The Roxmor Neighborhood House

After the summer meeting back in July, Linda McDonald (one of our fabulous Woodland Valley historians) sent me this great information about the Roxmor neighborhood house. By now most of you probably don't remember, but Dakin Morehouse had talked about it at the meeting. He told us it had been located on the Roxmor property but had been taken down a long time ago. Since this summer has been crazy busy for me, I didn't have time to get this information up to the blog (I have to do extra work on old photos). But it is some GREAT valley history and I am finally getting it out to share with all of you folks. Here is what Linda had to say:

"Hello again, some more pictures you might like.

(1) is the neighborhood house that Dakin mentioned at the meeting. I remember it as a young child. It was in disrepair and then torn down in the 60's or 70's. Few people remember it now and I was never in it, but was always intrigued by what I thought was a tiny church, till my Mom explained it's use. If you were going up the Roxmor driveway, it would have been on your right in the woods, a few hundred feet in, set on a flat area.

(2) is the Roxmor store. I believe it was only used in the summer. It also had the Post Office in it. My Mom and her friends would walk down from Woodland Valley Park Association (about 3 miles) to get the mail and then walk back. Can't you just see that now a days. It got washed away in one of 30/40's floods, not sure just when. The land was really eroded away. It doesn't even look like anything could ever have been on that part of the road. If you were coming down the Roxmor driveway, it was off to the right on the other side of the Woodland Road. The Post Office was moved permanently to E.B. Miller's home, who was Post Master year round (presently Dakin & Doris Morehouse's house). Mr Miller was the developer and proprietor of Roxmor, his son Paul Miller later lived there with his family and was the Post Master until the close of the Woodland Post Office and his retirement in 1966.  The first Woodland Post Office was on the Botchford property.

(3) is Roxmor inside in the common area/living room, where today the pool table is and their square dances are held. Still has much the same feel to it.

(4/5) this is the front and back of a penny postcard (really cost .04) that Paul Miller sent to his brother Edward Tryon Miller on the last day of the Woodland Post Office's operation. October 21, 1966. For almost a 100 years we had our on Post Office and more recently our own Zip code 12497.

On another interesting note, E. Tryon Miller of Roxmor married Vesta Morehouse of Woodland Valley Park Association (WVPA). Her father, Wilmot Morehouse was 1 of the 3 founders of WVPA in 1906. He was also Dakin Morehouse's Grandfather. The road 'Wilmot Way' was named after Wilmot Morehouse. The road is on the left just past the State Campsite, near the end of the Woodland Road, where you would cross over the Woodland stream into some of the WVPA's Club's private property."

- Linda McDonald

Thanks Linda for this AWESOME history. Sorry it took me so long to post it to the blog!!





 

Leaping Trout Art Project Gallery Show

Trout Unlimited's town-wide 'Leaping Trout' Art Project is culminating with an exhibit at the Art Upstairs Gallery which began with an opening party there on Saturday, Sept 18, from 6 to 10 PM. All 27 works will be on exhibit through Sunday, October 10 when the art works, donated by the artists, will be auctioned off in a Benefit Auction beginning at 5:00.

The works, artists' bios and other information can be seen at: www.theleapingtrout.com as well as on-line bidding information. The individual art projects have been exhibited in businesses and restaurants throughout the area since the beginning of Trout Season. There are works by many artists including the WCA's own Dakin Morehouse. So check out the show when you get a chance and make bid on one of these extraordinary pieces. They would be a gorgeous addition to any household!!

2010 "Lark in the Park"

The 7th annual "Lark in the Park" runs from October 2nd to October 11th this year. The event features many walks, talks, hikes and other activities designed to heighten awareness of the Catskill Mountain region of New York State.

For a full list of events you can go to:
http://www.catskillslark.org/2010_events.htm

There is even going to be a "Woodland Valley History Hike" that I think many of you may be interested in attending. Here is the description of that hike from the website.


Saturday, OCTOBER 2 - Woodland Valley History Hike - 10:30AM

Join the Catskill 4000 Club on a hike to a great view near the head of Woodland Valley. Along the way, get an ear full of local history and stories about the bark peelers, John Burroughs, and others. I'll even throw in some tips on hiking and survival. Bring rainjacket, sweater, flashlight, and lighter, lunch and drinks. NO DOGS Please. Cold/Windy or showers postpones hike to Sunday. This is a moderate/ difficult hike of about 4 miles, and 5 hours, with some uneven rocky places. Group size limited, so you must register by Friday, Oct. 1st, by 8:00 p.m. To register, contact Paul Misko at woodvalleybear@gmail.com.

Directions:

From Rt. 28, west of Phoenicia, take turn-off for Woodland Valley. Cross bridge and come to "T". Make right turn onto Woodland Valley Rd. and travel about 6 miles to the Woodland Valley Campground. Go to office and pay the $6.00 parking fee.


If you would like to read more about the history of the park you can go to: http://www.catskillslark.org/history/history.htm . I have attended many of the hikes and talks in this program (even led one walk myself) and I can tell you it is great fun and interesting too so try and join the fun!!

Dragonfly Closeup

Dennis Havel sent me this close-up photo of a dragonfly last week. I have seen a lot of them in the valley over the past few days. I was down at Romer Mt Park (the old Simpson ski slope) over the weekend and there were about 20 of them dancing in the sun over my head.......beautiful!!!

CMRR in NY Times Today

Many members of the WCA do volunteer work at the Catskill Mountain Railroad and/or the Empire State Railway Museum. Today they got some coverage for their fall foliage train rides in the NY Times. Here is the link so you can check it out.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/travel/24foliage.html?scp=1&sq=catskill%20mountain&st=cse

Let's hope this brings a lot of folk up to ride the trains and spend money here in our area!

Answers to Carl's Question

I received 3 answers to Carl Tannenbaum's question regarding the Shultis farm. They were all correct. I thought all of you might be interested to learn some history too. Here are the responses and what I know about them.

"The Shultis family is firmly grounded in Woodstock. Many years ago my father would contract with old Mr. Shultis to deliver firewood. Don't know anything of a current nature about them, but they were never located in Woodland Valley as far as I know."
- Boreegard - aka Mike O'Neil

Bo is correct in that there is a large Shultis family residing in Woodstock. I have met some of them. But apparently there was another Shultis family. Read on:

"According to our lawyer, the Shultis family had a big farm that covered the land where Schweitzer road (Chichester) is now. So the family was definitely up in Silver Hollow."
- Ricarda O'Conner

She is correct. I got the following from a member of the Simpson family.

"There was a Shultis farm in Chichester on the left-hand side of Rt 214 that began on the top of Sunshine Hill (blogmistress note: Sunshine hill is where 214 meets Silver Hollow Road) and ran a good distance. There was a boarding house, dance hall, cabins and a large pond where a lot of Phoenicia went skating in the winter. As it turns out Steve Shultis is my first cousin and the son of Herb Shultis, the last Shultis owner, and he lives in Poughkeepsie."
- Jay Simpson

So apparently there are 2 Shultis families. I don't know if they are related but it seems neither lived in Woodland Valley. This was great fun and interesting too! Thanks for the question Carl and also thanks to everyone who sent information!!!

Request for Information

Carl Tannebaum sent the message below to all of us in the WV community. If anyone has information about the Schultis farm they can email it to me here at the Woodland Valley View (wvview@gmail.com) and I will pass it along to him. Thanks!


Hi Everyone -

A woman who lives at the same retirement community as my mom is interested in any information about the Schultis farm which she thinks was/is in the valley. I think her grandfather lived on the farm. She wants to know where it is/was and any other information anyone out there can provide.

Hope someone can help out.

Sincerely,
Carl

Doris Morehouse Visits Scotland

I got this message a few days ago from Dakin Morehouse who is holding down the fort while Doris visits the British Isles. Here is what he had to say:

"Here's the picture of Doris and Cuz'n Jill (of Woodland Park Association) in front of Stonehenge. They are in Scotland now researching her maiden name Fife, which is also a county there. Well that's her excuse for going anyway ...
B&Bs, Rail Pass, old castles etc. Sounds like they are having a grand ol' time."
Bachelor Dakin

Streamside Planting - Saturday September 18th

Michael Courtney sent me this message about the project he is organizing this Saturday. Since most of us use the Espous to swim, fish, etc, etc. I thought some of you might be interested. Here is what he had to say:

"We will be doing a volunteer streamside planting project this Saturday. Can you post info on this on the WV blog?
Info is below. I also included a planting clip art file and a pdf of the flyer for the event. This is part of our Creek Week."
Thanks! Michael

Saturday, September 18, 9:00 am – 12:00
Location of Event:_ Meet at Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program Office, 6375 State Route 28. Just west of Phoenicia, across from former Margo’s Restaurant.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Help plant trees and shrubs to restore stream side vegetation on a local stream. We will meet at the project office and carpool to the planting location. Bring boots, workgloves, a shovel if you have one and water bottle.
RSVP to Michael at (845) 688-3047/ph or mcc55@cornell.edu

Michael Courtney
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County
www.ashokanstreams.org
(845) 688-3047/ph

Happy Birthday Jeff!

Aileen Schwartz wants to wish her husband/best friend a Happy Birthday!!

Happy b-day from everyone in the WCA too, Jeff!!!

Maya at 10 Months

Gorgeous little Maya, daughter of WCA members Julia Rose and John Raffaelle, is now 10 months old. Here are some photos of her from a recent outing. She just gets cuter everyday!!

My Favorite WV Doorbell

I recently came across this doorbell in WV. It made me laugh and I thought you all would enjoy it too. This just proves how ingenious valley folks can be!!

On the Anniversary of 9/11

Mike O'Neil aka Boreegard wrote this poem to help us observe the anniversary of 9/11. May all who perished that day rest in peace.

Anniversary

I think of those innocents on the high towers
who, rather than waiting to be choked to death
by the moiling acrid smoke or burned by the
terrible approaching fires, chose to implement
their own deaths—and jumped.

And of those many, I think most strongly
of the couple who fell
clutching each other in an inseparable embrace
to the last.

My Manhattan son, Dan, saw all this
and cried, as did we all. Damn damn damn!

This morning, on the anniversary—if one
can use that word
He took two perfect long stemmed roses to work
opened his midtown window
and let the petals fly away in
Manhattan's strong morning wind.

He thought on this for a time
and then began to work, as the migraine imposed itself.

J. Michael O'Neil

Work Begins on WV Road

The work to repair the stream bed along WV road just before the Fawn Hill bridge began earlier this week. The trucks, heavy equipment and stone have been brought to the site and staged along the side of the curve. If I have the time I will try and get some photos of the progress in the next few days. Drive slowly as you come in and out of the valley to avoid the men and women who will be working on the project.

Another Great Blog Story

OK, so a few posts ago I put up the "Burning Hat" duet video featuring Dennis Havel playing the musical saw. A day later I got an email from someone who calls herself "The Saw Lady" in NYC. She found the entry via Google and has invited Dennis to play next year at the annual Musical Saw Festival in New York City www.MusicalSawFestival.org. Who knew there was such a thing?! Turns out there is a festival once a year where musicians from near and far come to show their expertise on the saw. "The Saw Lady" is an accomplished player herself! You can check out her website if you are interested at http://www.sawlady.com. She has played at an amazing range of venues with other accomplished musicians. Dennis is very excited by the prospect of getting together with other like minded folk to share the creation of some interesting music. I will keep you all posted on the time and date for the festival so that you can attend if you feel so inspired.

Miriam Rose at the Woodstock Farm Festival

Miriam Rose will be playing at the Woodstock Farm Festival on Wednesday, September 8th, from 5:30 to dusk. Please see flyer for details. The acoustic tent is the one in the Houst parking lot, where the actual farmers' market tents are located. See you there!

Boreegard Confronts Pig Liver

Boreegard aka Mike O'Neil sent me this recipe a while back. Here is what he had to say about it:

SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED is visiting family in Indiana for a few days, so I get to cook things for dinner that she would not enjoy. This is assuredly one of them.

I’d hoped to find calf’s liver in town at one of the food emporiums, but there was none to be had. The only liver I finally found was pig’s liver. Pig’s liver is tender, but has a strong taste, and benefits from a soak in milk for several hours—which I’ve done.

I well recall the New Year’s Eve advice at the Martino’s party that I got from Joe’s Uncle Frankie—a stone mason who made his own wine in his basement and praised the taste of pork liver. “Its’a sweet,” he told me. So in a way I’ve looked forward to tonight’s cooking for over 25 years.

Then it was time to drink another shot of Sambucca and watch Joe do his version of the Tarantella, all the while waving his handkerchief in the air. THE THINGS ONE REMEMBERS!

Elements of this recipe are taken from Gene Leone’s CALF’S LIVER ALA LEONE. Instead of calf, think pig.

PIG’S LIVER A LA BOREEGARD

One and a half pounds of pig’s liver, sliced in half inch slabs.
1 egg beaten
½ cup of panko bread crumbs, some four, some minced garlic.
4 slices bacon
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. oil
Fresh parsley and sage, chopped.
A small onion, chopped.
½ cup cheap sherry
Salt and pepper.

TO DO

In a fry pan, cook the bacon to a crisp. Reserve the bacon and lose most of the fat.

Add butter and oil to the pan.

Bread the egged liver and fry in pan in a hot pan for two or so minutes per side. The liver should be medium rare.

Remove liver to a warmed dish.

Sauté onions and herbs in pan.

Add Sherry to form a sauce. If not thickened to your desire, add a little more flour.

Return liver to pan and warm. Then Serve on delicate pieces of toast, with sauce on top.

Mamma Leonne and Gene would approve of this one I think.


Boreegard
August 14, 2010

Burning Hat Duet

I have never posted a video to the blog before but someone sent me one that I just couldn't resist putting up.

It is a video of the WCA's own Dennis Havel playing music while his hat burned. It is absolutely amazing that anyone should play the musical saw so intently that their hat would burst into flames. I am still not sure it wasn't done with smoke and mirrors. But regardless, there is some pretty fancy talent coming out of Woodland Valley! God, I love this place!!

Video by Chen Yong