Winter Faire at Santa's Workshop

The Listen To Me Youth Theater Announces Winter Faire at Santa's Workshop

The Colony Cafe, Woodstock, NY

Sunday, December 14, 2008
12pm-4pm

Free Admission for All Ages.
Activity Tickets ($1 each) may be purchased at the door.
(Activities cost 2-3 tickets each)

- Witness the elves (performed by local children) at work, as they present special shows for you throughout the day.
- Stop by our Merry Music Station for a listen to festive live folk music performed by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, and others!
- Tour our craft stations and watch demos in Tin Smithing with the Ashokan Center, Beeswax Candle Rolling with Candlestock, and more!
- Visit with the Toy Shop Elves and make special gifts and quality crafts to bring home, such as: Star Wands, Cookie Cottages, Birch Candle Holders, and Pomanders.
- Drop by the Edible Tree to dance with elves and nibble magical delights.
- Enjoy a roaring fire in our indoor fire place while sipping hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows.
- Pay a call to the Storytelling Cave and listen to Grandma Avis tell enchanting winter tales.
- Stroll through our silent auction for a selection of unique Christmas gifts and rare items.
- Visit "Rudolph's Cafe" to satisfy that "lunchtime" craving or Blitzen's Bake shop for the "sweet tooth".
- Catch a glimpse of the Ice Queen and play festive games!
- And, of course,stop by Santa's sleigh for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

For more info. contact: Cara Cruickshank storydanz@yahoo.com (845) 688-2068

Happy Thanksgiving - May the Fork Be With You!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here in Woodland Valley and beyond! Here is a little ditty written by our own Boreegard for the holiday.

Gravy

These days they sell it in cans and bottles in the super markets uggh,
For people who are just too lazy or too dumb to make gravy from scratch.
Full of brown dyes, chemicals, salts, sugar and God only knows what else,
The great unwashed buy it, warm it in a sauce pan or microwave, and
Slather it on thickly. Uggh.

Honest gravy is so simple, as was what I made with this evenings
Thanksgiving turkey. Take note you.
For each cup of gravy, ye shall use ¼ cup of pan drippings,
Heated in a roasting pan on the oven. Mix with two tablespoons of common
Flour and one cup of broth or hot water. Stir slowly, as you would caress
Your lover. Season, as you would. It will be ready, when you know it is ready.


Boreegard
Thanksgiving Day
November 22, 2007

No Snow in the Valley

It looks like the storm is moving out and we are none the worse for it. There is a thin coating of ice on my porch as well as the road up here at the top of the valley but my guess is that will be gone by mid-day. Do take your time coming up the road though, just in case. The storm dumped a lot of rain on us but thank goodness it never really changed to snow so roads and driveways in the valley are all clear. Drive safely wherever you are planning to spend the holiday!

So Far, Nothing But Rain

For those of you who are headed to the valley for the long holiday weekend I wanted to let you know that, despite the winter storm warning that was calling for snow on weather.com, we've had mostly rain here in the valley. Any snow that was mixed in didn't last very long and there is no accumulation on the ground. I don't think that the storm is quite over yet so I will keep you posted, but right now the roads are wet but clear.

WV History - A Walk In Synder Hollow

Here is a message and some great history from Rolf Reiss.

I recently came across a copy of Harper's Weekly from 1902 that contained an interesting little article about Snyder Hollow (Woodland Valley's former name). Unfortunatly, the authors name is not included. It begins
 
"September had arrived and the Catskill farmers were cutting their corn and buckwheat, digging their potatoes, and getting in their late millet.
My first long walk in the Catskills was up a half-wild glen that wound back among the mountains from one of the larger valleys for a distance of five or six miles. Snyder Hollow as it was called was hemmed narrowly in by wooden ridges, and sometimes the trees crept down and took full possession of all save the tiny ribbon of the highway. Most of the houses were of weather-worn gray and had never been painted."
The author stopped by a bridge to admire the stream and "noticed a little red house perched high on a slope above the road ( this is the house shown in the photo enclosed ) where some tomatoes were spread to ripen on the piazza which served as shelter for the family tubs. A woman in a calico sun-bonnet was the only person I saw about the place" He then observed the woman "picking a peck or so of scattered butternuts which she spread to dry on a thin slab of stone laid over the top of a barrel (see photo). Meanwhile the hens had gathered around her, hopeful of a feed, and she shooed them away with her apron.
The outlook over the woodland glen, with its flanking of green ridges and the silvery stream twinkling into view here and there was very beautiful, and I fancied she was admiring the scenery. But when I ventured the opinion that she must enjoy having a home in such a situation, she said she was so used to the scenery roundabout that she never thought whether it was pretty or not, and she would rather live in a village. She was watching the road for her son. He had been working in Massachusetts, but he was coming home to stay now. "It's a terrible place for malaria, Massachusetts is", she informed me, and he couldn't stand it there".

I  just love this article and it's depiction of  life here in the valley over a hundred years ago. Will post more of it shortly.

- Rolf
 

ZBA Meeting Report

Here is a recap of last Wednesday night's Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. The Poncic matter was discussed among the board members. One member said that he talked to Chairman of the Ulster County Planning Board, and a lawyer for the Association of Towns and both agreed that there must be a public hearing on the issue. No public hearing was set. Instead a vote was called. Here is how the individual members voted.

Issue: Is the harvesting of water for non-potable purposes (the filling of swimming pools etc.) a similar use to water bottling?

Keith Johnson (Chairman) - Yes
Rolf Reiss - No
Steve Settine - Yes
Tom Hickey - Absent
Gary Guglielmetti - Abstain

With one member absent and one member abstaining, the board lacked a quorum (a majority of the board, which in this case is 3 members) to decide the issue. This means that the issue was tabled until the next ZBA meeting on December 17th at 7:30 pm where it will be discussed again.

If you are going to be in the valley that evening it would be great if you could join us to watch the proceedings. This is still not a public hearing and we cannot comment, but it is useful to have as many community members as possible to observe.

Carol Seitz

Nueva Nova

Just when all the news lately has been scary and depressing a bright shining star has entered the world. Max and Linda Nova of Fawn Hill Road are pleased to announce the birth of their first son.

Cassius Orion Nova
born Nov 18th at 12:51 pm
8 lbs 11 oz
21 inches

Both mother and baby are doing fine. Welcome to the world Cash!! Your new neighbors can't wait to meet you!

Photo by the proud papa!

Happy 7th Birthday to Griff & Julia!

Griff & Julia O'Neil, grandchildren of WCA member Mike O'Neil, turned 7 years old yesterday! Whooo Hoooo! Mike (aka Boreegard) wrote this little ditty in honor of them. Happy Birthday kids!!

Griff and Julia’s Lucky Seven

On the 18th of November,
Some seven years ago,
Griff and Julia joined us,
That’s how their stories go.

Now seven’s a lucky number,
So the fortune tellers say,
And for our plucky Texas mites,
Let it be in every way.

Love and Happy Birthday from PaPa
November 18, 2008

Youth Theatre - Looking for a Few Good Elves

Here is a message from WCA member Cara Cruickshank:

To celebrate this holiday season, The Listen To Me Youth Theater is planning a Theatrical Performance and Winter Craft-Making Fair at Santa's Workshop!

Sign up now to be an Elf Toymaker, and true Santa's Helper in this magical performance and event! Dance, Sing, Act, Make Toys and Beautiful Crafts, and Help Santa get ready for the big night!

Open to Ages: 4-12

Rehearsals: At the Upstairs Art Gallery in Phoenicia (60 Main Street)
Mon. and Thurs., December 1-11: 4pm-6pm
Sun., December 14: 10am-12pm

Performance: Sun., December 14th (in the afternoon, Woodstock location TBA)

Tuition: $100 (if registered by Nov. 25)
$115 (if registered after Nov. 25)
Costumes are provided.
(Family discounts available.)

To Register, Contact:
Cara Cruickshank
(845) 688-2068
storydanz@yahoo.com

Donate Your Old Computer

I am trying to help the Phoenicia Library install WiFi in their computer center. In these times of increasing financial hardship having wireless internet access at the library would be a great service to many in our community. To install the wireless in a secure way we need to turn an old PC into a WiFi access point. So we are looking for someone who has an old desktop they would be willing to donate to the library. Here are the minimum specifications for what we need to do.

The computer should have:
P(Pentium)3 or higher processor
40G of hard drive space
1G RAM (or have the capacity to upgrade to this level)

Please email me here or call Regina at the Phoenicia Library if you have any equipment that fits this description.
Thanks!!

ZBA Meeting Next Wednesday Nov 19th

The Poncic water harvesting proposal will be on the agenda at the next ZBA meeting. The board will discuss whether water harvesting for non-potable purposes is related to water bottling. Here is the time and place of the meeting:

Zoning Board of Appeals
Wednesday November 19th, 2008
7:30 p.m.
Shandaken Town Hall

This is not the time for public comment but it would be good to let the board know that Woodland Valley is still watching this issue closely. So if you are up here and available that night please come and listen.

Two Weeks of Yoga Remaining

Here is a message from WCA member Ricarda O'Conner.

There are only two weeks left to my Fall yoga session. The last two classes will take place on Friday, 11/28 (the day after Thanksgiving). Those of you with class cards MUST use them up by then. I won't be teaching again until the Spring.

Best Wishes, Ricarda

Monday--- Open-Level Yoga @ 9:30 am till 11:00 am
Tuesday--- Open-Level Yoga @ 9:30 am till 11:00 am
Friday--- Open-Level Yoga @ 9:30 am till 11:00 am
Friday--- Stretch Class @ 5:00 pm till 6:30 pm

NEW LOCATION:

Mount Tremper Arts (in the barn)
647 South Plank Road (not far from the Zen Mountain Monastery)
Mt. Tremper

Library Looking for Office Furniture

If anyone has a desk or any other office furniture in good condition they are looking to get rid of, the library is looking to create an office for Regina, (the fabulous head librarian). Any donations would be much appreciated. Please contact me or the Phoenicia Library if you have anything that fits this description.

Night of the Living Deer

Paul Misko sent this photo to us. Here is what he had to say about it.

"Looks like this deer got into the radio-active waste dump! She just showed up next to me and began shooting laser beams out of her eyes in order to knock apples down from the tree. They fell to the ground fully baked. Isn't nature amazing?"

Hmmmm........sounds like something strange is going on up there in the Woodland Park Association!

Where to Vote - You Decide

There has been a recent New York State Supreme court decision that has a lot of significance to us here in Woodland Valley. Justice Kevin M. Dowd, of the 6th Judicial District in Norwich, granted a petition filed on the behalf of eight voters from Bovina. Local officials were ordered to restore them to the voter rolls in Delaware County. The eight were originally removed because they were second homeowners and not full time residents. The court found that the Delaware County Board of Elections did not apply the correct standards when it removed the voters because their homes in Bovina were not their primary residence. The court then ordered the Board of Elections to allow residents with more than one home to choose for themselves where they vote.

So residents here in the valley, whether full time or second homeowners, know your rights, you can choose for yourselves where to vote!

Election Day Hike Report

Here is a report from Paul Misko, leader of the Woodland Valley Hikers, on the Election Day hike up to Giant Ledge.

Well the Election Day results are in!!! 100 % of those who attended the Woodland Valley Hikers Election Day hike up to Giant Ledge had a terrific time. The four of us met at the trailhead and were surprised at the large amount of snow remaining from the last storm. The hazy sun, along with the effort needed for the uphill grade, soon warmed us up; while the melting snow provided some big puddles to sidestep. Eventually we reached the top and enjoyed our picnic lunches, and the great views. How nice to be away from election predictions and last minute ads. A few chipmunks and birds punctuated our descent, making it decent. It was a great day.

Paul Misko

Local Election Results

So by now you have all heard that Barak Obama will be our next president but I thought you might like to know the outcome of the local races too. Here are the unofficial results.

US House 22nd District - Maurice Hinchey (D)
County Executive - Mike Hein (D)
County Comptroller - Too close to call
State Senate 42nd District - John Bonacic (R)
State Assembly 101st District - Kevin Cahill (D)
Town of Shandaken - Councilwoman - Doris Bartlett (D)

Don't Forget to Vote Tomorrow

Although I don't think there is anyone on the planet that doesn't know tomorrow is election day, I am putting up this little reminder in case there is someone who just came out of the woods and doesn't know. Even though this national election is an important one, there are also people running for local positions that are vital too. So cast your vote and make your voice heard! The polls are open from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. Folks from Woodland Valley should go to the M.F. Whitney firehouse to vote. See you there!

Election Day Hike

Here is a message from Paul Misko, leader of the Woodland Valley Hikers.

Attention Woodland Valley Hikers! Election time making you crazy? Don't just sit home and pull out your hair. Banish your election day blues by taking a hike up Giant Ledge on Tuesday, Nov. 4th. We'll hike from the shorter Winnisook side , and enjoy a day of great views and good exercise. Good weather forecast must prevail for this hike or it will be postponed. Meet at 11:15 a.m. at the Giant Ledge trailhead on C.R. 47. (Take Rt. 28 west to Big Indian, then turn left on Rt. 47 toward Frost Valley, go 7.4 miles to trialhead on right.) Must bring warm clothes, food, drink, flashlight, rainjacket, lighter, good hiking shoes. Camera and walking stick recommended. Hike is about 31/2 miles, and 5 hours total, and is rated difficult. Please contact me if you plan to go, as details may change!

- Paul Misko