VISITVortex Hudson Valley Winter 2023-24 by VISITvortex

WINTER 2023-2024 | FREE

B E

D R AW N

I N

The season of giving happens year-round with US. We understand the value of caring about the communities we serve and supporting local is at the heart of everything we do. Bank where you and your community matter.

845-338-6322 / UlsterSavings.com Locations in Ulster, Dutchess, and Orange Counties

2022

EQUAL HOUSING LENDER / MEMBER FDIC

NAIL IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME WITH HOLIDAY GIFTS FROM

845-876-WOOD | www.williamslumber.com

Apparel Accessories Skin Care Gifts Curiosities

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

ta b l e o f c o n t e n t s 15

Play

Shop Locally

103

Entertaining

Stay

Meet The Owner

110

Meet The Owner

Shop Locally

120

Local Eatery

Meet The Owner

Our Farms

131

Home

Shop Locally

139

Events

cozy winter stays holiday gift ideas kaete brittin shaw advertiser spotlight

magic hill mercantile michael boris clothing montgomery row adams fairacre farms

hiring a caterer chef zach berger seconds restaurant Aqua Jet Pools winter festivities

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

visitvortex.com

catskills ski weekend

TABLE OF CONTENTS

visit vortex

PREMIUM GEAR

•

SUPERIOR SERVICE

5757City CityView ViewTerrace, Terrace,Kingston KingstonNew NewYork York 845.338.5119 845.338.5119

Online OnlineatatPotterBrothers.com PotterBrothers.com

t a s y a Holid the Plaza Find all the gifts you need

Clothes • Cards • Gifts • Home décor • Crafts Dining • Fitness • Beauty • Fine Wines • Flowers ...and more

KingstonPlaza.com For store directory & special offers 8

Plaza Road Kingston, NY 12401

Winter at 151 Plaza Road, Kingston, NY www.herzogs.com • (845) 338-6300

SNOWBLOWERS

TABLE SAWS

KITCHEN & BATH

PELLET GRILLS

HOLIDAY GIFTS

FA M I LY OW N ED & O P ER ATED • 114 1 13 Y E A R S I N TH E CO M M U N IT Y 9

RED OWL COLLECTIVE 25 CORNELL ST MIDTOWN KINGSTON OPEN THURSDAY TO MONDAY 11AM TIL 6PM REDOWLCOLLECTIVE.COM 10

v i s i t vo rt e x

ABOUT US

who we are be drawn in

our mission is to help stimulate the local economy by promoting and introducing the faces behind independently owned businesses and organizations. VISITvortex is a celebration of each season and a portal to the great people and places of the Hudson Valley. Sharing the very best of local.

Jesse Marcus Melissa Hewitt Jane Anderson Melissa Hewitt, Melissa Orozco Jesse Marcus, Alisha Dingee Melissa Orozco Rachel Collet Satamedia Anne Pyburn Craig

if you’d like to advertise in this quarterly magazine or on the website, please call us at 845-687-3470. ©2023 visitvortex VISITvortex.com | PO Box 82, High Falls, New York | 845-687-3470 | visitvortex@gmail.com instagram: @visitvortex | facebook.com/visithudsonvalley | visitvortex.com

visitvortex.com

publisher creative Director editor designers sales production photography cover writer

11 11

Escape the city and experience a winter Shangri-la just two hours from New York City. Create Your Own Getaway HIKING • SNOWSHOEING SKIING (20 MINS FROM HUNTER SKI RESORT) MEDITATION • SOUND BATHS PRIVATE YOGA • BONFIRE • SAUNAS DEWA SPA TREATMENTS

WWW.MENLA.US | 845.688.6897 SPONSORED BY TIBET HOUSE US, THE DALAI LAMA’S TIBETAN CULTURAL CENTER IN AMERICA

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.

WINTER SPECIAL: Cottages starting at $2,995/month for ski season 646-389-6677 • PERCHCOTTAGES.COM 13

RIDE CATSKILL THUNDER GONDOLA & ENJOY THE BEST SNOW IN THE CATSKILLS!

BELLEAYRE.COM 845.254.5600

BELLEAYRE IS HOME TO SOME OF THE BEST SKIING IN THE CATSKILLS. THE MOUNTAIN OFFERS CHALLENGING STEEPS, FUN BUMPS & GLADES, & LONG CRUISING TRAILS. BELLEAYRE ALSO OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF TERRAIN FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS, PRIVATE LESSONS, GROUP LESSONS FOR KIDS & ADULTS, SEASON LONG PROGRAMS, FUN ACTIVITIES & MORE! 14

PLAY

Play

Belleayre Mountain

kiers of all skill levels will find what they’re after at our expertly managed mountains, whether it’s thrilling speed

rental shops, and great deals available for regulars. Tubers and boarders will find lots of options; when there’s natural snow on

or top-notch instruction; there are feature-packed terrain parks, cozy lounges and on-mountain food, fully equipped

the ground, cross-country and snowshoeing thrive—and there are even snowmobile trails.

visitvortex.com

a c at s k i l l s s k i w e e k e n d

15 15

Roxbury Watershed

Good Grocer NY

Fleischmanns

Margaretville

Arkville

28 Route

Union Grove Arkville Bread Distillery & Breakfast Café Marguerite Home Goods of Margaretville

Belleayre Ski Shop

Belleayre Mountain Ski Center

Pine Hill Shandaken

Belleayre Lodge

Route 28

Peekamoose Restaurant

Big Indian Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa

You’re in the Catskills, which means creative lodging options whether you want a resort, a hidden-away bed-and-breakfast, or a retro motel. There are gyms and fitness centers where you can stretch out, and massage therapists who can soothe the ouches. The food is splendid (the Delhi Farmers’ Market runs all winter long), prepared by talented chefs and often served by a roaring fire with tasty

local beverages. You’ll find art galleries and quirky gifts, outdoor gear, and handmade home decor in the shops. And of course, there are those views—not just from the slopes, but everywhere you go. So c’mon up and see how we blend crisp winter weather and warm welcomes into the perfect recipe for refreshment.

A C AT S K I L L S S K I W E E K E N D A JOURNEY DOWN ROUTE 28

The Graham & Co

Phoenicia

Brio’s Pizzeria Nest Egg Country Store Phoenicia Arts & Antiques Sportsman’s Alamo Cantina Tender Land Home The Phoenician Steakhouse Wellness Rx

Tibetan Arts Woodstock Way Hotel

Colony Yum Yum Sunflower Market

Houst

Woodstock Emerson Resort & Spa

Mt Tremper ay

W Hurley

Th ruw

Hotel Dylan

Bistro To Go

Ashokan

Route 2

Moose Crossing

Phoenicia Soap

Hickory BBQ

Rou te 2

Kingston 8

Meredith’s Bread Kenco Outfitters

Potter Brothers Exit 19 Kingston

Ashokan Reservoir

Rt 2 0

Boiceville

NY S

Perch Cottages

Best Western Plus 17

C’mon out to the Catskills and see how we blend crisp winter weather...

Belleayre Mountain

Potter Brothers Ski Shop Belleayre Lodge

Bistro To Go

Union Grove Distillery

Emerson Resort & Spa Photos Courtesy Of Corresponding Businesses

The Perch Cottages

...and warm welcomes into the perfect recipe for a rejuvenating visit.

Best Western Plus

Home Goods of Margaretville Kenco Outfitters

Belleayre Ski Shop

The Graham & Co.

Peekamoose Restaurant

retail and rentals available

Belleayre ski shop

Your Adventure Starts Here!

Plan Your Winter Getaway VINTAGE CATSKILL CABINS WITH MODERN AMENITIES Pine Hill, NY • 845.254.4200 • belleayrelodge.com 20

GREATWESTERNCATSKILLS COM

® NYSDED

22 Galli Curci Rd, Highmount • 845-254-5338 • belleayreskishop@aol.com

Reasons to Stay & Play with us this Winter! 1. Direct, easy access to Catskill Ski areas via Route 28 or I-87 in less than an hour. 2. Convenient to Uptown Kingston 3. Year round nearby trail options at the Ashokan Rail Trail, Mohonk Preserve and more. 4. Enjoy Indoor Family Fun – saltwater pool, fitness center and arcade. 5. Complimentary Wi-Fi and buffet breakfast 6. First Capitol Bistro & Bar, serving dinner and to-go service Visit bwpkingston.com/specials to learn more!

Uptown Kingston Hotel Scan for Your Free Catskills Winter Fun Checklist

NYS Thruway Exit 19 503 Washington Avenue, Kingston, NY 845-338-0400 | 1 (800) 780-7234 21

ATTRACTING ARTISTS, DREAMERS, MUSICIANS, SEEKERS AND BOOTLEGGERS SINCE 1787

In perfect harmony with its environment and storied past, situated beside a waterfall and rushing brook, just steps from town center. Woodstock Way – the Catskill’s newest contemporary hotel.

Drop By, Tune In, Turn Off.

10 Waterfall Way, Woodstock • 845-684-5911 • woodstockway.com 22

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.

D&H Canal Museum & Mid-Hudson Visitor Center Winter Hours: Friday through Monday, 10 am - 4 pm www.canalmuseum.org/vortex

Athens, NY 518-444-8317

stewarthouse.com @stewarthouseny

STEWART HOUSE 23

Hudson Valley Yoga Experience

Come as you are! visit our website for a complete listing of classes, retreats and yoga teacher trainings.

STAY WITH US! Harmony Inn on-site studio apartment includes complimentary yoga and views of the Shawangunk Mountains

stonewaveyoga.com

Yoga Classes Yoga Retreats Yoga Teacher Trainings Weekend Events Customized Experiences 24

80 Miles North of Manhattan

Winter is Wonderful at Mohonk Preserve! Explore the many ways you can enjoy the Preserve during the winter months. Whether you prefer a brisk hike, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, the Preserve is the place for you. Our Visitor Center is open free of charge daily 9am-5pm. Trailheads are open from sunrise to sunset. Memberships and day passes are available at all trailheads. Photos by Bill Winter

mohonkpreserve.org 845-255-0919

• shop our gift boutique • therapeutic massage • organic skincare and waxing • gift certificates

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

now onboarding a limited number of clients

Full-Service Airbnb Property Management BOOK DIRECT AND SAVE 10% managethishome.com | 646-389-6677 | @managethishome

Stay

w h e r e to s tay t h i s w i n t e r Picking the right place to stay is like starting your soup with the perfect stock. It elevates the flavor of your entire journey, wrapping your fun in cozy relaxation. And with so many choices, it’s not hard to find a place you’ll love coming back to after exploring, have a wonderful rest, and wake up ready for your next adventure. Our innkeepers are passionate about making you feel at

home, whether they’re big resorts with so much going on that it would take a month to try everything once or cozy spots with just a few special rooms. They’re experts, of course, who’ll happily give suggestions and directions if you need; they’ve staked out some incredibly beautiful locations and take enormous pride and joy in welcoming travelers. Come as you are, stay as long as you like, and relax—we love living here, and we’re glad you’ve joined the party.

STAY

b e l l e ay r e l o d g e

best western plus

Belleayre Lodge is a community of vintage, modern cabins offering respite, rejuvenation, and a cozy escape in the winsome foothills of the Catskill Mountains. A year-round retreat for the soul, Belleayre Lodge offers a chance to reconnect with the land, yourself, and our community. This is your place to smile. Where time moves a little slower, and there’s something familiar, comforting, and homey no matter if it’s your first visit or your 15th.

Best Western Plus is perfect if you like (or need) your stay to have all the hotel trimmings and conveniences. There’s a bistro with a full bar, an indoor heated saltwater pool, fitness and business centers, room service in the evening, and kids under 12 stay free—all within walking distance of the historic Stockade District.

15 Hostel Drive, Pine Hill | 845-254-4200 | belleayrelodge.com

503 Washington Avenue, Kingston | 845-338-0400 | bwpkingston.com

visitvortex.com

Photos Courtesy Of Corresponding Businesses

c s c oa c h h o u s e

e m e r s o n r e s o rt & s pa

CS Coach House, set on eight tucked-away acres beside a stream and seasonal waterfall, was built as a barn in the 1760s; you’ll find exposed beams and/or barn loft ceilings along with private balconies. There’s a communal lounge with a water-bottle-filling station where guests in the three rooms can relax and swap stories.

Emerson Resort & Spa is the only place in the world where you can check out the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope. Choose from contemporary or log-cabin-style rooms and relish the full-service spa, fitness center, Catskills-creative cuisine, and curated array of shops—all in the midst of High Peaks winter adventureland.

913 Route 213, High Falls | 845-419-1764 | cscoachhouse.mydirectstay.com

5340 Route 28, Mount Tremper | 845-688-2828 | emersonresort.com

Photo by Upland Creative Co. harmony inn

hemlock neversink

Harmony Inn is a sun-filled cozy studio adjacent to Stone Wave Yoga; guests at Harmony get free class tuition. Neighbors to explore include the luxurious Wildflower Farms resort and the Tuthilltown Distillery. When it’s time to just chill, you’ve got a 400-square-foot private space, thoughtfully designed and featuring a sound machine, blackout shades, and a 38-inch TV offering free Roku and Netflix.

Hemlock Neversink/Foster Supply Hospitality is set on 230 serene, gloriously woodsy acres full of trails and nooks to explore. Your all-inclusive rate includes all meals, activities, workshops and a personal Experience Guide; there’s a spa with treatment rooms, meadow-view gym, indoor pool, hot tub, a crafting space with instruction, a Goat Field, and much more; the chef is a James Beard Foundation nominee.

2694 Route 44/55, Gardiner | 845-419-5219 stonewaveyoga.com/stay-with-us

7491 State Route 55, Neversink | 845-985-1183 | hemlockneversink.com

h o t e l dy l a n

i n n at k e t t l e b o ro

Hotel Dylan rooms are named after rock n’ roll greats associated with Woodstock Nation; iconic works by Elliott Landy and Michael De Feo grace the walls. Hop over to the 28 West Gym right across the street, visit the on-premises Santa Fe Woodstock for traditional and modern Mexican eats and cocktails, then grab a board game or vinyl record at the front desk and kick back.

The Inn at Kettleboro is set beside the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail on a 12-acre apple and peach orchard with spectacular views of the Shawangunks. Inside the historic 1830 inn, you’ll find rooms full of historic charm, lovely modern baths, parlor rooms, lounges with fireplaces, a mini-library, and a light-filled dining room where you’ll be served a delicious breakfast.

320 Maverick Road, Woodstock | 845-684-5422 | thehoteldylan.com

321 Route 208, New Paltz | 914-213-2487 | kettleboro.com

j e s s i e ’ s h a rv e s t h o u s e & l o d g e

m e n l a r e s o rt & s pa

Jessie’s Harvest House & Lodge is a Catskills love story come to life: Sarah learned hospitality skills at her Grandpa’s knee (he founded Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl); and Phil, a Culinary Institute grad, polished his chef skills at the renowned Blue Hill at Stone Barns. They started with a delicious restaurant and welcoming rustic tavern, and added six hotel-style guest rooms upstairs so you don’t have to leave except to explore the Painted Village in the Sky, or maybe hit the slopes.

Menla is a modern resort retreat center nestled in its own secluded 300acre valley beside a stream, infused with timeless Tibetan culture. The destination-class Dewa Spa offers unique treatments; you can attend a retreat focused on a specific aspect of wellness or spirituality, or just stay in the luxe accommodations, explore, eat delicious vegetarian/vegan fare and chill in the remodeled 200-year-old barn with a game of pool beside the roaring fireplace.

5819 Main Street, Tannersville | 518-589-5445 | jessiesharvesthouse.com

375 Pantherkill Road, Phoenicia | 845-688-6897 | menla.org

m o h o n k m o u n ta i n h o u s e

s t e wa rt h o u s e

Mohonk Mountain House is a vast, legendary, rambling castle set beside a sky lake with a rich history of low-key luxuriance. Inclusive pricing covers everything except horseback riding, alcohol, and services at the worldclass, deep-green spa; there’s fabulous food and a long list of fun and illuminating activities of all sorts against the backdrop of an unpretentious, yet top-notch, Quakerly welcome.

Stewart House is an Italianate-style riverside “boarding house turned nine-room boutique hotel” with an Art Deco bar, farm-to-table 1883 tavern, and waterfront grill. Sip an inventive cocktail, fine wine, or local craft beer before snuggling into your room with luxurious bedding, robes and slippers, an ensuite bathroom with towel warmers, antique furniture, and custom velvet headboards.

1000 Mountain Rest Road, New Paltz | 855-883-3798 | mohonk.com

2 North Water Street, Athens | 518-947-1587 | stewarthouse.com

the graham & co.

t h e p e rc h c o t ta g e s

The Graham and Co. is a charming boutique hotel; each of the 20 rooms offers a mix of vintage and modern furnishings, ample natural light, plush bedding, and thoughtful amenities like Tivoli radios and their own private-label bath products. Enjoy the outdoors on their Priority bikes, and hike the slipperiest slope with the Kahtoola microspikes they provide.

The Perch Cottages offers beautifully appointed cottages, each one unique, on eight acres of picturesque meadowland fronting on the Esopus Creek. Your modern, bright, airy nest is decorated with reclaimed, upcycled furnishings and art that plays perfectly with the barn beams; professional management means that your every whim will be attended to, and you’re amidst the best of the Catskills beauty and attractions.

80 Route 214, Phoenicia | 845-688-7871 | thegrahamandco.com

Beechview Gardens Circle, Boiceville | 646-389-6677 | perchcottages.com

w h i s t l e w o o d fa r m b e d & b r e a k fa s t

w o o d s t o c k way h o t e l

Whistlewood Farm Bed & Breakfast is a classic B&B on a working farm; rooms are furnished with eclectic antiques, and the full country breakfast and dessert table are legendary. Out from under your warm handmade quilts, you’ll find horses, chickens, and a donkey named Tigger to befriend; afterward, relish breathtaking sunsets over the Hudson and clear, starry nights.

Woodstock Way, just steps from the wildly entertaining town center, offers an immersive and eco-luxe take on treehouse living beside a mind-massaging waterfall. The playful, unique, oversized guest rooms are fitted with luxurious amenities; the outdoor spaces are purpose-designed for contemplation, bliss, and fun. Gather around the evening fire and swap adventure stories with your fellow dreamers.

52 Pells Road, Rhinebeck | 845-876-6838 | whistlewood.com

10 Waterfall Way, Woodstock | 845-684-5911 | woodstockway.com

THE PERFECT WINTER GETAWAY An unforgettable escape to nature is our specialty. Snuggle up beside a wood-burning fireplace, ice skate in our grand open-air pavilion, hike on miles of trails with our MICROspikes® and enjoy farm-to-table cuisine—all included in your overnight rate. Indulge yourself with a massage at our award-winning spa.

877.475.6365

BOOK DINING, A DAY SPA VISIT, OR A MAGICAL OVERNIGHT GETAWAY.

USA TODAY’S #2 ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT IN THE U.S.

mohonk.com

New Paltz, NY

PHOENICIA

The Inn aT KeTTleboro 914-213-2487

321 State Route 208, New Paltz

GET INSPIRED IN THE CATSKILLS

www.kettleboro.com

80 Route 214 • Phoenicia 845-688-7871 • thegrahamandco.com rustic and chill getaway unplug and unwind. trailblaze. lounge streamside. 913 rte 213, high falls 845-419-1764 cscoachhouse.mydirectstay.com

#thisisthecatskills

Experience Catskills Restoration

Discover more at hemlockneversink.com 37

Handcrafts, Jewelry, & Clothing for 50 years.

Let Us Be Your Happy Place!

6 North Front Street, New Paltz 845-255-6277 handmadeandmore.com

a modern witch shop & plant paradise

72 Main Street, New Paltz ritualistshop.com @ritualist_shop 845-545-6960 tarot decks ✷ herbal tinctures candles ✷ books + zines houseplants ✷ plant accessories

l o c a l h o l i d ay gift ideas ...by personality traits

New York is the 11th most populous urban area on the planet, with 21.5 million humans; it’s been one of the biggest cities on earth for around two centuries now and, as anyone can tell you, has a unique, savory magnetism all its own. New York draws smart, brave people from every corner of the planet, and the Hudson Valley has been the adjacent playground, refuge, venue, and alternative from the start. Some 40

stay for the scenery, others for the opportunities—smart and top-notch in a less frenetic setting. Hudson Valley and Catskills business folk have been brilliant at least since British-born, Hudson Valley-raised Matthew Vassar had the wit to found a women’s college near his family brewery, causing Poughkeepsie. (OK, I’m kidding. Sort of.) When you shop indie local here, you’re not just supporting the local economy with dollars that multiply four times as much as a dollar spent at a corporate chain. Nor are you just helping to keep our downtowns vibrant, our open space open, and our neighbors’ dreams alive. You’re enjoying goods and services from

Photo by Cassidy Dickens

There’s been a lot of talk about the flood of city folks coming upriver to settle here during COVID, just as September 11 sparked a similar migration, but take it from a lifer: No particular era has a monopoly on this phenomenon, and it’s nothing new.

Photo by Jennifer Pallian Photo by Hans Isaacson

Photo by Margaret Amelia

SHOP LOCALLY

So shop local, y’all. Your circle of loved folks is yet another multifaceted gem, and it’s not hard to find the right treat for each around here. Here are some ideas to get you started, arranged by personality traits.

t h e ro m a n t i c

Romantic souls will swoon over a piece of fine jewelry, a box of exquisite artisanal chocolates, or a stay at a cozy Catskills or riverfront cabin. Adel Chefridi, Rhinebeck Facets of Earth, Kingston Handmade and More, New Paltz Hudson Valley Goldsmith, New Paltz Hummingbird Jewelers, Rhinebeck Lucky Chocolates, Saugerties Salix Intimates, New Paltz Schneider’s Jewelers, Kingston The Green Cottage, High Falls The Shops at Emerson, Mount Tremper See Inns & Hotels in our STAY feature

visitvortex.com

Photo by Brooke Cagle

world-class merchants and makers whose definition of quality derives from a mind-blowing, cosmopolitan center of culture, whether they practiced down in the Big Apple themselves at some point or had the sense to be born up here in the first place. The steady estuary of the River That Flows Both Ways has been carrying a glorious diversity of talent in both directions since long before anyone was writing about it, and our retail, arts, and food are multifaceted gems reflecting that.

c r e at i v e s

Birch Body Care, Kingston Kaete Britton Shaw Gallery, High Falls Menla Retreat & Dewa Spa, Phoenicia Pink Water Gallery, Kingston Stone Window Gallery, Accord Zephyr Float, Kingston 42

Photo by Toa Heftiba

How about a really nice piece from a gallery or artisan gift shop for the office wall or desktop, or a gift certificate from a spa where they can replenish the energy wellsprings?

Photo by Josh Liu

t h e p ro f e s s i o n a l

Photo by Jonathon Borba

Blue Heron Books, High Falls Catskill Art Supply, Kingston & Woodstock D&H Canal Museum, High Falls Historic Huguenot Street, New Paltz The Art Effect, Poughkeepsie

Photo by YL Lee

Creatives will be ecstatic when they open a gift certificate from one of our art supply stores or indie bookstores, a membership in a museum or performing arts center, or prepaid tuition for an art class or ceramics workshop.

Photo by Daryl Han

Photo by Cameron Smith

Photo by Design Ecologist

domestic deities

Domestic deities and homemakers of all descriptions love sumptuous home goods that are fit to feather the finest nest, from fabric arts to hand-built tableware. If your dear one is a project person, you’ll find all kinds of good possibilities (and gift certificates) at our local hardware stores, too. A&M Hardware, Accord Bare Furniture, Accord Herzog’s Home & Paint Centers, Kingston Home Goods of Margaretville, Margaretville Houst & Son Inc., Woodstock Moose Crossing, Shokan Nest Egg, Phoenicia Tender Land Home, Phoenicia The Green Cottage, High Falls Victoria Gardens, Rosendale Williams Lumber & Home Centers, seven locations in the HV

n at u r e l ov e r s

Dreaming Goddess, Poughkeepsie Menla Retreat Center Ritualist, New Paltz

Photo by Louisa Brimble

Spiritual seekers are wonderful people to shop for. Who else gets so much joy out of a pretty stone, a brass bowl that sings, or the perfect incense?

Photo by Antonika Chanel

s p i r i t ua l s e e k e r s

Photo by Annie Spratt

Hops Petunia, Kingston Mohonk Preserve, Gardiner Ritualist, New Paltz The Green Cottage, High Falls Victoria Gardens, Rosendale

Photo by Kayla Maurais

Nature lovers get the real thing in vast quantities with a membership to the Mohonk Preserve. Then there are the many works of photography and art that bring the outdoors in, as do lush floral arrangements and houseplants.

Fireside Warmth

Photo by Artem Kostelnyuk Photo by Karolin Baitinger

Photo by Jason Blackeye

Photo by Ryan Christodoulou

the foodie

Foodies will, of course, appreciate a gift certificate to that special restaurant. Their creativity will be sparked by ingredients, gadgets, or treats from the gourmet grocery store, and we have loads of those. A class at the CIA is another fun thought. Accord Market, Accord Adams Fairacre Farms (see feature for locations) Citiot, Catskill Good Grocer, Roxbury High Falls Co-op, High Falls Mill & Main, Kerhonkson Morning Sunshine, Ellenville Mother Earth’s Storehouse, Kingston Olsen & Co, Saugerties Sunflower Market, Woodstock Check out our local restaurants for gift certificate ideas

Fashion fiends will be gratified by any number of good things to be found at our local boutiques and haberdasheries. Hamilton & Adams, Kingston Handmade and More, New Paltz Himalayan Arts, New Paltz

Photo by Aviv Rachmadian

fa s h i o n f i e n d s

Michael Boris Clothing, Hudson Montano’s Shoe Store, Saugerties Nest Egg, Phoenicia Next Boutique, Kingston

Photo by David Lezcano

Magic Hill, Kingston

River Mint Finery, Kingston The Shops at Emerson, Mount Tremper

Photo by Arash Payam

Tibetan Arts & Crafts, Woodstock

Photo by Jason Blackeye

Photo by Al Elmes Photo by Lovovna

Photo by Eirik Uhlen

s p o rt y s o u l s

Sporty souls might relish season passes to a ski mountain or certificates for kayak or bike rentals, and you’ll find plenty of clever clothes and gear at several local places to suit almost any sport. A float tank session will heal up ouchies and put them on their game. Belleayre Mountain, Highmount Belleayre Ski Shop, Highmount Camp Catskill, Tannerville Kenco, Kingston New Paltz Karate, New Paltz Potter Brothers, Fishkill & Kingston Zephyr Float, Kingston

n o s ta l g i a b u f f s

Wellness folks will feel well-loved indeed with a spa certificate, a float session, or the right aromatherapy goodies soaking into their neurons. A CSA share will keep them in healthy eats all season long. Birch Body Care, Kingston Phoenicia Soap Company, Shokan Rising Lotus Counseling, Stone Ridge Stinging Nettle Apothecary, Catskill Stone Wave Yoga, Gardiner, Poughkeepsie Wellness Rx, Tannersville, Phoenicia Zephyr Float, Kingston 48

Photo by Anthony Tiffany Photo by Haley Phelps

wellness folks

Photo by Katharine Hanlon

Kingston Consignments, Kingston Newberry Artisan Market, Saugerties Phoenicia Arts & Antiques, Phoenicia Red Owl Collective, Kingston Rhinebeck Antiques Emporium, Rhinebeck

Photo by Brooke Cagle

Nostalgia buffs will thrill at the sight of any number of things you can find in the local antique scene, from Midcentury Modern furnishings to vintage signage and old-timey collectibles.

Arrowood Farms, Accord Miron’s Liquor, Kingston Stone Ridge Wine & Spirits, Stone Ridge Stoutridge Vineyard & Distillery, Marlboro Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery, Gardiner Union Grove Distillery, Arkville s p e c i a lt y g i f t s

Everyone loves to receive the perfect specialty gift. You’ll find candles, decor items, uniquely beautiful things, and/or hilarious things in our gift shops and in the gift departments of our many mercantiles, general stores, apothecaries, and hardware stores.

Photo by Chelsea Pridham

Wine & spirits connoisseurs will, of course, always appreciate a well-chosen bottle, and our local merchants know how to help you make the right choice. A VIP Wine Tasting Passport from the Shawangunk Wine Trail folks, by the way, includes tasting flights at cideries and distilleries.

Photo by Dylan DeJonge

the wine & spirit connoisseur

Blue Heron Books, High Falls CHBO Drums, New Paltz Citiot, Catskill Dreaming Goddess, Poughkeepsie Facets of Earth, Kingston Handmade and More, New Paltz 49

Himalayan Arts, New Paltz Miniature Works, Stone Ridge Montgomery Row, Rhinebeck Moose Crossing, Shokan Nest Egg, Phoenicia Newberry Artisan Market, Saugerties

Photo by Anna Sullivan

Photo by Ellen Tanner

s p e c i a lt y c o n t i n u e d

Red Owl Collective, Kingston Tender Land Home, Phoenicia The Green Cottage, High Falls Tibetan Arts & Crafts, Woodstock Victoria Gardens, Rosendale Vincetore’s Hudson Valley Piano Center, Poughkeepsie

f o r t h e f r i e n d w h o h a s e v e ry t h i n g

Think experiences. There are already a bunch on this list, but how about a biplane ride? A hang-gliding lesson? A chefs’ dinner? A railbike trip? A bespoke cruise on the Hudson River Maritime Museum’s solar boat? A wine trail passport? A miniature version of their favorite location to put on the mantle?

Photo by Emre

The people-pleasing possibilities are endless. Have fun with it all!

47 East Market St Rhinebeck | 845-684-5185 | chefridi.com 51

Extraordinary flowers, beautiful jewelry, and unique gifts Extraordinary Extraordinary flowers, Extraordinary flowers, beautiful beautiful flowers, jewelry, beautiful jewelry, and unique and jewelry, unique gifts andgifts unique gifts Extraordinary Extraordinary flowers, flowers, beautiful beautiful jewelry, jewelry, and and unique unique gifts gifts

Extraordinary flowers, beautiful jewelr

1204 State Route 213, High Falls NY 12440 • 845-687-4810 thegreencottage.com 1204 State 1204Route State1204 213, Route State High 213, Route Falls HighNY 213, Falls 12440 High NYFalls Falls 12440 • 845-687-4810 NY • 845-687-4810 12440 • 845-687-4810 1204 State Route 213, High 1204 Statethegreencottage.com Route 213, High Falls NY NY 12440 12440 •• 845-687-4810 845-687-4810 thegreencottage.com thegreencottage.com thegreencottage.com thegreencottage.com

From a picture, let me capture a moment in your life…

3669 Main Street, Stone Ridge

845-417-1693 bnminiatureworks.com @bnminiatureworks bnminiatureworks@gmail.com

CONTEMPORARY WOMEN ARTISTS

KAETE BRITTIN SHAW GALLERY functional • sculptural porcelain kaetebrittinshaw.com • 845-687-7828 • kaete@hvi.net 1415 Rt. 213, High Falls, NY 12440

pinkwatergallery.com @pinkwatergallery

CHBO Stone Window Gallery Brinton P. Baker

17 Main Street / PO Box 239 Accord, NY 12404 845-626-4932 facebook/stonewindowgallery ig @stonewindowgallery 54

DRUMS

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

WE’VE MOVED TO:

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

GET YOUR GROOVE ON!

MEET THE MAKER

Meet the Maker

k a e t e b r i t t i n s h aw : ceramicist extraordinaire place and very much touched by human hands—hard to imagine in our era of mass production. If you want more of that soul-enriching, handmade energy in your life, we have a suggestion—get to know the work of Kaete Brittin Shaw, sculptor and ceramicist extraordinaire, with a gift for functional objects. Shaw welcomes browsers to her High Falls showroom and offers an extensive selection of tableware, candlesticks, lanterns, platters, vases, teapots, and more.

visitvortex.com

Art is life-enhancing on an infinite variety of levels; perhaps one aspect of that enhancement that we don’t experience as often as our ancestors did is being surrounded by useful everyday objects that are works of art in themselves. Way back in the day, before mass production, you’d either craft your own necessary items or make a deal with that one person in the village who’d developed a talent for working in leather, metal wood or clay and could create what you needed. Like music and storytelling, useful things were rooted in a

Her functional items are an important aspect of her body of work, encompassing cast porcelain pieces along with hand-built porcelain, mixed media, and outdoor sculpture. “I’m a one-woman operation, and I’ve been doing it for a long time, and there’s a lot of range in the work that I do,” she says. “Yesterday, we went down to New Jersey to an arboretum that has invited me to do a group of installations next year. I’m very excited about that…I had very early success when I was in graduate school at New Paltz, and I’ve shown all over the country and spent a lot of time showing down in the city.

And all of it, all through it, everything’s just kind of happened on its own.” Born in Boston, she grew up in Princeton, NJ and discovered a gift for languages while living abroad in Belgium with her family at age 11. At Swarthmore, she majored in French literature, the better to spend her junior year abroad. “Swarthmore had a ceramics studio, and I’d never been in one before, and it just really made a huge impression,” she says. “We didn’t have art classes for credit, so I did a lot of extracurricular time in the studio, and there happened to be a gifted teacher named

If you want more of that soul-enriching, handmade energy in your life, we have a suggestion— get to know the work of Kaete Brittin Shaw.

“I’m a one-woman operation, and I’ve been doing it for a long time, and there’s a lot of range in the work that I do.” - Kaete Brittin Shaw Paulus Berensohn. One thing led to another, and he became my mentor and lifelong friend, and I believe he got me a scholarship to Penland [School of Crafts, in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains].” Berensohn died in 2017—four years after Shaw traveled down to Penland School of Crafts for his 80th birthday celebration. He had published “Finding One’s Way With Clay” in 1972, described in his New York Times obituary as “a guide to making pinch pots that blended instructions for making these simple clay bowls with reflections on art, the environment and spirituality, and that ad-

vanced the idea that creativity was universal.” Those themes vividly play out in Shaw’s own lifework. She would go on to study with Dr. Hugo Munsterberg at SUNY New Paltz while earning her MFA. “His specialty was far Eastern art, which I hadn’t explored, and he opened all that up to me. It probably had a strong influence on my vision,” says Shaw. That vision has led down a fascinating path, with works having found their way all over the country and beyond. Craft shows led to Madison Avenue galleries, the American Art Museum at the Smithsonian, to South Korea—and to Unison

“Things just unfold—I’m putting it out there that I’m up for new adventures, new challenges, and they seem to be coming in.” - Kaete Brittin Shaw Sculpture Garden in New Paltz, among a long list of other Hudson Valley and Catskills adventures. “I’m a big believer in visualizing,” she says. “So when I visualize something, it happens. Like this new project with the arboretum—I had been wanting a new challenge, and it showed up.” Visualization informs every part of her process. “When I’m on a roll, when I wake up in the morning, I can see in my mind’s eye what I need to work on. I’ll go to sleep without an idea and wake up with one—that’s been a very useful tool, because it gets me right into the flow. I love being so into the flow that you don’t even realize time is passing.” The disruption of the pandemic, and

the later upheavel of moving her home from High Falls to Gardiner, resulted in less studio time; she’s excited at the prospect of getting her flow back on with the arboretum project and a show in Olivebridge that will take her back to her creative roots. “I’m going to be showing some of my teapots. They used to be my signature pieces, and they’re mature, so I’m excited about that. And two years ago, I was able to take over the downstairs area of the studio building as a gallery here in High Falls and show a whole body of work that I didn’t have room for upstairs: mixed media pieces composed of river wood from the Rondout Creek combined with porcelain. So now I have an entire wall of them.”

For a transformational break from your usual routine, be part of the experience and call on Shaw in her studio on Route 213. She welcomes visitors on Saturdays from 11 am-5 pm, Sundays from noon till 4 pm, and by appointment. “I just love my studio,” she says. “I’ve been in it since ‘85—it’s pretty full, so I’ve kept the new gallery very spare and simple. It’s almost like a meditation spot for me. And people do come in, you know; that’s actually the most interesting

part. I never know who’s going to come through the door. I’ve made new friends and met very interesting people over the years. I love that. I’ve done a bit of teaching, but not much and for me that sort of replaces the interaction that you get from teaching. Things just unfold—I’m putting it out there that I’m up for new adventures, new challenges, and they seem to be coming in—I’m actually headed to Istanbul soon, and am hoping for new inspiration!”

k a e t e b r i t t i n s h aw

1415 Route 213, High Falls 845-687-7828, kaetebrittinshaw.com

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.

nesteggshop.com 60

for

gs margaretville aretville

se chase catskill.net ill.net card card om.net :this hgom.net

Proudly features:

10% 10% Savings 10% Savings Savings •784 Local Produce, & Cheese main 784 main street 784 main street .Meat margaretville street . margaretville . margaretville On On entire On your entire purchase entire purchase em:•your homegoods@catskill.net em:your homegoods@catskill.net em: homegoods@catskill.net Local Breads & purchase Sweets when when you when present you present you this present card this this card p: 845 p:586.4177 845 p: 586.4177 845 586.4177 w: hgom.net w: hgom.net w:card hgom.net

• International Foods • Kitchen • Home • Gift Items

Compliments Compliments Compliments of: of: of:

Rustic Elegance

Mountain Living

For your Holiday shopping we’re offering a selection of comfy sheepskin slippers from Minnetonka, cozy night shirts, PJ’s & bath robes by Lazy One, handmade tissue boxes & custom made field knives by Ken Vaughn, toasty throws & comforters, oven mitts & moose & bear pasta/salad toss utensils, birch baskets and area throw rugs and the holiday scents of balsam fir by Paine products. May you and your family have a very warm and happy holiday.

Open Friday through Monday 10am-5pm

Rt. 28, Shokan, NY 845-657-9792 www.rustic-cabin.com

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

• Open 7 Days! • Family-Run • Locally Focused • Kind Service

margaretville aretville catskill.net ill.net om.net : hgom.net

784 main 784 main street 784 main street . margaretville street . margaretville . margaretville em: homegoods@catskill.net em: homegoods@catskill.net em: homegoods@catskill.net p: 845 p:586.4177 845 p: 586.4177 845 586.4177 w: hgom.net w: hgom.net w: hgom.net

• medicinal herbs and culinary herb blends • tea blends • soaps, salves, balms, and infused oils • bath soaks, scrubs, and clay masks • handcrafted candles, jewelry, notecards and charms

424 Main St, Catskill, NY 12414 518-719-0018 stingingnettle.ny@gmail.com stingingnettleny.com 61

w i n t e r n e w a d v e rt i s e r s p o t l i g h t Photos Courtesy Of Corresponding Businesses

BELLEAYRE SKI SHOP The Belleayre Ski Shop, sitting at the base of Belleayre Mountain, has been open since 1978. With a fully stocked Retail and Rental area, they have everything you need to experience a great day on the mountain. 22 Galli Curci Rd, Highmount 845-254-5338 belleayreskishop.com

ACCORD MARKET At Accord Market, we prioritize locally sourced and sustainable food and products. We are proud to work alongside over 130 local makers and farmers. We carry all of your grocery and produce staples, cheeses, beer, and cider; we also stock harder-to-find unique items. Be sure to ask about our lower cost line of organic and natural products.

ARROWOOD FARMS We are a sustainably-minded farm brewery, distillery, and event destination in the beautiful and bountiful Hudson Valley. We brew our beer with ingredients grown right here onsite and from small, like-minded New York farms. We craft our spirits with grains grown up the road. We make and serve locally inspired comfort foods that invite you to connect with the place we call home.

21 Main Street, Accord 845-377-0060 • accordmkt.com

236 Lower Whitfield Road 845-253-0389 arrowoodfarms.com

BLUE HERON BOOKS Blue Heron Books offers an eclectic selection of new, used, and banned books for all ages and all budgets. Located in historic High Falls, NY, our store is dedicated to your right to read. 1209 Route 213, High Falls 845-377-1089 blueheronbooksny.com

GOOD GROCER We offer a diverse range of products, including many sourced from trusted local suppliers. We serve our whole community, with specialty items and brandname groceries at affordable prices. You’ll be surprised at our large selection: fresh produce, dairy, meat, dry goods, paper products, household supplies, and a great beer selection (coming soon).

1315 Main Street, High Falls 845-687-2000 • canalmuseum.org

53525 State Highway 30, Roxbury 607-326-6505 • goodgrocerny.com

LUCKY CHOCOLATES Lucky’s has always been about sharing joy through the medium of chocolate. We are a small shop with a policy of doing our best to make chocolate that brings a smile to a person’s face. Spreading positivity and love is an integral part of Lucky’s, and we hope to do that in all we create here.

HEMLOCK NEVERSINK Hemlock Neversink sits within a 230 acre campus that is serene, naturally beautiful and filled with woodsy nooks, hiking trails and wildflower meadows. It’s an escape for your personal restoration. A place to indulge your curiosity. And an unprescribed experience that meets you where you are. 7491 Route 55, Neversink 845-985-1183 hemlockneversink.com

113A Partition St, Saugerties 845-247-3134 • luckychocolates.com Photo by Clay Banks

SHOP LOCALLY

D&H CANAL MUSEUM The exhibits at the D&H Canal Museum portray the canal’s history, and include a working model of a lock, a life-sized re-created canal boat cabin, a moving model of a gravity railroad brake car, financial documents, and dioramas of the railroad and canal life. Tools and artifacts are on display here, along with original paintings by canal-era artists.

visitvortex.com

“Spreading positivity and love is an integral part of Lucky’s, and we hope to do that in all we create here.”

63 63

“In addition to some of the best burgers, steaks, and Irish fare in town, our nightlife is always popping with weekly events.” MAHONEY’S IRISH PUB When you’re looking for a hot meal and a warm welcome in Poughkeepsie, NY, you’ll feel right at home at Mahoney’s Irish Pub & Steakhouse. We’re not like other Irish Pubs. In addition to some of the best burgers, steaks, and Irish fare in town, our nightlife is always popping with weekly events. Come for the fish and chips and stay for the never-ending craic.

NEWBERRY ARTISAN MARKET Once home to the beloved 5 & 10 general store called JJ Newberry Co. that closed in the 1990’s, Newberry Artisan Market is a beautiful 10K sq ft, open space, vintage brick building with 14-foot-high original tin ceilings and a vibrant art gallery, hosting 30+ local Hudson Valley artisan vendors. Check our website for events and rental options. 236 Main Street, Saugerties 845-247-3002 newberryartisanmarket.com

35 Main Street, Poughkeepsie 845-471-7026 mahoneysirishpub.com PHOENICIA ARTS & ANTIQUES Phoenicia Arts and Antiques is a multi-merchant market and gallery that houses nine shops of unique and vintage items. All of our shops are continually updating with new and unusual finds. Whether you are on holiday in the area or just passing through, Phoenicia Antiques is definitely worth a visit. 41 Main Street, Phoenicia 845-688-0021 phoeniciaartsandantiques .squarespace.com 64

RED OWL COLLECTIVE Red Owl Collective is a 10,000 square foot antique, vintage and design store located in Kingston’s midtown arts district. Experience 60+ vendors under one roof. Open Thurs - Mon, 11am to 6pm. Come visit us and shop all things unique this holiday season. 25 Cornell Street, Kingston 845-481-4675 redowlcollective.com

CLOTHING • SHOES & ACCESSORIES • JEWELRY 270 FAIR STREET, KINGSTON 12401 w w w.rivermint finer y.com

STONE RIDGE INSURANCE AGENCY serving all of your insurance needs

• Auto Insurance • Homeowners Insurance • Business Insurance & More

3669 MAIN ST. STONE RIDGE 845-687-2828 STONERIDGEINSURANCE.NET 65

Rt 9 Between Rhinebeck & Hyde Park ANTIQUE MALL, AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS

0% comm for unique auction consignments OPEN DAILY 10AM - 5PM

A Multi-Merchant Market & Art Gallery COME SHOP OUR UNIQUE & ONE OF A KIND GIFTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

41 Main Street, Phoenicia • 845-688-0021 • phoeniciaartsandantiques.squarespace.com 66

KINGSTON 328 WALL STREET 12401

MAGIC HILL

HUDSON 307 WARREN STREET 12534

MERCANTILE

Sh o p Loc ally

m a g i c h i l l m e rc a n t i l e

imply walking in the door here is good medicine. The walls are packed with abstract art, rich jewel tones inviting the eye to dance. Sleek Midcentury Modern furnishings take you back in time.

Everywhere you look, there’s something lovely to explore: whisper-soft silk scarves, quirky accent pieces, gleaming glassware. The music is upbeat; the aroma of fine fresh coffee wafts from the back of the store.

You will get a warm welcome at the Kingston outpost of

We started putting the art on those lacquer trays, then came

Magic Hill Mercantile: It’s the newer of two stores that have been dreamed into existence by Bruce Mishell and Maor Shefer, best friends whose creative partnership has birthed bountiful beauty. “A lot of what you see is based on my artwork,” says Mishell. “Those are posters of my paintings, and on the top there are my silk scarves—we frame them so people can see what they look like. They’re mulberry silk—we use very high-quality fabrics in all our fashion. Maor designs the pieces, and we have them made all over the world, in Italy and China and Vietnam.…

coasters, and then the fashion, everything from ties to socks to sweatshirts. Then there are the pillows…”

SHOP LOCALLY

Magic Hill Mercantile’s Kingston outpost is the newer of two stores dreamed into existence by Bruce Mishell and Maor Shefer.

“A customer told us she had this building in Kingston,” says Mishell, “and it offered us the scope we were looking for. We were rapidly outgrowing the Hudson space, and we wanted a department store feeling.”

visitvortex.com

Magic Hill began in Hudson with a trove of Midcentury Modern furniture and a gallery in the back; when they needed to move to a smaller space, the gallery was sacrificed.

The Kingston store, with almost 8,000 square feet, has a coffee and juice bar in the back; upstairs, you’ll find more furniture, sourced worldwide and marketed in online auctions as well as in the two shops.

The pair met in Manhattan, where their mutual interests—real estate and design—led them to a successful niche that worked well. “I had a day job as an interior designer, with my own design company on 5th Avenue and a little studio in the same building,” says Mishell. “I was designing corner offices for CEOs and painting at night. I had a show in 2007 that did really well, and I decided to close my design company and paint full time. Lo and behold, the economy crashed a year later.” His friend Shefer, a jazz musician and kindred spirit from the start, led him to venture into real estate; soon after that, the two were collab70

orating on upscale staging work for owners and investors, sourcing furniture from all over. Shefer fell in love with the city of Hudson and moved upriver in 2015, and it was further serendipity that led them to open a furniture store. “We were playing with the idea, and then we’re walking down the street there and ran into this woman we knew, an artist who owned a building on Warren Street, and asked her if she’d be interested in renting. She hadn’t been marketing it yet, but she said yes, and we just walked in and made the deal.” Four years later, when the building was sold, the

Magic Hill team moved just down the street to their current space in the city of Hudson. The Hudson Valley outpost and long weekends upstate were a revelation for Mishell, who still lives downstate part-time. “I never used to leave the city unless it was a major vacation. I was a New Yorker, you know; everything happened there. But after coming up here…I have the best of both worlds, and I absolutely love it.” Shefer’s design and business sensibilities sparked Mishell’s readiness to get his painting further out into the world—not just on canvas, but on fabric and home

goods, bright bursts of joyous, flowing color to brighten every aspect of life. “Creatively, he’s really helped me take it to the next level,” says Mishell. “Our styles and personalities just complement each other really well.” And the Kingston store, with almost 8,000 square feet, is proving to be a canvas all its own on which the partners can create their Magic Hill brand and dream. There’s a coffee and juice bar in the back; upstairs, you’ll find more furniture. The diverse and beautiful inventory at Magic Hill is sourced worldwide, and it is marketed in online auctions as well as in the two shops.

“Creatively, [Maor] has really helped me take it to the next level. Our styles and personalities just complement each other really well.” —Bruce Mishell, Magic Hill Mercantile co-owner 71

“I love talking to people, seeing what makes them tick, and seeing how they react to my art… I really love what we do.” – Bruce Mishell “We knew, coming in here, that the foot traffic during the week wouldn’t sustain things,” says Mishell. “But we’ve established ourselves in Hudson, and we have strong connections to designers in the city—people come into Kingston from Woodstock or wherever and recognize our brand. And we’re getting people coming in when there’s a wedding, say, at the Senate Garage; they’ll buy a gift and then come back for more. We get a lot of repeat business in both stores.” It’s easy to see why that might happen. The lush colors, sumptuous fabrics, and fine quality are a feast for the senses.

“I love Magic Hill - their collection offers the BEST combination of classic, unique & creative styles, colors and shapes,” writes a reviewer on Google. “They source the best fabrics; materials that look and feel amazing & beg to be worn again and again! I wear my silk scarves every day as they are the perfect complement to any outfit. Their service is top notch as they go above and beyond the norm to make your shopping experience totally bespoke, fun and fabulous. When I need a unique gift for someone special, I go to Magic Hill for the ‘where did you find this!?’ wow factor, as their expansive unique range delivers every time.”

On the third floor of the building is Mishell’s studio and gallery, where shows and events will be held. At this writing, the team is awaiting a 40-foot shipping container of furniture sourced on a recent journey to Copenhagen to replenish their (far from emp-

the Hudson Valley and beyond. Come see Magic Hill for yourself, and you’ll see why it’s grown from a little vintage furniture store to a spacious mercantile spread between two locations— and why it’s rapidly turned into a brand that’s becoming a must-

ty, but Mishell says it feels “a bit sparse” to him at the moment) second floor.

have. The coffee’s delicious, the welcome is warm, and the visual impact is simply entrancing.

Certain pieces—a vintage Philco TV, a gleaming golden bicycle that resembles something from a magical dream world—are part of the permanent decor here; more pieces will find new homes and new lives with lucky buyers in

“I’m a Gemini with the gift of gab,” says Mishell. “I love talking to people, seeing what makes them tick, and seeing how they react to my art. It’s a very personal thing for me, and I really love what we do.”

m a g i c h i l l m e rc a n t i l e

328 Wall Street, Kingston 307 Warren Street, Hudson 917-539-8057 magichillmercantile.com

Holiday Magic Begins With Us

Watches • Diamonds • Estate Jewelry • Artcarved

Come See

Our New Holiday Selections

RATI NG LEB O CE

Voted Best Jewelry Store Year After Year

• LAFONN Jewelry • ANIA HAIE Contemporary Sterling Silver • ELLE Fashion Jewelry • Diamond Jewelry & Lab Diamonds • Holiday Gifts

• Fine custom jewelry • • Expert repairs done on premises • 290 Wall St. Uptown Kingston • 845-331-1888 • schneidersjewelers.com

America’s Oldest Family Owned Yamaha Piano Dealer Celebrating 75 years of service to the Hudson Valley music community

71 A Main Street, New Paltz • 845-255-5872 HudsonValleyGoldsmith.com 74

OPEN Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-1pm Appointments Recommended

748 Main Street, Poughkeepsie • 845-452-4990 • vincitorepiano.com

MICHAEL BORIS CLOTHING 917 • 403 • 0478 • Open Friday • Saturday • Sunday 117 Warren Street • Hudson • New York

HIGH QUALITY

JEWELRY AND

DESIGNER APPAREL

DISTINCT ACCESSORIES

17 WEST STRAND, KINGSTON • 845-331-4537 • NEXTBOUTIQUE.COM

N E W B E R RY A RT I S A N M A R K E T 236 MAIN STREET, SAUGERTIES

845-247-3002 • newber r yar tisanmarket.com 76

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.

MEET THE OWNER

Meet the Owner

michael boris clothing so well—designing and crafting the kind of women’s wear that feels and looks so quietly stunning that it’s a mood-altering experience for wearer and observer alike.

visitvortex.com

The fashion world calls Michael Boris “The Master of Anonymous Luxury.” He’s never been the attention-seeking sort, preferring to pour his time, love, and energy into what he does

It was just three years after opening his Poughkeepsie shop that he opened his first New York City showroom, and the rest is history.

Boris doesn’t remember a time when he

started just making things, figuring out

didn’t love clothing. “At six years old, I knew I wanted to have a clothing store and do clothes, make clothing,” he says. “I always loved going into stores and looking at the clothes. So when I was six, my father was making me marionettes, and I was making clothing to go onto the marionettes that he made. It’s been in me for quite some time.”

how to put clothing together.”

Growing up in Poughkeepsie, in an era when public schools didn’t exactly offer fashion design tracks, he nonetheless had the support of family and friends as he dove deeper into what he already knew would be his life’s mission. “My parents encouraged me to express myself,” says Boris. “So as a teenager I bought myself a sewing machine and 78

It wasn’t long before he had a collection assembled, and he and some like-minded friends decided to hold their own fashion show at a local club. “It was a success,” he recalls happily. “There was a person in the audience who ran a store in Poughkeepsie called the Clothes Horse; he ordered the clothing right from the show, and that’s where it started.” It led in relatively short order to his next endeavor, opening his first independent shop in Poughkeepsie. “I worked at the Clothes Horse for a while and ultimately decided that if this was what I was going to do, I needed to open my own shop,” Boris explains.

“My parents encouraged me to express myself. So as a teenager I bought myself a sewing machine and started just making things, figuring out how to put clothing together.” – Michael Boris “So I just went ahead and did that, not really knowing, you know, what I was doing—I just did it.” Many a 20-year-old who dives into business comes to regret it, but Boris had a gift and was already getting noticed. “It was a little overwhelming, because the success came really fast. Soon I was making clothes for all the ladies of Poughkeepsie, and soon after that, for the ladies of New York— which was a completely different lifestyle.”

It was just three years after opening his Poughkeepsie shop that he opened his first New York City showroom, and the rest is history. “It’s always been just me going forward and making it happen,” he says. New York became where he lives and has a workroom. He’s had stores and showrooms in New York City, Rhinebeck NY, and San Francisco. He was a special event designer for 20 years with Neiman Marcus. His only current retail outlet, however, is in Hudson. “I love working in Hudson on weekends,”

“I am absolutely still having fun. This is a labor of love.” – Michael Boris

he says. “You should come see— people say it’s like coming into a museum to see beautiful artwork, which is always nice to hear.” Boris has never had any interest in becoming a celebrity designer, although it seems likely that we’d recognize some of the names of the women wearing his work. For him, it’s always been about the process and the beauty of the product. “I’m sort of erased from the fashion world,” he says. “I beat my own drum, always have. My clothing is designed and built to transcend time—that’s what I’ve been doing for a half century, making classic clothes that you can wear forever and making

them so well that you can even wear them inside out.” The lines are simple and sleek, exquisitely detailed without being in the least frilly—every angle is well-considered. “The look is simple, but the creation of the garment is actually complicated,” says Boris. “I love the challenge of making something for someone and knowing that it will work for them. You can be a size 2 or a size 22; I’m up to the challenge—you walk in, you are absolutely going to be taken care of in a very special way and made comfortable, and I will create something that’s beautiful on you, that fits you to perfection.”

A Manhattan store and showroom is coming, but many downstate clientele find that taking the train to Hudson for a fashion fix makes a lovely journey; others welcome him into their homes for private showings and fittings. “It’s something of a dying art, and I’ve been able to do it for a half century now. And I’m so very lucky in the clients that I have, and in how kind and generous they’ve been to me over the years.”

Maybe you’re curious about the world of couture; maybe it’s already your jam. Maybe there’s someone on your gift list who would love a special gift certificate. Do stop in to the Warren Street showroom/boutique when you’re next in Hudson and bask in the joy of a happy master of his art at work. “I am absolutely still having fun,” he says. “This is a labor of love.”

michael boris clothing

117 Warren Street, Hudson 917-403-0478 michaelboris.com

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

7 Rock City Rd, Woodstock 845-679-2097 tibetanartsncrafts.com

66 NORTH FRONT STREET

(Corner of Crown) 845 - 481-5759 83

PAPER TRAIL

MONTGOMERYROW.COM

6422 & 6423 MONTGOMERY STREET

@MontgomeryRow @MontgomeryRowrbk

PAUSE DOG BOUTIQUE

GIGI TRATTORIA

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

OLIVA! OLIVE OILS & VINEGARS

RHINEBECK, NY

SHOP LOCALLY

Shop Locally

ant to get a bunch of shopping done without endless driving around and hunting parking spaces? You owe yourself a visit to Montgomery Row in Rhinebeck, where a curated selection of neighboring shops offers essential goodness—books, toys, fine clothing, hand-dipped chocolate, gour-

tique, small-group fitness session. It’s the perfect blend of coziness, convenience, and cachet—Bill and Hillary lunched at Gigi Trattoria here when Chelsea’s wedding brought them to town—without a whiff of snobbery; in other words, Montgomery Row is quintessential Rhinebeck.

met olive oil, home goods, skateboarding gear, baby and children’s shoes and clothing, fine paper, and unusual pet goodies. After treasure hunting, you can grab a great cup of coffee or a fine meal, get your hair done, wander an art gallery, and treat yourself to a bou-

Piper Woods grew up in Rhinebeck, where her family owned a car dealership and repair shop. She went on to study environmental science and geography at Ohio Wesleyan University. “I had a vision for this,” she says of the

Photos Courtesy Of Montgomery Row

visitvortex.com

m o n t g o m e ry ro w

At Montgomery Row in Rhinebeck, a curated selection of neighboring shops offers essential goodness.

property’s transformation 22 years ago. “I’m passionate about small business; I feel very strongly about community and collaboration, and I wanted to make a destination that would serve everyone involved. It’s really more of a lifestyle center than a shopping mall—but part of the ethos is that you can find wonderful things here in any price range.” When Montgomery Row added a second building in 2004, Woods’ environmental science background led her to go with a geothermal system long before most developers had it on their radar. Some of the shops in Montgomery Row, such as Oblong Books, Changes (men’s clothing) and Hammer86

town, have more than one location, but all 21 are expressly chosen for consciousness, ethics, quality, and variety. “One of the things I’m super passionate about is finding businesses that have a really great concept and a unique point of view,” she says. “And we’ve been super lucky to build the community that we have here. Everyone is so smart and dedicated to welcoming customers. We pack a great, unique experience into this block-and-a-half.” All six of the first tenants—Gigi Trattoria, Changes, Hammertown, Oblong Books, Paper Trail, and Xanadu Hair Studio—have stayed and flourished, building Montgomery Row’s reputation as a destination

“I’m passionate about small business; I feel very strongly about community and collaboration, and I wanted to make a destination that would serve everyone involved.” – Piper Woods, owner, Montgomery Row that Hudson Valley magazine readers have voted

cut and New York in the Colonial era; Oblong’s

nesses in our communities. And the business

“Best Shopping Block.” “I both like and love all my tenants,” says Woods. “I’m super blessed to have them, and I do all I can to support their success. If they’re successful, I’m successful.”

other outpost is on the Connecticut border in Millerton. “We’ve seen an amazing resurgence of independent bookstores in the past decade,” she says. “The chains decimated the landscape in the ‘90s, just as malls and shopping centers did to small retail generally. But people have moved on from that a bit; we’ve realized we really want vibrant landscapes full of interesting small busi-

model of a huge chain bookstore just really never made sense; it takes an awful lot of money to fill and staff a space that big, and people didn’t really bond with those places. I don’t need to physically have a book in my space to get you access to it; we can get you any book in the world in just a few days. So we focus on making it magical.”

Suzanna Hermans is co-owner of Oblong Books, named after the unique strip of land 20 miles off the Hudson that was claimed by both Connecti-

“Those of us in the original building, we’ve all been there for 20 years, which makes for a really cool work life. I think that’s a huge testament to Piper, her vision for this space, and her commitment to her tenants.” – Suzanna Hermans, co-owner of Oblong Books

Hermans’ father founded Oblong’s Millerton store in 1975. “He lives in Pine Plains, so that location made sense,” she says. “Piper reached out to him back in 2001, when she was converting the property, and Dad was smart enough to see it as a great opportunity to expand at the right time. I was in high school then, not paying a whole lot of attention, but I’ll never forget our opening—it was September 15, 2001, four days after 9/11, and people needed to connect, to process. We had people coming in just to talk before we even opened, while we were setting up. I still get goosebumps remembering them walking in with pale, exhausted, anxious faces. It was a somber time to open a store, but an important one—our bond with the Rhinebeck community really began right there.”

Hermans has transformed herself from a teen to the sort of indie book merchant who gets profiled by Kirkus and asked to judge literary contests; along the way, her appreciation for Woods’ management style has only grown. “Piper’s a dream landlord,” she says. “She’s committed to supporting her tenants at a level that, from what I understand, is extremely uncommon. She organizes group advertising; she’s recently been helping us do billboards together and covering some of the cost, which is prohibitive for an individual small business. She gets it that you can’t just fill your space and walk away; you need to continue to support the businesses throughout their tenancy and then they’ll stick around. Those of us in the original building, we’ve all been there for 20 years, which makes for a really cool

work life. I think that’s a huge testament to Piper, her vision for this space, and her commitment to her tenants.” All of this, of course, translates into a retail experience as deep and broad as it gets. Alongside the shopping, dining, boutique fitness classes, and art, one can schedule financial consulting or a therapy session, get a haircut from folks who styled Clinton wedding guests, or arrange for website design or some market research. There’s a lot to shop for in this blended block. And because they’re having fun, so will you. “We really do cater to everyone,” says Woods. “You can go into Hammertown or Pa-

per Trail or Krause’s Chocolates, into Starrybird Kids or Oblong, into any of our stores really and find something that appeals to you or to whatever unique individual you might be shopping for, across all kinds of price points and across every demographic, something for every taste. I love the fact that loads of incredibly varied people take the opportunity to enjoy the destination we’ve created here.” For seasonal discounts and rewards, customers can sign up for Montgomery Row REWARDS at montgomeryrow.com/promotion/montgomery-row-rewards/ Their most popular promotion, SHOP, DINE, INDULGE, is in November & December.

m o n tg o m e ry ro w

6422-6423 Montgomery Street, Rhinebeck 845-876-0543 montgomeryrow.com 89

GARDEN CENTER: Christmas Trees, Poinsettias, Wreaths, Kissing Balls, FARM FRESH: Home Grown & Local Vegetables, NY Cheese, Maple Syrup, Honey, and many other Specialty Foods! BAKERY: Apple Cider Donuts, Fresh Baked Pies, Breads, Muffins & More! Place your Holiday orders! CHRISTMAS SHOWROOM: Collectable Santas, Ornaments, Tree Toppers, Home Decor, and Unique Gifts Open 7 days a week 9am-6:30pm 845-255-8050 15 Route 299 West New Paltz, NY www.WallkillViewFarmMarket.com

adamsfarms.com

POUGHKEEPSIE

KINGSTON

NEWBURGH

WAPPINGER

MIDDLETOWN

Route 44 845-454-4330

Route 9W 845-336-6300

Route 300 845-569-0303

Route 9 845-632-9955

636 NYS RT 211 East 845-415-8500

Like us on Facebook! Follow us on instagram @wallkillviewfarm Follow us on Pinterest @wallkillview

Since

1978

2017

100% Organic Produce

Always Warm, Fresh and Delicious

Bulk Items Vitamins & Supplements Bakery Body Care Products

Experience Our Award Winning Café & Deli with Our Homemade Soups

Holiday Gift Cards are Available 300 KINGS MALL CT • KINGSTON • 845-336-5541 | 249 MAIN STREET • SAUGERTIES • 845-264-9614 | MOTHEREARTHSTOREHOUSE.COM 91

HIGH FALLS Local Seasonal Produce L o cAccord, a l M e a t sNY & D a i r y | OPEN DAILY 21 Main Street, 12404 L o c a|l accordm C r a f t B ekt.com e r & C i| d e@accordm r 845-377-0060 kt F r e s h L o c a l P r e p a r e d Fo o d s & B a ke d G o o d s

ALL PRODUCE IS NOT CREATED EQUAL

FOOD CO-OP

highfallsfoodcoop.com

ASK ALISON Fresh Manager

YOUR COMMUNITY-OWNED NATURAL FOODS GROCERY

Fruits & Vegetables • Winter squash • apples • Cider bakery • apple Cider donuts • Fresh breWed CoFFee salads • sandWiChes • soups • groCeries giFts loCal honey & Maple syrup • koMbuCha on tap OPEN DAILY • Closed Mondays 845-626-CORN (2676) • www.saunderskill.com 5100 Rte. 209 • Accord, NY 12404

Thank you for supporting our family farm. Have a wonderful winter season, we will see you in the Spring!

OUR FARMS

Our Farms

a da m s fa i r ac r e fa r m s sign that usually features nutrition and handling tips. You’ll want to linger a bit, but get ready, because it’s just the beginning: there’s a stocked garden center just beyond the veggies, and…is that a candy shop? And you’ve still barely scratched the surface of this enchanting place. There’s a butcher shop, an array of freshcaught fish and seafood, aisles of groceries stocked with imported foods and ingredients

visitvortex.com

Photos Courtesy Of Adams

he moment you step in the door of an Adams Fairacre Farms, a sumptuous, colorful array of produce is spread before you, fresh scents mingling in the air with an enticing whiff of fresh baked goods, stretching for yards and yards: piles of hand-selected fruits, berries, vegetables, herbs, greens, mushrooms, potatoes, squashes, root vegetables, peppers, tomatoes, and more, each variety marked by a

There are so many reasons we love our Hudson Valley, but near the top of the list is having an Adams Fairacre Farms nearby. from a veritable United Nations’ worth of countries, with local specialties proudly holding their own amongst them, and an extensive, fragrant bakery. This market is an experience to be savored—so don’t worry if it takes some time to explore. A selection of house-made prepared foods—chicken wings, assorted cooked vegetables, macaroni and cheese, lasagna, stuffed cabbage, baked or poached salmon, and more— awaits you at the hot bars. There’s no need to cook when you get home and are pleasantly exhausted from shopping; a team helmed by an executive-level chef has you covered. 94

There are so many reasons we love our Hudson Valley, but near the top of the list is having an Adams Fairacre Farms nearby—which most people do, now that they have stores in Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Newburgh, Wappinger and Middletown. Each store is just a bit different, reflecting local tastes, but the quality standards are uniform— and in every Adams Fairacre Farms, the produce is the first thing you’ll see. That’s not just because it’s so pretty: It’s because the Adams team never forgets their roots, which are solidly grounded in the Hudson Valley’s rich soil and agricultural heritage.

Ralph Adams (left) taking apples to the market, 1920s

Adams Fairacre Farms is an experience to be savored—so don’t worry if it takes some time to explore.

It was 1919 when Ralph and Mary Rogers Adams bought their 50 acres on Pleasant Valley Road in Poughkeepsie and planted their first crop. By the 1920s, they were a regular sight at the town’s central market in Clinton Square, where chefs and grocers sought their supplies. In 1932, the family—which now included Diana, Dorothy, Ralph Jr., and Daniel—opened their first roadside stand on a dirt road that would grow to become Route 44, helping keep the neighborhood fed and healthy through the Great Depression.

Ralph, Dorothy & Diana Adams

The 1940s would be a decade of adventures. Dorothy was crowned Miss Apple Blossom Queen in 1941. Ralph Jr., aka Ralph R., earned his pomology degree from Cornell in 1944 and served in the Army Air Corps, coming home to marry his college sweetie Doris. Meanwhile, his sister Diana was serving in England and France with the Office of Strategic Services. Farm & Greenhouse, 1958

Greenhouse, barn, house, farmstand, and pick-your-own field, 1946

Ralph (L) and Don Adams (R), breaking ground for expansion of Adams Country Foods. 96

While each Adams Fairacre Farms is a tiny bit different, there’s even more that all five share: meticulous sourcing, careful hiring and thorough training, and keeping absolutely everything pretty, tidy, and up-to-the-minute fresh. The first “Adams Market” full-on farmstand was constructed, but it was decided that it sounded a bit conceited, so the wooden sign was changed to read “Fairacre Farm.” The family began offering pick-your-own berries and pumpkins, and purchased more acreage—orchards in Salt Point that grew apples and peaches. (When Ralph R. married Doris in ‘46, they celebrated by purchasing another apple orchard.) By the time Ralph Senior passed in 1957, he’d seen those first hopeful seeds mature into a strong sapling. And when Ralph R. and Donald took the reins, they built a fine new store— garage-style doors kept the open-air feel, and fresh local milk

and eggs were added to the produce along with some gardening basics and fresh-cut Christmas trees in season. They prospered, and the ‘60s were another decade full of firsts and expansions: a full garden center in 1962, a landscaping division in 1965. By the 1970s, the family was growing fruit and produce on 200 acres; Adams Fences became the logical extension of Adams Landscaping in 1974, and in 1977, the Adams Country Foods division added the first delicatessen, cheeses, and gourmet groceries. The following year, Ralph’s son Mark and his wife Sue would launch the first greenhouse.

Mark and Sue Adams Greenhouses, ca. 2022

When the Kingston store was opened in 1981, the brothers realized they hardly had the time to farm, and leaned into sourcing the best from local growers. In 1987, a power equipment division was added to the Poughkeepsie-based landscape and fencing department; in 1988, a major remodel at the original store added a butcher shop, seafood, and a flower shop. In 1992, Kingston expanded to include meat, seafood, a bakery, and an expanded garden center, along with a nursery yard and houseplant

greenhouse. And in 1998, the family opened its third location in Newburgh, featuring a salad bar, prepared foods, more gourmet groceries, and the first sweet shop. The sweet shop and prepared foods were added to Kingston and Poughkeepsie in the early 2000s; the Wappinger store opened in 2011, and a major renovation in Newburgh in 2016 added a fresh mozzarella factory (the brand is carried in every Adams) and a pizza shop.

The fifth store, in Middletown, just opened its doors last June. And while each Adams Fairacre Farms is a tiny bit different in response to local customers’ preferences, there’s even more that all five share: meticulous sourcing (you can read about 16 of their growing partners under “Our Local Farmers” on their website), careful hiring and thorough training of their 1,700-strong workforce, and keeping absolutely everything pretty, tidy, and up-to-the-minute fresh. (Seafood, for example, is delivered every morning 97

except Sunday, and fish is cut in-store for maximum freshness. Hamburger is ground in-store.) Employees in each department are subject-matter experts, wellversed in the products they sell and happy to share nutrition insights and handling instructions. The catering department has a vast selection of everything from breakfasts and sandwiches to entrees, platters, and appetizers. Need a whole turkey roasted? Would that be for pickup or delivery? (You can pick it up steaming hot.) And how about a fresh floral centerpiece to go with?

We haven’t even discussed the unique line of pet products, much less the old-timey feel of the Sweet Shop offerings, which of course include options to accommodate any dietary requirement or preference you may have, or the company website’s wealth of culinary and gardening tips, agricultural and nutrition wisdom, and mouth-watering recipes. But perhaps we’ve said enough to demonstrate why, as stated, we Hudson Valley denizens are thrilled and grateful that Ralph and Mary decided, over a century ago, to start a little farm and see how things went. Deliciously, that’s how—here’s to another century full of the freshest ideas around.

Poughkeepsie

Kingston

Newburgh

Wappinger

Middletown

ADAMS FAIRACRE FARMS Locations in Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Wappinger, Newburgh, and Town of Wallkill/Middletown 845-454-4330 (Poughkeepsie) adamsfarms.com

Wishing you a happy, healthy winter season.

See you in the spring!

5755 Route 209, Kerhonkson, NY 845-626-7137 KeldersFarm.com

FAMILY OWNED, HANDMADE CHOCOLATE TREATS

Chocolate Truffles • Bark

Vegan & Organic Options

Decorative Chocolate Molds And So Much More

luckychocolates.com 113A Partition St, Saugerties 845-247-3134 restaurants • catering • mobile food truck

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 100

• delivery service • 7 days a week • online ordering

101

RE D

ITH ’S C

OU NT RY B

AK ER Y, L LC

ALL-NATURAL • LOCAL • NO PRESERVATIVES

· BREAD · PIES · COOKIES

Traditional Bakery and Dedicated Gluten-free Bakery

· MUFFINS · QUICHE · JAM & more!

Meredithsbread.com | (845) 331-4318 | 415 Route 28, Kingston, NY 12401

restaurant | bistro | bar

Celebrating 25 years in the Hudson Valley! Photo: Forged in the North

Thank you for supporting local, organic, authentic dining and good food. terrapinrestaurant.com/25-years 845-876-3330 rt. 9, rhinebeck indoor dining | patio seating | takeout

102

ENTERTAINING

Entertaining

visitvortex.com

t i p s f o r h i r i n g a c at e r e r

103 103

Why not save yourself the hassle and turn the cooking part of the project over to the pros? We have loads of great people around here who’ll cater you a meal you can be proud to share.

hrowing a party? When you factor in the cost of running around after ingredients, and the time you’ll spend putting dishes together, hiring a caterer may begin to sound like a really good idea. After all, your goal here is to have a great time with people you cherish, not to spend enormous time and energy on prep and even more on making sure, whilst your friends mingle, that the hot things are hot and the cold things are cold and the veggie lasagne comes out of the oven at the perfect moment.

loads of great people around here who’ll cater you a meal you can be proud to share, whatever your tastes and needs might be. Catering isn’t just for weddings anymore, and choices range from a standout six-foot sub for game night to a globally inspired feast of gourmet delicacies. Here are some things to consider and questions to ask to help you find the caterer who’ll leave a really good taste in your mouth:

1. START WITH FAVORITES So why not save yourself the hassle and turn the cooking part of the project over to the pros? We have 104

If there’s a restaurant where you’ve had a meal that made you happy for

If there’s a restaurant where you’ve had a meal that made you happy for days, check with them and see if they do catering. days, check with them and see if they do catering. If not, think about the kind of cuisine you want and do some online research (Pro tip: our advertisers who cater do exceptional work). Read menus and reviews to get an idea of the chef’s expertise.

2. NARROW YOUR LIST TO THREE OR FOUR POSSIBILITIES

Make some phone calls. Don’t be put off if they’re too busy to talk on first contact; restauranting is a demanding life, and you’ll get the best results if you start by asking when they might be free to talk. With a phone appointment, you’ll be sure to have their undivided attention. Find out if they’re available on your date; if so, schedule an in-person appointment that can include menu planning and a kitchen tour. 105

Look for signs of a well-run operation.

3. AT YOUR MEETING, LOOK FOR SIGNS OF A WELL-RUN OPERATION. Any place can have a bad day, but even then, there should be teamwork on display, not shouting and misery. Restaurant kitchens routinely get messy, but chronic crud is another story. Things should look, smell, and feel orderly and cheerful.

4. COMMUNICATE YOUR NEEDS AND WANTS CLEARLY. Include what tableware you’ll need, and your special menu considerations, preferences, or any allergies. Some places can handle any restriction you throw their 106

way; others, not so much. Through this process, you should be able to get a sense of whether you’re dealing with the right people.

5. CONSIDER SERVING STYLES. Buffet, sit-down? Will you have a bar? Make sure the caterer you’d like to use can offer the staff you’ll need to pull off the party you want. A buffet for 30 can be handled by two servers, while a more formal sit-down dinner needs a server for each table of eight. And if it is important to you, feel free to ask about what they’ll be wearing.

6. SCHEDULE A TASTING Once you have a menu plan in

place, a good caterer should offer a tasting so that you can be sure that the flavors will meet your expectations. (Ask up-front if this will be part of the package.) Don’t go to your tasting on an empty stomach or right after a meal; aim for the sweet spot that allows you to fully appreciate each bite.

7. GO OVER YOUR QUOTE DETAILS Before you sign a contract, make sure you know exactly what’s included in the quoted price. Will catering staff help with cleanup? Here (as in every aspect of catering and life), clear communication is the key to avoiding unpleasant surprises.

8. PERFECT YOUR FINISHING TOUCHES Relax and focus on your guest list, your planned entertainment, and polishing your party space to a shine. With the food taken care of, you will be free to look forward to the fun!

107

R E STAU R A N T • B A R • P R I VAT E E V E N TS I N D O O R & PAT I O D I N I N G Thursday-Saturday 4:30-10pm, Bar till 11 Sunday & Monday 4:30-9pm, Bar till 10 Closed Tuesday & Wednesday For updates and details: @eatmillandmain 845-626-1255

treet.com llandmainstreet.com

www.millandmainstreet.com www.millandmainstreet.com www.millandmainstreet.com www.millandmainstreet.com @shopmillandmain millandmainstreet.com 845-626-1458

Regional American Cuisine 94 North Front Street, Kingston, NY 12401 845-338-2626 HoffmanHouseTavern.com

108

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

Historic Rondout

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

Waterfront Dining

COFFEE BAR BREAKFAST & LUNCH LOCAL PROVISIONS SERVING WINE & BEER HAPPY HOUR FRIDAYS

Comfort Food with a Modern Twist OleSavannah.com | 845-331-4283 100 Rondout Landing, Kingston, New York

JOIN US FOR OUR NEW SUNDAY SUPPER SERIES!

11 Jane Street, Saugerties 845-247-7189 • ORDER ONLINE olsenandcompany.com 109

Meet the Owner

chef zach berger, private chef

hen you’re hosting a celebration, it can be hard to balance your desire to just enjoy your companions with your desire to utterly bliss them out with unforgettable food. You have to either jump ship on a great conversation in midstream or risk over-crisping the crescent rolls. Imagine for a moment that you

can call on an outstanding private chef who’ll do the catering or even come to your home or venue and work his magic before your very eyes. That person exists right here in the Hudson Valley, and his name is Zach Berger; he’d love to bring his foraged and farm-fresh flavors and turn your dining table into his Cultural Paradise.

Imagine for a moment that you can call on an outstanding private chef who’ll do the catering or even come to your home. That person’s name is Zach Berger. 110

MEET THE OWNER Berger’s eclectic and delectable menus leave his clients sighing with contentment and ad-

miration for his sheer originality. His Facebook feed is littered with tantalizing references to dishes: tempura frog legs with fennel celeriac slaw over black garlic aioli, artichoke ceviche soaked in citrus sweet & spicy leche de tigre, Catskills-sourced Wagyu sirloin roast served with Japanese BBQ mayo. It’s not surprising that he’s been winning hearts and palates, but like a true Hudson Valley kid, he carries it humbly—even as his new TV show, Wildly Creative,

debuts on Eat This TV. “I never want to feel I am better than anyone or deserve anything more than anyone else,” he says. “I try to focus on dishes and flavors from my travels all over the world, while paying close homage to my home in the Hudson Valley. This means using foraged forest flavors along with sourcing from local farms. I will say my flavors are bold and

visitvortex.com

“I want people to first know I’m a regular human before I’m a business,” says Berger, who grew up near Peekskill and moved upriver in 2008. “Being a private chef, feeding people, is all about creating memories and celebrating culture and the Hudson Valley/Catskills region. My food and reputation speak for my business.”

111 111

different in many ways, largely due to the fact that I use foraged ingredients like pine, birch, shagbark hickory, Queen Anne’s Lace, and many more.” His exotic flair is globally sourced in the truest sense; his path to the stove was a winding one. “Growing up, I was very active,” he says. “I played soccer and music from a young age, which led to touring throughout the world with punk and hardcore bands, working in random restaurants from time to time. Then I spent 10 years working with at-risk teens in preventative services here in Ulster County, still traveling a lot. My travel is my source of knowledge and I’m always learning—there are so many right ways to do it.”

Travel and romance ultimately led to cooking professionally. “During a transitional portion of my life, after an awful breakup I went to Peru,” he says. “I fell in love and that sparked my interest in opening my own restaurant. After some successful years in Peru, I sold the restaurant and was back here trying to figure out what to do while still working my social work job. I was trying to get my name out in the Hudson Valley and Catskills as a chef offering farm dinners and pop-ups. Then the pandemic happened. I saw the influx of people coming to our area, and I made the switch to full-time private chef. The rest is history!” Last Labor Day weekend, he went from preparing the cheese course

“Being a private chef, feeding people, is all about creating memories and celebrating culture and the Hudson Valley/Catskills region.” – Zach Berger 112

“I promise, you’re getting the finest food, with heart and soul poured into it.” – Zach Berger at a sit-down dinner for 75 on Bannerman’s Island, one of a select team of chefs led by former Governor’s Mansion Executive Chef Noah Sheetz, to grilling burgers and dogs at a friend’s car show. “I made jalapeno pickle burgers,” he says. “The hot dogs were basically hot dogs—I like to call them ‘squeal pigs’—and I made relish for them with 10 different wild forest mushrooms, pickled beets, pickled onions, and pickled carrots.” His best grilling tip? “Have a right-hand person who can tend the fire while you do your prep, or just make sure you have everything together where you need it, all your tools and supplies. I’m always getting hung up like that: ‘Oh shoot, I forgot my spatula.’ But really, for fire-based cooking, an accomplice is ideal.” Most of the time, he’s a one-man show: foraging, shopping, visiting sites, planning menus, answering a zillion emails, calls, and texts. “I truly don’t get the hype around me personally,” he says. “I’m enjoying it, trying to get used to it, but it’s a little weird.” Sometimes he squeezes in a hike or a swim, or hosts friends for a potluck. “Every day is a culinary adventure,” he says, “whether I’m visiting farms, farmer’s markets, clients’ homes, event venues, or whatever, I’m out and about enjoying myself. Every menu is different. Every home is different. I love it, and I love the 113

freedom of being able to choose the direction of my own business.”

viders I trust and top-quality ingredients from around the world.”

He’s found his reputation growing, and loves serving fellow foodies. “My clients definitely appreciate food and usually have the palate to explore the flavors I love to share,” he says. “Being a private chef is considered a high-end service; I try to be as fair in pricing as I can to allow everyone an opportunity to book with me. And I promise, you’re getting the finest food, with heart and soul poured into it. The relationships I’ve built with farms allow me to assure the best meats, produce, and fruits, and I know how to choose. I’ve raised animals, picked from the farm, foraged the woods, and more. When I need to outsource, I use local pro-

This winter, he’s planning a trip to Southeast Asia, so booking Chef Zach Berger’s Cultural Paradise this coming spring probably means you’ll taste a whole new range of adventures—and hear about some of them if you like. And in the tradition of the late Anthony Bourdain, the adventures both include and transcend food. “I still jump off stages from time to time,” he says. “I’ll never be easy to characterize; I don’t fit in a pigeonhole. I have my high-end clients who don’t want to talk to me about any of that, and then other high-end clients who are, like, ‘Tell me about all of it…’”

c h e f z ac h be rge r Instagram: @food_master_flex Chefzachberger@gmail.com

114

A Culinary Experience Like No Other. FLAVORS FROM REGIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD USING FRESH LOCAL INGREDIENTS.

New Orleans Style Menu With Locally Sourced Ingredients • Sunset Views • Craft Cocktails, Beer and Wine • Live music every Thursday!

Outdoor seating with the best view in town! theparishrestaurant . com

845.255.4205

water street market, new paltz

• Rustic American Style Cuisine

• Overnight Accommodations

• Locally Sourced Ingredients

• Catering Available

• Inside & Outside Dining

•Take-Out Available

Check our website for the most current menu and dining hours

Chef Zach Berger PRIVATE CHEF AND CATERER

Email: chefzachberger@gmail.com

Instagram: @food_master_flex 5819 MAIN STREET, TANNERSVILLE • 518-589-5445 • JESSIESHARVESTHOUSE.COM

115

116

Woodfired Pizza & Entrees

Upscale Steak & Seafood

Authentic Mexican Cuisine

845-688-5370 brios.net

845-688-9800 thephoeniciansteakhouse.com

845-688-5259 alamocantina.com

WE MOVED!!! Come see our newly renovated location.

GREAT FOOD. GREAT MUSIC. GOOD TIMES.

2842 Route 209 North Marbletown

845-687-2699

highfallscafe.com

Holiday Party Catering In House & Out

743 Route 28, Kingston

Open 7 days for Lunch & Dinner

845-338-2424

hickoryrestaurant.com 117

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

YOUR LOCAL COUNTRY STORE SINCE 1952

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

We Deliver Catering To the Entire Hudson Valley & Catskills

OPEN DAILY • 845-657-2338 • TETTASMARKET.COM 118

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

Serving New Paltz for 49 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

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

7 ON SECOND STREET, ATHENS 838-945-0702 SECONDSRESTAURANT.COM

FALAFEL, SABICH, SALADS & MORE

OPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH • INDOOR/OUTDOOR SEATING • TAKE OUT • GLUTEN FREE

54 East Market St. Rhinebeck 845-876-2324 abasfalafel.com 119

Local Eatery

se cond s restaura nt

120

“We like to have fun here,” says proprietor Denise McCarroll. “We’re located directly across the street from the Athens Cultural Center, and they change their exhibit the first Friday of

McCarroll grew up in Greene County and in the restaurant world. “I started in the food business when I was 14. My aunt was in the business; she kind of took me under her wing and I

Welcome to Seconds, a delicious outpost of casual fine dining in the charming river town of Athens.

LOCAL EATERY

every month, so we coordinated with them and had block parties. They actually blocked off our block so people could dance and sit in the street, and we had a really good summer. Then in October, we’ll be having a Moroccan night, when we have Gabriella Cucolo perform. She’s from Saratoga Springs and does authentic Egyptian-style belly dance. This will be like the fourth time she’s performed here, and it’s really magical.”

visitvortex.com

o what’s for dinner? How about a bowl of lobster bisque, followed up by a feta mushroom lamb burger with yogurt mint sauce and a side of house-made gaufrettes, or a serving of almond-crusted goat cheese with roasted garlic and wine-poached pear followed by a grilled-to-order NY strip steak? Welcome to Seconds, a delicious outpost of casual fine dining in the charming river town of Athens.

121

“Casual fine dining is just our sweet spot, it’s who we are and we don’t pretend to be anything else.” – Proprietor Denise McCarroll got into it and just loved it. I mean, I’ve done a few other things in my life’s seasons, raising my kids and stuff, but once my last one graduated high school, I said that’s it. I’m getting back into the food.” Now she’s back on her home turf serving up fine American cuisine with a strong Mediterranean flair, courtesy of her longtime partner, Chef Salah Alygad, whose resume reflects 32 122

years of experience, including cooking at the United Nations. “I had worked in a restaurant where he was part owner and one of the chefs, and that’s where we met up, and it just kind of evolved from there,” says McCarroll. “Before coming upstate, he had been a banquet chef at the United Nations, so he knows people from all over the place. Consequently, I have gotten

the privilege of making these connections also, and yeah, my horizons have been quite broadened and I just absolutely love it. Here I am, just an upstate country girl, and I’ve made all these amazing connections and friends without having to go all that far from home.” Since the duo teamed up, their adventures have included running the beloved Friends and Family II Hillside restaurant in Accord for

14 years. In their hands, the restaurant was a beloved destination, but McCarroll is happy with her shorter commute. “So we were in Ulster County for 14 years, then in Catskill for three, and now we’re in Athens,” she says. “We just keep moving closer and closer to home. And at this point we’ve built a great following. Just this weekend we had guests come up from Ulster County— they find us wherever we go now. Last summer exceeded our expectations.” Seconds has been open for a year now, and visitors and locals in Athens are indeed thrilled to have them in town. The restaurant has a solid five stars on Google. “Seconds was SO GOOD!” writes a reviewer. “The hummus, beef stroganoff and Moroccan salmon were delicious and the atmosphere was lovely! We also ordered the gelato for dessert and it was the best gelato we’ve ever had, especially in the affogato!! Cannot wait to go back and try more dishes and get the gelato again!” As many dishes as humanly possible are locally sourced; McCarroll shops locally every day for fresh ingredients for that night’s menu, orders liquor and wine for the full bar, and (like most owners) basically does whatever needs doing. “I’m always here,” she says. “I think customers like that, knowing I’ll be here, knowing they’ll find a familiar face.”

123

The team takes a break twice a year to replenish their energy and craft the upcoming season’s menu. “Casual fine dining is just our sweet spot, it’s who we are and we don’t

And I think it has a little extra pull to it, because the locals are happy to see a fellow local doing something like this.”

pretend to be anything else,” says McCarroll. “We love what we do—he loves to cook, I love people. We’re both passionate about it and enjoy it enormously. It’s funny because when we opened, everybody who came in kept asking, ‘Where did you come from?’ and the answer is, right here in Greene County.

fed. McCarroll and Alygad couldn’t be happier with their cozy nest. “This will be the last stop—he just turned 70, and I’m turning 67,” McCarroll says. “So we really do pour all the passion and expertise and love into what we’re doing here, and we just want to stay here and keep having fun.”

Happy—and exceptionally well

s e c o n d s r e s tau r a n t

7 2nd Street, Athens 838-945-0702 secondsrestaurant.com

124

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

125

COLD WEATHER, WARM HEARTS

Make your special weekend extraordinary with a private tasting experience

Since 1960

The Hudson Valley’s Premiere Source for Wine & Spirits

It’s always warm inside. Make reservations on the website or vi a th e Q R co de

www.Stoutridge.com 126

WINE AND SPIRIT TASTINGS Fri 4-7pm & Sat 1-4pm EVERY DAY 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 Rte. 9W, Kingston, NY

Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery Home of Hudson Whiskey

Come for a tour, stay for a cocktail! 14 Grist Mill Lane, Gardiner, NY 12525 @Tuthilltown

A R RO WO O D FA R M S BREWERY & DISTILLERY

OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK! Check our socials for weekly specials like... • $5 DRAFTS EVERY MONDAY • WING & BURGER + BEER NIGHTS 236 Lower Whitfield Road, Accord 8 4 5 - 2 5 3 - 0 3 8 9 • a r rowo o d fa r m s . co m a r rowo o d fa r m s

Free Tastings and Tours. Cocktail Lounge. Wood Burning Fireplace.

43311 State Hwy 28, Arkville 845-586-6300 uniongrovedistillery.com 127

now reserving for 2024 c o m p l e t e g u i d e to h u d s o n va l l e y & c at s k i l l s w e d d i n g s

weddingvortex@gmail.com

@weddingvortex

Fireside Warmth Inc. A full service hearth shop.

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

Visit our complete showroom with display models as well as accessories for all your hearth needs. Our expert staff, unmatched selection and reasonable prices have helped Fireside Warmth Inc. earn our reputation for convenience, quality and value.

845-331-5656 901 State Route 28, Kingston, NY www.firesidewarmthonline.com 128

129

PAINT IT

STAIN IT

MAKE IT YOURS

UNFINISHED FURNITURE & CUSTOM MADE FURNITURE

Pools, Spas & Patio Furniture 1606 Ulster Avenue, Lake Katrine (Next to Adams) • 336-8080

30% OFF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE

One Light...Changes Everything. One Light...Changes EEverything. hi Custom Inground Pool Installations Large Selection of Patio Furniture Salt Water Spas Free Pool and Spa Water Analysis

www.aquajetpools.com Family owned and operated for over 40 years 130

YOUR STYLE.YOUR COLOR.YOUR WAY

Bare Furniture WWW.BAREFURNITURENY.COM

LIVING & DINING SEATING & OCCASIONAL OFFICE & ENTERTAINMENT BEDROOM & HOME ACCENTS

[845] 626.0061

HOME

Home

visitvortex.com

aqua j e t p o o l s a n d s pa s

131 131

Water makes up over 60 percent of our bodies. It’s only natural, then, that getting into water feels so good.

magine it: after a long day, you can immerse yourself in water. You’re literally taking a load off. As the silkiness caresses your skin, replenishing and refreshing every nerve in your body, regrets and worries slip away. Living in the moment becomes infinitely more possible. Water is literally life. It makes up over 60 percent of our bodies— more if you’re talking about heart, brain, and lungs—and we only last about three days without replenishing the supply. It’s only natural, then, that getting into water feels so good. That entrancing feeling of lightness—in neck-deep water, we experience only about 10 percent of the gravity we feel on land—and the relaxation that comes with it as we rest our muscles and nerves is truly glorious.

132

Of course, to experience these wonders, we need to know we’re in water that’s safe and clean; there’s nothing relaxing about being tossed into a raging river. With safe, clean water handy, we can slip into its gentle embrace and get relief from aches and anxieties alike. And if that water is warm and flowing, we’re talking hydrotherapy: better circulation, reduced inflammation, lower blood pressure, and faster healing are just a few of the verified benefits. With all that wellness in play, adding a pool or spa to your space is one of the nicest things you can do for yourself and the ones you love. But where do you start? What size do you want? What horsepower pump do you need? Where can you put it and how do you prep the site? What are your options for water care? Finding the

AquaJet’s roots reach back to the ‘60s; by 2023, AquaJet— still very much a family business—was helping open and care for over 800 pools and installing new ones every year.

right answers to all of these questions and more will make the difference between a life-enhancing, trouble-free purchase that will bring enormous joy and an expensive deluge of regret. That’s where the good folks of AquaJet come in. The company’s roots reach back to the ‘60s, when state trooper John Turck wanted a pool at the family’s Kingston home. Pretty soon, his brother wanted one, too; not long after that, others followed and the Turck family garage became Pool Central, selling chemicals and supplies, advising newbies on pool care and choices. That was in 1971, and by 2023, AquaJet—still very much a family business— was helping open and care for over 800 pools and installing new ones every year, making the pool experience the relaxing, hassle-free joy that owners want and deserve.

The AquaJet folks, experts at water care and customer care alike, would love to help you find the spa that’s right for you, offering energy-efficient, easycare choices in a range of styles and sizes along with everything you’ll need for maintenance and a bunch of things you’ll want: comfy, good-looking patio furniture for tubside, multi-colored lighting that syncs to your music, fountains, waterfalls, wireless audio, and monitors that turn your backyard wellness center into an outdoor entertainment room. The possibilities for joy, health, comfort, and relaxation are limitless. Intrigued? Why not visit the AquaJet website and look around? Brand-specific buyers’ guides you’ll find there will answer most of your logistical and budgetary questions and help you color in the details of your home spa dreams. 133

After that, it’s time to give AquaJet a call or stop in at either the Lake Katrine or Highland locations for a chat with the experts. Of course, if you’d rather add a backyard pool—it can be hard to get a decent game of Marco Polo going in a spa—the AquaJet folks are ready and willing to help with every step of that, too. With spring comes the super-busy pool-opening season, so this is a great time of year to get everything set to go and embark on the beautiful journey to your dream backyard.

FIVE REASONS YOU NEED AN AQUAJET POOL 1. During a heat wave, swimming is a LOT more fun than jogging. 2. Any type of exercise strains your body about one-quarter as much in the water as on land, meaning you can go hard on full-body workouts without straining. 3. If you have kids, you’re a lot less likely to hear “I’m bored” on long summer days. (Espe-

134

cially if you get them some cool pool toys from AquaJet.) 4. Swimming holes are great, but they’re also pretty crowded these days, and you have to drive to them. 5. That feeling when the water is warmer than the air at night, like a cozy refuge. Add a moon to gaze at = absolute paradise. (You might, depending on your layout, be able to skip the swimsuit…)

FIVE REASONS YOU NEED AN AQUAJET SPA 1. All-over massage without having to pay (or plead with) anyone to give you one.

stretch and limber up effectively and painlessly. 4. A spa is the perfect place

2. An evening dip raises your body temperature and eases your aches for a wonderful night’s sleep. 3. A morning soak before you work out (or work) lets you

to unwind and chat with kids and friends. Conversations flow like water. 5. Date night. We’ll just leave this here and let your imagination do the rest.

a q ua j e t p o o l s a n d s pa s

1606 Ulster Ave, Lake Katrine, 845-336-8080 aquajetpools.com

135

WOOD PELLETS

Different Strokes PAINTING COMPANY

Joshua rodrIguez- Fully Insured InterIor/exterIor • resIdentIal/CommerCIal 845-389-5121 differentstrokespainting845@gmail.com 136

YOUR HOMETOWN HARDWARE STORE WINDOW & SCREEN REPAIR • CLASS CUTTING • KEY MAKING WOOD PELLETS • SOIL, MULCH, AND GRAVEL • PATIO STONE AND BLOCKS • SHADE CUTTING • CUSTOM PAINT MATCHING PROPANE REFILLS • DELIVERY AVAILABLE

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

137

TICKETS ON SALE

BEGINNER THROUGH ADVANCED ART COURSES FOR AGES 5-19

FOR TICKETS CALL 845.647.5511 SHADOWLANDSTAGES.ORG ELLENVILLE, NY

For Everyone On Your List

Artists & Makers +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dec. 9 & 1 0 1 1-4pm

at artport kingston 108 east strand , kingston waterfront

Live Holiday Music Yummy Food & Drink fo r m o r e i n fo r m at i o n g o to : i n - c i r c l e .o r g 138

“Victoria Gardens has a uniquely curated selection of ornaments that go well beyond the traditional Christmas themes.”

Events

Beautiful Locally Made Gifts

1 Cottekill Rd & Rt 213

DIY Wreath Making Studio Call or stop by! (845) 658-9007

Make your own holiday wreath in our open wreath making studio. Perfect for a night with friends, mother-daughter quality time, or solo crafting time! Call or stop by to schedule your appointment. Wreath Studio opens after Thanksgiving.

Houseplants

Holiday plants and trendy greens Houseplant care is less mysterious once you know how to match the right plant to the right environment. For more details visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/victoriagardens

Rosendale

RO S E N DA L E , NY

(845) 658-9007 www.victoriagardens.biz

EVENTS

Events

visitvortex.com

h u d s o n va l l e y w i n t e r f e s t i v i t i e s

139 139

CATSKILL MOUNTAIN RAILROAD: THE POLAR EXPRESS Weekends November 17- December 29 Set to the motion picture soundtrack, pajama-clad passengers will be whisked away aboard The Polar Express™ on a magical round-trip journey to the North Pole. The conductor will punch tickets, and chefs will serve hot chocolate, just like in the film. Passengers will also enjoy a sing-along and a special reading of this Van Allsburg classic. Santa will board the train at the North Pole to greet the children and give a special sleigh bell to all those who believe. Westbrook Lane Station at Kingston Plaza, Kingston 845-332-4854 • cmrrevents.com 140

MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY December 1-17 One of the most popularly produced plays in the country since its premiere, this hilarious sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is set two years after the novel ends. Bookish Mary has grown tired of her role as the dutiful middle sister in the face of her siblings’ romantic endeavors. But things change when an unexpected guest shows up for the family’s Christmas gathering at Pemberley, sparking Mary’s hope for independence, an intellectual equal, and maybe even love. Shadowland Stages, 157 Canal Street, Ellenville 845-210-4848 shadowlandstages.org/mainstage-season

ANNUAL UPTOWN KINGSTON SNOWFLAKE FESTIVAL December 1, 6-8pm Usher in the holiday season with Uptown Kingston’s annual Snowflake Festival! Holiday-themed performances, fire twirlers, jugglers, ice carving, horsedrawn carriage rides, a tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and so much more throughout the Historic Stockade District. Indoor and outdoor festivities for the whole family! This is a FREE event. Uptown Kingston kuba.network/snowflake

SINTERKLAAS FESTIVAL DAY, RHINEBECK December 2 Sinterklaas is a day-long, colorful celebration that features children’s workshops, dance, theatre, and music all over the village of Rhinebeck. Don’t miss the Dancing Bear, the Pocket Lady, and Mother Holly. The spectacular Children’s Starlight Parade at 6 pm, featuring two-story-tall, animated puppets carried by hundreds of volunteers, closes the day at twilight. A non-denominational event, Sinterklaas joins residents and visitors alike, people of all ages and backgrounds, in a memorable celebration of children, art, and the light of the winter season. Rhinebeck • sinterklaashudsonvalley.com/sinterklaas-festival-day-in-rhinebeck

HOLIDAY PHOTOS WITH THE GRINCH December 3, 10am-4pm Are you on the naughty list? Meet & Pose with the Grinch. Pets are welcome but not necessary. Cost of event is by donation: Your donation this year will go to Perfect Pets Rescue and Stray Cat Network. Please give generously. If you or your pet need extra space, please call ahead and sign up for a time slot; otherwise, just come on by. Pause Dog Boutique 6423 Montgomery Street, Rhinebeck 845-532-0676 • montgomeryrow.com/events

ARTISTS & MAKERS HOLIDAY MARKET December 9 & 10, 11-4pm Come out for Circle’s fourth annual holiday extravaganza. Get beautiful, locally made gifts for everyone on your list that you can feel really good about. All the 70-plus market vendors here are local artists and artisans. Enjoy live holiday music, yummy food, and festive drinks! Support your neighbors, and find just the right gifts. At ArtPort Kingston, 108 East Strand, Kingston Waterfront 845-389-8318 • in-circle.org

141

HOLIDAY PHOTOS WITH SANTA December 10, 10am-4pm Meet the real Santa, no fake beards here. Holiday Photos with Santa Claus. Pets are welcome but not necessary. Cost of photo/event is by donation: Your donation this year will go to Perfect Pets Rescue and Stray Cat Network. Please give generously. If you or your pet need extra space, please call ahead and sign up for a time slot; otherwise, just come on by. Pause Dog Boutique 6423 Montgomery Street, Rhinebeck 845-532-0676 • montgomeryrow.com/events

142

HUDSON VALLEY GINGERBREAD COMPETITION December 10 Show us your incredible gingerbread creations and you could win an overnight stay at Mohonk Mountain House! Join in on the holiday fun with our eighth annual Hudson Valley Gingerbread Competition. From gingerbread steamships, robots, and dinosaurs to the most detailed, exquisite, fairytale houses and cottages – This competition will showcase it all! 1000 Mountain Rest Road, New Paltz 855-883-3798 • mohonk.com/competition-details

“A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION,” CHAMBER MUSIC PRESENTED BY HUDSON VALLEY BAROQUE December 16, 2-3pm Hudson Valley Baroque provides old-style chamber entertainment combined with thought-provoking history education. Space is limited. Pre-registration is highly encouraged! $10 General Admission. $7 Discounted Admission for seniors, students, active military members and their families, veterans, and children under 13. Free for HHS members and children under 6. Crispell Memorial French Church 60 Huguenot Street, New Paltz 845-255-1660 huguenotstreet.org/calendar-of-events

COUNTRY LIVING AT ITS FINEST

BHHSHUDSONVALLEY.com WHERE WILL HOME TAKE YOU?

KINGSTON 845.340.1920

NEW PALTZ 845.255.9400

STONE RIDGE 845.687.0232

WOODSTOCK 845.679.0006

Sunrooms | Conservatories | Patio Rooms CALL NOW FOR YOUR ON-SITE CONSULTATION! 845-339-1787 | hvsunrooms.com @hvsfourseasons

@hvsfourseasons 143

NOW IS THE TIME

Call for Pricing. Closed the month of February.

Wood, Coal, Gas & Oil Flues Cleaned Caps & Dampers Installed

Fireplaces Cleaned and Repaired

Masonry Repairs & Water Sealing Pre-Fab Chimney Installations

Stainless Steel Relining Specialists Internal Camera Real Estate Inspection Serving Ulster County Since 1978

THE MAD HATTER CHIMNEY SWEEP CO. Call Flynn O’Connor

144

Stone Ridge, NY

845-687-4745

Emergency Well Pump Service Emergency Well Service Emergency WellPump Pump Service Plumbing Repairs & Installation Plumbing Installation Plumbing Repairs &Systems Installation Water Repairs Filtration Emergency Well&Pump Service WaterFiltration FiltrationSystems Systems Water Radiant Heat Flooring Plumbing Repairs & Installation 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 Drain FieldInstallation/Sump Installation/Sump Pump Installation Installation Septic Field Pump Radiant Heat&Flooring Plumbing Repairs Installation Licensed Master Plumber #136 Fully Insured Water Filtration Systems 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 riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com • riceplumbingandheating.com riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com • riceplumbingandheating.com Septic Field Installation/Sump Pump Installation Oil && Drain Gas Heating Systems-Installation & Service Septic & Drain Field Installation/Sump Pump Installation

Licensed Plumber#136 #136• •Fully FullyInsured Insured Licensed Master Master Plumber

riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com ••riceplumbingandheating.com riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com riceplumbingandheating.com

E Pl

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

Providing Mental Health Treatment to Children, Teens and Adults Therapists Specializing in Play, Maternal Mental Health, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression & More Appointments Available In-Person and by Telehealth Please contact Intake Coordinator for Consultations and Scheduling (845) 243-7899 / contactme@risinglotuscounseling.org / www.risinglotuscounseling.org

HAVE TAX QUESTIONS? WE ARE PAW-SITIVE WE CAN HELP!

845- 687-7800 Now offering daytime urgent care, pocket pets & house calls. Call for more info. MarbletownAnimalHospital.com

Scan the QR code to sign up for your FREE 2-Week Trial of Karate Classes Mention Vortex to get an additional present

145

The largest selection of On-Running in the area

77 Partition Street | Saugerties, NY 12477 | 845-246-4381 www. montanoshoestore.com Mon-Thurs & Sat 9:15 - 5 pm, Fri 9:15 - 7pm 146

explore Our charming small towns are bursting with food, drink, and outdoor fun this winter. Come let our warm, welcoming hoteliers help you rest up for your magical winter adventures: holiday light shows, ice fishing, eagle watching, skiing.

Book your stay

Download our app

SullivanCatskills.com 1.800.882.CATS

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

147

Seek for Yourself

APRÈS EVERYDAY

Après-ski life isn’t limited to Ulster’s Belleayre Mountain. Sure, it’s the perfect place for it. But you can get cozy in any of Ulster County’s welcoming snowy sanctuaries. Enjoy the ideal hot chocolate (or something more substantial) in a picturesque mountain resort, comfy weekend rental, or boutique hotel in Kingston. Discover your perfect après bliss in Ulster. Plan your trip at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com ® I LOVE NEW YORK logo is a registered trademark/service mark of the NYS Dept. of Economic Development, used with permission.