VISITVortex Hudson Valley Summer 2026

SUMMER 2026 | FREE

B E

D R AW N

I N

YOUR GUIDE TO THE GREAT PEOPLE AND PLACES OF THE HUDSON VALLEY & CATSKILLS CELEBRATING SPRING IN THE HUDSON VALLEY | ________________ | VISIT CATSKILL | ________________ ________________| MEET | SPRING ENCHANTING WATERFALLS | OUTDOOR DINING | TOP SUMMER VENUES | LOCAL CHEF RECIPES THE2018 OWNERS

PAPER PAPER TRAIL TRAIL

MONTGOMERYROW.COM

6422 & 6423 MONTGOMERY STREET

@MontgomeryRow @MontgomeryRowrbk

2

GIGI TRATTORIA

HAMMERTOWN J.McLAUGHLIN

Best Shopping Block – H U D S O N VA L L E Y M A G A Z I N E

OBLONG BOOKS

RHINEBECK, NY

NAIL IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME 845-876-WOOD | www.williamslumber.com

Rhinebeck | Hudson | Hopewell Junction | Tannersville | Red Hook | Pleasant Valley | High Falls 3

Men’s Women’s Accessories Gifts Curiosities

15% OFF

YOUR FIRST ORDER

The Hom e of Upstate & Chill ®

hamiltonandadams.com | @hamiltonandadams | #staycurious 32 John Street, Kingston, NY 12401 | 845-383-1039 4

Scan Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

visit vortex

ta b l e o f c o n t e n t s

23 Explore hudson river cruises 33 Play catskill mountain railroad Wellness

43 A Day In The Life of a local yogi

Recipe

59 stella's lobster salad

Shop Local

1 0 7 red owl collective Home

Eat Local

1 1 7 hudson valley sunrooms

Meet the Owners

1 2 7 your summer lineup

69 the pleasures of dining out 79 tetta's market Meet the Owner

87 Briars & brambles books

The Arts

Play

1 3 9 fourth of july celebration

Meet the Owners

97 road to nowhere

VISITvortex.com | 845-687-3470 PO Box 82, High Falls, New York | visitvortex@gmail.com instagram: @visitvortex | facebook.com/visithudsonvalley

PREVIOUS ISSUES

visitvortex.com

Outdoors

11 enchanting waterfalls

55

A VINTAGE + HANDMADE MARKET IN OUR PARKING LOT!

FREE ENTRY • RAIN OR SHINE • ONE OF A KIND FINDS!

LEARN MORE + APPLY TO BE A VENDOR REDOWLCOLLECTIVE.COM/RED-OWL-FLEA

RED OWL COLLECTIVE 25 CORNELL ST MIDTOWN KINGSTON OPEN THURSDAY TO MONDAY 11AM TIL 6PM REDOWLCOLLECTIVE.COM 6

ABOUT US

who we are

v i s i t vo rt e x be drawn in

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

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. publisher creative Director editor design & production sales socials photography cover photo writer

Jesse Marcus Melissa Hewitt Jean Cassidy Melissa Orozco Jesse Marcus Kristina Santamauro Rachel Collet Big Crew Studio Anne Pyburn Craig

VISITvortex.com | 845-687-3470 PO Box 82, High Falls, New York | visitvortex@gmail.com instagram: @visitvortex | facebook.com/visithudsonvalley

ABOUT US

visitvortex.com

if you’d like to advertise in this quarterly magazine or on the website, please call us at 845-687-3470. ©2026 visitvortex

77

YOU’RE GOING TO NEED WATER. Let Binnewater Ice Co. provide all of your ice and water needs.

25 S Pine Street, Kingston, NY 845-331-0504 binnewater.com

8

l e t t e r f ro m t h e p u b l i s h e r s

on the pull of this place

S

ummer is my favorite time of year. I love the warmth, the flowers, the bees and birds, and that feeling of jumping into cold water on a hot day. Jesse is the opposite. Winter is his season. He loves the quiet, the stillness, the way everything slows down. There’s something here that meets you wherever you are. And maybe that’s part of why so many people come here and end up staying.

We’ve always said the Hudson Valley is a vortex. That’s where our name came from. People come for a weekend, a hike, a break, and something shifts. They stay longer than they planned. They come back again. And eventually, a lot of them don’t leave.

We were those people.

Before we lived here, I would come up for a hike or a walk whenever I needed a reset. And every time, I didn’t want to go back. I’d extend the weekend if I could. When I couldn’t, I’d head back and feel it for a few days after, that quiet pull. Like I had left

something behind.

So we followed it.

And a funny thing is, Jesse and I both moved here at the exact same time, not knowing each other.

It feels like the same pull that brought us both here.

When we first moved here 25 years ago, it felt like a completely different place. You’d go to the grocery store and always see someone you knew. The trails and swimming holes were quiet, almost empty. Everything closed early, and there weren’t a lot of options for where to eat or shop. But there was a feeling of ease to it.

And you always said hello. That wasn’t something anyone talked about. It was just part of being here.

This place has always been chang-

ing. From the original people of this land, to those who came by ship, then carriage, then train, building grand hotels, small cabins, and everything in between. It has always drawn people in. And it still is now.

There’s a lot we love about what’s happening. The food, the creativity, the energy, the new businesses. It’s exciting to see this region thriving. But there’s also a shift that we feel. Things move faster now.

People feel a little more closed off.

You don’t always get that same eye contact, that same easy hello. And that’s why we keep coming back to authenticity.

What makes a place feel real isn’t just what’s built there. It’s how people show up. It’s whether we see each oth-

er, acknowledge each other, and take the time to connect. It’s easy now to come here and stay within a certain version of the Hudson Valley. A curated path. The same kinds of places. The same kinds of people you're used to.

But the deeper version of this place is still here. You just have to slow down enough to notice it. Go somewhere you wouldn’t normally go. Walk into a place that feels unfamiliar. Talk to someone new. Say hello. That’s where the real culture lives.

After all these years, we’re still following that pull, and still grateful we listened to it in the first place. We hope you find your own way into it too. Take a look at the table of contents and see what draws you in. Maybe you’ll find that same sense of place and connection that so many here have known.

With gratitude,

Melissa & Jesse 9

Choose Your Adventure at Mohonk Preserve!

T h e C a t s k i l l ’ s Re n t a l & D e m o H e a d q u a r t e r s

Enjoy great hiking, biking, climbing, birding and more.

Start your experience at our Visitor Center, open free of charge daily, or one of our trailheads, open from sunrise to sunset. Memberships and day passes are available for purchase at all trailheads.

Learn more on our website at mohonkpreserve.org or scan:

Photo: Bonticou Crag Hike by John Mizel

10

Visit Our Two Rental Locations! Kingston: 79 Hurley Ave • 845-383-1097 Shokan: 1 Mountain Road • 845-657-4001 • overlookbicycles.com

OUTDOORS

Photo by Nicole King.

W

aterfalls are a symphony of the elements: frothing water, freed amid the air, cascading over the earth’s stony spine, caressed by the light of a fire 93 million miles away.

It’s no wonder we seek them out to stop and gaze and let the ensemble delight our senses. Waterfall hikes can be the best hikes.

Given that we’re blessed with lots of creeks and lots of verticals around these parts, we are joyfully well supplied with falling waters.

enchanting waterfalls of the Hudson Valley & Catskills

You could plan an entire season’s worth of adventures around them, and the itinerary would take you to many of our most enchanted forests.

A season of lush waterfalls awaits.

visitvortex.com

Outdoors

11

t i p s f o r wat e r fa l l wa n d e r i n g • WEAR GRIPPY FOOTWEAR—wet rocks and steep terrain can be slippery near waterfalls, so solid traction helps you explore safely.

• NOTICE THE SMALL FALLS—gentle cascades along streams are often just as beautiful and perfect for quiet, close-up moments.

• CAPTURE THE MOMENT—waterfalls offer incredible photo and video opportunities, from wide scenic shots to detailed textures of moving water.

• PAUSE AND LISTEN—take a moment to be still, or bring a journal or sketchbook and let the sound of water guide your thoughts.

• LEAVE NO TRACE—pack out everything you bring and help preserve these natural spaces for others to experience.

12

Photo by Spenser Sembrat.

• GO AFTER RAIN—waterfalls are at their most powerful after storms, while smaller ones may slow to a trickle in dry weather.

kaaterskill falls

ABOUT KAATERSKILL FALLS: We’ll start with the rockstar. Kaaterskill is a two-stage, 260-foot drop in Spruce Creek, one of the highest in the state. Immortalized by many a Hudson River School painter, mentioned in Washington Irving’s "Rip Van Winkle," Kaaterskill Falls is absolutely worth the trip.

HOW: Go early in the morning, or on a weekday if

Photo by Kelly - Pexels.

you can. The Kaaterskill Wild Forest is off Route 23A, which is reached by heading north from Saugerties on Route 32 for six miles to Route 32A; about 1.8 miles on, make a slight left onto 23A West. Park at the Mountain Top Historical Society on Route 23A or at the North/South Lake State Campground off County Route 18 (commonly known as North–South Lake Road) if the official Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) parking areas are full. You’ll find plenty of signage to help you get oriented.

Do not park on narrow, winding Route 23A itself, and take care to obey all DEC signage and stay on approved trails. From the Laurel House Road parking area, a short wheelchair-accessible trail takes you to a viewing platform.

13

ABOUT AWOSTING FALLS: This is another real beauty that’s relatively easy to reach, a 65-foot drop in the Peter’s Kill Creek to a wide, shallow pool. Unlike Kaaterskill, the trail that runs alongside the creek is reasonably safe if you’re a bit careful, so you can enjoy the view from both above and below and find the nifty 2-foot waterfall that’s located just above the top.

HOW: To get here, take Route 299 east from New

awosting falls 14

Photo by Soung Huh.

Paltz to Route 44 East; Minnewaska State Park Preserve will be on your left after four miles. On the south side of Route 44, drive past the tollbooth.

There’s a $10 per car fee if the toll booth is occupied.

Park in the Lower Awosting parking lot and follow a mostly level carriage road 1.1 miles. The gravel isn’t great for wheelchairs, but a sturdy stroller is fine, making this a great choice for families.

You’re not supposed to swim at the falls, but there’s a swimming area in Lake Minnewaska, so consider driving up to the mountaintop visitors’ center area for a dip. Walking around the lake itself is another fun, low-stress hike with lots of lovely views.

stony kill falls

ABOUT STONY KILL FALLS: This nearly 90-foot beauty is a bit lesser-known and quieter, but also easy to reach. You’re within the Minnewaska Preserve lands, but further off the beaten path, and parking is free.

HOW: About 4.3 miles west of the main entrance

Stay on the gravel road as it enters the forest, where the Stony Kill Creek will guide you to the falls about a mile in; you’ll find some nifty trail improvements made by volunteers. (Thank you, Jolly Rovers and Tahawus Trails LLC!) Half-decent scramblers can make it to the top without too much trouble for amazing views, and you can get away with a dip in these parts.

Photo by Jacob DeClement.

to the state park, look for Minnewaska Trail on the south side of Route 44/55. Take an immediate left onto Rock Haven Road, follow it for two miles, and then take another left onto a road marked as Shaft 2A. Park beside the road at the gate and walk around it. The first part of the walk is a bit surreal; you’ll be cutting through an abandoned quarry, and past a helipad and a Catskill Aqueduct access point.

15

Free Delivery! on 5-pc. sets or more (within 50 miles)

PREMIUM OUTDOOR FURNITURE Dining Sets & Seating Groups Adirondack Chairs Chaise Lounges Umbrellas & Bases Visit our showrooms - special orders available

KINGSTON Route 28 845-338-5119

FISHKILL Route 9 845-297-2941

potterbrothers.com

16

6 17

COME IN AND WE’LL HELP YOU CHOOSE FROM OUR MENU O R P L A C E A N O R D E R O N L I N E T O P I C K U P AT T H E S T O R E OPEN MONDAY-THURSDAY 11AM-8PM, FRIDAY + SATURDAY 10AM-8PM, SUNDAY 11AM-7PM

• Licensed NY Cannabis Dispensary • High Quality Flower • P r e - r o l l s | Va p e s | E d i b l e s + M o r e

On t h e c o r n e r o f Ro u t e 2 0 9 a n d 2 1 3 i n St o n e Ri d g e 3056 Rt 213, Stone Ridge backhomedispensar y.com @back_home_dispensar y 18

SAVOR THE FLAVORS OF SUMMER!

We’re now a Brewstillery!

Enjoy free tastings and tours.

Cocktail Lounge & Calico Outlaw Brewing on tap.

Wood-fired Pizza every Friday and Saturday.

43311 State Hwy 28, Arkville 1-800-VODKA-45 uniongrovedistillery.com

Since 1960

The Hudson Valley’s Premiere Source for Wine & Spirits WINE AND SPIRIT TASTINGS Fri 4-7pm & Sat 1-4pm EVERYDAY DISCOUNTS for Seniors (62+) and Veterans CASE DISCOUNTS On All Wine Enroll in our CUSTOMER REWARDS PROGRAM! 845-336-5155 • Open Mon-Sat 9am-9pm Sun 12-6pm 15 Boices Lane on the Corner of Rt. 9W, Kingston, NY Find us online @ mironwineandspirits.com

845.853.8126 esterwine.com

34 John Street Uptown Kingston Open 7 days a week!

A THOUGHTFUL SELECTION OF CRAFT DISTILLERIES AND ORGANIC WINES.

19

LOCAL, SUSTAINABLE, AWARDW I N N I N G W I N E S & S P I R I TS

Whiskey • Absinthe • Liqueurs • Gin

Make reservations on the website or via the QR code

Customized private tastings available Spirits shipped anywhere in NY State

www.Stoutridge.com

20

Explore scenic wineries, tasting flights, and unforgettable views across the Shawangunk Wine Trail.

Seasonal events, weekend experiences, and year-round wine tasting throughout the Hudson Valley.

21

VORTEX26 Expires: 12/31/26

• Nine-hole course • 5,456 yards

• Plays to a par 70 for 18 holes “GOLF IN PEACE”

845-581-2730

Visit website and click on tourism for details

114 Mill Hill Road Woodstock • 845-679-2914 • woodstockgolf.com

Discover Discover

SOLARIS SOLARIS

100% Solar-Powered Cruise Boat

New

2026 Cruise Schedule!

Lighthouse Tours Sunset Cruises Live Music / Karaoke Tastings & More!

Helping visitors understand the historical forces that have shaped America hrmm.org

Hudson River Maritime Museum | 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston NY

22

New Paltz, NY / (845) 255-1660 / info@huguenotstreet.org For programs and tour information visit www.huguenotstreet.org

EXPLORE

Explore

Take in the Beauty and Heritage of the Hudson Valley With

h u d s o n r i v e r c ru i s e s p h o to s p rov i d e d b y h u d s o n r i v e r c ru i s e s

here are so many reasons why we love our river. Reasons why the wealthy have built retreats along her banks for centuries, why over half a million people a year come to experience the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, why the Metro-North commute nev-

er gets old if you snag a window seat. Even driving over one of the bridges can make you catch your breath and count your blessings, understanding in your bones why so many come here to make art and countless others have been inspired to create art after they get here.

visitvortex.com

T

23 23

But nothing compares to the view from the channel. Out on the water, between Ulster and Dutchess, you can luxuriate in the rolling hills and Catskill Mountain backdrops and drink it all in. A cruise on the Hudson is a vacation within your vacation, leaving mundane landlubber realities like traffic behind and restoring your spirit. And there’s no better way to go than aboard the Rip Van Winkle II with Hudson River Cruises. As the boat chugs away from Kingston’s Strand, down the Rondout to where it meets the Hudson, you’ll feel your heart lift and your cares slide from your shoulders.

Aboard the Rip, you’ll be an honored guest for 90 minutes of stunning views. You’ll get superb views of two historic lighthouses, the Rondout and the Esopus

Meadows, still standing strong amid the current. You’ll see iconic mansions: the stylish Locusts on Hudson, the opulent 65-room creation built for Ogden Mills at Staatsburgh, and the intricate Victorian angles of Wilderstein, which translates as “wild stone.”

Expert narration will give you an insider’s perspective on the history of each site.

Don’t forget to look up; you may well catch a glimpse of a soaring bald eagle, and watching the clouds at play on the wind is a joy all its own.

Choose your spot: the top deck is open to the breeze and sunshine, offering the most unobstructed and panoramic views, with bench seating and partial shade available. The chairs on

Out on the water, between Ulster and Dutchess, you can luxuriate in the rolling hills and Catskill Mountain backdrops and drink it all in.

24

For an incomparable treat, take a sunset cruise and watch the light and the water play subtle, joyful games as the golden hour unfolds and deepens to blue. the heated, air-conditioned lower deck offer shelter from the weather among loads of big windows. You may want to wander a little as the sights unfold, taking in some of the east shore and some of the west; each has its charms. You’re welcome to explore the boat and chat up the crew, or just lounge in the shade in your comfy seat with a beverage and a snack.

For an incomparable treat, take a sunset cruise and watch the light and the water play subtle, joyful games as the golden hour unfolds and deepens to blue. Or pick one of the evenings when a live music cruise is embarking; there’s no feeling quite like dancing to a bangin’ good band

between the water and the starlit sky, and there’s a fully stocked bar onboard.

The Rip also makes a stunning setting for your milestone event, be it a wedding reception, a family reunion, or a corporate get-together. The Hudson River Cruises folks will help you arrange just the right caterer and anything else your party needs; they’ve had plenty of practice at this.

You’ll be amazed at how seamlessly everything unfolds, leaving you free to enjoy the ooohs and ahhhs of your company.

Do remember to dress for the weather—a lightweight layer and sunglasses, hat, and hair tie or scarf are highly recommended.

25

When it comes to experiencing the Hudson Valley’s charms, there’s just nothing quite like the Rip. Binoculars are also a lot of fun.

And, of course, you’ll want to bring your camera to capture these splendid sights to be savored and shared afterward.

Advance booking is highly recommended—the Rip Van Winkle II is one of the Hudson Valley’s most popular

experiences. Ten minutes into your first Hudson River Cruise, you’ll understand why—and find yourself thinking of the loved ones you’ll want to invite along next time. When it comes to experiencing the Hudson Valley’s charms, there’s just nothing quite like the Rip.

Between water and sky, the Hudson restores your spirit. h u d s o n r i v e r c ru i s e s

40 Rondout Landing, Kingston 845-340-4700 hudsonrivercruises.com 26

Feel Worlds Away

THE HUDSON VALLEY’S MOST ICONIC RESORT Book dining, a day spa visit, or a magical overnight getaway.

877.475.6365 | mohonk.com | New Paltz, NY 27

28

Timeless Luxury on the Hudson River The Stewart House is an idyllic historical escape with magnificent views of the Hudson River located just two hours from NYC. • Offering 9 luxury rooms and expertly prepared meals served Thursday through Sunday in our 1883 Tavern.

• Special Events Welcome

Athens, NY 518-444-8317

stewarthouse.com @stewarthouseny

STEWART HOUSE 29

Whether you’re seeking a cozy monthly retreat or a memorable weekend stay, we are here to ensure your experience is nothing short of remarkable. Book direct and save.

646-389-6677 • PERCHCOTTAGES.COM 30

YOUR OWN PRIVATE GUEST COTTAGE. now welcoming a few exceptional catskills homes into our exclusive management portfolio.

Full-Service Airbnb Property Management

BOOK DIRECT AND SAVE 10%

Unwind and refresh your spirit.

Simply furnished. Kitchen, bathroom, WIFI, A/C and heat in each; fireplace and jetted bath in some.

Pet and eco-friendly. Hiking trails nearby.

Clove Cottages

managethishome.com 646-389-6677 | @managethishome

clovecottages.com 200 Rock Hill Road, High Falls 845-687-4170 31

“All Aboard!”

Our train rides depart from the historic Hudson Valley city of Kingston and travel up through the Catskill Gateway at Hurley Mountain. Enjoy the views from our vintage coaches or open-air cars. Many fun Special Event trains!

43 Years of Family Fun Train Rides catskillmountainrailroad.com Catskill Mountain Railroad Co. P.O. Box 1415 Kingston, NY 12402 | (845) 332-4854 32

To purchase tickets, and for more information about all our unique themed rides, visit our website:

PLAY

Play

a ll a boa r d th e catsk ill m oun ta i n r a i l roa d

I

f you’re looking for a great family fun train ride, the Catskill Mountain Railroad is just the place to buy your ticket. Celebrating 43 years of operation as Ulster County’s only heritage railroad, the CMRR offers a whole season full of special events that are fun for children and adults alike.

Station, cross the C9 bridge over the Esopus Creek, pass through farmlands, and head up Hurley Mountain. Sundays on the Catskill Flyer are extra-special days because that’s when the Ice Cream Express heads out of town with passengers enjoying an ice cream of their choice on the ride.

Starting in May is the Catskill Spring and Summer Flyer, where trains depart from the historic Hudson Valley City of Kingston and travel up through the Catskill Gateway. Passengers leave Westbrook

In July, roar into adventure on the Catskill Mountain Railroad's Dinosaur Express. Grab your explorer’s hat and take a train ride back in time to the Jurassic Period and discover the magic of dino-

visitvortex.com

p h o to s p rov i d e d b y c at s k i l l m o u n ta i n r a i l roa d

33

saurs! After departing the station, the passengers will suddenly find themselves back in the days when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. One of the highlights of this train ride is the presence of roaming dinosaurs and friendly dinosaur hunters onboard.

Let your little ones’ imaginations run wild as they encounter these prehistoric creatures during the journey to their Dinosaur Park. The Dinosaur Express is a unique opportunity to make learning about dinosaurs truly come alive with an adventure that combines history and imagination.

Also in July and August, don’t miss their Friday evening Twilight Limited Train rides, which depart from Westbrook Station with live music

onboard. Enjoy the train ride and the music as the sun sets and the evening sky full of stars appears.

In September and October, the CMRR’s fall trains take to the rails. For starters, the Fall Foliage Adventure train gives passengers a great way to view the fall foliage as the trees explode in a spectacular display of colors. Their open-air flat cars are perfect for enjoying the best views from the train, but book your tickets early as this is one of their most popular rides. In October and just before Halloween, the Pumpkin Express is scheduled to carry passengers up the line to the Pumpkin Patch, where everyone gets to pick a pumpkin to take home and carve

The Dinosaur Express is a unique opportunity to make learning about dinosaurs truly come alive with an adventure that combines histor y and imagination.

34

In October and just before Halloween, the Pumpkin Express is scheduled to carr y passengers up the line to the Pumpkin Patch. for the holiday. It’s an extra-fun train ride with your choice of pumpkin as a bonus.

In November and December, catch the Catskill Mountain Railroad’s last event of the year and Christmas holiday season—the ever-popular Polar Express. Set to the sounds of the motion picture, passengers will relive the classic story as they are whisked away for a magical trip to the North Pole.

Once onboard, the conductor will work their way through the coach and punch your golden ticket as you’re served hot chocolate and a delicious cookie by dancing chefs!

Passengers will read along with the classic children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Once at The North Pole, Santa and his elves will board the train to greet passengers, and each guest will be given the first

gift of Christmas—a silver sleigh bell.

During the trip, characters on each car will lead passengers in caroling and onboard entertainment, just like in the film! Each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell in addition to the wonderful memories made on this unforgettable adventure.

All trains depart from Westbrook Station in Kingston Plaza for a 90-minute round-trip ride. Folks can enjoy the views from the vintage coaches or open-air cars. The CMRR also offers the entire train for charters and events, as well as a single car within the Catskill Flyer schedule for birthday parties, weddings, and other special occasions.

For more information and other new events for August 2026, or to purchase your tickets online, visit their website at catskillmountainrailroad.com.

35

The CMRR also offers the entire train for charters and events, as well as a single car within the Catskill Flyer schedule for birthday parties, weddings, and other special occasions.

Seasonal Train Events CATSKILL FLYER Spring–Summer (May–Sept.)

Departures: 11am, 1pm, 3pm

FALL FOLIAGE ADVENTURE Late September–October Typical departures: 11am, 1pm, 3pm

ICE CREAM EXPRESS (Sundays) Select dates May–September Departures: 11am, 1pm, 3pm

PUMPKIN EXPRESS Select October weekends

DINOSAUR EXPRESS Select weekends in July TWILIGHT LIMITED Friday evenings, July & August

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Holiday Season (Nov–Dec) Select dates November–December And so much more.

Check the website for details.

c at s k i l l m o u n ta i n r a i l ro a d

55 Kingston Plaza Road, Kingston 845-332-4854 catskillmountainrailroad.com 36

©2016 Augustine Nursery

You Won’t Find Trees Like Ours At Your Garden Variety Nursery.

9W & Van Kleecks Lane, Kingston, NY

(845) 338-4936

AugustineNursery.com

FULL-SERVICE NURSERY • CUSTOM LANDSCAPE DESIGN & INSTALLATION • STONE YARD & HARDSCAPING • WATER FEATURES • IRRIGATION • LIGHTING • RETAIL SHOP & MORE 37

Practicing Top Quality Medicine with Dedication and Compassion to Pets, Clients, and Employees Alike.

6006 Route 209, Kerhonkson • 845-626-5555 • rvvets.com 38

STONE RIDGE

INSURANCE AGENCY

• Nutrient Infusions

• Injections

• NAD+

• Peptides

MOBILE SERVICES AVAILABLE

Serving all of your insurance needs.

• Auto Insurance • Homeowners Insurance • Business Insurance & More 3669 MAIN STREET. STONE RIDGE 845-687-2828

E: STONERIDGEINSURANCE@OUTLOOK.COM

STONERIDGEINSURANCE.NET

ANTON SINATRA, RN Stone Ridge Healing Arts, 3457 Main Street, Stone Ridge 914-466-5012 lifedripiv@gmail.com Lifedripiv.com

MarbletownAnimalHospital.com 3056 Route 213 East Stone Ridge, NY, 12484

“America’s First Not For Profit Community Pharmacy”

845- 687-7800

53 Main Street, Phoenicia 845-688-0188 wellnessrxllc.com

Daytime Urgent Care, Acupuncture, Pet Nutrition, Cardiac and Abdominal Ultrasound. Call for more info.

MarbletownAnimalHospital.com

Providing a more holistic approach to what a home-town pharmacy can be.

Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9-6 • Tues 11-6, Sat 9-5 • Closed Sun 39

40

• shop our gift boutique • therapeutic massage & reiki • organic skincare • gift certificates

73 crown st. kingston, new york birchkingston.com 845-331-7139

41

for the crysta e m ls Co

Sta

y f o r t h e h e ali n g

Scan the QR Code to see our services

116-118 Sullivan Street, Wurtsboro, NY · 845-888-2547 42

WELLNESS

Series

A DAY I N T H E L I F E . . . o f a l o c a l yo g i or three

You may or may not have experienced the spaces our local yogis have created; if you have, you’ve probably left feeling restored. We asked them to reflect on their daily rhythms. What goes on behind the scenes in the everyday life of a healing professional and business owner?

We thought we’d ask.

visitvortex.com

or the upcoming issue, we’re exploring A Day in the Life of a Yogi—broadly defined to include yoga teachers, studio owners, and wellness practitioners— using “yogi” as a thread rather than a title, connecting different practices, paths, and ways of being.

Photo by Serhii Bobyk.

F

43

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF veronica sedda

o f z e p h y r f l oat p h o to s b y v i s i t vo rt e x How does your day usually begin?

Do you have a personal practice or morning ritual that helps set the tone for the day?

to-day administrator work, and doing what I can to help my float facilitator with our clients, laundry, and cleaning

Veronica Sedda: I am only as good as my morning coffee and workout.

Normally I wake up between 5:30 and 6:30 am. Once I am properly caffeinated, my husband and I usually do a 30- to 45-minute workout in our little gym room. Then we feed our kitty and pup, followed by a 2- to 3-mile walk or jog with the dog on the rail trail. Moving my body and getting fresh air is vital to my mental health and sets the tone for my day.

How do you prepare yourself and your space before working with clients or students?

What does a typical day look like for you this time of year?

Veronica: Normally, I would be taking massage clients, doing my day44

up around the spa.

Veronica: First, we check the float tanks' chemical levels, temperatures, and water levels to ensure they are perfect, adjusting if necessary. We also check that the space is all set up for our clients' comfort, restock the teas, fill our water jugs, fluff pillows, etc.

Our massage room is prepped with hot towels, and we make sure the tables are at the correct heights for our therapists and the table warmers are on. Next, we make sure we have a good music playlist for the day. I look over my

massage schedule for the day and read my clients' intake forms. This ensures I am prepared for each person's treatment needs and aware of any add-ons I may have scheduled.

What does your workday look like once things get going? Who are the people you connect with throughout the day?

Veronica: Every day is different being a business owner and a bodyworker. What is amazing is, I connect with so many different people, on many different levels during the day. I have a connection with each person coming in for a service in my space, a connection with our regular clients and members. I have grown deep relationships with many of them, I connect with my massage clients in a deeper therapeutic relationship, and I also have an amazing connection with my trustworthy, wonderful employees and contractors I work with every day.

Honestly, the community we are building in this tiny space covers so many different levels of connection and care, and from what I have heard, the people that visit Zephyr even once can witness that kind of energy in the space.

Whether it is just a catch-up with a float member before they go in, or a regular massage client I see often and still find a new way to alleviate their tension, or a first-timer visiting the Hudson Valley just for the weekend, all these connections feel equally meaningful in the healing facility we have the pleasure of calling our own.

What’s something about your work that people might not realize or fully understand?

Veronica: Shortly after purchasing Zephyr Float in 2024, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

We caught it early, and thankfully I just had my final surgery in March of 2026. I am cancer free 45 45

and grateful, but this last year and a half has been extremely stressful trying to navigate my own personal health journey while trying to improve and run a new business, especially as a first-timer. I am beyond grateful that I have an amazing team that has held down the fort for me more times than I would have liked, but I have no idea what I would have done without them and my husband these last two years.

What’s the most challenging part of the work you do?

Veronica: Float tank issues! My husband, Rick, is my savior for most of the major issues we have faced, but it has been a challenging road with a lot of learning curves. When problems arise, they often lack simple solutions, but I feel at this point in time we have upgraded all the essential tank components and we are becoming experts in the "saltwater field." I am also proud to say

46

we have been capable of doing everything ourselves.

What’s the most rewarding?

Veronica: The post-self-care happy and relaxed face on almost every client after they have received services from us. This is why we do what we do!

Do you find time for your own rest or restoration during the day?

Veronica: Now that some personal big stressors are out of the way, the plan is to float once a month myself. I also am an avid gardener, and that is a major form of stress relief for me, putting my hands in the dirt is a huge form of restorative care. I am more of a doer, so I don't often find "rest" unless there is mindful movement involved.

How does the change of seasons affect your work or your personal practice?

Veronica: This is an amazing time for the spa when people are coming out of their cocoons and coming back in to see us. We do not truly slow down until late summer when people go on vacation and start spending more time outdoors.

I am an outdoorsy woman, and the longer days, plants emerging from the dirt, and the bright sunshine energize me. I am ready for the "new year" as the equinox approaches. New beginnings, new growth, planting seeds (literally and figuratively), this is when I personally thrive. This year in particular I am ready for this new season in

my life as well, cancer free and ready to focus on my dreams.

What do you hope people feel or take away after spending time in your space?

Veronica: That their mental and physical health is important. That their nervous system and body need love. That we are a safe space for experiencing relaxation and healing.

That Zephyr is a welcoming, no-frills, just calm cool vibes kinda place.

That authenticity and mindfulness fill the space. That they have the opportunity to escape all of it here, just for a few hours.

Zephyr Float 111 Greenkill Ave, Kingston 845-853-2400, zephyrfloat.com

47

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF a n n i e g i rv i n o f w h o l e s k y yo g a p h o to s p rov i d e d b y w h o l e s k y yo g a

What does a typical day look like for you this time of year?

workshops and ideating for the

Annie Girvin: Either waking up before the sun or with the sun.

I’m up early most days in the year, since I'm either teaching first thing in the morning or I'm doing my yoga practice

Afternoons, I'm back at my personal office and continuing either administrative work or working on marketing projects, and then cooking dinner like people do, going for a walk. There's always a walk somewhere in the day.

I'm a coffee fanatic, and I love just one cup a day, so after I get done teaching, I have my coffee. Then I start my administrative part of the day, working on things at the studio: responding to emails, working on projects and upkeep.

Then I can move on to some more fun stuff, thinking about different

48

season ahead.

How does your day usually begin?

Do you have a personal practice or morning ritual that helps set the tone for the day?

Annie: We now hold 7 am sunrise yoga classes, and we have a very dedicated group of folks who

come in at that time, and they're so consistent with their practice.

It's a more rigorous practice early in the morning,

that and then welcome people into the studio. I want it to feel welcoming, to feel like it's a nice place to be, every time someone comes in.

We check in with ourselves and then go about our days, because real life happens. As one of my favorite Buddhist monks says, it’s about tending to your own garden. You have to tend to your own garden and water the positive seeds. I just love tending to this space, and it feels like part of my practice.

What does your workday look like once things get going? Who are the people you connect with throughout the day?

How do you prepare yourself and your space before working with clients or students?

Annie: For me, to prepare for people to be in the space is being in the space myself, either straightening up or getting my mat set up, getting the room in order for students to come in. It’s really a practice in and of itself, just getting everything together. I like to just sit for a couple moments after

Annie: The studio has a very wide range of folks who come in. We get all ages; people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, up to 80s. One of my teachers is in her 80s. It's definitely a wide variety of people, and I love the community so much.

Everyone contributes in a different way, their own really beautiful way, to the space.

What’s something about your work that people might not realize or fully understand?

Annie: It's my favorite job I've ever done. I love having this space. I love

49

tending to the space. I love being the vehicle for people to have that community space.

It feels like during time in the yoga studio, nothing else matters. I really love offering that, being that hub for people.

What’s the most challenging part of the work you do?

Annie: It can be challenging to have to adapt in the moment, to balance everybody's needs, because they're all coming to me with different ones. And doing it in a way that's kind and respectful but also makes the most sense for the business.

What’s the most rewarding?

Annie: I'm ushering this space for people, and it feels really good to do that. All of the merchandising, the marketing be-

50

hind it, figuring out the best ways to optimize my finances and making it accessible for people to be able to join as a member and be part of the community.

Finding ways to allow people to come into this space in a way that is curious and observational, so that they have autonomy over their body, their mind, and their breath as they're practicing—making these observations instead of judgments. I think it allows people to go deeper into their practice and into their personal experience,

Do you find time for your own rest or restoration during the day?

Annie: Those little moments of coming early and talking to your friends or neighbors before or after class, talking to people. It's kind of like the

special, sacred time that I find with yoga classes. It's finding that community within your class and also within the space in general; I find that restorative, and I think others do too.

What do you hope people feel or take away after spending time in your space?

Annie: What I'm trying to do with the studio is just create a really welcoming community space. To make this welcoming,

blossoming

environment

for

folks to want to be part of. You do you here. You figure that out for yourself. I want people to understand what they’re doing and to feel supported, so they won't be discouraged. I want people to like the Whole Sky experience. The journey of the student is such a beautiful one in any realm of learning, and what you're curious about, you'll inevitably learn more about, because you'll be drawn to it.

Whole Sky Yoga 3588 Main St, Stone Ridge 845-687-6060, wholeskyyoga.com

51

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF liz glover wilson o f s t o n e wav e yo g a

Liz Glover Wilson: My days often fill quickly with planning wellness programs, meeting with facilitators, and responding to student questions. There’s a creative momentum that builds this time of year, and it can be both exciting and demanding.

At the same time, that rising energy can easily pull me toward overworking, so I have to stay mindful of maintaining balance.

I try to pace myself, prioritize what truly matters, and build in moments to pause. Self-care is so essential. It’s a daily practice of listening to my body, honoring

52

both the desire to grow and the need to restore, and finding a steady rhythm between the two.

How does your day usually begin? Do you have a personal practice or morning ritual that helps set the tone for the day?

Liz: My day always begins with a conversation with God before I even get out of bed. As soon as I rise, I try to get outdoors to ground myself—connecting with the earth barefoot and taking a deep breath of fresh air. For many years, my mornings have been rooted in prayer, meditation, reading scripture, and contemplation. I also journal daily, without restric-

Photo by Angelique Hanesworth

What does a typical day look like for you this time of year?

tion or theme—I let it flow, and each day is different.

Photo by Angelique Hanesworth

How do you prepare yourself and your space before working with clients or students?

Liz: I work across a wide variety of wellness programs, from yoga to fitness classes to personal training. I manage many facilitators and also work directly with clients/students as a teacher. Spaces are always clean and welcoming.

For me, the most important thing is staying authentic and true to myself. I’ll often review notes on a client or class beforehand, and I make sure to hydrate—sometimes with water, sometimes with tea. If you show up as your genuine self as a teacher, coach, or guide, you never have to worry about “performing.”

What does your workday look like once things get going? Who are the people you connect with throughout the day?

Liz: The wellness space has many moving parts, so no two days are exactly alike. My day might include paying bills, developing new programming, hiring, handling paperwork, reading, or finding inspiration. I’m constantly responding to questions, navigating concerns, solving problems, and thinking creatively about programming and scheduling.

I get the pleasure of interacting with many different people throughout my day—from all walks of life, political and religious views, bodily needs, and wellness goals. I love the variety that each day brings.

53

54

Photo by Eye Spy Photography

Photo by Angelique Hanesworth

What’s something about your work that people might not realize or fully understand?

Liz: Wellness is deeply personal, and people can be very sensitive about their individual journeys.

A significant part of my work involves navigating those sensitivities with care, compassion, and respect, while doing the best I can in each moment. There are also many behind-the-scenes expenses and challenges that often go unseen. In addition, facilitators bring their own personal experiences and challenges, which can sometimes impact programming and interactions. I do my best to hold space for all of it and maintain a sense of peace and balance wherever possible.

Stone Wave Yoga is entering a new chapter with a move into a new space. What has this transition been like for you?

Liz: Recently, Stone Wave found itself in need of a new home— and quickly. I wasn’t sure where that path would lead, but when I reached out to Angelique Hanesworth of Kaleidoscope Arts Center, I immediately felt a connection and knew it was the right direction. From our first meeting, everything fell into place with ease and grace. This transition feels like more than just a move—it’s a coming together rooted in purpose and possibility.

The space is warm, creative, and deeply community-focused—somewhere I know we will feel at home.

While I will miss our previous space, this moment has reminded me that community, love, and support are not tied to a place—they live within the connections we create. After nearly nine years, my heart is full, and while that space held so many meaningful moments, what matters most are the relationships formed

What’s the most challenging part of the work you do?

Liz: Accepting that I can’t make everyone happy.

What’s the most rewarding?

Liz: Helping people feel happy— sometimes without them even knowing I had a part in it.

Do you find time for your own rest or restoration during the day?

Liz: Yes. My peace comes from within, and I make it a priority to move my body every day. That might look like running, walking, yoga, biking, or taking a class. I love being a

student—it keeps me fresh and inspired. I also prioritize communications with family and friends, which warms my heart and feeds my soul.

How does the change of seasons affect your work or your personal practice?

Photo by Angelique Hanesworth

there—and that is what continues.

Liz: The natural elements—the moon, the sun, the wind, the earth—all influence my practice. Each season calls us into something different.

As an Ayurvedic coach, I pay close attention to what each season invites: cooling practices, reflection, or sometimes heat and higher energy.

What do you hope people feel after spending time in your space?

Liz: Love. Simply to feel love.

Stone Wave Yoga Now at Kaleidoscope Arts Center 2651 State Rte 55, Gardiner, NY 845-419-5219, stonewaveyoga.com

55

Bringing Organic Food To The Hudson Valley Since 1978

10% OFF

Your order when becoming a new rewards member

Pakatakan Farmers Market

Saturdays

May 16 to October 10 - 9 am to 1 pm October 17 to November 28 -10 am to 1 pm

Historic Round Barn of Halcottsville 46676 State Highway 30 Halcottsville, NY www.RoundBarnMarket.org

Visit us: 300 Kings Mall Ct, Kingston Contact us: 845-336-5541 Follow us: @motherearthstorehouse Website: motherearths.healthiercmc.com

56

You fell in love with the Hudson Valley.

Take a little of it home.

Local honey. Artisan cheese.

Just-baked bread. Seasonal produce straight from the farm. Greenhouse plants. At Adams Fairacre Farms, everything on the shelf has a story.

5 stores. One valley. A hundred years of knowing what good food looks like.

Visit us before you hit the road at adamsfarms.com.

Poughkeepsie | Kingston | Wappinger | Newburgh | Middletown

Family Owned and Independently Operated Since 1978

Hand picked with love

57

ACCORD’S HOMETOWN RESTAURANT & TAVERN

Open 12-9 pm Tuesday-Saturday

OUTDOOR BAR FROZEN DRINKS

PATIO DINING FIRE PITS & GAMES

Indoor & Pet-Friendly Outdoor Dining, Catering, Take Out & Delivery Go to our online store at

StoneHouseTavern.net

150 Partition Street, Saugerties • 845-246-5998 • stellasstation.com 58

or Call In Orders to 845-626-1500

4802 Route 209, Accord

RECIPE

Recipe

stella's chef shares recipe for m o u t h wat e r i n g l o b s t e r s a l a d

visitvortex.com

p h o to s b y v i s i t vo rt e x & s t e l l a ' s

59 59

N

othing goes better with a Hudson Valley summertime than a visit to Stella’s Station Bar & Restaurant in Saugerties. It’s a former car garage upcycled into a destination with a mouthwatering menu. There’s a splendid outdoor hangout, a generous patio served by a fully stocked bar with shaded dining tables, lawn games, and a fire pit nearby—the perfect spot for a frozen mudslide, a can of Angry Orchard, or pretty much whatever beverage you’ve been dreaming about.

This is also a wonderful place to eat a meal, and Culinary Institute–trained Chef Mike DePaolo will fix you one you won’t forget, whether you’re in the mood for a burger, a wrap, or just some superb sloppy fries smothered in melted cheese and meat sauce.

And we can’t forget the salads. Stella’s serves a house salad so good that they’ve justifiably labeled it famous, and that’s just one choice among seven. Chef Mike was kind enough to share his recipe for this one.

It’s pretty special; the best way to truly master it is to stop in and try his version first, but here’s what you need to know to make your own:

60

lobster cobb salad with balsamic dressing

Serves 1

Prep: 15 min

Cook: 10 min (for bacon and egg)

ingredients

Salad

• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely

• 4–5 oz cooked lobster meat (tail

chopped (optional)

and claw), cut into bite-size pieces

• Kosher salt and freshly ground

• 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce

black pepper, to taste

• 1 large egg, hard-boiled and sliced

Balsamic Dressing

• 2 strips bacon, cooked until

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

crisp and crumbled

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/4 avocado, diced

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• 1/4 cup ripe tomato, diced

• 1/2 teaspoon honey

• 2 tablespoons crumbled blue

• Pinch of kosher salt and black pepper

cheese

61

directions

1. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified. Set aside.

2. Build the base: Place the chopped romaine in a serving bowl. Lightly toss with 1–2 teaspoons of the dressing to coat.

3. Arrange the salad: Neatly arrange the lobster, egg slices, bacon, avocado, tomato, and blue cheese in rows over the lettuce.

4. Finish and serve: Drizzle the remaining dressing over the top. Season lightly with salt and pepper, and garnish with chives (if using).

s t e l l a ' s s tat i o n

150 Partition St, Saugerties, 845-246-5998 stellasstation.com

shop like a chef

This is the peak season to get to know Hudson Valley ingredient sources. Our markets are in full swing, and you’ll be astonished at the selection and quality you’ll find at our favorites:

62

Eat In • Pick Up • Delivery • Pizza •Pasta • Subs • Dinners

Delicious Italian Catering to the Hudson Valley & Catskills Regional American Cuisine 94 North Front Street, Kingston, NY 12401 845-338-2626 HoffmanHouseTavern.com

1923 Ulster Ave, Lake Katrine 845-382-2211 • angelaspizzamenu.com

A SLICE OF ITALY ITALIAN CUISINE Pizza, Pasta, Salads, Hot and Cold Subs, Full Bar and More CATERING AVAILABLE

845-336-7115

1316 Ulster Ave. Kingston www.asliceofitaly7115.com 63

restaurants • catering • mobile food truck L O C A L LY S O U R C E D G L O B A L LY I N S P I R E D

japanese noodle bowls, southeast asian street-food, and other asian specialties. y u m y u m n o o d l e b a r .c o m

woodstock • 4 rock city rd • 845-679-7992 kingston • 275 fair st • 845-338-1400 red hook • 7496 south broadway • 845-835-6383

• delivery service • 7 days a week • online ordering

BENTON IS BEER GARDEN, BURGERS, GREENHOUSE D I N E I N · TA K E O U T · C AT E R I N G N E W PA LT Z , N E W YO R K M A I N C O U R S E C AT E R I N G .C O M

FIND US AT FULL CIRCLE 299 Brunswyck Road, Gardiner 845-419-2012 bentonbeergarden.com Come visit our other location at in the Water Street Market, New Paltz

64

Meredith’s Bread Traditional Bakery and Dedicated Gluten-free Bakery

ALL-NATURAL │ LOCAL │ NO PRESERVATIVES

Bread Rolls Pies Cookies Quiche Pot Pies Muffins Jam Dog Biscuits 415 Route 28, Kingston, NY 12401 Meredithsbread.com

CAFFÈ CON PANNA

open 6 days a week 8am - 5pm, closed Weds 237 FAIR STREET UPTOWN KINGSTON 65

Serving New Paltz for 50 years!

• Outdoor Dining on Front and Back Patios • Spacious Indoor Dining or Take-Out Ordering • Hundreds of Craft Beers, Full Bar and Wine List • Billiard Hall with Ping Pong and Games Our menu includes locally grown seasonal items along with seafood, steak, and comfort food offerings with many vegan/gluten-free options. Online ordering available.

Live music on weekends.

4 South Chestnut Street, New Paltz 845-255-8636 • bacchusnewpaltz.com

Event Catering In House & Out

743 Route 28, Kingston 66

Open 7 days for Lunch & Dinner

845-338-2424

hickoryrestaurant.com

Waterfront Dining on the Historic Rondout

Global Fusion Cuisine Grounded in Comfort Food Open 7 days a week Lunch • Dinner • Drinks • Sunday Brunch CornellKingston.com • 845-331-4283 • 100 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY

open 7 days a week for Lunch, Dinner, & Drinks Plus Brunch on Sundays BrickmenKingston.com | 845.882.7425 | 47 N. Front St, Kingston, NY

67

farmhouse cuisine · killer cocktails · nightly bonfire 8373 State Route 28, Big Indian, NY (845) 254-6500 www.peekamooserestaurant.com 68

LOCAL EATERIES

Local Eateries

s u m m e r o n t h e ta b l e : the pleasures of dining out

visitvortex.com

Photo by Luisa Brimble.

69 69

S

ummer has a way of changing how we eat. The pace of

the season slows things down just enough that meals become something to savor—whether it’s a long

70

Photo by Kar-Tr.

Photo by Julio Irrazabal.

dinner with friends, a quick bite between adventures, or an evening spent lingering over dessert as the light fades.

As the weather warms, what we crave naturally shifts. Rich winter comfort foods make room for lighter fare—fresh salads, grilled vegetables, bright citrus, simple pastas, and dishes that let the ingredients speak for themselves.

It’s a time when flavor comes from freshness rather than heaviness.

Across the region, restaurants em-

brace this seasonal rhythm by turning to the incredible bounty grown right here on local farms. Summer menus begin to fill with ingredients harvested at their peak—sun-ripened tomatoes, sweet corn, tender greens, fragrant herbs, berries, and stone fruits. When food travels only a short distance from field to kitchen, the difference is unmistakable. The flavors feel vibrant, alive, and unmistakably tied to the place where they were grown.

Where we eat becomes part of the experience as well. Many local restaurants and cafés open their patios, garden courtyards, riverside decks, and sidewalk tables during the warm months. Dining

There’s something deeply satisfying about enjoying fresh seasonal food while surrounded by the landscape that produced it.

Of course, summer dining isn’t only about outdoor tables. The season carries its own relaxed spirit that finds its way into every dining room. Doors and windows are open, natural light pours in, and meals feel a little less rushed. A casual lunch after a morning hike, an early dinner before an evening concert, or a spontaneous stop for

As the days grow long and the evenings warm, summer invites us to slow down, gather around the table, and enjoy food that tastes of the season itself.

Photo by Branislav Nenin.

What makes summer dining here so special is the connection between land, food, and community.

Farmers, chefs, bakers, and makers all play a role in bringing the flavors of the season to the table. The result is a dining experience that feels both grounded and celebratory—simple ingredients elevated by care, creativity, and a deep respect for the harvest.

Photo by Janesca.

a late-night bite all become part of the rhythm of the season.

71

Photo by Elaine Casap.

outdoors brings a different energy to the table. Conversations stretch longer, the air feels softer, and meals often unfold at an easier pace. There’s something deeply satisfying about enjoying fresh seasonal food while surrounded by the landscape that produced it.

71

Here are some of our favorite local restaurants to enjoy this season, organized by category.

Look for the OUTDOOR DINING ICON to find spots where you can really savor the experience al fresco: FUSION Brickmen Kitchen + Bar, Kingston Mill & Main Restaurant, Kerhonkson Olsen & Company, Saugerties RŪNA Bistro, New Paltz Seconds Restaurant, Athens The Big Cheese, Rosendale The Cornell Restaurant + Bar, Kingston The Parish, New Paltz ASIAN FUSION Asia Restaurant, Stone Ridge Yum Yum Noodle Bar, Kingston, Red Hook & Woodstock

Kingston Social Café, Kingston La Deliziosa, Poughkeepsie Meredith's Bread, Kingston Mother Earth's Café, Kingston Saunderskill Farms, Accord The Kitchen Cheetah, Margaretville Wallkill View Farm Market, New Paltz PUBS/GASTROPUBS Benton Beer Garden, Gardiner Garvan's Gastropub, New Paltz Jar'd Wine Bar, New Paltz Lasting Joy Brewery, Tivoli

CAFES/BAKERIES/FARM Adam's Fairacre Farms, Kingston+

72

The Common Good, Ellenville The RDI Bar & Road Kill Grill, Napanoch

Barthel's Farm Market & Creamery, Ellenville

Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery, Gardiner

Kelder's Farm, Kerhonkson

Union Grove Distillery and Arkville Brewstillery, Arkville

ITALIAN A Slice of Italy, Kingston Angela's Pizza, Lake Katrine Brio's Pizzeria, Phoenicia Gigi Trattoria, Rhinebeck Savona’s Trattoria & Bar, Kingston, Red Hook, Poughkeepsie, Hudson Tetta's Market, Olivebridge MEXICAN/TEX-MEX Sportsman's Alamo Cantina, Phoenicia SOUTHERN/BBQ Hickory BBQ & Smokehouse, Kingston The Granary at Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz

AMERICAN/NEW AMERICAN River Garden & 1883 Tavern at the Stewart House, Athens Bacchus Restaurant, Brewery & Billiards, New Paltz Blue Mountain Bistro-to-Go, Kingston Café Mio, Gardiner Cherries Roadside, Stone Ridge Colony, Woodstock The River Pavilion at Hutton Brickyards, Kingston High Falls Cafe, North Marbletown Main Course Marketplace, New Paltz Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room, Big Indian Stella's Station Bar & Restaurant, Saugerties Stone House Tavern, Accord The Hoffman House, Kingston The Phoenician Steakhouse, Phoenicia Terrapin Restaurant, Rhinebeck

73

www.terrapinrestaurant.com

restaurant | bistro | bar OPEN THURS-TUES 9AM-3PM FOR BREAKFAST & LUNCH

local. organic. authentic.

FRI 5PM-9PM NIGHT MENU WINE, BEER & FUN COCKTAILS

11 Jane Street, Saugerties 845-247-7189 • ORDER ONLINE olsenandcompany.com

845-876-3330 | 11:30am-Late Night Daily | Route 9, Rhinebeck Village

New Orleans Inspired Cuisine With The Best View In Town • Sunset Views • Craft Cocktails, Beer and Wine • Locally sourced ingredients

theparishrestaurant.com

@theparishrestaurant

845.255.4205 • water street market, new paltz

74

D i ve B a r • G R E AT Fo o d 28 State Route 55, Napanoch • 845-210-7341 • therunningdeerinn.com

CRAFT BEER & COCKTAILS. ECLECTIC WINE. TAPAS.

H e a t e d d o g - f r i e n d l y p o r c h . S u n s e t v i e w s . O p e n d a i l y. jardwinepub.com | Water Street Market, New Paltz | 845-255-8466

Tuesday: BURGERS & BEER NIGHT • Wednesday: WING NIGHT Thursday & Saturday: LIVE MUSIC • Sunday: BREAKFAST Private Events. Full Service Bar. GREAT FOOD. GREAT MUSIC. GOOD TIMES.

2842 Route 209 North Marbletown

845-687-2699 highfallscafe.com

Open Seven Days A Week 404 Main Street, Rosendale 845-658-7175 thebigcheese404@gmail.com thebigcheeserosendale.com 75

EXPERIENCE PHOENICIA – WHERE THE CULINARY ARTS ABOUND

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Homemade Desserts

PRIME STEAKS & SEAFOOD

845-688-5370 briosny.com

845-688-9800 thephoeniciansteakhouse.com

WOODFIRED PIZZA 76

Mexican Cuisine 24 Locally Crafted Beers On Tap

845-688-5259 alamo-cantina.com

FARM TO TABLE Catering For All Occasions Open 8:30 - 4:30pm Closed Mon & Tues

845-255-4949 2356 RT 44/55, Gardiner www.miogardiner.com

One block up from the Hudson River in the quaint peaceful town of Athens.

Wine Lover’s Wednesday

Follow us on Social Media

all bottles of wine 1/2 price for lunch & dinner

Weekday Happy Hour 3-6pm

small bites, reduced priced beer, wine, specialty cocktails 7 ON SECOND STREET, ATHENS 838-945-0702 SECONDSRESTAURANT.COM

Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm

FOR MONTHLY PROMOTIONS & SPECIALS VISIT US AT

savonas.com

77

New York-Style Pastry

Without the Travel!

CANNOLI • NAPOLEON

CAKES • COOKIES

BISCOTTI • ITALIAN PASTRY

TIRAMISU • ITALIAN ICE

CELEBRATING 51 YEARS!

GLUTEN-FREE ITEMS

10 MT. CARMEL PLACE, POUGHKEEPSIE • 845-471-3636 • LADELIZIOSANY.COM

Local Foods International Foods Fresh Produce Kitchen Products Gift Items Candy & Ice Cream 78

Open 7 Days Awesome Staff!

784 Main Street, Margaretville 845 586-4177 HGOM.net

t e t ta 's m a r k e t :

u n i qu e , au t h e n t i c , a n d

MEET THE OWNERS

Meet the Owners

th e r e f or th e com m u nity

F

rom the day when Primo Stropoli’s great-grandfather Joseph pumped the first tank of gas in 1952, Tetta’s Market was destined to be a focal point. Back then, the Olivebridge establishment was the only place you could get gas and food for miles around; Joseph soon added auto repair to the mix.

Stropoli’s grandparents, Fred and Ana Tetta, leaned into the country

item you could imagine,” he says.

As the only store for miles around, the Tettas aspired to serve the community’s every need and were deeply loved by the locals and the intrepid travelers who ventured up into the Catskills in those days.

When Stropoli took the reins, remodeled, and reopened in May of 2020, there was change in the wind. Even then, the town of Olivebridge was about half weekenders. Since then, that ratio has

store aspect; he grew up in the store, helping sell “nearly every

become more like 60% to 70% second homes.

visitvortex.com

p h o to s p rov i d e d b y t e t ta ' s m a r k e t

79 79

He added a firepit, a liquor license, a stage, and a café; fired up the pizza oven, generally expanded the menu, and began hosting more events. And the Tetta’s of today is a whole new flavor of essential!

Stropoli knew that to succeed, he needed to be more than just a gas station and more than a typical country store, while keeping the unique flavor that made Tetta’s Tetta’s: a deep commitment to quality and service, undergirded by a warm, open heart and polished with a light touch of wise-ass.

He added a firepit, a liquor license, a stage, and a café; fired up the pizza oven, generally expanded the menu, and began hosting more events. And the Tetta’s of today is a whole new flavor of essential, even as one suspects that Joseph, Fred, and Ana would still feel right at home.

80

Now, Stropoli says, it’s about leaning in and deepening what works. “It’s a challenge, but what isn’t?” he says.

“The nature of life and work up here has changed; longtime locals got offered big money for their properties and decided to pull up stakes.

There’s a two-year-old development a quarter-mile down the road with seven new homes on it—it’s actually called Tetta Lane—and this past winter, going past there with snow on the ground, only one of those seven houses had any tracks in the driveway. It’s beautiful here, but winter can be desolate.” Being there for the people who still need their milk, eggs, and gasoline even in the icy months is

a vital part of the legacy, and Stropoli is looking to keep that going by honing the store’s offerings and making it ever more enticing to everyone.

New partner Joe Trad has a broad and deep background in commercial food manufacturing and restaurants, and currently oversees manufacturing for pet food company Smalls, a connection that has inspired yet another new offering, a “nice new pet section,” Stropoli says. It’s stocked with offerings from Lucas Pet Supply in Kingston; working with the five-star neighbors is a very Tetta’s (and very Catskills) thing to do.

“Joe revitalized me right when I need-

ed it most,” Stropoli says, “and even just the small changes we’ve already made to the grocery selection have revitalized the customers, too. It’s a paradox. People resist change, but you also can’t just stagnate. So we’re honing the new direction that has already been established, but in which we’ve sort of barely scratched the surface: We’ve got the beer garden, the fire pit, and the stage; next year is our 75th anniversary, so people can expect us to be celebrating that. So this year we have an actual events coordinator who’s taking the lead on planning and scheduling, and we have about two dozen events lined up, from live music, open mic and trivia nights to bow-and-arrow making,

"Joe revitalized me right when I needed it most, and even just the small changes we’ve already made to the grocer y selection have revitalized the customers, too." – Co-owner Primo Stropoli 81

The prepared food menu is being turbocharged with the addition of Chef Maria Lemmo of Maria’s Provisions and Curated Kitchen, “an Italian American woman from Philly who makes amazing food,” Stropoli says proudly.

and three or four comedy shows.”

In expanding the grocery selection, the partners are staying intentional about meeting all the community’s needs. “We’re keeping it balanced,” Stropoli says. “I’ll have the Bread Alone right next to the Freihofer’s, you know, the organic right next to the conventional, the luxury canned option right next to the Goya version—that’s the goal. So whether you’re always here and looking for reasonable prices or whether you have just 48 all-too-brief hours of your vacation here, we want to make it so you don’t need to go that extra

82

20 miles to get your needs met. Inflation has been rough, and it can be a challenge getting distributors out here; a couple of them were charging us the same prices for wholesale that the same thing was selling retail for in bigger towns, but we’ve lined up five or six new distributors, and Joe’s really good at the negotiations.”

The prepared food menu is being turbocharged with the addition of Chef Maria Lemmo of Maria’s Provisions and Curated Kitchen, “an Italian American woman from Philly who makes amazing food,” Stropoli says proudly. “She’s leaning into our

own Italian family heritage with the menu, adding a lot of depth, so that’s something else people can find right here.”

In the meantime, you can fill your gas tank for a price as good as you’ll find anywhere and grab a hot breakfast or a sandwich to eat along the Ashokan Rail Trail, same as always. And Stropoli will make sure Tetta’s keeps right on with the arm-wrestling tournaments, Easter egg hunts, roadside cleanups, and hy-

perlocal fundraisers.

For more Tetta’s flavor, you can find them on Instagram and Facebook, having fun with their warm, slightly edgy, always good-natured persona. “There’s one thing this place has always been, and that’s authentic,” Stropoli says. “We’re honing everything and deepening it, and it may take some time for the word to spread. Did I mention, Joe and I are both gorgeous and presently single? You just never know what you’ll find at a Catskills oasis.”

t e t ta ' s m a r k e t 2082 County Road 3, Olivebridge 845-657-2338 tettasmarket.com

83 83

From our fields to your table. Family Farm Fresh!

Wishing a happy, healthy winter season.

Cheers to Fresh Air, Fun andyouBerries!

See you in the spring!

Wallkill View Farm Market & Garden Center

35+ Attractions = Fun For All! Pick your own fruits & veggies!

Visit The Loading Dock Taproom Friendly Farm Animals Farm Market 5755 Route 209, Kerhonkson Season Passes Available 845-626-7137 KeldersFarm.com 84

GARDEN CENTER: Seeds, Plants, Hanging Baskets, Planters, Pottery, Mulch & Soil 5755 Route 209, MARKET: HomegrownNY Produce including our famous Sweet Corn and Tomatoes!

Kerhonkson, Bakery with Local Ice Cream - New York State Specialty Foods & Gifts

845-626-7137 KeldersFarm.com

Open 7 days a week 9am-6:30pm 845-255-8050 15 Route 299 West New Paltz, NY www.WallkillViewFarmMarket.com

Like us on Facebook!

Follow us on instagram @wallkillviewfarm Follow us on Pinterest @wallkillview

HIGH FALLS

ALL PRODUCE IS NOT CREATED EQUAL

FOOD CO-OP

• Local Produce • Bakery • Greenhouse • Ice Cream • Lunch Served Daily

highfallsfoodcoop.com

ASK ALISON Fresh Manager

YOUR COMMUNITY-OWNED NATURAL FOODS GROCERY

8057 Route 209, Ellenville • 845-647-6941 • barthelsfarm.com

PICK YOUR OWN BLUEBERRIES & CUT FLOWERS (NEW!) Homegrown Sweet Corn • Homegrown Fruits & Vegetables Annuals • Perennial • Hanging Basket • Gardening Supplies Vegetable Plant • Grocerie • Soups • Salads • Sandwiches Fresh Brewed Coffee • Apple Cider Donuts • Bakery Local Honey & Maple Syrup • Kombucha on Tap • Gifts

TUES. - SUN. 8am - 5pm • Closed Mondays 845-626-CORN (2676) • www.saunderskill.com • 5100 Rte. 209 • Accord, NY 12404 85

Good Books, Good Drinks, Good Times

FOUNDLUCK

85 PARTITION ST SAUGERTIES, NY 12477

Your go-to indie book store in the Catskill Mountains!

Our warm, welcoming atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, personalized service & large, carefully curated selection of books, games, and gifts ensure you will find something for everyone and for every occasion.

We’re not just a place, We’re a destination.

Open Daily at 9

Conveniently located next to the Windham Pharmacy.

86

Visit our website: www.briarsandbramblesbooks.com

Clothing Accessories & Gifts

SHOP ONLINE

FOUNDLUCKSHOP.COM FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

Windham, NY (518) 750-8599

Instagram: @briarsandbramblesbooks

@FOUNDLUCKNEWYORK

MEET THE OWNER

Meet the Owner

briars & brambles books conversation, connection and community p h o to s b y v i s i t vo rt e x

she had barely thought possible.

Briars & Brambles is that magical thing—a truly great indie bookstore where they’ll learn your name, get to know your taste, and welcome you with delight. Nestled in Wind-

ham’s mixed-use Alpine Garden Village, the store is the perfect solution to a rainy afternoon in the mountains—or any day when you just want a great read to take along to the base camp or the B&B. Schwartz grew up in Chappaqua, down in Westchester County, and fell in love with Windham Mountain and its surroundings on family ski trips. “When I wanted my kids to learn to ski, it was going to be at Windham,” she says. “About ten years ago, I was up here with them, and I finished the book I was

visitvortex.com

I

t wasn’t all that long ago that if you were in the Greene County Catskills and wanted a new book to read, you’d be facing almost an hour’s drive to Woodstock or Saugerties. Since July of 2018, though, that’s changed, thanks to Jen Schwartz, whose love of Windham and love of literature converged to form a dream

87

reading. I wanted a new book, but I knew it was at least 40 minutes to a bookstore; there was a snowstorm coming and a mountain in the way. I thought, ‘I wish there was a bookstore right here,’ and right after that, I thought, ‘Well, I should open one.’”

She’d become a second-home owner up here, and at first it seemed a little unrealistic to think she could pull it off. But alongside her passion for skiing lived a passion for good reading. In Westchester, she was a library volunteer and had been library president for a while. “So when I got back downstate, I spoke to the library’s book buyer and said, ‘I have this really crazy idea.’ She

said, ‘That’s not crazy at all!’ She knew a husband-and-wife team based out of Florida whose whole business was helping people open bookstores. So I consulted with them, and it was off to the races.”

On one of the first Fridays that Briars & Brambles was open for business, she had an experience that still gives her goosebumps to recall. “There was this kid standing outside, and I said ‘Hello! C’mon in!’ and he said, ‘Oh, I couldn’t. I’m too dirty; I’ve been working on the mountain all day.’

I said, ‘Seriously, please do come in.’ And he choked up. He told me he’d been waiting his whole entire life for a bookstore to open in Windham.”

“I thought, ‘I wish there was a bookstore right here,’ and right after that, I thought, ‘ Well, I should open one.'” – Owner Jen Schwartz 88

"The one ironclad rule I have here is confidentiality, because it ’s nobody’s business, especially in such a small town, what anyone else is reading."

– Owner Jen Schwartz

The young customer headed straight for the sci-fi/fantasy shelves, grabbed three titles and amazed Schwartz—who hadn’t been particularly focused on the genre—by saying her selection was better than the one at Barnes & Noble. Checking out, he told her it was payday and that he couldn’t possibly think of a better use for his money than books.

That young man has been back many times, along with a host of others who’ve come to love the Briars & Brambles experience: arrive as a customer; leave as a friend. He wasn’t by any means the last born-and-raised Catskills local to delight Schwartz by be-

ing overjoyed to find her. “I have stories like that over and over,” she says happily. “Every time, I almost have to pinch myself and make sure I’m not dreaming, and then I think, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to get to participate in this.’”

Schwartz, like many a downstate transplant, soon found her life centered more and more in these enchanted mountains. The logistics were a little challenging at first, and she credits her staff with helping to make the dream real. “I have an amazing team— two of them have been with me since I started eight years ago.

One was just 18 at the time. The

89

“ We cherish our role in the community, and we love being able to turn people on to the new arrivals that fit their specific interests.”

– Owner Jen Schwartz

one ironclad rule I have here is confidentiality, because it’s nobody’s business, especially in such a small town, what anyone else is reading.”

Knowing that their book-buying habits are safe in Briars & Brambles has made the store a safe zone for all. “It means the world to us that people can come in and confide, without worrying that, for example, their mother-in-law will know they just grabbed a book on pregnancy or that they were looking for books on addiction recovery. We cherish our role in the community, and we love being able to turn people on to the new arrivals that fit their

90

specific interests. We know Amazon’s not really able to do that, not the way we can.”

Schwartz has had the honor of— with permission, of course—helping people connect over just the right book when they were facing life challenges and became one another’s impromptu support group. “There are all kinds of conversations that happen because of books,” she says. “Books are the magic connective tissue.

So I’ve listened closely to our customers and let them guide my curation, without judgment.

Some people have been shocked to find that we carry, for example, books from both sides of the

political spectrum. I can’t say, ‘I don’t believe in censorship’ and then censor what books to sell, and it’s not for me to determine anybody’s value system. That’s on them. I’m not going to say, or even imply, that I should be telling anyone how to live.”

Some things are absolute unifiers—like the store’s great selection of local and regional lore and its support of local authors.

If there’s anything a customer wants that’s not on the shelves, she’ll order it in. It’s all part of being the community’s very own bookstore, as are a few other policies. “I’m open seven days a week, all year round; even on a slow sales day, people may stop in just to chat or browse, and we need to be here for that. And when you reach $125 in purchases, you get a 10% discount after that; it’s my way of saying thank you for shopping local.”

The name, the decor, and the conscious choice to be a place for people to decompress are all inspired by the nature that Schwartz loves.

There’s a sitting area with a fireplace but no coffee for sale, another conscious choice in support of the coffee shop right across the street; you’re welcome to bring theirs in, and it’s delicious. Dogs are welcome, and there’s a cozy children’s area, Let’s Read Together, with beanbag chairs. And with Windham Mountain’s robust Adaptive Sports Foundation thriving nearby, Schwartz takes care to include relevant reading for people of all ages with all sorts of ability levels. “It’s part of what makes Windham so special, and it happens to be near and dear to my heart as well, so in every section, you’ll find books that center that experience. Inclusion isn’t

91

“We’re not just a store, just like Windham is not just a ski mountain,” she says.

“We’re a destination.” – Owner Jen Schwartz

just a box to check, either on the mountain or in this store—it needs to be inclusion with excellence baked in.”

Briars & Brambles hosts frequent author events, as well as art and photography installations, and participates joyfully in the Windham Path Story Walk program with the Wind-

briars

ham Arts Alliance. There are also gifts, puzzles, and games, another niche that Schwartz helps to fill for local residents—and for people from all over who have the good fortune to be in the Catskills. “We’re not just a store, just like Windham is not just a ski mountain,” she says.

“We’re a destination.”

& brambles

Alpine Garden Village, Windham 518-750-8599, briarsandbramblesbooks.com

92

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

OUR HOMEMADE FUDGE IS WORTH THE TRIP!

nesteggshop.com 93

H A M M E RT OW N AS WE CLOSE THIS CHAPTER

We Thank The Hudson Valley For 40 Wonderful Years!

S TAY CONNEC T ED: @HAMMERTOWNBARN @HAMMERTOWNJOAN

94

95

COUNTRY LIVING AT ITS FINEST

WHERE WILL HOME TAKE YOU?

134 MAIN STREET NEW PALTZ, NY 12561 845.255.9400

24 MILL HILL ROAD WOODSTOCK, NY 12498 845.679.0006

Good People. Local Knowledge.

Thoughtful Marketing.

Curious about how we’d sell your home or help you find one? Let’s chat.

(838) UPSTATE upstatecurious.com

HALTERASSOCIATESREALTY.COM 3 locations in Woodstock, Bearsville and KIngston 96

find the

roa d to n o w h e r e i n k i n g ston

MEET THE OWNERS

Meet the Owners

p h o to s b y v i s i t vo rt e x

f you love clothes that look just right in all kinds of settings and feel as good as they look, you owe yourself a journey to Road to Nowhere, the new eco-friendly boutique in Uptown Kingston.

Sasha Rudes and Justin Feinberg, the creative team behind the brand, have found the sweet spot for classic silhouettes that will be turning heads wherever you wander for years to come, crafted from durable, earth-friendly fabrics with attention to the details that matter.

Their journey is globally seasoned. Rudes, raised in Los Angeles, and Feinberg, originally from

the Boston suburbs, met in the East Village of Manhattan, where she was a student and he was an intern with JP Morgan. When she graduated and he was offered an enticing tech opportunity in London, the two crossed the Atlantic, set up a shared home base, and began exploring together.

“We’d both done some traveling, but London really sparked a three-year run of traveling pretty much nonstop,” Feinberg says.

“In the US, I’d had the typical four weeks of vacation time. London was different that way, and we found there were cheap flights to just about everywhere.”

visitvortex.com

I

97

“The whole world opened up,” Rudes says. “Going to Paris was like going to Boston had been. Morocco was, what? Four or five hours. Having grown up flying between LA and New York all the time, the fact that I could be in Morocco in the same length of time was just wild.”

Airbnb was at its sweet, unspoiled peak, and the couple used rent they got from their London digs to fund all sorts of adventures—glacier hiking in Switzerland and Norway, stays in gorgeous countryside hotels. “We love the outdoors, and we love the fancy stuff too,” Feinberg says. "We love being outside, and

we love a great hotel and a nice dinner just as much," Feinberg says.

"Cities, mountains, coastlines—we want all of it on the same trip. So the question became how to pack for that. What do you actually wear when your morning is a hike and your evening is somewhere you'd want to dress for? Most clothes only solve half of it."

“So I’m packed for a hiking weekend in Norway, and my suitcase is just about full of my hiking gear, but then we also have a nice dinner booked,” Rudes says. “Norway is great for that: outdoor adventure and elegance in close proximity. That was

"Before we started researching fabric and construction, we knew we wanted the Swiss Army Knife of clothing, something that could do everything we needed, a high-end contemporary brand." – Co-owner Justin Feinberg 98

the first trip when I remember consciously thinking, ‘I wish I had clothes that were great to hike in or wear all day in the car, and then walk around town and go to dinner without having to fuss with clothes.”

That was the question that would evolve into Road to Nowhere. “Before we started researching fabric and construction, we knew we wanted the Swiss Army Knife of clothing,” Feinberg says. “Something that could do everything we needed, a high-end contemporary brand. The next question was, can we make it sustainable? And the answer to that one was no—the best technical gear for hiking and climbing, you need a lot of poly in the mix. You need your Gore-Tex in those extreme situations. But what we found we could do was build sustainable, practical work wear, with loads of potential combinations that feel great, wear well, wash well, and pack easy. That was

the sweet spot—clothes that work for the flight, the hotel, the long walk, and dinner after, made well enough to keep up with how we actually travel. Not technical gear, not precious. Just real clothes that go everywhere."

With a two-month gap between the end of London and the return to the United States, the adventurers rented camper vans and spent a month each exploring Australia and New Zealand, another situation that called for tight packing and go-everywhere fashion options.

“Then when we got back, we both got really into surfing, which led us to set up a home base in Montauk,” Rudes says. “And it was on a surfing trip to Costa Rica that everything came together. What was just right for a beach walk that you follow up by exploring the city? There wasn’t really the perfect brand for that.

So we set about testing some garments, testing some fabrics.”

99

Launching in July 2021, they quickly realized that Road to Nowhere clothing was best experienced in high-touch analog mode and began doing pop-ups.

Then came COVID, just as they were ordering fabric to start production.

“But we had our prototypes, and we were loving wearing them. And we noticed that people were definitely still shopping during lockdown,” Rudes says. “So we pulled the trigger and went ahead with production while wear-testing our samples. One of those first fabrics that I especially love—a Japanese twill with just a hint of biodegradable stretch—I found I could just wear it all day easy as pajamas. It’s now in our Skye Trouser.” (“The most comfortable pants I’ve ever had,” according to on online reviewer.)

Launching in July 2021, they quickly realized that Road to Nowhere

100

clothing was best experienced in high-touch analog mode and began doing pop-ups. “We popped up in friends’ houses, in bars; we threw little parties for friends,” Rudes recalls.

“When people feel the weight and quality of the fabric in person, they immediately get why it’s special, where the added value is. So that worked really well for us.”

The following May, a serendipitous connection led to their bringing Road to Nowhere to Ulster County’s Field + Supply markets, which turned out to be an ideal venue. “Field + Supply gave us the confidence to open a store, so we opened our first location in Montauk the following

Here you'll find real well-made clothes that go everywhere. year,” Feinberg says. “We have a dear friend with a farm and Airbnb in Accord, and between visiting there and doing Field + Supply, getting to know the area, we fell in love with Kingston. It wasn’t random location scouting; we knew that if we were going to open an upstate store, Kingston would be the place. And when we learned that our friend at River Mint Finery, who’d been carrying our brand, was getting out of retail, we jumped on the opportunity to lease that space.”

They’ve been happily open in Kingston since February 2025. “We love

the space and we love the community,” Feinberg says. “Between Field + Supply and our things already selling at River Mint, we knew we had a customer base. It makes a great complement to our Montauk and Sag Harbor stores. A lot of what Road to Nowhere is about is just going with our instincts, with what the universe puts in front of us, and pursuing it.”

It’s a pursuit that, after all, calls for comfy and great-looking gear. With stockists in 20 states and counting, it looks as though this young family’s Road to Nowhere may just lead to everywhere.

roa d to n o w h e r e

270 Fair Street, Kingston roadtonowhereclothing.com

101

102

103

Selling The Earth And Everything Attached For 49 Years!

GEORGE COLE

SUMMER ART CAMPS & PROGRAMS FOR BEGINNER THROUGH ADVANCED ARTISTS AGES 5–19

Auctions, Realty & Appraisals

Furniture.

Paintings.

Glass. China.

Coins. Stamps.

Planes. Trains.

Automobiles.

Anything of Value!

LET US GET YOU TOP DOLLAR FOR YOUR ITEMS! You owe it to yourself to check us out.

georgecoleauctions.com 845-758-9114

Sign Up Today!

Learn more at TheArtEffect.org or call 845.471.7477

SEE OUR VIDEO AT VISITVORTEX.COM

CHBO

DRUMS

SEE OUR VIDEO AT VISITVORTEX.COM

• NEW & USED DRUMS & PERCUSSION • REPAIRS • LESSONS • CYMBAL VAULT

1 SOUTH OAKWOOD TER. NEW PALTZ, NY 12561 917-217-3107 CHBODRUMS.COM 104

7 Rock City Rd, Woodstock • 845-679-2097

105

MENTION THIS AD FOR A 10% DISCOUNT Open Every Day

EARLY 20TH CENTURY • ART DECO • MID CENTURY FURNISHINGS 213 Broadway • Port Ewen • NY • 12466

66 North Front Street 845-481-5759 106

148 Canal Street, Ellenville, NY • 917-903-3153

Water Street Market #408 10 Main St. New Paltz 845.256.1940 www.himalayanartsnp.com

Genuine and Fine Quality Handmade Tibetan Rugs, Furniture, Jewelry, Arts, Clothings.

SHOP LOCAL

Shop Local

the

treasure hunt

is on at r e d o w l c o l l e c t i v e p h o to s b y v i s i t vo rt e x

The VISITvortex team had a rare treat: a guided tour of the Red Owl Collective, a 10,000-square-foot antique, vintage, and design store in Midtown Kingston, in the company of experts: owner Cindy Hoose and her henchperson Alexis Adams, who handles social media and styling for the collective.

visitvortex.com

A guided wander through Kingston’s most eclectic collective

107

A TREASURE HUNT BEGINS The plan evolved after we asked Cindy if she’d like to pick certain vendors for us to highlight in the summer magazine, and she said it was a bit of a struggle. How to be fair about it? How to even begin? There are 90 of them, after all, and between them they curate and create thousands of items.

So we settled on the treasure hunt: a group outing to see the wildly varied wares for ourselves, to be done before the official opening of the place so that Hoose wouldn’t have to be tied to the register. We ogled and giggled, oohed and aahed, and discovered lots of things to love and crave, many of which we hadn’t seen the like of in years, quite a few unlike anything we had ever seen before, and all of it artfully and enticingly displayed.

There are 90 vendors, and focusing on just a few barely scratches the surface.

108

GIFTS, CURIOSITIES & WONDERS There are so many reasons why you need to go on your own Red Owl Collective treasure hunt. One of the most obvious would be wanting a gift for a loved one or a treat for yourself; there are so many genres of nifty goodies here.

Collectors of cool ephemera, books, and toys will enjoy the offerings of kindred spirits. Jewelry, curiosities, and unexpected treasures appear everywhere you turn. Don’t be surprised if you spot something so nifty that you just decide to become a collector of those on the spot.

VINTAGE:

OBJECTS WITH MEMORY That goes for just about any type of home decor too—lamps, rugs, chairs, knickknacks, curios—each with its own history.

The one trait all these vintage goods share is that someone, or perhaps a series of someones, loved them enough and found them useful enough to keep them around.

Even things that were manufactured by the thousands take on a one-of-a-kind feel after decades of affection.

Yesteryear’s kitsch becomes today’s time machine—a window into what sometimes feels like an entirely different visual universe.

Lovers of the oldies will delight in vintage vinyl LPs, from an era when album cover art was cherished and recordings were made by passionate humans with barely a computer in sight.

109

HANDMADE AND ONE-OF-A-KIND Clever treasure-finders have mastered the art of restoration and reinvention—adding a patch that becomes not just a repair but a statement, reviving color, reshaping form, and giving new life to what already exists.

Many pieces carry the unmistakable mark of the human hand—crafted, altered, or lovingly brought back into being.

110

FOR THE LITTLE ONES New baby in your circle? Feast your eyes on preloved, upcycled kidswear—wee party dresses, denims, and décor assembled with both imagination and skill.

Relish the quality built into clothing and toys designed to last, to be passed down, to carry stories forward.

KITCHEN AND HOME TREASURES Hosting a brunch or dinner, or just a little bored with your kitchen options?

Mid-century pots, pans, gadgets, and tableware were made to last. Serving bowls, mugs, platters, and just about anything else one might need are here in a dizzying variety of colors and styles that no retailer offering all-new items could hope to match.

111

STYLE THAT LIVES AND BREATHES Want to add some snap to your wardrobe? Whether classic elegance, op art, or anything in between, clothing of decades past was built differently—double-stitched where it counts, designed and crafted by people who loved the human form.

Vintage is the antithesis of fast fashion—built to be handed down. Denim that lives and breathes with you. Leather with a supple, polished sheen. One could easily build an entire wardrobe here and be certain no one else on Earth has those exact looks.

ART FOR EVERY WALL Looking to bring something unexpected into your space?

Beyond the racks, Red Owl offers a curated collection of vintage art, prints, and objects that carry their own quiet histories. From bold, graphic pieces to soft, timeworn landscapes, each find feels like it’s been waiting for the right wall.

This isn’t mass-produced décor—it’s character, texture, and story. The kind of art that sparks conversation, that shifts a room, that makes a house feel layered and alive.

112

MORE THAN A SHOP Even if you don’t feel the need for anything in particular, a wander around the aisles is a soul-nourishing and thought-provoking way to spend an hour or two. This is a vintage shopper’s paradise, yes—but it’s also a museum of memories, of the evolution of household culture and changing couture.

HOW TO EXPLORE Aisles are color-coded; each vendor has a presence online, making it easy to find your favorites again.

Inventory is refreshed often, so each visit offers something new.

Dressing rooms and seating are thoughtfully placed so you can take your time.

Pro tip: Go through each aisle once looking up, then again looking down—you’ll catch what you missed the first time.

RED OWL COLLECTIVE Open Thursday through Monday, 11am to 6pm.

In summer, Red Owl Flea brings additional vendors together outdoors on first Sundays through October (weather permitting).

25 Cornell St, Kingston, 845-481-4675 @red_owl_collective, redowlcollective.com 113

Houst Hardware HoustHardware.com

NOW IS THE TIME

Call for Pricing. Closed the month of February.

Wood, Coal, Gas & Oil Flues Cleaned Caps & Dampers Installed Masonry Repairs & Water Sealing Pre-Fab Chimney Installations

Stainless Steel Relining Specialists Fireplaces Cleaned and Repaired Internal Camera Real Estate Inspection Serving Ulster County Since 1978

THE MAD HATTER CHIMNEY SWEEP CO. Call Flynn O’Connor Stone Ridge, NY 845-687-4745 114

KITCHEN & BATH

GARDEN CENTER

PAINT

Summer

GRILLS

at

ProvenWinners.com

PAVERS

LAWN TOOLS

151 Plaza Road, Kingston, NY www.herzogs.com • (845) 338-6300 FA M I LY O W N E D & O P E R AT E D • 1 1 6 Y E A R S I N T H E C O M M U N I T Y 115

✓ Enjoy the outdoors ✓ Enjoy the sun

X No bugs X No hassle

Different Strokes PAINTING COMPANY

Joshua rodrIguez- Fully Insured InterIor/exterIor • resIdentIal/CommerCIal 845-389-5121 differentstrokespainting845@gmail.com 116

HOME

Home

h u d s o n va l l e y s u n ro o m s : building dreams, one s u n ro o m at a t i m e

E

very sunroom begins with a dream: the ability to be surrounded by nature’s beauty in ways that windows just can’t equal, soaking in sunshine and blue skies, letting your mind drift to the rhythm of the raindrops, or even staring straight up into the heart of a blizzard while being absolutely comfy-cozy in your nest.

Once that dream’s got ahold of you, what should you do next?

Here in the Hudson Valley, your best next move is a consultation with Hudson Valley Sunrooms. No matter what your vision, they’ll know how to make it real. Are you picturing a conservatory lush with houseplants, or a solarium that will offer spectacular sun-

visitvortex.com

p h o to s p rov i d e d b y h u d s o n va l l e y s u n ro o m s

117

A preliminary estimate can be prepared remotely, based on photos and dimensions, after which an engineer will draw up a specific plan.

118

sets? Do you like a cathedral

sire and your budget will allow;

ceiling, or something modern with a straight eave? Are you picturing an 8-x-10 nook that replaces your current deck, or an addition along the side of your 400-foot-long house?

Doesn’t matter, says Hudson Valley Sunrooms owner Jason Coppola. They’ll figure out what it will take to make it work. “A sunroom with a straight-eave design, you’d only want to go about 17 feet out from the home, whereas with a cathedral design that

hypothetically, we could make you a 1,000-foot-long sunroom. The typical size around here is more like 16 x 24. We just finished one that size up last fall, a real beauty that has a solid roof with skylights. But we could certainly have done it with a glass roof, had the customer wanted that.”

A preliminary estimate can be prepared remotely, based on photos and dimensions, after which an engineer will draw up a specific plan. After that comes any needed demolition;

has beams, you can go 24 or so feet out,” he says. “But we can make it as long as your de-

your existing deck isn’t built to take the weight of a properly built sunroom. Then comes

There are six standard designs, but Coppola says those are just a starting point. “Those can be modified, and we can actually even blend them; we’ve done ones that combine a conservatory with a straight eave. Basically, if you can dream it, we can build it.” – Owner Jason Coppola

the proper foundation, and—if your experience with footings involves someone digging a deep hole and pouring concrete—you’re in for a treat. HV Sunrooms uses helical piles, which resemble giant screws that are drilled into the ground and are more efficient in terms of time and labor and more secure than old-school concrete ones. Helical piles don’t shift or sink, meaning your foundation will stay level and true.

There are six standard designs, but Coppola says those are just a starting point. “Those can be modified, and we can actually

even blend them; we’ve done ones that combine a conservatory with a straight eave. Basically, if you can dream it, we can build it.”

After the slab is framed and poured, your sunroom will take shape rapidly, using thermally enhanced aluminum framing in most cases, as well as patented Conservaglass panels, a post-space-age product developed specifically for Four Seasons Sunrooms to increase clarity and thermal efficiency.

Coppola loves making sunrooms; you can hear the joy in his voice when he talks about them. He’s

119

been doing this for 30 years—first as a subcontractor and now as the owner—and takes enormous pride in customer satisfaction.

“As owner, I’m involved in every single project we do. Our office manager, Colleen, has been with us for 20 years, and our crew is really small and close knit. A lot of people want things to be done yesterday, but we’re never going to compromise to speed things up, because what you’re actually getting with one of our sunrooms is a relationship, and we want it to stand the test of time long after it’s done.”

Hudson Valley Sunrooms exclusive-

ly installs Four Season Sunrooms; the company’s fifty-year track record of quality, craftsmanship, and innovation makes it a natural fit.

But, as Coppola points out, the installer you choose needs to do it right, because even a Four Seasons product needs skilled handling and the right accoutrements. “We use top-shelf everything, like spray foam closed cell insulation instead of fiberglass. There are Hudson Valley Sunrooms that have been up since the 1980s, still standing— and if you want, we’ll come put in new Conservaglass and you’ll get a new 20-year warranty—but you can count on the glass lasting longer than that.”

Part of the HV Sunrooms mission has been helping people with existing sunrooms that have developed issues. But when they’re done, you can count on a sunroom that adds value to your property and will bring you trouble-free joy for decades to come.

120

Part of the HV Sunrooms mission has been helping people with existing sunrooms that have developed issues. But when they’re done, you can count on a sunroom that adds value to your property and will bring you trouble-free joy for decades to come. “Our history speaks for itself,” Coppola says.

“There’s no way we’re going to mess up our 40-year track record just to screw over a customer for a quick dollar; we don’t need to do that. And when we’re done, we want you to be overjoyed. So I hire great people, treat them like family, and we all hold each other accountable. Four Seasons makes a great product, but at the end of the day, it’s only as good as the

people using it; and if you’re shopping for quality, you’re going to find me, and we’re going to build you your dream.”

Curious to see all of this in action, from the infinite variety to the stepby-step construction? Hudson Valley Sunrooms has an extensive YouTube channel on which they demonstrate all there is to know in great detail, including customer reviews from all over the area. Sunroom seekers will understand, by the time they’ve watched a few, just how much fun a sunroom can really be—and why Hudson Valley Sunrooms is the trusted source when you want to bring some of the area’s awe-inspiring nature right into your living space.

h u d s o n va l l e y s u n r o o m s

Wallkill, NY, 845-339-1787 hvsunrooms.com

121

For Sale Town of Catskill - Architectural Gem 2 Park Like Acres

A full service hearth shop.

OFFERING THE HIGHEST QUALITY: WOOD, GAS, COAL & PELLET STOVES INSERTS AND FIREPLACES INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

901 State Route 28, Kingston, NY 845-331-5656 • firesidewarmthonline.com 122

One-of-a-Kind fully restored residence melding historic charm w/efficient

upgrades 5 to 6 BRs/3 Baths. 2 Hours GW Bridge, easy access to all Hudson Valley & Capital Region events/outdoor adventures.

MLS # 202614093

Presented by: 4 Seasons Realty Group (518) 468-0411 www.RedShuttersCatskill.com

Virtual Tour

Estate Management Personal Assistance Lifestyle Coaching Private Concierge Real Estate

DESIGN YOUR DREAM HOME

Quality Modular Homes Built Smarter. Built Faster.

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED Serving Ulster County & Surrounding Areas

Expertly removing stress, chaos, and daily problems to help you work smarter, feel healthier, live happier, and leave a greater legacy.

310. 500. 9587 www.grabyourwingman.com

Local. Connected. Trusted.

Creative. Savvy. Magical.

READY TO SELL YOUR HOME? BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY 845.706.7300 Now Scheduling 2026 Builds

WHY BUILD MODULAR?

CUSTOM MODULAR HOMES

• Save 10–20% vs. traditional builds • Move in months sooner • Fully customizable layouts • Engineered for superior strength

WWW.AGCUSTOMHOME.COM

Get expert guidance, strategic marketing, and local market insight to help your home stand out.

My specialty is getting your home sold. Let’s talk.

Jesse Marcus Licensed Real Estate Salesperson 25 Years of Real Estate Experience Call or text: 845-399-5180 jesse.s.marcus@gmail.com Stone Ridge, habitatrealestategroup.com 123

BareFurniture UNFINISHED FURNITURE

"Solid Wood Furniture, Finished Your Way" 4747 Route 209. Accord, NY 12404 (845) 626-0061 Call Today

www.barefurnitureny.com 124

Emergency Well Pump Service Emergency Well Service Emergency WellPump Pump Service Plumbing Repairs & Installation Plumbing &Pump Installation Plumbing Repairs &Systems Installation Water Repairs Filtration Emergency Well Service WaterFiltration FiltrationSystems Systems Water Radiant Heat Flooring Plumbing Repairs & Installation RELIABLE PLUMBING, HEATING & COOLING SOLUTIONS: Radiant HeatFlooring Flooring Radiant Heat Oil & Gas Heating Systems-Installation & Service GasHeating Heating Systems-Installation Service OilOil&&&Gas Systems-Installation &&Installation Service Water Filtration Systems Septic Drain Field Installation/Sump Pump Emergency Well Pump Service Septic Drain Field Installation/Sump PumpRepairs Installation& Installation • Emergency Well Pump Service • Plumbing Septic & &Drain Field Installation/Sump Pump Installation Radiant Heat&Flooring Plumbing Repairs Installation • Water Filtration Systems •Systems Radiant Heat Flooring Licensed Master Plumber #136 Fully Insured Water Filtration Licensed Master Plumber #136 ••• Fully Fully Insured Oil & Gas Heating Systems-Installation & Service Licensed Master Plumber #136 Insured riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com •Flooring riceplumbingandheating.com Radiant Heat • Oil & Gas Heating Systems-Installation & Service riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com••riceplumbingandheating.com riceplumbingandheating.com riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com Septic Field Installation/Sump Pump Installation Oil && Drain Gas Heating Systems-Installation & Service • SepticSeptic & Drain Field Installation/Sump Pump Installation & Drain Field Installation/Sump Pump Installation

Emer Plumb Wa

Licensed Plumber#136 #136• •Fully FullyInsured Insured Licensed Master Master Plumber riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com ••riceplumbingandheating.com riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com riceplumbingandheating.com 845-626-5088 • riceplumbingandheating.com

WE IMPROVE OUR CLIENTS’ LIVES BY IMPROVING THEIR WE IMPROVE OUR LIVING SPACES CLIENTS’ LIVES BY IMPROVING THEIR We’re not your typical kitchen and bath company.

LIVING SPACES We are a design firm that creates functional spaces

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

WE IMPROVE OUR CLIENTS’ BY detail and takeLIVES the time to understand lifestyle, We payIMPROVING close attention their to THEIR needs, desires detail and take the time toand vision, understand their lifestyle, ensuring thatSPACES every element LIVING needs, desires and vision, is both intentional and ensuring that every element beautifully designed. is both intentional and beautifully designed.

We’re not your typical

kitchen and bath company.

PHOTO CREDIT: We are a design firm that © Brad Feinknopf/OTTO (Collaboration with Studio MM) creates functional spaces tailored to the unique needs and preferences of our clients.

Cabinet Designers | cabinetdesigners.com | @cabinetdesigners | 747 N

Cabinet Designers | cabinetdesigners.com | @cabinetdesigners | 747 NY-28 Kingston, NY | 845-331-2200 cabinetdesigners.com | @cabinetdesigners | 747 NY-28 Kingston, NY

125

THE ARTS ARE ALIVE IN WOODSTOCK

126

maverickconcerts.org

woodstockart.org

woodstockguild.org

woodstockschoolofart.org

THE ARTS

The Arts

SUMMER LINEUP OFFERING A RICH SELECTION O F E N T E RTA I N M E N T C H O I C E S

visitvortex.com

p h o t o s p rov i d e d b y v e n u e s

127 127

C

reative virtuosity and scintillating entertainments pop up around here like wildflowers in a meadow. Being an hour or two from the metro New York area helps, of course; up our river is where world-class artists of all sorts—originally drawn in by those big bright lights—have flocked for generations to refresh, recharge, and play, and they’ve established outposts where you can enjoy life-changing fun all season long.

Beyond our ever-inspirational scenery, there’s something in the air here—a rebel spirit, an accepting heart, an openness to ideas that make this a superb place to put on a show—a quality that appeals to the best performers and makers from the big city and all over the planet.

WAAM Museum

The Hudson Valley is home to a world-class audience, and that’s a love story you can help write. The hard part isn’t finding something to do; it’s choosing from among so many options. With great pride, joy, and excitement, allow us to present to you your summer lineup. Let the good times roll!

The hard part isn’t finding something to do—it’s choosing.

128

Maverick

Quail Hollow Events

1

SHADOWLAND STAGES

HISTORIC THEATER. BOLD STORYTELLING

Shadowland Stages first raised its curtain in 1920, when admission to vaudeville shows was 17 cents a head. The Art Deco theater was rediscovered in the 1980s by Broadway folk who’ve polished the physical plant till it glows and built a brilliant nonprofit around it offering great entertainment and arts education. Shadowland is one of many marvels of today’s Ellenville, and it would be fair to say that these folks saw the potential here early on and nurtured it with care and flair.

This summer, the Shadowland’s 41st season starts with The Reservoir,

by Jake Brasch, on the Mainstage through June 14. The show, fresh from its off-Broadway run, tells the story of

a young NYU student navigating his shaky sobriety with four grandparents who have stories of their own to tell. Who’s caring for whom? Everyone, and the way it plays out is a blend of heartache and hilarity.

Brighton Beach Memoirs, part one of Neil Simon’s bittersweet and hysterically funny memoir of a Brooklyn teenager’s misadventures, considered by many to be his finest work.

In Shadowland’s Studio, you can catch a high-energy romping adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic Around the World in 80 Days, in which five actors play 39 characters in an adventurous whirlwind of a romp that will get your kids addicted to great live theater while you laugh till your stomach aches. June 19 through July 12.

And from August 14 through September 13, you can rock out to Never Can Say Goodbye: The 70s Beehive Musical celebrating that era’s transformative rebel spirit to the sounds of iconic hits made famous by the likes of Gloria Gaynor, Heart, and Linda Ronstadt.

Next up, from July 17 through August 9, the Mainstage will present

shadowlandstages.org Ellenville, NY

Now through June 14 The Reservoir,

by Jake Brasch On the Mainstage June 19 through July 12 Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days At Shadowland’s Studio July 17 through August 9 Brighton Beach Memoirs On the Mainstage August 14 through Sept. 13 Never Can Say Goodbye On the Mainstage

A historic theater where heart, humor, and humanity take center stage.

129

2

BETHEL WOODS CENTER FOR THE ARTS MUSIC, HISTORY, AND A LEGENDARY STAGE

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is like meeting a dear old friend and finding them thriving. The dairy farm where Woodstock changed the world in 1969 has grown up to realize its exquisite potential, a blend of economic boon for Sullivan County, respect for the fact that the old hippies just weren’t gonna quit showing up no matter who told them not to, and headliners who love being able to play their hearts out in a superb amphitheater that’s been named the best in the country in a USA Today readers’ poll.

In their 20th year, Bethel Woods is bursting with nourishing joy. Grab tickets to a concert, then make plans to book a campsite and sleep over at The Campground at Bethel Woods, just like those 450,000 Woodstock attendees did—only they didn’t have lavish glamping options like Safari suites and

130

tents, a pretty nifty upgrade for a place where even sleeping in the mud became a fond memory for many.

From car, RV, and tent camping to luxury glamping experiences, you’ll be sleeping under the stars in the beautiful Sullivan Catskills, staying just steps away from the award-winning Pavilion Stage. But enjoying the music isn’t all. While you’re on campus, experience The Museum at Bethel Woods, home to relics that tell the tales of Woodstock and the 1960s. Take a guided tour with a knowledgeable docent, play a round of disc golf, browse the Museum Shop for groovy goods, and dine at Yasgur’s Farm Café.

Bethel Woods is not just home to outdoor summer concerts. All throughout the year, they host topnotch immersive kids’ camps and adult creative classes through an ever-growing arts education program

and an ongoing oral history project capturing the stories of those who wandered through the grounds at Woodstock, to name just a few offerings. So come for the music and stay for the enchantment and community.

A few highlights of the 2026 summer season include James Taylor (June 18), Wynonna Judd and Melissa Etheridge (June 28), Santana and The Doobie Brothers (July 4), Buju Banton and Stephen Marley (July 12), Billy Strings (July 31), Jeff Dunham and Gabriel Iglesias (August 8), and Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival (August 29), among many more. Get your tickets now; they’ll be selling briskly after the well-deserved love from USA Today. bethelwoodscenter.org Bethel, NY

Bethel Woods Presents: June 18 James Taylor June 28 Wynonna Judd & Melissa Etheridge July 4 Santana & The Doobie Brothers July 12 Buju Banton & Stephen Marley July 31 Billy Strings August 8 Jeff Dunham & Gabriel Iglesias

Where music, memory, and magic meet under the open sky.

August 29 Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival 131

3

MAVERICK CONCERTS

Meanwhile, in the geographically correct Woodstock, the arts are juicy and delicious, as they have been ever since the early years of the 20th century, when a bunch of world-class talents decided the Catskills were the perfect home for their many flavors of inspired cosmic lunacy and brilliance.

Here, too, you’ll find rich history combined with educational vitality as a backdrop to some of the best fun a human can possibly have. Today’s Woodstock arts scene is collaborative, vital, and delectable.

Maverick Concerts fills its calendar with chamber music, world-class jazz, and world, contemporary, and family programming, all of it brought to you in an intimate, historic 1916 hand-built concert hall with fabulous acoustics, nestled in the woods as if Nature Herself had placed it here.

132

Maverick Presents:

MUSIC IN THE WOODS SINCE 1916

This year, they’re celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence as only Maverick can, with wonderful pianists (Angela Hewitt, Reed Tetzloff, Brian Zeger, Henry Kramer, Carter Johnson, and Anthony Ratinov) who will all be making classical magic; Bill Charlap, Isaiah J. Thompson, and Fred Hersch are the headliners of the jazz joy. String quartets will include the Danish, Escher, Pacifica, Catalyst, Verona, KASA, Callisto, and Borromeo; and the American Chamber Music Society, the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth, and the Harlem Chamber Players will be here too.

Then there’s a whole other side of Maverick: the Americana and creative-scene artists from the neighborhood and beyond. This includes the July 4th celebration, All Songs Lead Into One, presented by guitarist and composer Joel Harrison and Friends.

The venue will also be hosting the genre-defying string duo ARKAI, who will be making their Maverick debut, and back again this year will be standouts like artists from the Creative Music Studio with cofounder Ingrid Sertso, legendary saxophonist Paul Winter with pianist Henrique Eisenmann, and acclaimed bansuri master Steve Gorn, who will lead another evening of Indian classical “Ragas” with guest musicians from the subcontinent.

July 4 All Songs Lead Into One Joel Harrison & Friends

As if that weren’t plenty, the Maverick hosts free Family Saturdays with names like Windsync, Carnival of the Animals, pianist Carter Johnson narrating The Story of Babar, and the Azkana Trio.

String Quartets: Danish, Escher, Pacifica, Catalyst, Verona, KASA, Callisto, Borromeo

maverickconcerts.org Woodstock, NY

Family Saturdays (Free): Windsync, Carnival of the Animals, The Story of Babar, Azkana Trio Summer Season Highlights: Angela Hewitt, Reed Tetzloff, Brian Zeger, Henry Kramer, Carter Johnson, Anthony Ratinov (piano) Bill Charlap, Isaiah J. Thompson, Fred Hersch (jazz)

Featured Artists: ARKAI (debut) Creative Music Studio artists (with Ingrid Sertso) Paul Winter & Henrique Eisenmann Steve Gorn — Indian Classical “Ragas”

4

WOODSTOCK BYRDCLIFFE GUILD A LIVING ARTS COLONY

Woodstock has been a mecca for visual artists ever since people used to hop on a train or stagecoach with sketchbooks in their pockets and excitement in their hearts, headed into the outback to get deep with nature’s infinity of forms. The Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild, ardently embracing all disciplines in a collaborative spirit, began in 1902 on Mount Guardian as a “textbook example” of a utopian arts and crafts community, and has been going strong ever since.

Byrdcliffe will be in top form this summer, with open-studio events, play readings, and tours of White Pines, where founders Ralph and Jane Whitehead lived.

Highlights include a July 19 screening of the art documentary With Peter Bradley,

July 19 With Peter Bradley (film screening) August 14–15 The Fugs — Live Performances

followed by a discussion with the filmmaker, Alex Rappaport. The film’s been described as a “stunningly beautiful and sensitive portrait of a major painter, curator and thinker,” who worked in relative obscurity before being rediscovered in 2019 by Byrdcliffe program director Robert Langdon.

In August, Byrdcliffe will spend a weekend celebrating the iconic band The Fugs, with performances on August 14 and 15, and a screening of The Fugs Film documentary on August 15, followed by a discussion with director Chuck Smith and founding Fug Ed Sanders. woodstockguild.org Woodstock, NY

August 15 The Fugs Film (screening) Followed by discussion with Chuck Smith & Ed Sanders

A living legacy of art, craft, and creative community in the Catskills.

133

5

WOODSTOCK ARTISTS ASSOCIATION & MUSEUM OUR LOCAL LOUVRE

The Woodstock Artists Association & Museum, our “local Louvre,” has been connecting artists and the community since 1919. This summer, you can go on a variety of journeys there with European Landscapes and Landmarks From the Permanent Collection, and Far and Wide: Cityscapes Unseen.

They’re also offering a solo exhibition, an immersive installation of the works of Dorothea Osborn, who explores themes of ecofeminism, time, spirituality, and the tensions between opposing forces through painting, drawing, and hybrid sculptural form.

All three of those will hang through August 9. Starting August 14, you can sink into the abstracts of Black

American painter Ted Dixon, “whose practice centers on capturing fleeting moments of feeling and perception, inviting viewers to slow down in a world saturated with visual and verbal noise.” Group exhibitions starting August 14 make up the 2026 “Artist’s Choice,” featuring 25 to 40 juried works from artists who live and work within a 50-mile radius. And a presentation of studies and sketches from the museum’s permanent collection, with preliminary sketches displayed side by side with finished works, will offer a chance to study the process of making art.

WAAM Presents:

woodstockart.org Woodstock, NY

Ongoing Studies & Sketches from the Permanent Collection

Inviting viewers to slow down in a world saturated with visual and verbal noise.

134

Now through August 9 European Landscapes and Landmarks Far and Wide: Cityscapes Unseen Dorothea Osborn: Solo Exhibition Starting August 14 Ted Dixon — Solo Exhibition Starting August 14 Artist’s Choice 2026: Group Exhibition

6

CATSKILL MOUNTAIN SHAKESPEARE CLASSIC THEATER, ALIVE AND IMMERSIVE

Catskill Mountain Shakespeare was founded in 2020 by Sarah Reny, who moved to the Cats with a master’s in Classical Acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and a passion for making magic happen in the hills. What’s emerged is deeply and dynamically vibrant and inclusive; the company’s Outreach Program offers Pay What You Can and Relaxed Show performances, the better to accommodate families and people of all descriptions, as well as free, professionally taught theatrical workshops for the community and an LGBTQ Summer Social.

Much Ado about Nothing, created at the very end of the 16th century, chronicles the adventures and misadventures of two young couples falling in love amid gossip, rumor,

schemes, and mistaken/concealed identities, and seasons the whole thing with wild wit. There’s a reason people have roared with laughter at this one for centuries; it’s one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies.

This summer, Catskill Mountain Shakespeare will bring the Bard’s joyful chaos to the tent at the Red Barn in Hunter Wednesdays through Sundays from July 11 through 26 in an immersive and hilarious open-air celebration that brings this time-honored tale to life, overflowing with love, mischief, and community. You can linger for a post-show “talkback” with the creative team and learn all about how the magic is made.

Photo by Phil Mansfield Photo by Rich Wade

catskillmountainshakespeare.com Hunter, NY

July 11 through July 26 (Wed.–Sun.) Much Ado About Nothing At the Red Barn in Hunter

Shakespeare reimagined—joyful, immersive, and alive beneath the summer sky.

135

7

WOODSTOCK–NEW PALTZ ART & CRAFTS FAIR A CELEBRATION OF MAKERS

The 45th Annual Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair will wrap summer up with an absolute blast from September 5 through 7, filling the Ulster County Fairgrounds to bursting with beauty and fun. Founders Neil and Scott Rubinstein, brothers and woodworkers, started Quail Hollow Events with the concept of a craft show run by crafters and then ran with it, resulting in what is widely considered one of the finest shows on the continent.

“There is absolutely something here for everyone,”

Neil’s widow Ola told us in 2019, “even if you’re not into shopping. Grab a beer or a wine, walk around and see it all, enjoy the live music. Just seeing it all is great fun.” But be warned, you may well fall in love with something and decide to make it yours, and as Ola points out, meeting the creator adds a layer of magic to the whole experience. One customer, she says, “has been coming for 15 years and bought one item every show, and now all their home decor is from the shows, and they say that knowing exactly where each item came from is just so cool.”

Woodstock–New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair: September 5 through 7 45th Annual Art & Crafts Fair Ulster County Fairgrounds 136

Makers working in every conceivable medium will be displaying their best handmade stuff; you can chat with them and see how the works are made at demonstrations.

There’s something for everyone here: artisanal foods and health care products; wine, beer, and spirits; and a children’s tent, where kids can dive into free play with materials donated by the artists.

The entertainment tent will be filling the air with live music all weekend long. quailhollow.com New Paltz, NY

A vibrant celebration of handmade beauty, where every object tells a story.

Explore where peace happens.

Plan a day of peace and love at The Museum at Bethel Woods in the beautiful Sullivan Catskills. Experience the legacy of the 1969 Woodstock festival through interactive exhibits and tours of the historic festival grounds.

W O O D S T O C K-- NEW WOODSTOCK N E W PALTZ PA LT Z

ART & CRAFTS FAIR

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

9/5 • 9/6 • 9/7 QUAILHOLLOW.COM

45th Annual

Handmade.

H nd de. Curated.

Cur ted. One-ofOne-of-a-Kind.

-K nd.

a ma

a

a i

ULSTER COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS NEW PALTZ Est. 1982

Enhance your visit with a Guided Tour, lunch at Yasgur’s Farm Café, and Woodstock-inspired gifts at The Museum Shop.

Open Daily | 10AM–5PM

BethelWoodsCenter.org/Museum 200 Hurd Rd, Bethel, NY 137

138

PLAY

Local at Heart

with food, music, fun and fireworks Photo by Kazuend

visitvortex.com

c e l e b r at e o u r 250 th fourth of july

139 139

O

ur featured event this summer is a great big family picnic, and you’re invited! Celebrate this 250th birthday of the US of A in joyful, classic style: eating delicious summer food, dancing to live music, and watching the sky light up with glorious colors after the sun goes down. It’s pure, light-hearted fun, backed up with a serious purpose: proceeds from this party will feed the hungry.

July 4th, after all, is a time to gather, celebrate, and enjoy being together. It’s a holiday that’s long been beloved here in the Hudson Valley.

Fireworks at the Ulster County Fairgrounds will be hosted by Local at Heart New Paltz, a nonprofit that steps up when food pantries have needs to fill in gaps, providing a renovation here, a fridge there, a batch of reusable bags or transport carts, or the funds that can make a stretched budget work out. The leadership had an itch to do something big and splashy for a 10th anniversary celebration.

“Connie [Harkin, Local at Heart’s vice president] said it first,” Local at Heart President Craig Shankles says. “We were tossing ideas around, and she said, ‘I KNOW IT’S A BIG LIFT, BUT WHAT IF WE DID THE 4TH OF JULY?’”

fourth of july family picnic & fireworks Location: Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz, NY Date: July 4, gates open at 5 PM Admission: $5 per person • Free for children under 10 Parking: Free Arrive via Route 44/55 (Gardiner side) to avoid traffic on Route 299 What to Expect: Live music (5 local acts) • Food trucks & beer garden

• Kids’ zone (games, water play, sensory-safe area) • Crafts, puppet shows, face painting • Car show • Local vendors • Fireworks at dusk Fireworks: By Santore’s World Famous Fireworks

Hosted By: Local at Heart New Paltz (nonprofit supporting local food pantries) Why It Matters: All proceeds help feed the hungry in our community

140

Good food, good music, and fireworks for a great cause.

Sensory safe zone

Carnival games

Shankles knew the minute he heard it that he could make it happen; as one of the directors of the New Paltz Chamber of Commerce, he’d raised money for the Fairgrounds fireworks for years. “I’m a good beggar,” he says. “I ran a profitable company [PDQ Printing, a onetime staple of the New Paltz Plaza] for 30 years, and Mama raised me right, so I always knew you have to give back. And Connie is a genius, because people long for this. I’ve seen it on community social media. People want New Paltz to have fireworks again.”

Board members Linda Engler, owner of Ad Essentials and Barbara Londa, owner of Gunks EcoLodge were also fully committed to making it happen.

“We’re going to have earplugs for people who don’t like loud bangs,” Harkin says. “And we’ll have a whole interactive kids’ area, with water tag if it’s a hot day, free carnival games, a sensory safe zone, just all sorts of fun—Dedrick’s stepped up to sponsor that part.”

Water tag 141

“We want to amaze you and feed hungry folks. So we’re working with Santore’s World Famous Fireworks. They'll be exquisite.”

MyKK Imagine gaming trailer

Live music by Soul Purpose

Giant lawn games

O’Connor and Partners LLC stepped up as the major fireworks sponsor. “We couldn’t offer this to the community without their support and monetary contribution,” said Shankles. “You would be very surprised at how expensive an event like this is to put together. So we are very grateful to Joe O’Connor, his partners and all our sponsors.”

Once Local at Heart started getting the word out, everybody wanted to come to the picnic. There will be five great local musical acts, lots of food trucks, a beer garden, a crafting center, puppet shows, face painting, a karate demo, a car show, a variety of local vendors, and the aforementioned kids’ zone, with features like inflatable archery, giant lawn games, and slime making.

“Let’s get together for a hotdog and a beer, or a salad and some lemonade, whatever you like,” Shankles says. “Forget politics for one Saturday night; forget about all our problems, and let’s just enjoy each other, because it is We the People, after all, and we're all in this together.”

l o c a l at h e a rt

New Paltz, NY, 845-750-7151, localatheart.org

142

Inflatable archery

Slime making

Trust your home financing to a lender with a legacy of excellence and service.

You deserve the area’s #1* community bank mortgage lender working hard for you. We’ve helped generations of homebuyers with local resources and affordable options. Ask US about grant availability, down payment assistance, and homebuyer education!

Get Started Today!

Call 845-943-5040 | Visit UlsterSavings.com /Mortgages

NMLS# 619306 | Equal Housing Lender | MEMBER FDIC Certain Conditions apply. *#1 community bank in applications and originations in Ulster, Dutchess, Orange counties combined based on 2024 Peer Data.

2019–2025 2022

2017–2026

WINNER

2021–2025

143

All Roads Lead to The Plaza City of Kingston’s premier shopping Plaza.

• Auto-care • Crafts • Dining/Take-out • Pharmacy • Grocery • Hardware • Home Décor • Flowers • Furniture • Wine/Liquor Plaza Road, Kingston, NY

www.KingstonPlaza.com 144

SUBARU KINGSTON

NEW SEASON NEW SUBARU 2026 SUBARU

OUTBACK

WE DON’T JUST SELL CARS, WE BUY THEM TOO!

WE SERVICE ALL MAKES AND MODELS | OPEN SATURDAYS! Curry Subaru Kingston #1 in Safety 761 E Chester St Kingston, NY 12401 Subaru is rated #1 in safety for four currysubarukingston.com years running.

845-951-0796

SCAN HERE

TO SEE HOW MUCH YOUR CAR IS WORTH 145

Proud to host free community events all year long — from Easter to Halloween to Christmas and beyond.

THE WEEKEND STARTS AT THE ACCORD SPEEDWAY!

R A C I N G E V E R Y F R I D AY N I G H T AT 7 P M ! M AY T H R O U G H S E P T E M B E R Check Website or Socials For Event Schedule.

299 WHITFIELD ROAD, ACCORD • 845-626-1494 ACCORDSPEEDWAY.COM 146

Saugerties Antiques Center

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

Established in 1978

WE BUY WHOLE ESTATES We Buy Gold, Silver, Diamonds, Watches, Jewelry!

We PAY MORE than others simply because we know more.

Specializing in Fine Estate Jewelry • Furniture Fine art • Antique Garden Decor • Much More

220 MAIN STREET, SAUGERTIES, NY 845-246-8234 Open Daily 11-5 saugertiesantiquescenter.com Follow us on Instagram & Facebook 147

EXPLORE AMERICA’S SUMMER GEM Seek for Yourself

Wallkill River Valley, NY The perfect summer retreat does exist. Enjoy fresh morning air in the Gunks, exploring terrain that rewards you with breathtaking views across the Hudson Valley. Then head into nearby Kingston, where the Stockade District’s 18th-century stone buildings are now home to eclectic shops, galleries, and relaxing restaurants. Along the way, farm stands and cideries run by friendly locals are easy to find, and always worth the stop. By the time the day winds down, you’ve made unforgettable memories and exciting plans for tomorrow. That’s the magic that keeps people coming back to Ulster County. Plan your trip at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com