Buzz & Peanut Update

Ricarda O'Connor and Mike Ottavi recently sent this update photo of their kitten Buzz (flame point siamese, on left in photo below), now nine months old and 11 pounds. He is getting along great with his housemate, Peanut. She even shares her basket with him, although sometimes he tries her patience a bit (see below).

Interesting Photo from the Dershowitz Party

Mo Winograd sent me the following image that was taken by her nephew Sean McCully at the Dershowitz shindig last weekend. It shows the face that is visible in the cliff by the pool. Since the blog has size limitations I wasn't sure if you would be able to see it clearly so I cropped in for a better look. Very interesting!!!

It's Shandaken Day!!

Today is Shandaken Day!! The festivities are being held in Glenbrook Park this year. Here is what the Town of Shandaken posted on Facebook about the event.

August 28th 10:00 - 6:00 pm - Glenbrook Park Rt 42 - 7th Annual Festival celebrating everything the Town of Shandaken has to offer. Shandaken is situated only twenty minutes from Kingston, NY and is located in the Heart of the Catskill State Park. More than fifty vendors from Crafts People to Educational and Community Service organizations sell their wares and offer some history of the area. Of course there's the SHANDAKEN CUP, our annual tug-o-war between the heroes of our Emergency Service Departments. There's all kinds of Kid's Games: Spoon & Egg Race, Tube Relay, Sack Race, Water Balloon Toss and the ever-popular "Watermelon Eating Contest." We have LIVE Music All day and an awards ceremony at our close for the kids games and to recognize local community members for their contribution to the betterment of the Town.

I hope to see you all there!!

George and Vera Un Pass

Sadly, I must report to all of you that WCA members George and Vera Un who lived on Woodland Clove were killed yesterday in a traffic accident on Rt 28. They were apparently making a left hand turn to go into the small road that leads to Bread Alone and a tractor trailer rear ended their Honda Civic. If you would like to read the whole story here is a link to it in the Kingston Daily Freeman.

Daily Freeman - Truck rams car in Boiceville

Let me extend my condolences to their family on behalf of the entire WCA. May they rest in peace.

A Great Time at the Dershowitz Party

Many thanks to Marilyn and Nat Dershowitz, who generously invite the Woodland Community Association to their annual get together. The food was excellent and the company was even better!! Many of the kids enjoyed swimming in their fabulous pool and the adults had a great time playing tennis. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful vistas from their property. Thanks again Marilyn and Nat for hosting this wonderful event!! I am already looking forward to next year!

Dedication of the Interpretive Kiosk

I received this note from WCA member Jim Infante inviting everyone in the community to attend the Interpretive Kiosk dedication on August 31st. Here are the details.

The Friends of the Catskill Interpretive Center
The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development
The Trust for Public Land
The Central Catskills Collaborative
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Cordially invite you to the dedication of
The Catskill Interpretive Kiosk

By

Congressman Maurice Hinchey
and NYS DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis
On Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 12:30 PM
At the site of the future Catskill Interpretive Center, Route 28, Mount Tremper
For information please call: 845-586-2611
Visit the Friends of the Catskill Interpretive Center
Web site at www.catskillinterpretivecenter.org

Milly Brown Passes

Last weekend at the Dershowitz party I saw Don Brown, Milly Brown's son, and he told me the sad news about his mom. I was so sorry to hear it. Those of us who have lived in this end of the valley for a long time remember Milly out on the road on her daily walks. She was always friendly and happy to engage in a neighborly conversation. Below in some information I found on the web about her life. My condolences go out to the whole Brown family from everyone in the Woodland Community Association.

MILDRED M BROWN
Mildred M. Brown
May 15, 1920 to June 6, 2010

Mildred May Brown, daughter of Anna and Charles Hatt, deceased, passed away on Sunday, June 6th, 2010 at the age of 90 at Kingston Hospital, Kingston, NY following a stroke. She was born in Franklin Square, L. I., New York on May 15, 1920 and lived in New York, on Long Island where she raised her family for over 40 years. For the past 25 years she has split her residence between Ft Myers, Florida and Phoenicia, New York.
She enjoyed travel, gardening, antique hunting, yard sales, family vacations, playing board games and the stock market, and was an avid reader.
Preceded in death by her parents, husband Donald J. Brown, sisters Iona and Shirley, and brother Leon. Survivors include sons Donald J. Brown Jr. and wife Mary of Maitland, Florida, Richard K. Brown and wife Janice of Laguna Beach, CA, Peter C. Brown of Dallas, TX, and sister, June Dann of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren Richard K. Brown Jr., Robert Brown and wife Shannon, Donald J. Brown III and wife Erin, Michele Brown, Claudine and husband, Robert Gutt, and Wesley C. Brown; great-grandchildren Samantha and Julia Brown, Donald J. IV and Audrey Brown; Patrick and Mackenzie Sawyer, and Chloe Gutt.
A Celebration of Life was held in upstate New York July 31. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Parkinson's Society, Alzheimer Society, or St Jude Children's Hospital.

'Festival of the Voice' A HUGE Success!!

Sorry that I am a bit late with this post but it has been busy here in the valley. Just wanted to let everyone who wasn't around Phoenicia last weekend know that the first annual 'Festival of the Voice' was a smashing success!! There was a lot of great music at the different venues around town. I went to a lot of the performances and had a marvelous time. There were quite a few WV people at the event (see photos below). Congratulations to everyone who made the event happen! I am already looking forward to next year!!

Phoenica Library Needs Volunteers for Aug 28th

I got the message below from Rebecca Rego Barry last week regarding the Phoenicia Library. Here is what she had to say.

We're officially recruiting volunteers for our booth at Shandaken Day (Saturday, Aug. 28). If you're willing and able to help for an hour or two, please get in touch by calling the library or emailing me directly.

Thanks!
Rebecca
rebeccabarry@earthlink.net

Annual Dershowitz Party - Saturday Aug 21st

Greetings WCA members,

This is just to remind you that the annual, festive, fun-filled Dershowitz summer party is this Saturday Aug 21st at 1:00 pm. All Woodland Community Association members are invited. Bring your bathing suit (who doesn't love their fabulous pool), a tennis racket (if you play) and a non-meat dish to share. See you on Saturday!

If any WCA member needs the Dershowitz's address or directions to the party just email me here at wvview@gmail.com and I will email them to you.
Carol Seitz

Stream Bank Rebuild Information

Yesterday I got an email from Cory Ritz who is working on the stream bank rebuild for Woodland Valley Road at the curve just before Fawn Hill Bridge (coming into the valley). He clarified and expanded on the information I already had so I wanted to pass it along to everyone.

Although it is a bit hard to see because of blog photo size limitations, look carefully at the photo on the bottom of this post. It is a good indication of how bad the bank is getting. Notice the people standing down by the edge of the stream. This will give you an idea of how dramatically the bank above is washing away. The top yellow line is Woodland Valley Road. The trees you see leaning on the edge are just off the side of the road. This photo is great because, unless you actually get into the stream below, you don't realize how serious the situation is getting. You certainly can't see it when you are driving. So Cory has provided us a good opportunity to get a idea of what needs to be fixed and how important it is that they do it before the next flood washes that part of the road out.

Here is what Cory had to say:

My name is Cory Ritz and I work for Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District. I am helping to coordinate the Woodland Valley near Fawn Hill stream project. Compete repair to the stream bank will be a cooperative team effort from NYC DEP, Ulster County Soil & Water Conservation District, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County and the Town of Shandaken. I just read the blog update on Woodland Valley View. I don't have too much to add but if you wanted more info please see below or give me a call.

- We are working with the town and hopefully we'll be selecting a contractor this week.

- I suspect the real work i.e. road interruption, won't begin until September.

- The project consists of a stacked rock wall at the base of the hill, and a bio-engineered wall above it. This still leaves a fairly large section at the top of the slope that will be planted normally with trees, shrubs and grass. Our NRCS engineer modeled the 25yr, 50yr and 100yr floods to help determine the size requirements for the walls. Most likely, residents will only ever see the trees at the top of the road as they drive by. Also, we are working hard to ensure the pool at the base of the rock wall is not changed by our activities.

- The failing bank is approx. 8 ft away from the road. Unfortunately, it is migrating towards the road. I believe the property owner, Ed Twerdack, and former highway supervisors have been keeping their eye on it over the years but it seems like it's time has come (see attached photo).

- Mostly likely, we will not get the 75% matching FEMA funds (as you mentioned in your update). As it stands today, the funding will come from the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program Implementation Fund (http://ashokanstreams.org/). Cornell Cooperative Extension maintains these funds and CCE has committed their support to this project. Also, for clarification, NYC DEP Stream Management Program is the ultimate funder for the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program and they have been supportive with assisting towns with their priority stream projects.

- Cory

Cory Ritz
Stream Project Manager
Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program
(845)-688-3047

"Closer Than Ever" This Week at STS

Although the Phoenicia Festival of the Voice is over for this year, 'Closer Than Ever' is still playing at STS through the end of this week. I saw the opening on Saturday and would HIGHLY recommend it (and I am very picky about my theater). It is a wonderful production that would be at home on any stage in Manhattan. Below is a letter from WCA member Cardi O'Conner who is director of the show. Make your reservations now!!

Greetings,

Closer Than Ever opened yesterday to a huge standing ovation. The cast is brilliant, and the audience was clearly enthralled.

Next week there are six more magical performances, all to benefit the STS Playhouse "Raise the Roof" Fund.

So make your reservations soon! Bring your friends and family, and spread the word. Come and enjoy an enchanting evening of professional musical theater, and help us raise the Playhouse roof!

Performance Schedule:

Tuesday, August 17th @ 8:00 pm

Wednesday, August 18th @ 8:00 pm

Thursday, August 19th @ 8:00 pm

Friday, August 20th @ 8:00 pm

Saturday, August 21st @ 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm

STS Playhouse, 10 Church St., Phoenicia. Tickets are $15/$13 students, members, and seniors. Call 845-688-2279 for reservations. Visit the website: www.stsplayhouse.com for information and directions.

Best Wishes,

Ricarda O’Conner,

Producer and Director of Closer Than Ever

Jenee Halstead in The ESRM Tonight

Although not part of the Phoenicia Festival of the Voice, there is another chance to see live music tonight right here in our own backyard. Dakin Morehouse (President of the ESRM and WCA member) just sent me this.

Flying Cat Music Presents

*****Tonight, Sunday - Don't Miss It!!!*****

Jenee Halstead in Concert

Sunday, August 15
7:30 p.m. sharp
Door opens at 7:00

At the Empire State RR Museum
Lower High Street, Phoenicia, NY

$12 at the door or
$10 with RSVP to flyingcatmusic@gmail.com
For info call 845-688-9453

Artist Website: Jenee Halstead

Jenee is an amazing talent. We suggest you click on the YouTube icon at her website to see videos of her performing live.

The Phoenicia Festival of the Voice in ON!!

The Phoenicia Festival of the Voice is in full swing and the events I have been to so far have been EXCELLENT! Last night Elizabeth Futral gave a breathtaking recital!! Rozz Morehouse brought the house to it's feet this morning singing gospel. Joseph Firecrow brought insight and tradition together in his presentation of native American music. Then the actors performing 'Closer Than Ever' wowed everyone at STS (the play will continue all this week if you missed it). There is still plenty more on the way this evening and tomorrow so come out and join us!! The website is below if you need information. Don't miss this opportunity to come out and enjoy some world class music.

Phoenicia Festival of the Voice

Presenting Austin Dershowitz Rose

Nat and Marilyn Dershowitz have a brand new grandson. His name is Austin Dershowitz Rose. The baby is also the nephew of WCA members Julia Rose and John Raffaele and cousin to their daughter Maya. Little Austin's parents are Rana Dershowitz (Nat and Marilyn's daughter) and Brian Rose (Julia's brother). The photos below are sent to us from Denver, Colorado where the happy family lives. Congratulations to everyone in the extended Dershowitz/Rose family!!

PS - Don't forget that the annual Dershowitz summer party is Saturday August 21st. See you all there!

Road Repair Update

I recently talked to the Shandaken Highway Supervisor Eric Hofmeister about the road repairs scheduled for Woodland Valley. He told me that the FEMA money they had been waiting for had not come through yet. So that means that they will only be doing the stream bed rebuild by the Fawn Hill bridge. The project scheduled for the road in front of Roxmor will not happen until some time in the future. The bids for the site by Fawn Hill must be in by August 17th. They will then decide who gets the contract and start work immediately. All work must be completed by September 30th when the contractors are required to be out of the stream. Woodland Valley Road will be down to one lane during the day while the repairs take place. I will keep you all posted as I get more details.
- Carol Seitz

Closer Than Ever at STS Opening this Saturday

The cast of "Closer Than Ever" has assembled here in Phoenicia and are in rehearsals for this Saturday's opening. Below are bios and photos of the musical director, director, cast and crew. Opening day is part of the Phoenicia Festival of the Voice. "Closer Than Ever" is a special production and will benefit STS's "Raise The Roof Fund." A powerful and witty musical revue by Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire, the piece is directed by WCA member Ricarda O'Conner. The play runs from Aug 14 at 2:30, Aug 17, 18, 19, 20 at 8 p.m. and Aug 21 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $15/$13 students, members, and seniors. Call 845-688-2279 for reservations.

Remember to buy your tickets now and come see this excellent production!!!

PS - The cast will be staying in Woodland Valley during the entire run of the show so remember to say hello if you see one of them on the road.
















Amy Wallace appeared in the World Premiere of “The Kafka Project” an “Our Shoes Are Red” production at the Ohio Theater in NYC. Regional theatre credits include Little Red Riding Hood in “Into the Woods”, Nancy in “Oliver!”, and Maria in “Man of La Mancha”. She has served as the Artistic Director at STS Playhouse in Phoenicia for the past year and a half where she directed “The Miser” and “Godspell”. Amy has a BA in Acting from Muhlenberg College and also studied at NYU and The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. Amy is grateful for her roles as both a performer and Artistic Administrator of The Phoenicia Festival of the Voice.






















Alex Agard - is delighted to be a part of the Phoenicia Festival of the Voice. Favorite credits include Miles Gloriosus in A Funny Thing…Forum, Beast in Beauty and the Beast and Coalhouse Walker in Ragtime. In February, Alex concluded a 2-year run playing the role of Kiume in Festival of the Lion King at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, performing the role over 1,400 times. He is currently based in New York City. www.alexagard.com






















Austin Ku - NYC: Jackson Repertory Theatre (167 Tongues), Opening Doors (Is There Life After High School?), NYMF (Whatever Man), readings at Playwrights Horizons, Prospect Theater and Leviathan Lab. Tours: SF Opera (Pirates of Penzance/Frederic), SF Shakespeare Festival (Much Ado About Nothing), National Jewish Theatre Festival (The MeshugaNutcracker!/Velvel). Regional: New Repertory Theatre (Gutenberg! The Musical!/Doug), Lyric Stage of Boston (Adrift in Macao/Tempura), Kansas City Starlight Theatre, TheatreWorks of Silicon Valley, San Jose Stage, Northeast Shakespeare Ensemble, Lenape Center, Willows Theatre, 42nd Street Moon. Concerts: Boston Pops and Great Waters Pops. Awards: Dean Goodman Award (Sweeney Todd/Anthony), Sammy Award (Cabaret/The Emcee). Education: The Boston Conservatory. www.Austin-Ku.com.

















Janna Cardia - Tours: Cinderella (Starring Lea Solanga), Queen, Wizard of Oz, Wicked Witch u/s, Regional: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Rona (Riverside Theatre), Oliver!, Nancy, Grease, Rizzo, Into The Woods, Witch, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Narrator (Fulton Opera House), The Full Monty, Georgie (Arkansas Repertory), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change Woman 1 (Allenbury Playhouse), Pump Boys and Dinettes, Prudie (Fireside Theatre), Children Of Eden, Eve (Paramount Arts Center), Goodbye Girl, Paula, A Wonderful Life, Mary (Wagon Wheel Playhouse), Singer ’01, ’06, ’07 (Sacramento Music Circus), Falsettos, Trina (Porchlight After Dark Award). www.jannacardia.com
























Ricarda O’Conner (Director) began her theatrical life as a dancer-singer-actress in New York City. After performing in musicals across the United States and in Europe, her career took a sudden turn when she was asked---at the last minute---to direct and choreograph Slaughter on Tenth Avenue for the Chautauqua Festival Ballet. Ricarda adored the creative process, as well as collaborating with 30 dancers and a symphony orchestra. Her ballet was enthusiastically received by an audience of 8,000. A new course was set.
As choreographer or director-choreographer, Ricarda worked Off-Broadway in New York and also in American regional theatre. Her musicals include Closer Than Ever for the Eastman Opera Theatre, My Fair Lady for the Candlewood Playhouse, Kismet for Equity Library Theatre, Guys and Dolls, Little Shop of Horrors, and Marry Me a Little for the New American Theatre, The Sunset Gang for the Jewish Repertory Theatre, and Gifts of the Magi for the Lamb’s Theatre.
In 2007---after nearly 40 years in New York City---Ricarda moved upstate to the Catskill Mountains with her husband, Michael Ottavi. They are now happy full-time residents of Phoenicia, NY.
Ricarda is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

















Eric Thomas Johnson (Musical Director) is an award-winning composer with premieres of his works in major cities across the country and abroad, including New York, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Nashville, and Innsbruck (Austria), to name a few. He has also worked professionally as music director, pianist, and arranger in many capacities, including work as producer/co-arranger on a recently released children’s album (Going Green! – available nationwide). He was last seen as music director for Theater Ten Ten’s winter production of The Cradle Will Rock, and he received a 2009 AUDELCO award nomination for “Outstanding Musical Direction” in Harlem Repertory Theatre’s production of The Wiz. He holds Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Music from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Vanderbilt University, respectively. He wants to thank his wife Mandy for all her support and credit her for his involvement in theatre. Visit www.ericthomasjohnson.com for more details.






















Here are a few more crew bios that you might be interested in reading.

FRANK SPINA (Costumes) BFA from Parsons school of Design, past faculty member of Parsons School of Design. Designed interior for The Tribeca Grill for Robert DeNiro and Drew Nieporent. Currently the Designer of Kay Unger New York Evening, Lives in Hoboken and Shandaken.

Ray Recht (Set and Lighting Design), Broadway designs include The Flowering Peach, Trick, Slab Boys, The Babe, and national tours of Mrs. Klein, Sarafina, Annie, and Jesus Christ Superstar, over 20 Off-Broadway productions, such as Collected Stories, Marc Salem’s Mind Games, Mrs. Klein and over 200 shows for many regional theaters. Internationally he designed for Wien Staatsoper Ballet, Stratford Festival Ontario, and Manitoba Theatre Centre. Additionally he has been production designer for Feature Films, Television shows and Commercials. Mr. Recht is a Professor of Theatre and Coordinates the Design/Tech Theater Program at Marymount Manhattan College, and is a member of United Scenic Artists-Local 829.

Geology Made Fun in Woodland Valley

The geology talk on Saturday went very, very well. Danny Davis shared a lot of great information with us. We met at the Woodland Valley Campground parking lot and then proceeded into the stream from there. Everyone had a great time doing some hands on geology. I think the day was a big success. Many thanks to Dan who volunteered his personal time to come and share what he knows about our valley. He is an excellent friend to our community!!

No Special Guest

Looks like our possible special guest for the geology walk/talk is not going to be able to make it. He injured his knee yesterday doing field work up north. That is too bad. It would have been a great addition to the program. Fortunately, we still have Dan Davis to guide us through the local geology. I am sure he will give us a lot of insight on our valley. See you all in a little while!

Possible Special Guest at the Geology Walk

Dan Davis sent me this message earlier today. I thought I would pass it on to any of you who plan to attend the geology walk/talk on Saturday.

"I just got confirmation that my friend Chuck Ver Straeten plans to join me on Saturday morning, barring any illness (he is a little under the weather at the moment).
Chuck is also known as Dr. Charles Ver Straeten – a geologist with the NYS Museum’s geological survey and world-known specialist on Devonian sedimentary geology. He is one of the experts on the rocks in our area. He was a colleague of Dr. Ingvar Isachson, the geologist who formulated the hypothesis of the Panther Mountain Crater. He is currently looking into some conglomerate rocks associated with Slide Mountain, so after the morning session we plan to explore the upper reaches of Woodland Creek looking for outcrops.

This is a real treat for me and I expect it will be for any who also attend.
I cannot guarantee Chuck will make it down from East Berne on Saturday but he currently plans to.

Looking forward to seeing you Saturday."

- Dan

Geology Talk/Walk with Dan Davis - Aug 7th

This is to remind you all that there will be a geology talk and walk with Danny Davis this Saturday starting at 10am. We will meet in the Woodland Valley campground parking lot (the one that at the base of the Giant Ledge trail). Bring a lunch if you would like to stay and eat together at the end. Here is Danny's message to us about the day's activities.

"Hi all! I am looking forward to spending some time with you on Woodland Creek this Saturday. My plan is to show up (probably with my “stream-buddy” dog) at 10AM and talk about the geology of Woodland Valley and how the creek can help tell that story, starting with the ancient Devonian history of the bedrock that forms the mountains and valleys, to the legacy of the ice ages and the ongoing story present in the creek. I’d like to go till at least 12PM. I do have plans for a hike and possible camp afterwards so I will need to leave in the early PM.

This won’t be a power point, graph-laden talk. It will be a mutual exploration of at least one interesting reach of Woodland Creek at the state campground with a possible excursion to another reach as time and interest allows. Once we assemble we can discuss what you would like to talk about (and what I can actually cover!) and take it from there. Please bring clothes you don’t mind getting wet and foot gear that is safe for walking in cobbly stream beds. I also recommend bringing some food and drink. Looking forward to seeing you there and learning more about your beautiful valley!"

Danny Davis

See you all there!!

Eugene Ruffolo in Saugerties

Earlier today I received this message from Eugene Ruffolo. He is playing soon at a venue in Saugerties. Here is what he had to say.

Hello friends and Foe.

I'll be doing a breezy summertime set in Saugerties on Friday the 6th.
There are three acts playing, and I'm closing the show--should be around 7:45PM

It's at the Saugerties Waterfront Park (aka Tina Chorvas Park) on E. Bridge Street..

It looks like the weather will be hospitable..so come on out.

Hope to see you there!!

eugene
www.eugeneruffolo.com