CANTINA, a lively Mexican restaurant known for its vibrant atmosphere and a wide selection of tequilas and margaritas. Then

Gigi

Gaby's

The Phoenician Sportsman's

enjoy a phenomenal dinner at THE PHOENICIAN STEAKHOUSE, with great steaks, seafood, and pasta dishes offered in a classic yet unpretentious setting. Or head to BRIO’S for delicious pizzas from their wood-fired oven and phenomenal house-made desserts.

KERHONKSON: Take a walk or bike on the rail trail and end your trek with dinner at MILL & MAIN , a cozy restaurant known for its warm atmosphere and focus on seasonal American fare with Latin, Caribbean, and Italian influence. Then head right next door to enjoy more yummy drinks at THE FLYING GOOSE TAVERN , known for its unique cocktails, craft beer selection, and lively vibe. They also serve pop-up dinners, so check their socials for details. Both spots have friendly staff that make you feel right at home.

TOWN OF ATHENS: Visit the Hudson Athens Lighthouse and Athens Riverfront Park, and then head to SECONDS RESTAURANT , a casual spot serving delicious continental and Mediterranean dishes. Or try THE STEWART HOUSE’S 1883 TAVERN , a charming farm-to-table restaurant in a historic Italianate building that was once a boarding house. Or in the warm months, choose THE RIVER GRILL , their outdoor spot on the waterfront with a laid-back vibe, cocktails, local craft beer, small bar menu, and live music.

KINGSTON AREA WATERFRONT: Walk along the Rondout Creek by foot or get out on the Hudson with Kingston’s Hudson River Cruises or Osprey Marine , across the river in Connelly. Then enjoy dinner at THE CORNELL , formerly Ole Savannah, a new modern dining concept that blends innovative global fusion cuisine with the comfort food staples we loved from Ole Savannah.

laid - back fun

Unwind and connect with your partner at these casual spots with a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for enjoying tasty food and drinks; many have live music.

• HIGH FALLS CAFE, NORTH MARBLETOWN: A casual and relaxed family-style restaurant and bar with classics like house-made burgers, great salads, and delicious wings, often accompanied by live music.

• THE RDI BAR & ROADKILL GRILL, NAPANOCH : Lively local dive bar and lunch and dinner spot with a laid-back atmosphere and a diverse menu offering American classics with a dash of daring.

• STELLA'S STATION, SAUGERTIES: Casual restaurant and bar with a relaxed vibe offering patio dining, an exciting menu, and a wide selection of beers.

• COLONY, WOODSTOCK: Enjoy dinner and a show at this legendary Woodstock institution, known for its eclectic menu and live music performances.

• BRAVE THE FLAMES, TANNERSVILLE: Offering a seasonally driven menu of well made American cuisine with a focus on local ingredients, a great spot for a relaxed night out.

• HICKORY BBQ, KINGSTON: Savor delicious barbecue in a casual and friendly setting offering a wide variety of smoked meats and classic Southern sides.

• ASIA, STONE RIDGE : Enjoy pan-Asian cuisine with a lively and friendly atmosphere at Asia, offering a range of dishes from Thai to Japanese.

• YUM YUM NOODLE BAR (three locations): Quick and casual with a focus on delicious and affordable Asian fare, offering a variety of noodle dishes, dumplings, and other Asian-inspired favorites.

Photo by Melissa Walker-Horn.

Photo by Social Cut.

Photo of Yum Yum Noodle Bar.

Start your day with a romantic breakfast or lunch date at one of these charming local spots. Enjoy sweet conversation and delicious food in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

• CAFE MIO, GARDINER: A cozy American cafe known for its classic breakfasts, lunch, and brunch all day, with only the best farm fresh ingredients. From eggs to burgers, this spot does it right.

• KINGSTON SOCIAL, KINGSTON: Lively shop and café with a vibrant atmosphere, providing an authentic European café experience, where you can sit down and spend quality time with someone while enjoying great coffee, savory pies, gelato, or pastries.

• OLSEN & COMPANY, SAUGERTIES: A great space with a complete day menu and now a night menu for Thursday and Friday until 9. Thursday is Weenie & Tini Night: a hot dog and martini for $14. Sounds like a date to us.

• BALL & CLAW COFFEEHAUS, PORT EWEN: Shop antiques together, share a smoothie and a snack, and then try a couple of their amazing espresso drinks.

• SAUNDERSKILL FARM, ACCORD: Spend a leisurely morning exploring the farm, followed by a delicious farm-fresh lunch or a sweet treat from their farm store.

• KELDER'S FARM, KERHONKSON: The farm’s attractions include mini-golf, farm animals, and giant board games, as well as pizza, kettle corn, and donuts, along with wine, beer, hard cider, and slushies. Don’t miss their spring tulip festival!

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez.

Photo by Davey Gravy.

stay and eat

Indulge in a memorable dining experience at these unique locations that offer accommodations, each with delicious cuisine and a special ambiance. Whether you choose to stay overnight and enjoy the full resort experience or simply savor a meal and soak in the atmosphere, these establishments provide a truly special setting for a romantic evening.

• HUTTON BRICKYARDS RIVER PAVILION, KINGSTON: Enjoy a romantic dinner with stunning river views at this unique and upscale restaurant, located within the historic Hutton Brickyards complex.

• MOHONK MOUNTAIN HOUSE, NEW PALTZ: Indulge in a luxurious dining experience at this iconic resort nestled within the stunning scenery of the Shawangunk Ridge, offering fine dining options and breathtaking views.

• JESSIE'S HARVEST HOUSE, TANNERSVILLE: Cozy and charming restaurant with a focus on farm-to-table cuisine, offering a warm and inviting ambiance and delicious dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.

by Alev Takil.

• DEER MOUNTAIN INN, TANNERSVILLE: Whether coming for a small plate and drink on the mountain-view patio, a leisurely three-course meal near the fireplace, or dessert and a digestif at the bar, this spot feels like your every need has been thought of.

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romantic and cozy

Indulge in a truly special evening at these intimate and romantic restaurants, perfect for a memorable date night. Whether you’re seeking a sophisticated dining experience with elegant ambiance, a cozy fireside setting, or simply a quiet corner to savor delicious food and each other’s company, these restaurants offer the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening.

• GARVAN’S, NEW PALTZ: Enjoy a romantic dinner with views of the golf course at this elegant restaurant, offering eclectic fare in an 18th-century house. We personally always have a Guinness alongside their Irish dishes and specials and love to come for live music nights.

• MOUNTAIN BRAUHAUS, GARDINER: A beloved restaurant offering authentic German cuisine in a cozy, rustic setting where the waitstaff even don traditional German attire. It's known for its hearty dishes, extensive beer selection, and warm, welcoming atmosphere.

• PEEKAMOOSE RESTAURANT & TAP ROOM, BIG INDIAN: Experience phenomenal food with a focus on seasonal ingredients at this renowned restaurant, known for its innovative cuisine and unique decor. They also have killer cocktails and a nightly bonfire when the weather is right.

• BRICKMEN, KINGSTON: An elegant and intimate restaurant with a focus on locally sourced ingredients, offering a modern dining experience with a global spin on Hudson Valley flavors. Yes to clothesline bacon!

• HOFFMAN HOUSE, KINGSTON: A charming restaurant in a historic house, offering continental standards in a preserved circa-1679 stone house with fireplaces and a covered patio.

Photo of Peekamoose Restaurant.

Photo of Garvan's Gastropub.

brew pubs

Enjoy a lively date night at one of these local breweries. Sample their craft beers, savor delicious pub fare, and maybe even catch some live music for a fun and memorable evening.

• UNION GROVE DISTILLERY, ARKVILLE: Enjoy delicious craft beer, brewed on-site, paired with wood-fired pizza at this unique brewery and distillery, offering a wide selection of beers and spirits.

• GARDINER BREWING COMPANY, GARDINER: Hang out inside or outside at this farmer-owned and operated brewery focused on using the ingredients they grow to make delicious, seasonal beers. They also have live music on weekends and an extensive snack and meal menu to keep anyone happy.

• LASTING JOY BREWERY, TIVOLI: Sample their traditional-style beers expertly crafted from NY-grown ingredients. The sophisticated design of their tasting room offers unobstructed views of their 31 acres of farmland. Relax on their patio, enjoy live music, and soak in the atmosphere of this local brewery.

• BACCHUS, NEW PALTZ: Enjoy dinner and shoot pool at this popular brewpub, offering a wide selection of craft beers and a huge menu of pub favorites.

Gardiner Brewing Company.

Lasting Joy Brewery.

Photo by Koldo Studio.

pie for two

Who says pizza can’t be romantic? Indulge in a casual and delicious date night at one of these local pizzerias. Enjoy a variety of pizza options, from classic to creative, alongside other Italian favorites like pasta and salads.

• A SLICE OF ITALY, KINGSTON: A classic Italian restaurant and pizzeria with delicious pizzas and Italian delights that will keep you coming back. A great spot for after your weekly shopping.

• ANGELA’S PIZZA, LAKE KATRINE: Classic pizzeria with great pizza and other Italian specialties, known for their large slices and friendly service.

• TETTA’S MARKET, OLIVEBRIDGE: A local favorite known for its crisp pizzas and classic sandwiches served out of their fourth-generation family-owned market. It’s a convenience store, pizzeria, deli, and gas station, making it a vital hub for both locals and visitors.

Photo by Jason Leung.

Photo by Pinar Kucuk.

Photo by Jacob Lund.

intimacy at home

Create a cozy and romantic atmosphere at home with a delicious meal you don’t have to cook. Enjoy takeout from local favorites, hire a private chef for a personalized culinary experience, or simply order in and enjoy a relaxing evening together.

• BLUE MOUNTAIN BISTRO TO GO, KINGSTON: Enjoy a romantic dinner at home with bistro-style gourmet prepared foods to-go. Don’t forget to pick up a sampling of their house-made desserts.

• CHEF ZACH BERGER, PRIVATE CHEF: Hire this private chef to cook a phenomenal and personalized meal for you and your loved one at home.

• MAIN COURSE MARKETPLACE, NEW PALTZ: Order takeaway from this popular eatery and enjoy a delicious globally inspired, locally sourced meal at home. Or stay at their casual counter-service café for delicious and fresh lunches or dinners while sipping from their selection of seasonal wines, beers, and cocktails.

So, whether you’re seeking a romantic dinner with stunning views, a lively night out at a local brewery, or a casual afternoon exploring a charming town, the Hudson Valley and Catskills offer endless possibilities for unforgettable date nights. So get out there, explore the region, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Photos by Rick Barrett.

Photo by Dolgachov.

Meet the Owner

back home

cannabis dispensary

We can finally say it out loud: There are moments when there’s just nothing like a good spliff. Cannabis can be life-enhancing fun and good medicine, especially when it’s grown, harvested and cured with care by a talented farmer, and that’s what you’ll find at Back Home Dispensary in Stone Ridge, where you can get Lemon Diesel flower, Maui Wowie prerolls, and Strawberry Habanero gummies that began their journey from seed to end product right here in High Falls.

“It’s a game changer in the area!” writes a Google reviewer. “From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by a warm and knowledgeable staff who took the time to understand my needs and preferences. The atmosphere is inviting and beautifully designed, making it a comfortable space to explore.”

Both the product and the presentation are lovingly handcrafted by William Leibee, whose life in marketing and finance got completely hijacked when he fell headover-heels in love with organic farming. “I went from marketing to restaurant work, and my job was to source the produce, and I stepped onto this one local organic farm out in Jersey and that was it. I’d always loved growing stuff, but this hit hard—I fell in love with farming.”

After a couple of years learning the lay of the land, so to speak, Leibee began to yearn for some acreage of his own. “The business and ownership side kinda caught my eye, so I wrote to Jack Schoonmaker, the owner of Saunderskill Farms, and asked him if he knew where I could find some land.”

The bold move paid off. Schoonmaker introduced him to Dan Boice, who had a 42-acre farm in High Falls that had lain fallow for two decades. “It was just sitting there

He found an internship at Gaining Ground Farm in North Carolina and spent a couple of years working and learning, then found a job posting from Alewife Farms, a 40-acre organic veggie operation in Kingston. “I moved up to Cairo, and I was basically living in a horse pen,” he recalls. “I was that broke. I had my van that I’d lived in in North Carolina and a little trailer, so I was free to go anywhere and farm.”

“It turned out I was the person who got to sell the first-ever bag of legal weed in New York State, at the very first legal dispensary, down in New York City.” – Owner, William Leibee

falling down,” Leibee says. “So Dan and I talked for a while, and he gave me the opportunity to buy the place. I rolled up here in February, with no electricity, just me and my trailer and my two dogs, and we started building from the ground up.” The farmhouse had holes in the roof; no one thought it could be saved, but Leibee didn’t care. He was Back Home, and managed to pull off his first vegetable harvest that year, pouring his earnings straight back into renovating the property, working 12-hour days seven days a week.

“The hemp bill had just passed, and we started growing hemp right away too, largely as a cover

crop because hemp is really great for rejuvenating the soil,” Leibee says. “We planted three or four acres of it and hardly harvested any; it was part of turning the land certified organic.”

Back Home Farm is still producing organic fruits and vegetables for local farmers markets, and Leibee recently teamed up with two other first-generation Rondout Valley farmers to purchase a 50-acre parcel from the Davenport family, land that will also be transitioning to organic production of vegetables and cannabis.

“So we grew hemp for three years, and then (psychoactive) cannabis

“We're constantly trying to be at the tip of the spear, developing new products and different strains and bringing the best quality we can.”

– Owner, William Leibee

was legalized in 2021, and as it turned out I was the person who got to sell the first-ever bag of legal weed in New York State, at the very first legal dispensary, down in New York City. It was wild. It was a 3.5-gram bag of Gorilla Glue, grown right here in High Falls, and we got to be in Rolling Stone and The New York Times .”

Three years later, there are 300 dispensaries in New York State; but back then, there were only 20, none of them in the Hudson Valley, and Leibee kept his operation up and running in time-honored farmer fashion, getting up early to hump product down to Union Square Greenmarket and other places. “I did other stuff too, like renting out the renovated farmhouse and living in a tent,” Leibee says. “I was determined to get to the point of having a hyper-local micro-business.”

At the end of September 2024, Back Home Dispensary received its final approvals from the state. “Opening was actually very smooth,” Leibee says. “Getting the certification and dealing with the state was the part that was frustrating. Ultimately, though, I think New York’s effort to make sure everything is grown here and produced and distributed safely is a good thing. You know you’re not getting mold or bacteria or adul-

terants. So, was it frustrating? Yes, sometimes. But I think New York’s rollout was really designed to protect the little guys like me against Goliaths like Curaleaf, which is huge and corporate; a lot of their funding comes from overseas.”

The dispensary is open seven days a week, offering 100 or more different products grown at Back Home or from other select producers Leibee knows and trusts. “We have flower and prerolls, edibles and vapes, tinctures, accessories— pretty much whatever you might desire,” he says. “And we’re constantly trying to be at the tip of the spear, developing new products and different strains and bringing

the best quality we can.”

A county award for sustainable business practices hangs on the wall, as does the photo of Leibee selling that first legal bag. “I think it’s becoming accepted that we’re good guys, especially small farmers who are cherishing the land and trying to keep the agricultural tradition strong,” Leibee says. “We’re just trying to be a little better every day than we were the day before, and I think that’s the story of Rondout Valley farming, from the big multigenerational places to the first generation of the next wave. Being able to grow cannabis is helping us to be viable.”

“I think it’s becoming accepted that we’re good guys, especially small farmers who are cherishing the land and trying to keep the agricultural tradition strong,” – Owner, William Leibee

The Stone Ridge dispensary is a must-experience for any fan of Lady Mary Jane.

Unlike retail-only dispensaries, Back Home products are very local indeed, certified organically grown and hand-harvested, trimmed and cured. Even the other ingredients in their edibles are homegrown. “The strawberries and the blueberries and the honey and the ginger all come from the farm,” Leibee says, “and I think we’re the only dispensary that does that. Plus, not having a middleman involved means we can offer pretty decent prices.”

You can find Back Home’s organic produce at the High Falls Food Co-op, or sign up for a CSA share. And the Stone Ridge dispensary is a must-experience for any fan of Lady Mary Jane. “I’m happy with the quality we’re presenting; really great product all caked up and iced out with those potent trichomes,” Leibee says. “And this year we’re going to do some high-tech indoor growing, producing ultra-premium products that don’t even exist on the New York market yet.”

back home

cannabis dispensary

3056 Route 213, Stone Ridge backhomedispensary.com

Meet the Owner

crystal connection , wurtsboro

Crystals have been fascinating humans for as long as there have been crystals and humans. You’ve probably felt it yourself, whether you’re someone who just admires a nice sparkly stone or an expert in crystals’ various properties with an array of healing jewelry. But wherever you fall on that

spectrum, if you’ve ever been intrigued by crystals on any level, you owe yourself a visit to the Crystal Connection in Wurtsboro, the largest rock shop in the Northeast, where you’ll find a treasure trove of the earth’s finest work: rows upon rows of sparkling, luminous stones organized by size and color.

Crystal Connection holds a treasure trove of the earth’s finest work: rows upon rows of sparkling, luminous stones organized by size and color.

The crystals here, according to the testimony of one happy customer who brought her 10-year-old, are “are charged with sunlight, lovely aromas, and positive conversations,” and you obviously can’t go wrong there. Beyond that, co-owner Travis Ogden says, they’ve got an interesting little experiment you can try: “When people come in who don’t know much about stones, but they’re curious, we do something called a tourmaline test,” he says. “You’ll feel a difference when you’re holding the stone. We have quite a track record of people’s responses and how it works. But we take an approach that’s a little bit more grounded than a lot of other crystal shops, where you can take the

crystal, the stone, and do whatever it is that you want with it based on your belief systems, because that’s what will work for you, whether you’re making jewelry or enhancing a spiritual practice.”

Ogden says there’s nothing pseudo about the science at the core of why so many of us resonate with crystals; it’s common sense. “It’s a mineral; it’s from the earth, and so are we—our bodies are part mineral, and part of the reason people are drawn to stones and start to feel something working with them is our body’s innate intelligence and craving,” he says. “Most of us don’t get enough minerals in our diets. People come in and browse, pick up a few stones, and then we

“It’s a mineral; it’s from the earth, and so are we—our bodies are part mineral, and part of the reason people are drawn to stones and start to feel something working with them is our body’s innate intelligence.” – co-owner Travis Ogden

talk about what’s going on with them and it tends to fit. Someone with anemia picks up a piece of hematite. People in emotional upheaval get drawn to lepidolite, which has lithium. They pick it up and have this whole-body reaction of feeling more comfortable, more at ease. It calms the mental chatter. The way we put it is, the stone chooses you.”

Ogden’s partner and mentor, founder Tim Bracci, “has been working with stones and metaphysics for over 40 years” Ogden says. “A good friend of his suggested he come here, and he discovered that this area was ripe with energy that worked with what he was doing. That was back around 2000. He felt guided to buy a build-

ing and found this one—it was built in 1890 as a Methodist church, and it has amazing molded-tin walls that sort of amplify vibrations. At first he wanted to live in it, but it kinda grew organically into an antiquities and curiosities shop, and then, in 2008, into crystals.”

Ogden, who’d grown up among stones with his antique-dealer father, met Bracci at a crystal and metaphysical expo in the city, and soon found himself spending as much time in Wurtsboro as he could, joining the team 12 years ago. His education at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park gave him serious customer service skills, and his lifelong love of stones and eye for design meant

he’d found his niche. “I just got here following the crystal breadcrumbs,” he says. “Crystals work in interesting ways. Tim cultivated me, taught me about stones and the business of buying and selling them, and in turn I helped cultivate the store. He does what he does, I put my twist on it, and it kinda percolated and grew into four or five times what it was.” Jewelry makers, interior designers, and people furnishing wellness centers flock to the shop to get exactly what they need; customers have come from as far away as Alaska, Hawaii, and Europe.

Crystal Connection got a major signal boost when Business Insider’s Facebook page did a video story in 2016, and the team has been busy reinvesting and improving the visitor experience ever since. “We put an addition on the church. We’ve turned the basement into a salt cave and a wellness space, and we have a building next door for our wholesale.

We also bought the building across the street—it’s an antique shop now,

and we’re renovating it to put other fun things in there for the village. As we’re gaining and doing well, we’re also bettering the community.”

Crystal Connection has legions of local and regional fans, and the shop is in the process of evolving into a wellness hub, with not just the salt cave experience but a whole range of hands-on and energetic healing modalities. “We’ll be offering things like chiropractic and acupuncture and massage, along with some of the newer energetic options, like infrared therapy, that you may not be able to find in other places.” Salt cave sessions can be scheduled online or on the phone; guests can start with a “sampler” hour and try out the full range of infrared and energy-based mats, belts, and other tools, including a vibro-acoustic bed, and then book more time with the ones they find effective on a firstcome, first-served basis.

It’s a high-energy time to be running a crystal shop at the gateway to the

Salt cave sessions can be scheduled and guests can start with a “sampler” hour to try out the full range of infrared and energy-based mats, belts, and other tools, including a vibro-acoustic bed.

Catskill Mountains. “We’ve seen a huge influx of people being drawn to the stones,” Ogden says. “It’s really blown up the past few years. We gather that community and draw in new people with events; we do three fairs a year. Our next Holistic Healing Fair is coming up the first weekend in May. We had 20 practitioners last year, and it was a total blast.”

So stop in and see what the stones have to say to you—Crystal Connection lets you play with a lot of the magic in real time, at a scale that would be hard to duplicate at home. Besides the

salt cave and other next-gen healing tech, there’s a giant amethyst chair you can sit in and a coffee table crafted of citrine at which customers are invited to sit and write down their prayers, wishes, needs or intentions, whichever you like. “Citrine amplifies prayers and intentions, and it amplifies external abundance and prosperity,” Ogden explains. “So you sit and write, and then you throw your paper into a basin, and at the end of the year, we burn them back into the ether for you. We started doing this right after the pandemic, and people love it—they really write their hearts out.”

crystal connection

116 Sullivan Street, Wurtsboro

845-888-2547

crystalconnectionnewyork.com

Providing Mental Health Treatment to Children, Teens and Adults

Therapists Specializing in Play, Maternal Mental Health, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression & More

Appointments Available In-Person and by Telehealth

Please contact Intake Coordinator for Consultations and Scheduling (845) 243-7899 / contactme@risinglotuscounseling.org / www.risinglotuscounseling.org

•

Hack Your Mood

simple ways to shake off the blues

We’ve all been there: a fit of the blues, anxiety that makes whatever stress you’re facing worse. “Everyone experiences anxiety, agitation, sadness, stress, and discomfort,” says Sarah Gugluizza, LCSW-R, PMH-C, founder of Rising Lotus Counseling in Stone Ridge. “Often it can be fleeting and situational; sometimes it feels bigger and can last a while. Having tools and strategies to call on while going

through uncomfortable feelings and stressors can make a major difference in how we cope in the moment and navigate our larger world.”

So here are some tips that can help you let go of a bad mood, stat. Later, you can make time to explore why the feeling hit like that; in the moment, you just want relief.

Photo by Rowen Smith.

1. CONTROLLED OR MINDFUL BREATHING

Controlled or mindful breathing can be done anytime, anywhere; it’s great if you can sit or lie down, but it’ll help even if you’re standing in line. Start with a couple of good, deep breaths, all the way to your belly. Then slow it down and focus. Breathe in through your nose for a slow count of four, hold for seven, and exhale long and slow through your mouth for about eight, or shorten the counts if these feel too long.

Other mindful breathing methods to try: box breathing—inhale for four, exhale for four, repeat—and nostril breathing—inhale while closing one nostril with your thumb, then exhale through the other nostril, closing the first with your index finger. Some people like balloon breathing, in which you visualize a balloon that inflates during your long inhale. Hold for a few seconds, then exhale slowly as your imaginary balloon deflates. Repeat three to five times.

After a couple of those breaths, let up and just breathe deeply. Feel your chest rise and fall. Notice where your mind goes, but gently lead it back to your breathing. Some people like to imagine breathing in warm white light, turning it gold in their lungs, and releasing it as a wave of love for the world.

No matter how rushed you are, there’s always time for a basic calming breath—two quick inhales, one long exhale—that creates an immediate relaxation in your body. Mindful breathing reduces cortisol, the fight-or-flight juice that takes over when we really need it but that can be pesky at other times.

Photo by Darius Bashar.

Mindful breathing reduces cortisol, the fight-or-flight juice that takes over when we really need it but can be pesky at other times.

2. STRAIGHTEN OUT

Often, especially if we’re stressed, we hold that tension or sadness in our bodies in ways that can leave us achy or uncomfortable. As with breathing, it’s great if you can sit or lie down for this, but it’ll still help when that’s impossible. Start by relaxing your shoulders and raising your chin. Better already! Then focus your attention on the rest of your body. Starting with your toes, tighten and release each muscle in turn, working your way up to your face and head.

3. SENSORY GROUNDING

Sensory grounding, Gugluizza says, “brings you out of an uncomfortable sensation—an anxiety attack, sadness, or being overwhelmed—and reconnects your focus back into your body in the present moment.”

Ground with the five senses: Focus your attention on five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.

Photo by Shashi Chaturvedula.

Photo by Conscious Design.

“Simply cooling down pressure points on your body helps, because as your body cools, so will your mood,” Gugluizza says.

Photo by Austin Kehmeier.

Ground with colors: Pick a color, then focus on identifying all items in your immediate space that are of that color for a minute or two. Repeat with different colors until you feel secure in your space, instead of focused on the negative emotion.

4. VISUALIZATION

If you’re nervous about a future task, visualize it going smoothly. Visualize your negative self-talk as a TV or radio station you can change; squish the thoughts up into a ball and toss them aside while you visualize yourself walking, biking, swimming, or gliding away. “You can train your brain to think about a circumstance the way that you want it to be,” Gugluizza says. “Make a conscious effort to reframe your thought or experience with a positive tone or association. Even something as seemingly simple as switching your mindset about an upcoming task from ‘I have to—’ to ‘I get to—’ can make an amazing difference in your mindset. You now have a privilege, not an obligation.”

5. CHILL OUT

“As your body cools, so will your mood,” Gugluizza says. “A quick way to do this is running your wrists under cool or cold water. Water in itself has

a calming effect for most people. Engaging your body in running water will bring down your emotional temperature in the moment; it’s a literal cooling effect.”

Some people find quick relief by applying a cold pack to the back of the neck. That’s where your vagus nerve lives, and it controls your parasympathetic nervous system. Cooling it down can stop the flood of cortisol, slowing your heart rate and breathing and lowering your blood pressure.

6. BUTTERFLY TAPPING

Butterfly tapping, Gugluizza says, is “like giving yourself a hug but better.” To butterfly tap, cross your arms in front of your chest, placing your hands on your upper arms. Gently tap or pat your upper arms alternately, from one side to the other. Continue tapping for several minutes, focusing on the rhythm and the sensation of your hands on your arms. Mimic the fluttering motion of a butterfly’s wings. “These movements stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system in your brain, which is responsible for resting and digestion,” Gugluizza explains.

7. DISTRACTION

Find something cool or useful to do and do it. “This could be anything that provides you with a positive distraction,” Gugluizza says.” Baking, calling a friend, watching a show, eating a snack, playing a sport or

Photo by Divaris Shirichena.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev.

a video game, scrolling funny videos—whatever you love. You start enjoying the positive activity and the negative thoughts lose their power.”

Don’t wait until you’re actually in need of these tips to try them out. “Practice different coping tools to find out what works for you and create effective options,” Gugluizza says. “What keeps one person calm in an emotional storm might not work for another; a skill that works in one situation might not work in another. Practice helps you find the skills that feel successful and comfortable, so you can call on them confidently when the going gets tough.”

Share these techniques with the children and teens in your life as needed. (Just saying “Hey, wanna learn a cool trick?” gets you halfway to a win.) “The earlier someone learns to stay emotionally regulated, even in the face of difficult emotions, the more resilient and better skilled they will be—attuned to their body, able to practice emotional self-care,” says Gugluizza, who specializes in treating children and teens. “Try out these things with your kids and talk about when and how to use these skills.

You’re fostering emotional wellness as a daily practice, instilling valuable abilities, and it may also help to create a culture of calmness at home.” Gugluizza has written a children’s book,

Photo by Johnny McClung.

Goodnight My Wiggle Worm, that teaches grounding, relaxation, and emotional regulation in kid-friendly language; you can find it on Googlygirlspress.com.

All of these tactics work best from a place of strength. “Your ability to handle challenging moments will be stronger if you’re practicing overall healthy habits,” Gugluizza says. “Enough sleep, nutrient-dense foods, getting plenty of fresh air and sunshine, moving your body regularly—even if you just walk. Doing simple activities you enjoy, like putting on a favorite song to sing and dance to, laughing at a funny video, or catching up with a good friend—all of those are great mental health maintenance.”

rising lotus counseling

3780 Main St, Stone Ridge, NY 12484 718-986-7470

risinglotuscounseling.org

You Can Keep Family Close with an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

What is an ADU?

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent residential unit located on the same lot as a stand-alone single-family home. They are designed to be smaller and separate from the primary dwelling with their own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area.

Examples of ADUs

What are the benefits of an ADU?

• Multi-generational living • Increasing your property value • Additional source of rental income • Additional living space • On-site care-giving

MarbletownAnimalHospital.com 3056 Route 213 East

Ridge, NY, 12484

845-687-7800

Urgent Care, Exotics & Pocket Pets, Acupuncture, Pet

Cardiac and Abdominal Ultrasound. Call for more info. MarbletownAnimalHospital.com

Meet the Owner

ball & claw antiques , port ewen

Looking for a place to unwind, where you can browse through all sorts of beautiful funky stuff, relax with a great cup of coffee and a snack, and be welcomed like kinfolk? Come to Port Ewen, right across the Route 9W bridge from Kingston, and stop in at Ball

& Claw: Antiques, Design, Coffee. “Every sort of person comes to the shop,” owner Maria Philippis says. “It’s very inclusive. You can get a coffee, a charming card, a piece of estate jewelry, a chair, a painting….Browsing is free, and it’s a nice spot to spend some time.”

“You can get a coffee, a charming card, a piece of estate jewelry, a chair, a painting… Browsing is free, and it’s a nice spot to spend some time.” – Owner, Maria Philippis

Ball & Claw occupies a grand 1920s Dutch Colonial Revival house. “Every room is painted a different color; there are areas to sit and relax, a dining room where you can have a light lunch or coffee, or bring your work,” Philippis says. “People like the vibe—the lighting, the music, the antiques.”

Philippis learned hospitality and business from her Greek father, who supported the family by working as a topflight waiter when she was young. “Working with my dad for years in restaurants taught me a million lessons,” she says.” He passed away in 2010, but his words ring in my ears all the time. He was ex-

tremely intuitive about business, customer service, and human nature, even though he never finished middle school. My parents came to America with nothing; the stories they told me were of always finding a way to survive. In Greece, my maternal grandfather was the village doctor, mayor, general store owner, beekeeper, and onion farmer. He had no training or education, but he figured stuff out. I’m not sure how I found my way to own an antique store. I think it’s because they are always my happy place.”

Before opening Ball & Claw, Philippis was the owner of the much-loved Boitson’s Restaurant

“The shop gives me the opportunity to surround myself with beautiful, weird, and interesting things.” – Owner, Maria Philippis

in Uptown Kingston. But the pandemic-era hassles of the restaurant business sparked a change of direction to something that fits like a satin glove. “I’m a connector,” she says. “I like getting things to the people that need them, so I buy pieces I love and share them. The shop gives me the opportunity to surround myself with beautiful, weird, and interesting things; being a multi-dealer shop, I’m able to invite dealers that I admire to bring in their goods

and set them up in my ‘house’ until they find their way to their next home. It’s pretty dreamy. I love sourcing things; I love when someone comes in and tells me they have things in their car they want to get rid of. I love when people send me pictures of items they no longer need. I love that I get to shop for a living.”

Like so many of life’s best adventures, this one

came together organically. “I live down the street. I was walking the dog with a friend, telling her how I need to find a small space to sell some pieces so I can buy some more things; we were standing in front of the spot, and she said ’this place is for sale’. At the same time, my brother was looking for a new project to invest in, and he knows I’m always plotting something…so a few months later, we started construction on the shop.”

“We’ve been doing a Friday ‘happy hour’ for a while now,” she says. “We stay open until seven, put out some pizza or snacks and some wine, dim the lights a bit, and just have a lot of laughs.”

– Owner, Maria Philippis

Most days, Philippis comes in early and stays late. When she’s not finding, researching, cleaning, fixing, and displaying cool old stuff, she’s planning events or moving furniture around, setting up fresh vignettes, and chatting. A natural hostess, she thrives on the hospitality side of shopkeeping. “We’ve been doing a Friday ‘happy hour’ for a while now,” she says. “We stay open until seven, put out some pizza or snacks and some wine, dim the lights a bit, and just have a lot of laughs. I tried to switch it to once a month, but there were protests, so we decided we should do it every week. It’s really a fun way to meet new people or get

together with friends before you go out on the town. I’m also trying to get a backgammon club running. It’s on Tuesdays from five to seven, free, open to all levels. We have boards, and we’ll teach you how to play.”

The café, always an important part of the dream, has a whole new feel. “I handed over the reins of the coffee shop to a young entrepreneur, Anthony Rios of arios coffeehaus,” Philippis says. “It’s very exciting to see his vision in the space that I created. He’s doing incredible things in there, adding smoothies and new snacks and amazing espresso drinks.”

The arrival of Rios was yet another happy bit of synchronicity; one can almost picture Philippis’s dad and grandpa plotting it from beyond the veil. “It was pure kismet: Anthony stopped in for a coffee; we talked for a few minutes, and he mentioned that he was looking for a place to move his business and loved my spot. Within a week, he was up and running. He’s twenty-one, creates amazing food and drinks, fixes things, builds things, designs things, works seven days a week, and he’s always smiling and thinking about how he can grow his business more.”

It’s an urge Philippis finds extremely easy to understand. “Until I was in my early thirties, I worked for oth-

er people, and I didn’t really like it,” she says. “There's a lot of freedom in working for someone else, not having the twenty-four-hour stress of being the boss. But I think it’s genetic. I like being in charge.”

So stop in at Ball & Claw, see what treasures might be awaiting you, relish the hospitality at this warm and loving spot, and join in the delights of the serendipitous dream. “I hope to make Ball & Claw the kind of place that brings people together to shop, eat, drink, learn, play, and get away from all the troubles of the world,” Philippis says. “I think in general it's the kind of place you just want to be in. I know I love being here.”

ball & claw antiques

213 Broadway, Port Ewen

845-481-4993

ballandclawhv.com

Invest in Community

why shopping local matters

Photo of Tannersville Works by Rachel Collet.

In the age of Amazon and instant gratification, it’s easy to forget the importance of supporting local businesses. But in the Hudson Valley and Catskills, these mom-and-pop shops are the heart and soul of our communities.

When you choose to shop locally, you’re not just buying a product; you’re investing in the fabric of your community. You’re supporting your neighbors, fostering a sense of place, and contributing to a vibrant local economy.

HERE’S WHY SHOPPING LOCAL MATTERS:

• Unique experiences: Forget the impersonal online experience. Shopping local offers a chance to engage with real people, learn about their passions, and discover unique stories behind the products you buy.

• Community building: Every time you walk into a local shop, you’re contributing to the lifeblood of your community. You’re supporting families, creating jobs, and strengthening the local economy.

• Supporting local artisans: Many local businesses feature handcrafted goods, showcasing the talents of local artisans and preserving traditional skills.

• Reduced environmental impact: Shopping local often means

Photo by Christiann Koepke.

Pitch Pine Outfitters photo by Rachel Collet.

shorter transportation distances, reducing your carbon footprint and supporting sustainable businesses.

• Building relationships: By shopping locally, you build relationships with the people who own and operate these businesses. You get to know your neighbors, learn about their passions, and create a stronger sense of community.

MAKING A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES:

• Explore your local shops: Take the time to visit local stores and discover the treasures they hold.

• Meet the owners: Get to know the people behind the businesses and learn about their passion for what they do.

• Spread the word: Tell your friends and family about your great finds and the interesting business owners you meet.

• Choose local whenever possible: Prioritize local businesses for your everyday needs, from groceries to gifts.

By supporting our local businesses, we’re not just making a purchase; we’re investing in the future of our communities. Let’s choose to shop local and create a stronger, more vibrant Hudson Valley and Catskills for generations to come.

Photo of Hamilton & Adams.

Meet the Owner

tannersville works

A journey to Tannersville, the Painted Village in the Sky, is a gift in itself. You’re in the heart of the glorious Great Northern Catskills, surrounded by breathtaking views, colorful art, and a few hundred smart mountain folks.

Congratulations on picking a great place to explore—now head on into Tannersville Works and reward yourself with something cool from their creatively curated array of gifts, vintage finds, fine art, and useful goodies.

Tim Patrick’s journey to Tannersville began in suburban central

California, continued through a semester in London and a sojourn in San Francisco, and then landed him on the East Coast in the West Village. Like many a creative New Yorker, he found that the Catskills offered a wonderful escape hatch, and he and his partner purchased a weekend retreat in 2017. Then came the pandemic. “When COVID happened, we thought, ‘well, we’ll just spend a couple of weeks up here and see how all this plays out’,” he says, “and it ended up being a lot longer than expected. In the process, we sort of reversed the roles of the city

and the mountains in our lives— going back down when we chose, but the Catskills became home base.”

It was a life transformation that went deeper than simple geography. “The pandemic was challenging for so many people on so many levels, but it opened a door for people to evaluate how they spent their time, with whom, what they were really doing, and how it felt,” Patrick says. “It gave us permission to take a deep look at the formula we were following around jobs and the whole hustle, you know? And the process freed me up to let

go of my corporate gig.”

His day job as a Creative Director in a marketing agency had been mostly remote for a while, but making the decision to actually resign felt “liberating and exciting, but also horribly irresponsible and scary. I took three months off to self-reflect and try to figure out what I wanted tomorrow to look like. And mostly out of curiosity, I picked up a hobby—I started making candles. It was fun, and people liked them. But I knew I didn’t want to throw my whole self and all of my energy into being the Candle Guy.”

“The pandemic was challenging for so many people on so many levels, but it opened a door for people to evaluate how they spent their time, with whom, what they were really doing, and how it felt.” – Owner, Tim Patrick

“I loved designing the candles—from fragrances, style and tone, to branding and labels. I also enjoyed reaching out to some local shops throughout the Catskills and Hudson Valley, the networking and connecting with people.” – Owner, Tim Patrick

But within that hobby lay the seeds of his next chapter, just waiting to sprout. “I loved designing the candles—from fragrances, style and tone, to branding and labels. I also enjoyed reaching out to some local shops throughout the Catskills and Hudson Valley, the networking and connecting with people. My old job had me behind a computer 10 hours a day. This got me out there.”

Before he transitioned away from candle making, Patrick went through the process of

setting it up as a business, which turned out to come in handy down the line. So did a connection he’d made up here before resigning from his corporate gig: a fellow city refugee, a Brooklynite, had opened a coworking space where he took refuge while his partner, Stephen Corsello, was working on loud home improvement projects.

When Workspace owner Gillian

Telling found that life was drawing her back to Brooklyn, Patrick and Corsello bought the business, renegotiated the lease,

rebranded as Tannersville Works, and put a gift shop in the front of the space. “There was still demand for coworking at that point, but I wanted to add something more dynamic and offer more to the community,” Patrick says. “Little by little, as the need for coworking space diminished, the art and gift space has organically grown and taken over. So we’ve been bringing in featured artists, some local, mainly just contemporary art we love. We don’t want to go in the direction of clichéd, you know, having nothing but pastoral mountain landscapes or Catskills souvenirs all over the place— we wanted it to be smart, dynamic and interesting, which to me is what this place genuinely is.”

Now, Tannersville Works is all in on “the cool retail, the fun gifts, and vintage and small pieces of furniture, the artists’ receptions,” Patrick says. “People who come here to visit often remark that they’d had no idea so much great stuff goes on up here. And it’s not just

us—we have a lot of great shops and restaurants here, along with all of the waterfalls and outdoor adventures.”

Out-of-towners aren’t the only ones enjoying what’s working about Tannersville Works. “People who’ve lived here forever also love to see something new and interesting going on when it’s geared to welcome them too,” Patrick observes. “We had a reception for a wonderful photographer, Hans Petrich—he’s from the Hudson Valley—and the event brought people up from the valley and from the city who hadn’t been to Tannersville in a long time. And it also brought in a lot of people from the local community, and it was really nice to just get them all together, pour the wine, and turn up the tunes.”

Part of the shop’s organic evolution has turned out to be a steady stream of vintage treasure. “We had a little extra space, so we asked a friend, Matthew Izzo—he does mostly highend furniture, but he also collects

vintage and has a lot of retail experience—if he’d like to try bringing a few items up. He’s become a great mentor and informal partner, and he’s got a really great eye, so he finds and curates our vintage collection. We integrate those items with our new stuff—apparel and housewares, and stuff like that—and the result is a beautiful example of how vintage and newer items can work really well together. Vintage items were made to be used, after all, in new celebrations and special moments, not to gather dust on a shelf.”

The resulting blend has a feeling of real life that customers respond to with pleasure, he says. “Matthew said early on that we’re not

making a museum here, and we took it to heart,” Patrick says. “We have things that are meant to be touched, picked up, and integrated into celebrations and pleasures. So while he does the vintage, I focus on finding wonderful new things at a wide range of price points. We want to keep it very accessible.”

The team is having a blast, so stop in and check out the results: the classic Catskills wool blankets, cheery needlepoint pillows—some with classic Catskills motifs, and others with serious sass—the mid-century glassware in gleaming reds and blues, the jewelry, and, yes, candles, fine art, and pop art. “We mix up the silly and campy with the elegant and

“We

mix up the silly and campy with the elegant and sophisticated,” Patrick says. “We love the contrasts; it’s a lot of fun.” – Owner, Tim Patrick

Come as you are, and don’t feel like you need to whisper.

sophisticated,” Patrick says. “We love the contrasts; it’s a lot of fun. We’re doing small grab-and-go oil paintings for the holidays, and the back of the space is still evolving— we’re thinking grab-and-go furniture, pieces that can go in your car, new items done really well that integrate well with vintage pieces. Think mid-century modern, but reimagined for today’s world.”

Back in 2017, Patrick couldn’t have imagined the vivid life he’s now immersed in. ”I’m still on a learn-

ing curve,” he says. “I’m just enjoying the journey, having the space and the opportunity, working with people I respect and trust—both within our team and among the other local businesses—working together to make Tannersville better for everyone. So come in and say hi! We keep the energy light and playful and dynamic, never pretentious. So come in and be happy and silly, ask questions, joke around, enjoy the artwork. Come as you are, and don’t feel like you need to whisper.”

tannersville works

6041 Main Street, Tannersville 518-718-4050

tannersvilleworks.com

WE IMPROVE OUR CLIENTS’ LIVES BY IMPROVING THEIR LIVING SPACES

WE IMPROVE OUR CLIENTS’ LIVES BY IMPROVING THEIR LIVING SPACES

We’re not your typical kitchen and bath company.

We are a design firm that creates functional spaces tailored to the unique needs and preferences of our clients.

We’re not your typical kitchen and bath company. We are a design firm that creates functional spaces tailored to the unique needs and preferences of our clients.

WE IMPROVE OUR CLIENTS’ LIVES BY IMPROVING THEIR LIVING SPACES

We pay close attention to detail and take the time to understand their lifestyle, needs, desires and vision, ensuring that every element is both intentional and beautifully designed.

We pay close attention to detail and take the time to understand their lifestyle, needs, desires and vision, ensuring that every element is both intentional and beautifully designed.

We’re not your typical kitchen and bath company. We are a design firm that creates functional spaces tailored to the unique needs and preferences of our clients.

home and garden projects Spring Into Action

Spring has sprung in the Hudson Valley, and with it comes the urge to revitalize our homes and gardens. The crisp air and blooming flowers inspire a sense of renewal, making it the perfect time to embark on some refreshing home improvement projects.

embrace the outdoors

plant a vibrant spring garden

Now’s the time to plant colorful annuals, perennials, and herbs. Consider adding a raised bed for easy access and a more organized growing space.

refresh your landscaping

Spruce up existing flower beds with fresh mulch, prune shrubs, and add some decorative touches like garden gnomes or bird feeders.

create an outdoor living space

Transform your patio or deck into an inviting oasis with comfortable seating, outdoor rugs, and decorative lighting.

bring the outdoors inside

bring nature indoors

Incorporate natural elements like fresh flowers, houseplants, and natural wood accents into your home decor.

freshen up your paint

A coat of fresh paint can do wonders for any room.

Consider light and airy colors to brighten up your space and create a sense of spring.

deep - clean your home

Spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition!

Take the opportunity to declutter, dust, and thoroughly clean your entire home, from top to bottom.

beyond the basics

upgrade your outdoor lighting

Install new outdoor lighting fixtures to enhance the ambiance of your outdoor spaces and increase safety.

improve your home's energy efficiency

Consider upgrading to energy-efficient windows, insulation, and/or a smart thermostat.

start a diy home improvement project

Tackle a small DIY project, such as refinishing furniture, painting a room, or building a simple garden trellis.

By embracing these spring home and garden projects, you can transform your living spaces and create a more inviting and enjoyable environment for the warmer months ahead. So get outside, get your hands dirty, and enjoy the beauty of the Hudson Valley spring! Explore our list of local resources for your next home improvement project.

Adams Fairacre Farms

Augustine Landscaping

Bare Furniture

Cabinet Designers

Catskills Kitchens and Interiors

Different Strokes Painting & Construction

Fireside Warmth

Herzog's Home & Paint Centers

Houst Hardware & Rentals

Hudson Valley Sunrooms

Matthew Flamhaft

Northeast Paving & Sealcoat

Potter Brothers Patio Furniture

Rice Plumbing & Heating

Saunderskill Farms

The Mad Hatter Chimney Sweep

Wallkill View Farm Market

Williams Lumber & Home Centers

Photo by Roman Akash.

Fever

great hudson valley and catskills arts venues , fairs , & festivals

Spring has sprung, and with it comes a vibrant calendar of events. From lively fairs to captivating performances, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Spring

the hudson valley beltane festival

(May 17, 2025) A unique, family-friendly celebration held at Stone Mountain Farm in New Paltz, blending the charm of a Renaissance fair with the joy of a spring festival. The festival's highlight is the Beltane Pageant, a mesmerizing performance by The Vanaver Caravan, marking the peak of spring. stonemountainfarmny.com

woodstock-new paltz arts & crafts fair rhinebeck crafts festival

(May 24-26, 2025) This renowned fair showcases the work of hundreds of artists and crafters, offering a vibrant display of creativity and local talent. quailhollow.com

(May 31 & June 1, 2025) Discover a vibrant marketplace where visitors can find unique, one-of-a-kind treasures, from fine art and jewelry to handcrafted clothing, home goods, and more. dutchessfair.com

arts venues

ulster performing arts center shadowland stages , ellenville

Catch a live show, music performance, or a captivating dance piece at this historic Kingston venue. bardavon.org.

Enjoy captivating theatrical performances at this renowned regional theater. shadowlandstages.org

This museum at SUNY New Paltz houses works that range from pre-Columbian artifacts to contemporary paintings, offers a variety of exhibitions and programs throughout the year, and is open to the public. newpaltz.edu/museum

the samuel dorsky museum of art

arts venues

fisher center at bard college bardavon 1869 opera house

Experience world-class performances in a stunning setting. The Fisher Center presents a diverse season of music, theater, dance, and film. fishercenter.bard.edu

This historic theater in Poughkeepsie hosts a variety of performances, from Broadway shows and concerts to dance recitals and film screenings. bardavon.org

arts

Catch a major concert or enjoy a picnic on the Great Lawn at this iconic music venue. bethelwoodscenter.org

bethel woods center for the

arts venues

delaware valley arts alliance

This vibrant arts center hosts a diverse range of exhibitions, performances, and workshops throughout the year. delawarevalleyartsalliance.org

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!

Saugerties Antiques Center

One of the oldest antique centers in the Hudson Valley... Established in 1978

& Seek for Yourself SPRING INTO ADVENTURE

Step outside and discover nature’s renewal in the gorgeous Catskill Mountains of Ulster County, 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, take a leisurely bike ride and savor the seasonal flavors of local family farms, and bask in the epic beauty of springtime in Ulster County.

Plan your trip at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com