Voter Registration and Absentee Ballots

Please make sure that you are registered to vote in Shandaken for the upcoming election. In NY you must be registered 25 days before an election so time is running out. This year you must be registered by October 10th. If you are already registered and you will be out of town for any reason on that day, be sure to get an absentee ballot. Below is a link to a website that will give you all the information you need about either process. In both cases it is much easier than you think. Although this is not a big year for the national elections it is important to vote locally. There are two Town Board seats, two Town Assessors positions, the Highway Superintendent and the all important Town Supervisor position up for grabs. These are critical positions for our town especially in light of the fact that the Town Board members appoint the members of the planning board and the zoning board of appeals. All of these board members make important decisions for our town that effect us all. So make your voices heard and please vote!!

If anyone has any problems or questions about any part of this process please email me at wvview@gmail.com and I will contact you and help get the paperwork you need.

Project Vote Smart

Reminder for Upcoming Wellness Workshop

Here is a message from MJ Reiss regarding her Wellness Workshop this weekend.

"Hello Folks
As you may or may not know I am holding a Wellness Workshop on Sunday Oct 4th from 3 - 4 PM at the Copperhood Inn.
We will be doing some yoga (light), breathing techniuqes followed up with a guided meditation. This is open to all and is free.
(Please use the Spa Entrance with the green awning.)
If you know anyone who is interested in the upcomming Part 1 course, but, would like to know more about it, this is the workshop for them!
Part 1 Course is Columbus Day Weekend.
Location: Catskill Mountain Physical Therapy site
(the 1890 House 90 Main St. Phoenicia)
Four-session course starting on Friday Oct 9th - Mon Oct 12th:
Friday : 6:30p-9:30p, Sat, Sun & Mon: 11:30 am -3:30 pm
Contact Info: 845- 688-5601
mjreiss4mail@gmail.com
Please contact me if you have any questions."

Take Care,
MJ

Update on Dance Classes

Here is a message from WCA member Cara Cruickshanks regarding her dance classes.

"Thank you to all of you who expressed interest in the dance classes. Unfortunately, we do not have enough participants to run the program at this time. Stay tuned for more offerings in the spring!"

Best,
Cara

Pip and Oscar

I was out and about on Woodland Valley Road and ran into Pip Merrill and her duck Oscar. Oscar is actually a girl but Pip had an incomplete knowledge of ducks when she got the bird and gave it a boy's name. She felt that it was too late to change it by the time the truth was revealed. Anyway, turns out that over the past several years Oscar spent most of her time hanging out with her best friend who happened to be a rabbit. Of course rabbits don't swim so the duck didn't get to the water much. Recently, the rabbit passed away leaving the duck sad and bored. Pip tried to take Oscar into the stream with her to swim but Oscar is too afraid of the flowing water. So Pip was walking her down the road to have a dip in a small pond off the stream hoping to acclimate her to the water that way. Maybe by next summer we will see the two of them in the WV stream! Kudos to Pip for being so good to her animals!

Plantago Major

I just realized that after I went on and on about Jewelweed and my experiments with it on my poison ivy I never told all of you what did work to clear it. I ultimately used common plantain (Plantago Major) with great success. I chopped the plantain up and made a poultice. I taped (I used medical tape and/or bandaids) the poultice to my leg for several hours a day. It dried up rather quickly after that. I have used common plaintain to take the pain out of bee stings as well. It takes a couple of minutes but it works great (at least for me). You can find it easily here in Woodland Valley. It grows in most lawns. Try it out next time you get a poison ivy rash.

I found the following additional information about common plantain on the Wikipedia site.

Plantago Major
The standard native English name is Greater Plantain though it is also called Common Plantain in some areas where it is introduced, particularly North America. Another one of its common names was "Soldier's Herb" for its use on the battlefield as a field dressing. The plant is native to most of Europe and northern and central Asia. It is widely naturalized elsewhere in the world, where it is a common weed. It is believed to be one of the first plants to reach North America after European colonization. Native Americans called the plant "white man's footprint" or "Englishman's foot" because it appeared wherever white men went. Historical uses as a wound healer and snakebite remedy have been found to have scientific merit. It is a potent coagulant. The herb is astringent, anti-toxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, as well as demulcent, expectorant, styptic and diurectic. Externally, a poultice of the leaves is useful for insect bites, poison-ivy rashes, minor sores, and boils.

6th Annual Lark in the Park

For the past six years the Catskill Center has put together an amazing offering of outdoor opportunities for everyone in their "Lark in the Park" program. This year it takes place from October 3rd through 12th. Below is a message from the Center with a link to the schedule. I recommend going back to the site every once in a while before the fun begins on October 3rd. They very often add additional outings as the weekend gets closer. But whether they add anything or not there is a lot of fun stuff for everyone. Check it out!!
- Carol Seitz

Once again, a number of regional organizations and individuals have devoted their energies to the annual celebration of the Catskill Park and surrounding region.

For anyone interested in outdoor events, this year's Lark is offering a wide range of opportunities from October 3 through October 12. The menu of events features popular outings from previous years and a host of new listings that mix history, recreation, and the natural environment.

Here is a link to the Lark in the Park schedule below so you can see what's on tap and join the celebration.
Lark in the Park

Or you can go through the Catskill Center's main site at:
www.catskillcenter.org

Rick Altman Trio at High Falls Cafe

Enjoy a beautiful ride to the High Falls Cafe for a special jazz brunch with the Rick Altman Trio, as well as special guest violinist Miriam Rose. It's Sunday, September 27th, noon to 3pm. For more information call the High Falls Cafe at 687-2699 or go to the website www.highfallscafe.com. Hope to see you there...

James & Lam Wolf at Interbike

James and Lam Wolf are showing there amazing bamboo bikes this week at the Las Vegas bike show. I got this message from James a few days ago. Anyone with relevant media connections who could help James out here might consider doing so.

"As you know I'll be going to debut my bamboo bikes at Interbike in Vegas next week. The bikes look stellar and will be built up with the finest components in the world (hand made wood rims from Italy, carbon belt drives, Edge composite and lots of carbon fiber all around) and I'm am really hoping to make a big splash and get orders.

If anybody has any ability to pull any strings with the press (CNN, or any TV stations or magazines), now is the time that I would like to ask that favor from you.
Please think of who you know and please contact them to urge them to have a look at my booth and cover it."

Interbike in Las Vegas
September 23 to 25th
Boo Bicycles at booth #6180

You can check out the bikes at www.boobicycles.com.

Botchford Connection to Thomas Craig

In my piece about Thomas Craig on September 13th I wrote that I thought he was related to the Botchford family somehow. Hawley Botchford wrote to me and filled in the details. Here is what he said.

"Delighted to fill in some details on the Craig family at least to the best of my knowledge. The connection goes back to 1846 when Napoleon William Beach married Malinda Woodworth, the eldest child of my great, great grandparents, David and Orilla Woodworth. (David and Orilla’s eleventh child was my great grandmother, Clementine, whose charming picture has graced the blog in the past). Both the Woodworth and Beach families lived in the East Jewett area (Hunter). In 1849 David Woodworth and Will Beach decided to go into the lumber business together in Woodland Valley. They acquired a significant amount of property in the central valley and set out to harvest hemlock bark for the tanning industry and lumber for furniture manufacturing. The Woodworth family built their home on the property now owned and loved by the Botchford and Gillespie families. The Beach family built the house mentioned in your piece on Thomas Craig. (The house was never painted but treated with a preservative made from buttermilk and stream clay.) William and Malinda had a daughter, Daisy Beach who married Thomas Craig. Thomas had his studio in back of the house. Their daughter was Evelyn Craig, who never married. She continued to live in the home until her death. The property left the family with the death of Evelyn."

- Hawley

Thanks for filling in the history Hawley!

New Blog Features

Some of you may have noticed that I have added a couple of new features onto this site. Since the weather effects all of us so heavily here in the valley one of our members (Jeff Schwartz) suggested I put a direct link to the weather forecast. First I went to Weather.com but couldn't get their icon to work properly. Then another member (Hawley Botchford) suggested the Weather Underground site which gives great local information. So I have linked to that site and put the icon on the right hand, permanant side of the page. The current conditions are visible and you can click the graphic for more details.

I also added a gadget that gives the sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset times everyday. I think this is a fun addition too.

So go check them out. I think they are useful and both work great!

Dance and Theater Workshops

WCA member Cara Cruickshank is doing a couple of new workshops this fall. Here is the information for anyone who is interested.

Beginner/Intermediate Level Dance with Cara
at the Parish Hall this Autumn
Adult Dance Workout: A mixture of West African, Salsa, Samba, and Jazz
(Men and Women Welcome)
Wednesdays, Sept. 23-Oct. 21
6pm-7:30pm

Kids' Story Dance Workshop: A mixture of creative movement, ballet, jazz, Capoeira and West African
Tuesdays Sept. 22-Oct. 20
4pm-5pm
Ages 9-12

Drop in: $12
5 Class Session: $50

and

The Listen To me Youth Theater Presents

A Four Week Series of Improvisational Comedy Workshops
at the Parish Hall in Phoenicia
for
Ages 11-18

...with the option to Develop a Character for
The Halloween Journey
Instructed by: Cara Cruickshank
DATE: Thursdays, Oct. 1-22
TIME: 4pm-5:30pm
LOCATION: The Parish Hall in Phoenicia
TUITION: $65

For More Info or to Register for Either Workshop
Contact Cara Cruickshank:
(845) 688-2068
storydanz@yahoo.com

Celtic Concert This Sunday at the ESRM

Dakin Morehouse, who is both a WCA member and President of the Empire State Railway Museum, sent me this announcement. I think it looks like it will be a really great concert!

Internationally Acclaimed Celtic Songwriter
Brian McNeill in Concert--Phoenicia
Sunday, Sept.20, 7:30
Empire State Railway Museum
Lower High Street, Phoenicia

$10 with RSVP/$12 without to
flyingcatmusic@gmail.com or 845-688-9453
Link to artist website

Art of Living with MJ Reiss

Here is a message from MJ Reiss about her new Art of Living and Wellness workshops.

Hi Folks,
As the end if the summer is near and fall is fast approaching, why not reach out and try something new? There will be an Art of Living Part 1 course offered this Columbus Day weekend. It is now in a four day format; starting Oct 9th Friday night, running Sat, Sun, and Monday from 11:30AM - 3:30PM. The venue will be at the 1890 house (home to the Catskill Mountain Physical Therapy site) right here in Phoenicia, NY.

Where: 1890 House; Catskill Mtn Physical Therapy
Phoenicia, NY 12464
When: Four-session course starting on Friday Oct 9th - Mon Oct 12th:
Friday : 6:30p-9:30p, Sat, Sun & Mon: 11:30 am - 3:30 pm
Contact Info: 845- 688-5601 or mjreiss4mail@gmail.com


Additionally, I will be running 1 hour, wellness workshop at the Yoga Studio at the Copperhood Inn on Sunday, Sept 20th as well as on Oct 4th from 3 - 4 PM, this workshop is free and open to all. This is a wonderful time to see what this course is all about and to get refreshed as well!

Mind - Body Wellness Workshop
Eliminate Stress with Breathing Techniques & Meditation
Date: Sundays: Sept 20, Oct 4th
Time: 3:00 PM - 4 PM
Where: Copperhood Inn (at Spa Entrance)
7039 State Route 28
Shandaken, NY 12480
(845) 688-2460

Questions? Call MJ Reiss 845-688-5601
R.S.V.P to stressfreephoenicia@gmail.com

Bring your family and friends!!

Take care and be well,
MJ Reiss

Happy Birthday Jeff Schwartz!!

Just wanted to wish my husband and best friend a Happy Birthday!
- Aileen

This message comes from Jeff's lovely wife. I would like to say Happy Birthday from everyone here in Woodland Valley too!!! Have a great day Jeff!!

Bo Ruminates on the Slug

The slimy, crawly slugs this year,
Their numbers are incredible,
Oh—icky, yucky horned things,
If only they were edible.

They’d marinate in garlic’d wine,
And then be set to roast,
With just a hint of rosemary,
Then placed on buttered toast.

And none would be the wiser,
No foody critics rail,
For in the presentation,
They’d look just like a snail.

Boreegard
Sept. 13, 2009

Thomas Bigelow Craig 1849 -1924

Woodland Valley has long been home to many painters, photographers, writers and other artistic people. One of the painters who spent their summers here in the late 1800's and early 1900's was Thomas Bigelow Craig.

Thomas Craig was a late-nineteenth century painter best known for his pastoral scenes of cows grazing at pasture. With their vivid light, lush meadows, and placid streams, Craig’s landscapes evoke an idyllic calm. Craig was largely self taught. He was born in Philadelphia, briefly studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and was active in the Philadelphia Sketch Club with Thomas Eakins. He listed his residence as Philadelphia from 1879 to 1888, after which he moved to New York City for nine years, and then to a suburb of Rutherford, NJ from 1899 on. He died in 1924 at his summer residence here in Woodland Valley (Ed's Twerdak's house on the hill before Fawn Hill Bridge). I believe that he married one of the Botchford relatives. (I would be grateful to any valley historians who want to fill in this part of the story.)

His paintings were featured at the National Academy of Design for forty-five years. He also exhibited at the Boston Art Club, the Brooklyn Art Association, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the World’s Columbian Exhibition in Chicago (1893), and was a member of the Salmagundi Club, the Artists Fund Society and the Chicago Watercolor Club. Today, his work is in the Butler Institute of American Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Newark Museum, the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, the Mobile Museum of Art, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Participate in the Blog

For those of you who are Woodland Community members I just wanted to send out this reminder that while I am the blogmistress, this site is a community effort. So please send me your fun stories, WV history, birth announcements, animal sitings, plant facts or anything else you might want to share. If you read this blog and are a member it is really important that you support this effort by sending me things to post. I can't do this alone! Send anything you might have to wvview@gmail.com. I am looking forward to hearing from you!! Thanks!

- Carol Seitz
Your Blogmistress and neighbor

Fall Hikes

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

Attention Woodland Valley Hikers!

If you are game, mark your calendar for two hikes coming up this fall.

Saturday, October 3rd. Take a hike up Slide Mtn.,the Catskills highest peak, and learn some of it's history as you climb. This hike is about 6 miles, strenuous, and takes about 6 hours total. We will meet at the Slide Mtn. trailhead at 10:15 a.m. To get to the trailhead, take Rt. 28 to Big Indian, drive south on Rt. 47 toward Frost Valley about 9.4 miles, to the Slide Mtn. trailhead parking lot on the left.

Saturday, October 10th. Join the Woodland Valley Hikers on a hike up the Wittenberg. Learn the fascinating, funny, and mildly disturbing history of this mountain as we climb. This 8 mile hike is VERY strenuous, and it will be about 8 hours total, but the view is fantastic. We will meet at the Woodland Valley Campground Day Use Parking Lot at 9:30 a.m. This is located at near the end of Woodland Valley Road, on the right hand side, at the beginning of the campground.

You must register for each hike by the day before the hike at woodvalleybear@gmail.com because group size is limited, and details may change. For the hike you must have good hiking shoes, rain jacket, sweater, flashlight, lighter, food, and plenty to drink. Walking stick and camera highly recommended. No Pooches Please.

Final Facts About Jewelweed

The last thing I wanted to post about Jewelweed was a couple of photos of the seed pods (above) before they are opened and the seeds themselves (below) after they are out of the pod. I have been having fun popping them and eating them the last few days. According to the information that I found, you throw out the curly part of the popped pod and eat only the seeds themselves. I have found that sometimes the seeds are green and sometimes they are brown.

By the way, I have personally had a lot of success treating stinging nettles rashes with Jewelweed. If you put the liquid from a crushed stem on any part of your skin that has come into contact with the nettles it takes the sting out. It takes a minute or two to work but I have found it to be very effective for me. And the great part is that they like the same growing conditions so they are very often found together in the woods. Try it next time you get into the nettles.

More About Jewelweed

Jean Druffner sent me some more information on Jewelweed. Here is her message.

"Touch-Me-Not has that name because when one touches the seed case it will pop open and release the seeds. The seeds are edible and quite tasty. As with any wild foods, a little taste is best because there can be some acidic properties of many wild foods that can irritate the digestive system. I often pop the Touch-Me-Not and eat the seeds. I enjoy their nutty tastiness."

- Jean

I learned this fact the other day when I was researching Jewelweed for the blog. I ate some seeds today and they were great. Like Jean said, they have a nutty flavor and the seed pods pop open with such gusto it makes me smile. So they are both delicious and fun, try a few when you get the chance!

Weekend Fun Reminder - Labor Day Weekend

Don't forget to catch some of the Woodstock Fringe Festival this weekend. It is the last few days of the festival. Woodland Valley's own Noni Connor will be performing on Sunday at 2:00 pm in the "First Looks" staged reading of the new play "Going to Veitnam". For more information go to www.woodstockfringe.org . See you all there!

Jewelweed - Poison Ivy Remedy

Because some people never learn, me for instance, I have now gotten a bit of poison ivy on my ankle from wearing sandals in the woods. Not only did I amble along with my legs unprotected but I wasn't watching where I was walking and what I was stepping on or around. Oh well, next time I will be more careful. But in the meantime I am experimenting with natural herbal remedies. The first one that I tried was jewelweed which is easy to spot right now because it is in flower. The plant is also sometimes referred to as Spotted Touch-Me-Not which has always perplexed me because it is used to sooth the skin. There are both the orange and yellow (Pale Touch-Me-Not) flowered varieties in our area. Jewelweed is a member of the impatiens family.

I got the information below from Wildman Steve Brill's website. It is from his book "Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not-So-Wild) Places" (for those of you who don't have the book, it is great!).

"If you accidentally touch poison ivy and apply jewelweed juice to the affected area before the rash appears, you probably won't get the rash. One of my best strawberry patches is also infested with poison ivy. You can't avoid touching it as you collect the irresistible fruit. I have everyone apply jewelweed to all exposed areas when we leave, and nobody ever gets a rash.

The Indians treat already-developed poison ivy rash by rubbing jewelweed's broken stem on the rash until it draws some blood. The rash then dries out, a scab forms, and healing occurs.

There are many ways to capture jewelweed's medicinal properties: The fresh plant lasts a week in a sealed container in the refrigerator. 1960s foraging guru and author Ewell Gibbons reported the jewelweed tincture he extracted in alcohol went moldy, but I've soaked fresh jewelweed in commercial witch hazel extract for a few weeks, and the extract of the two herbs works well and doesn't perish.

You can also make jewelweed ointment by simmering a small amount of jewelweed in light vegetable oil (any vegetable oil except olive oil, which burns) 10-15 minutes. Use only a small handful of jewelweed stems per quart of oil, or bubbles of jewelweed juice will form in the ointment and go moldy. Strain out the herb, add a handful of beeswax to thicken it, and heat until melted. Take out a spoonful and let it cool to test the thickness, and add more oil or beeswax as needed. Add the contents of one oil-soluble vitamin E capsule, a natural preservative, and let it cool. Refrigerated, it lasts for months.

- Steve Brill

Although the plant seem to sooth my skin when I rubbed the juice of the stem onto the rash I didn't think it was drying it out quickly enough for me. I think next time I will try the jewel weed a little earlier in the outbreak.