Happy Halloween!!!

WCA member Dennis Havel sent this photo to me with the following message:

Happy Halloween!!!! This is my favorite religious holiday!

Eugene Ruffolo in The Netherlands

I got this email recently from Eugene Ruffolo. If any of you are planning a trip to the Netherlands try and catch one of his shows.....hey, you never know.

"I am soon to heading to the Netherlands to do a varied selection of shows.
Most will be with the fabulous American Singwriter Lori Lieberman. She is doing a theater tour (co-bill with Dutch Icon Matilde Santing) and I will be playing and singing with her-in some really amazing locations! Joining us is a fabulous band featuring the AMAZING Matangi String Quartet.. You have the hear these guys ! (we're not bad either) Lori and I will be doing a few other shows together in smaller venues...where we will trade off songs and join each other on both of our material. And then there are a few solo ER shows (with possible musical guests!)..So there's something for all of your musical needs and desires...I sure hope to see you..."
- Eugene

ITINERARY AS OF OCTOBER 20,2010

November 5th, (8:15PM) Groningen Stadsschoburg, (with Lori Lieberman)

November 8th, (8PM) Amsterdam The Royal Carre' Theater (with Lori Lieberman)

November 10th, (8pm) Stadsschouburg Enschede (with Lori Lieberman)

November 11th, (8:30PM) "De Speelplaats" , Jochum Hof,- Steyl (solo concert)

November 14th (3PM ) De Oude Remise,Bad Nieuweschans (solo show)

November 16th (8:30PM) Crossroads Live Radio Show BRTO, Bergen op Zoom (with Lori Lieberman)

November 18th, (8:45 PM)- Live Stage Marnix in Ede (with Lori Lieberman)

For updates and additional dates---keep an eye on my Facebook page....or visit my website at your own risk.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=661341637

Road Repair News

I am sure that everyone has noticed the damage to Woodland Valley road caused by the October 1st flood. The Shandaken Highway Department has been busy recently trying to correct those problems. I caught up with Highway Supervisor Eric Hofmeister to get an update and I wanted to pass that information along to the community.

The road down by Romer Mt Park, (the old ski slope, see photo above), has been fully repaired at this point and the guide rail is back in place.

Eric told me that they hope to finish the turn in front of Roxmor (see photo below) by the end of this week. That project had been originally scheduled for repair next year but because the flood made the problems at this site a lot worse, they had to deal with it sooner rather than later. In both of these cases the DEC does not allow work in the stream after September 30th except in the case of extreme flooding damage. Since that was what happened here, the agency allowed the repairs but the highway department is still operating in a limited time frame.

The curve in front of Ed Twerdak's house just before Fawn Hill is almost finished. All the rock is in place and now the VRSS (Vegetated Reinforced Slope Stabilization) has to be added. This basically means that the DEC will be doing a stabilization planting on top of the rock layer. After that the guide rail will be put in place. Eric told me that the guide rail will definitely be installed before winter. I was very happy to hear that!

So, that is all I know for now, I will keep you posted if anything else develops.

Phoenicia Halloween Parade 2010

I attended the Phoenicia Halloween Parade today. It was a great time as usual. Here are some photos of the festivities so you could all enjoy the event too. Happy Halloween to all!!

Hemlock Bark Bite Review

Bill Horne wrote to me about the new cookies. Here is what he had to say:

I read your posting about Paul Misko's Hemlock Bark Bites. I have tried them and they are delicious. You might say this is a case where "the bark as as good as the bite."
- Bill Horne

Very clever and funny Bill! Thanks for your input!

Hemlock Bark Bites

One of the great things about living in a rural place where you know everyone is that people share the various things they have grown and baked. Recently, WV resident Paul Misko dropped off a batch of his fabulous new cookies. They are called "Hemlock Bark Bites". Paul is marketing these delicious treats and you too can buy them locally, which is great. Here is what Paul had to say.

"James Simpson had a huge impact on this region, and was a quite a character as well. I therefore felt he deserved to have a cookie in his honor. His life was saved by hemlock bark, but fear not; there is no bark in these cookies, only wholesome ingredients. These treats are baked at "Amy's Take-Away, which is located on 214 in Lanesville, 5 miles north of Phoenicia. Call Amy at 845-688-9759 and order a fine meal for pick-up, or to discuss catering your event.
"Hemlock Bark Bites" are are sold in a bow topped package, suitable for gifting to friend and host. They can be purchased at "Tenderland Home", which is on Main St. in Phoenicia. Don't forget to check out the Simpson Website at: phoenixtannery.com. History never tasted so good!!"
- Paul Misko

Flurries - Ugh!

I am sorry to have to report that there have been light flurries on and off all morning up at this end of the valley. Looks like the winter of 2010 - 2011 is starting early!! Yipes!!!

Vote in the Upcoming MIdterm Elections!!

I think with all the attention these current elections have gotten in the media I don't have to tell that it is very important to get out and make your voice heard on election day.

Perhaps you may not be able to vote in person at this year's all important general election on Nov. 2nd, but you still have plenty of time to send in your application for an absentee ballot. Your application can be printed using the following link from the Board of Elections website: http://www.co.ulster.ny.us/elections/absenteeapp.pdf

The following deadlines for absentee ballot applications and ballots are provided by the Board of Elections:

Oct. 26 - Last day to postmark application or letter of application for ballot.

Nov. 1 - Last day to apply in for person for ballot.

Nov. 1 - Last day to postmark ballot. Must be received by the board of elections no later than Nov. 9th. Military Voter Ballots must be received no later than Nov. 15th.

Nov. 2 - Last day to deliver ballot in person to the board of elections.

Our local Board of Elections office is located at 284 Wall Street, Kingston NY 12401. Phone: 845-334-5470, Fax: 845-334-5434

Our Election Commissioners are:
Kathleen Carey Mihm (D)
Thomas F. Turco (R)

Thank you for exercising your right to vote!!

Levon Helm in Concert at Onteora HS

Levon Helm and his band are playing a benefit concert this coming Friday, October 22nd at 7:00pm in Onteora High School to raise money for the arts in all of our schools. Tickets are $20.00 for students, $45.00 Back O'The House, $65.00 General Admission and $100.00 for VIP seating. You can purchase tickets at www.levonhelm.com. The event is being organized by the parents, students and community of the Onteora School District. It is a great way to see some excellent music and raise money for art education. So get your tickets now!!

Synder Tannery

I got this message from Jay Simpson recently. Read on:

"Paul Misko sent me a photo of a painting of the Synder Tannery that operated in Woodland. This got me thinking that I had seen some information (copy below) that was published in the Windham Journal on one of the genealogy sites I monitor.

Not only does the article describe the tannery, but other activities taking place in Woodland in 1859. I though you might be interested. I'm sure Paul can furnish a copy of the photo and the detail surrounding the painting. Woodland was a much different place in 1859."

- Jay

Paul Mikso sent me a copy of the painting and had this interesting history to share. The article Jay is talking about is below Paul's message.

"Brownie Gillespie from Woodland Valley, let me take a photo of a print he had of the Colonel H. Snyder Tannery. This industrial complex was located on Woodland road, above the Pantherkill confluence, across from Grand View acres. I read that there was no smoking allowed near the tannery, not only because of the buildings made of dry hemlock, but the air was often filled with hemlock bark dust, which could explode if the air got saturated with it. Strips of hemlock bark were brought down from the mountainsides, was pulverized, then steeped in water to make the tanning solution. Even wheat flour can be explosive; and more than one flour mill has blown up because the air became saturated with airborne flour. Real flour power."

- Paul

July 21, 1859

“Through the Notch”

Perhaps all who have ever had the pleasure of a visit, however brief, through this section of country, will admit that its residents have one of the most sublime and pleasant places that can fall to the allotment of man. Within a short drive of the noblest of rivers, surrounded by the grandest mountains – and looking upon the most magnificent scenery, with the healthiest mountain air to breathe, the purest crystal springs to drink from, and a generous and hospitable people to live amongst, surely we must be a happy and grateful people. Let those croakers who grumble and doubt, and think they have been placed in unpleasant spheres think of their situations, and sympathize with those who hunger nad thirst, who have not the wherewith to supply the commonest necessities of life, and thank heaven that they have been permitted to “drop their lines” among these beautiful hills.

With this little prelude of thoughts rapidly suggested, we will state that on Thursday last, we left Windham for a visit among old friends in and about Westkill. Accompanied by our friend Dr. E. Colburn, we passed through Jewett and Lexington to Westkill, making several calls by the way, and drinking in through the eyelids the waving fields of grain – just yellowing to ripeness – on either side as far as sight could reach. In the town of Lexington, near the Flats, we noticed two of the largest and finest fields of oats we remember ever to have seen. The first belonged to Lucas VanValkenburg, Esq., and the other to George Wheeler, Esq. And here, en passant, let us remind George that Mr. Lorenzo Burrows is not now a candidate for Governor and advise him to scrape off the huge “poster” that graces the upper door of his grist mill.

Arriving at Westkill, we learned that the popular host of the Westkill House, D. C. Deyoe, Esq., had gone to Canada to purchase horses. Whether he took the “underground railroad” to get there, we are not advised, but as Dan always makes capital selections, we are satisfied that an improvement in the stock of his neighborhood will be the result of his visit. During his absence, a substitute had been left who “knows how to keep a hotel” about as well as the proprietor; and, the visitors who had taken up their quarters there, were, of course, well taken care of. A wedding took place in the evening; and, as a matter of course, the parties were saluted with music from all the tin horns, circular saws, cannons and fire-crackers that could be procured.

The next morning, the Doctor, having to make a visit of business and pleasure combined into the town of Halcott, we knew no better way of “killing time” than to visit the tannery of Col. H. D. H. Snyder, fourteen miles distant from Westkill. Procuring a conveyance, therefore, we took an early start on Friday morning, and had a pleasant ride through that magnificent natural road “the Notch.”

Here the mountains tower up almost perpendicularly to a great height on either side, and the road, through sadly in need of repairs, leads by gentle grade to the Kingston turnpike, seven miles from Westkill. Five miles over the planks, with here and there a short patch of solid old “mother earth” to relieve the traveler from too much “sure cure for dyspepsia,” we turned to the right and were on the road to Woodland. A very good road winds through the mountains to the little village, and the residence of Col. Snyder.

The Woodland tannery is situated on the Bushkill stream, and is one of the largest in the State. Col. Snyder purchased a tract of 7,000 acres of land in the fall of 1849, removed his family from Prattsville in the spring of 1850, and built the tannery during the same summer. Since that time, he has made additional purchases of about 3,000 acres. This land is nearly all thickly covered with hemlock timber, from which a sufficient quantity of bark may be taken to last the Colonel for the next fifteen or twenty years. In 1849, there was no road within a mile of the present location of the tannery, and the first tree was cut down, on the ground where the tannery now stands, by the Colonel himself. He now employs, during bark peeling time, over 200 men, and has tanned 44,000 sides of hemlock sole-leather yearly, and will this year turn out over 50,000 sides. He was called hasty and unwise in purchasing so largely, but his judgment has proved “not so unsound after all.”

Colonel Snyder has also a tannery in Delaware County, and his two sons, Henry and Augustus, now own tanneries in Fulton and Lewis counties, respectively, in which they are doing nearly as large a business as the Colonel himself. The Snyder family, including the firm of Snyder & Dimmick, are now doing as extensive a business as any sole-leather tanner in this state.

Colonel Snyder is a practical man, in every sense of the word. He rises early, breakfasts at six precisely, and visits the tannery soon after. He has a pleasant smile and a kind word for all who meet with him, and thus he has endeared himself to every heart in the neighborhood. His residence is situated on the hill in view of the tannery, and externally presents as neat and cozy an appearance as any one could wish for. Internally, the arrangements are perfect. It is furnished in the most elegant and comfortable style, and with plenty of good society about him, he enjoys himself better than any gentleman we know of. Having reared this little paradise among the mountains and surrounded himself by hosts of friends, he loves it dearly, and nowhere feels half so contented and happy as “at home.”

A neat and thriving little village embracing a population of nearly 500 inhabitants, surrounds the tannery and the school district is the largest in the town of Shandaken. Just above the village is the school house, which is used every Sabbath as a place of worship. It is the only place in the town where services are regularly held, a state of things which would not exist but for the Colonel’s liberality in contributing to its support.

On the same stream, still farther up, are located several extensive mills and factories, prominent among which is the wire sieve factory of Ezekiel Edwards, Esq., formerly of Hunter in this county. Also, two large mills belonging to Messrs. Beach & Woodworth. The names of the proprietors of other mills we cannot now call to mind.

Soon after our arrival, a rain storm commenced; which, but for pleasant society, would have dampened the pleasures of the whole excursion. We remained there until Saturday morning, and returned to Windham, bringing a fine little box of trout packed in ice, which were taken from the brook the evening before by the Colonel.

Thanks to Jay for providing the information and to Paul Misko for providing additional history and a photo of the painting.

Rain Gone, All is Well

The rain we had in the past couple of days moved out this morning. We didn't get the pounding that was forecast. It appears that the worst part of the storm moved to our north. The streams rose but stayed within the normal height range. This was great news for us here in the valley and in downtown Phoenicia where people are still recovering from the Oct 1st flood. So all is well.

Not So Bad

So far we haven't gotten that much rain here in the valley. It looks like the National Weather Service has canceled the flood watch for our area. The bulk of the storm seems to be passing to our north. Hopefully, it will keep moving past us. I will keep you posted.

Just Started to Rain Here

It has just started to rain here in Woodland Valley. The National Weather Service flood watch is in effect through Saturday morning. There is also a wind advisory in effect. Those of you who are planning to come up from the city for the weekend should know that the heaviest rain is supposed to occur Friday evening. Please be careful if you are planning to drive.

Flood Watch Issued For Western Ulster County

Here is the weather alert that was just sent out by the National Weather Service. Looks like we might be in for another bad storm! I will keep you all posted.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ALBANY HAS ISSUED A FLOOD WATCH FOR A PORTION OF EAST CENTRAL NEW YORK...INCLUDING WESTERN ULSTER COUNTY.

* FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING

* A COMPLEX STORM IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP OVER THE MID ATLANTIC REGION THURSDAY... MOVE OFF THE EAST COAST... AND INTENSIFY AS IT MOVES NORTHEAST TO THE EASTERN NEW ENGLAND COAST FRIDAY MORNING. THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BRING HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WINDS TO THE REGION AS WELL AS SOME SNOW TO ELEVATIONS ABOVE 2000 FEET.

* A WIDESPREAD RAINFALL OF 1 TO 3 INCHES IS EXPECTED IN THE FLOOD WATCH AREA WITH LOCALIZED AMOUNTS UP TO 6 INCHES. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2.5 TO 3.5 INCHES IN A 12 HOUR PERIOD WOULD BE ENOUGH TO CAUSE FLOODING. IN ADDITION... MANY AREAS HAVE ONLY RECENTLY HAD WATER LEVELS RECEDE SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THE HEAVY RAINFALL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH... AND MANY RESERVOIRS REMAIN HIGH WITH LITTLE STORAGE CAPACITY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON CURRENT FORECASTS.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

Crummy Culvert Contest

The Ashokan Watershed Stream Management is having a "Crummy Culvert Contest" to help them locate all the culverts within the watershed that wash out in the reoccurring floods. Here are the details.

Culvert Washed Out?
Enter the Crummy Creekside Culvert Contest

If your driveway culvert is washed out, you know that floods are no fun.
Help us find the culverts that need consistent replacement in the Ashokan Watershed. (The culvert has to be in the Ashokan Watershed).
You could also win a chance for an extreme culvert makeover or a pocket video camera or at least a "Crummy" T-Shirt.

Click here to get details on how to enter.

The goal of the 2010 Crummy Creekside Culvert Contest is to identify the streamside culverts in the Ashokan Watershed that are:

Causing significant erosion above or below the culvert - particularly if the eroded soil is being carried directly into a stream.

A barrier to fish or other aquatic animals trying to travel along a stream or from one stream into another.

Enter your crummy culvert now!

Lord's Lumberyard Photo

After posting the WV history from Linda McDonald recently, a couple of other folks sent me some more interesting information. Here is a message from Dakin Morehouse.

"This pic is from Lonnie Gale's collection and is marked on the back "Lord's lumberyard - 'Brookside'" which was right here in our Woodland Valley (just before the Tonisgah bridge on the right side of WV road).

Once he had a couple shots of rum under his own belt, Paul Miller, Roxmor caretaker before me, son of the founder and long time Woodland Valley Post Master used to enjoy relating recollections of his life in the Valley to anyone who would listen.  And his stories fascinated me.

One can easily imagine how this one about one of Lord family named Loami (I am not sure of the spelling) might well have made an impression on his youthful mind. 

Seems Loami used to walk back up the valley after an evening's binging in the village quite boisterously breaking the silence in the wee hours of the morning declaring repeatedly - "Lo am I .. the Lord?   I am Loami - Lord!   Lo am I not, the Lord?"

- Dakin

Thanks for sharing this photo and funny story with us Dakin!

More About Flood Insurance

Yesterday I posted the message I had been sent from Cornell Cooperative about filing a flood damage report. In the text of the message they directed anyone who needed flood insurance to a website. WV resident Jeff Schwartz emailed me with some concerns about the link. Here is what he had to say.


"Just to let you know that the link that you have to Floodsmart is a web site for an independent insurance agent.

If you have had experience with them and are recommending them, that is OK.

However be advised that any insurance Agent/Broker can sell flood insurance if they are so certified. FEMA's Agent Directory http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/choose_your_policy/agent_locator.jsp

What I see as a marketing ploy by this agency is that they

1. State on the top of their that they are "The National Flood Agency" and display an American flag to give the impression that they are somehow related to the Govt program, they are only an agent.

2. They took the name and locked in the web site address of Floodsmart.COM to mimic FEMA's Flood insurance's AGENTS web site Floodsmart.GOV https://agents.floodsmart.gov/manageagent/pages/agent/index.jsp


As a side note you can get the FEMA Flood map of your area by street address on the web. http://msc.fema.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/FemaWelcomeView?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1

Stay Dry in the Valley"

Jeff

I think Jeff is totally right and the website that CC meant to direct folks to is http://www.floodsmart.gov. So you can go to the official FEMA website and find an agent there. Sorry for the confusion, I just posted the information that was sent to me. I have corrected the original post.

Carol

Flood Damage and Assessement Form

I got this message from the Cornell Cooperative Extension and wanted to pass it along to everyone in the Woodland Community Association.

Did you have flood damage to your property on Oct. 1st?
Please fill out a Damage Assessment Form

Landowners and business owners:

If you own a business or a primary residency in Ulster or County that had any kind of structural damage in the flood on Oct. 1, 2010, it is urgent that you print and fill out a FEMA Residential and Business Damage Assessment Form and send it to your Town Code Enforcement Officer. Click Here for the form. Please share this form with other people who may have incurred damages from the flood. The town and county need to document the amount of property damage that has occurred in order to establish the need for FEMA public assistance funds. Public assistance is triggered if $600,000 or more in damages is documented for Ulster County in addition to $25 million in damages statewide.

Filling in the form is no guarantee of public assistance, but it may help to get a disaster declaration for our area so that funding can be released.
Can't open the form? Click here to download Adobe Reader.

Do you need flood insurance? If you noticed flood waters came close to your home and you don't have flood insurance, you should consider obtaining flood insurance.
Go to floodsmart.gov for more information.

For more information, see the attached letter or contact your local code enforcement officer.

Contact information for Code Enforcement Officers in Shandaken is below:

Town of Shandaken: Gina Reilly
Town of Shandaken
P.O. Box 134
Allaben, NY 12480
Phone: (845) 688-5008
Fax: (845) 688-2041
zeoshandaken@yahoo.com

Guys & Dolls At STS This Weekend

This Friday and Saturday night STS will be giving a performance of Guys and Dolls to benefit it's 'Raise the Roof' fund. The show stars “Uncle Rock” - Robert Warren, Phoenicia Festival of the Voice' performer, Woodland Valley's own Jay Brammen Jr. and Chuck Sokolowski, Former Broadway and regional theatre star Ann Davies, fresh from her critical success in Closer Than Ever – Amy Wallace, mother and daughter Katie and Lucia Legnini and husband and wife theatre veterans Jessica and Brian Sherman. The evening’s narrator and color commentator is Phoenicia’s own Dave Pillard owner of The Tender Land Home store on Main Street Phoenicia. Musical Director is Maria Todoro. Here are the details.

Guys and Dolls
STS Playhouse
Friday October 8 and Saturday October 9
7:00 pm
Tickets are $25.00 and include snacks and desserts
There will be a cash bar and raffle tickets will be sold for the 30 gift certificates available each night.

The STS Playhouse in Phoenicia needs a new roof.  The stage floor has holes in it, the windows need to be replaced, they need new curtains and there are many other repairs needed at the 123 year old space.  But how will they raise the money during a difficult economic time? This theatre has a twist on an old idea.
 
During intermission the theatre will be raffling gift certificates but this raffle is different.  “We know that area merchants are always asked to donate free things to many good causes.  What we wanted to do was stimulate business and help the merchants by asking for vouchers for a percentage off or money towards a larger purchase.  So far we have had a great response,”   says producer of the benefit, Michael Mills.  “We are calling it the Economic Stimulus Raffle and so far 30 local businesses including Woodstock Meats, The Emerson, Sweet Sue’s. The Phoenicia Belle and Oriel 9 have donated vouchers for each evening’s performance.”
 
“I’m in favor of helping a local non-profit organization keep a roof over its head.   The STS Playhouse and the other cultural things help make the town more vital.  This idea could be good for Phoenicia ” adds Tom Fraser who has donated 2 vouchers good for a free night stay with a paid night at the Phoenicia Belle B&B on Main Street Phoenicia.
 
In a show of bi-partisan support area politicians will act as raffle “officials” each night. On Friday evening Republican Shandaken Town Supervisor Rob Stanley will pull the winning numbers and on Saturday Ulster County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach, will do the honors.
 
“I like to support local causes and because we are a new business this idea may introduce us to new customers,” says Erica Makulich, chef and co-owner Yum-Yum Noodleshop a new restaurant and take-out in Woodstock.  They have donated two, 2 for 1 vouchers for dinner. 
 
You can reach the playhouse on the Web at STSPlayhouse.com or on Facebook at STS Playhouse Phoenicia.  On those sites you can find out about the theatre, donate to the “Raise The Roof” fund, buy tickets to the benefit or volunteer your time. They can also be reached at 845-688-2279
 

More Rain But No Flooding

For everyone who is down in the city and hearing that it has been raining for the last several days let me put your mind at ease. Although we have indeed been seeing additional bad weather, the amount of rain has been nothing like what we saw last week when town flooded. So all is wet but well here in Woodland Valley.

Workshop with Alexander Mallon

Woodland Community Association member Alexander Mallon will be giving a workshop this coming Saturday at Mirabai in Woodstock. Here are the details for anyone who is interested.

Alexander Mallon
at Mirabai Books of Woodstock
October 9th, 2010
2-4 pm
$15 pre-registered by Oct.7th, $20 after

The Rising Sign & Personal Identity a workshop with Professional Astrologer/Intuitive Alexander Mallon

The Ascendant or Rising sign of one's birthchart is represented by the sign of the zodiac on the horizon at birth. This Ascendant sign serves as a symbol of your identity. It reveals how you present yourself to the world, how others see and experience you - your personality.

In this workshop you will learn the meaning of your Ascendant sign, and you will also discover what and how that sign's ruling planet acts as a cornerstone for your life unfoldment. This ruling planet shows you both what you must process on a Karmic level, and what you desire to liberate about yourself in this lifetime!

Alexander will provide a computer drawn astrological chart to those who pre-register and provide birth date/time/place of birth at least 48 hrs in advance.

To registar, please phone Mirabai Books of Woodstock at 845-679-2100 AND email Alexander at astroskywatcher@yahoo.com

Missing Adirondack Chair

An Adirondack chair that belonged to Tammy and Richard Feuer washed down the stream in the flood last week. While it probably is in pieces along the bank somewhere, I thought it might be worth a try to see if it had washed up in anyone's backyard. So if you have an Adirondack chair that mysteriously appeared on your property email me at wvview@gmail.com. I will pass the message on to the Feuer's and I am sure they will come and retrieve it asap.

Phoenicia Recovers

It was business as usual in town today amid some large dust clouds which were created by the drying mud from yesterday's flood. Everybody was cleaning up and getting the last of the water, dirt and debris out of their shops and restaurants. Some places weren't effected at all while some were still pumping out their basements.

Woodland Valley seems to be in good shape. There wasn't any major tree damage that I observed. There is a little debris on the side of the road in some spots that was caused by water overflowing the WV stream, but it is very minor. I haven't heard of any big problems with people's homes here in the valley other than a bit of water in a few basements. All in all I think Woodland Valley got off easy this time.

Phoenicia Floods

The old wives tale says that the winter won't come until the creeks are full and it looks like this year that prediction will be true. We have had a LOT of rain in the last couple of days. When I woke up this morning the Esopus was up over 18 feet at Coldbrook (flood stage is 13 feet). By sunrise the water had receded slightly and I ventured out to see how bad the situation was on the roads and in town.

Woodland Valley wasn't in bad shape. There was water over the road in several spots but the rain stopped just as it was about to get serious. The rebuild on Ed Twerdak's property seems to have held nicely. The WV stream had jumped the banks at the old ski slope but as I said before, the water receded in the nick of time.

Phoenicia flooded as the Stony Clove Creek jumped it's banks. It was obvious that water had come over the top of the Bridge St bridge but thank goodness that too had receded quickly. Town was still a bit of a mess this morning with water in several stores. The street also buckled in several places (see photos below). But Main St is open again and everything is slowly getting back to normal.

Here are some photos from about 8:00 am this morning of the flooding in Phoenicia.















































































The next few photos are from Woodland Valley Road. The first one is the Tonisgah bridge, the second is the curve down by the old ski slope, the next is the rebuild by Fawn Hill bridge and the last is the stream in front of Roxmor.

At this point the rain has stopped and everything is being cleaned up by various property owners and the Shandaken Highway Department. So everything seems to be returning to normal.