Fun at the Plant Walk

Yesterday was the first of two WCA plant walks guided by Violet Snow. You may all remember Violet for her naturalist column in the Phoenicia Times. She is extraordinarily knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of our area. The group toured the Botchford/Gillespie property which, with it's beautiful views, is a special treat all by itself. They had a great time learning about what is growing right in our own backyards.

If you are a WCA member and missed this great opportunity, Violet will be giving another walk on Saturday, July 2nd from 11:00am to 1:00pm. The group is limited to 15 so be sure to sign up soon!! You can email me at woodlandvalleymail@gmail.com to reserve your space.

Great Diving Photos from Tom Healy

Tom Healy recently got back from a diving trip and sent me these great images. Now that I see them I feel like dusting off my diving license! Check what Tom has to say:

"I spent 2 weeks diving in Bonaire Netherlands Dutch Antills. Sergeant major fish is a common damsel fish found in the Caribbean. I had a chance to photograph. a nesting pair for 8 days. They commonly lay there eggs on flat surfaces. The below photos show the purple egg nest on an overturned sunken boat at a depth of 40 feet. They develop over 9 days starting with a solid color egg. Each egg is the size of the head of a pin. So I used a close up lens to get a better view. The parents spend each day swimming in circles around the nest fanning (oxygenating) the eggs. The eyes seem to develop fastest, as seen below. The last photo of the eggs show them hours before they hatched. This obviously happened at night as they and the parents were gone the next morning, leaving only a blenny to feast on the leftovers." Tom

STS Presents "Into The Woods"

STS Playhouse Presents “Into The Woods” by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. An ambivalent Cinderella? A blood-thirsty Little Red Ridinghood? A Prince Charming with a roving eye? A Witch...who raps? They're all among the cockeyed characters in Sondheim's fractured fairy tale. Directed by Amy Wallace, Musical Direction by Kent Brown and featuring Woodland Valley resident Jay Bramen as a Prince and The Wolf. June 3-5, 10-12, 17-19. Friday and Saturday shows at 8pm, Sunday Matinees at 4pm. Tickets $15, $13 students, seniors, members. Call 845-688-2279 for reservations STS Playhouse, 10 Church Street, Phoenicia. www.stsplayhouse.com

Art Auction to Benefit Library - Sat May 28th

This Saturday, May 28, the Phoenicia Library Association is holding a silent auction of art donated by dozens of artists to help raise money for rebuilding of the fire-devastated library building. The artworks will be on display at the Emerson Resort and Spa in Mt. Tremper beginning Sunday, May 22, from 10 until 6, and the final bidding on the silent auction will occur on Saturday, May 28 from 3 – 5:30, accompanied by a reception with wine and fine finger food. The auction will include works by national award winners such as Brenda Goodman, Joan Snyder, Mary Frank, Jeff Jacobson and Dennis Stock as well as artists seen more often at local galleries such as The Arts Upstairs and Cabane Studios. Estimated selling prices range from $20 to $2,000, so there will be something for everyone’s pocketbook, and a wide variety of subjects and styles to choose from as well.

Artists contributing works include Jose Acosta, Loel Barr, Joel Benton, Kurt Boyer, Andrea Cabane, Dave Channon, Joe Concra, Glenn deWitt, Bonnie Diana, Bronson Eden, Lynn Fliegel, Stacie Flint, Mary Frank, Jeannie Friedman, Patti Gibbons, Brenda Goodman, Wendy Grossman, Hot Mud Studio, Hot Stuff Blown Glass, Jeff Jacobson, David Jeffery, Lucinda Knaus, Polly Law, John Daido Loori Roshi, Kate McGloughlin, Richard Morris, Denise Orzo, Margaret Owen, Linda Peer, Christie Scheele, Judith Singer, Joan Snyder, Michelle Spark, Dennis Stock, Anique Taylor, Richard Treitner, Elena Zang, and more.

The viewing of the artworks and attendance at the reception are free. The catering is being donated by Marcey Brownstein Catering & Events, and the Emerson is donating the space, tables and linens, and waitstaff. The menu is slated to include rice-stuffed grape leaves, cucumber cup with edamame puree, gorgonzola-stuffed roasted dates, roasted tomato tart tatin, tuna tartare on potato crisp, and more. A private donor is providing the wine.

The auction is one of a series of events to raise funds to help rebuild the library. An electrical fire in the early hours of March 19 damaged the Library’s structure and destroyed nearly all of the contents of the building. Computers melted, furniture burned, and the library’s entire collection of 13,000+ books, DVDs, etc., fly-fishing memorabilia, historical documents were all rendered unusable by fire, water, or toxic smoke. The building and contents were insured, but the costs of complying with current building codes and other regulations will exceed the insurance proceeds available. The library re-opened in a short-term location at the old Maverick West site only one week later. It now has three new computers available for patron use as well as hundreds of books and DVDs, a number growing every week.

Moon Photo By Dennis Havel

This photo was sent to me by Dennis a few weeks ago. It is taken with a 600mm lens. Great shot Dennis!!

Astrology Workshop in NJ with Alexander Mallon

I got this message recently from Alexander Mallon regarding his upcoming workshop in New Jersey. Here is what he had to say:

Hi folks - Hope to see you in New Jersey June 9th with Janet at her center in Morristown!!

WESTERN ASTROLOGY AND THE PROPHESIES OF 2012 JUNE 9, Thursday, 7-9:30 PM, with Alexander Mallon, Astrologer/Astronomer. BE THE MEDICINE, 18 BANK ST, SUITE 300 , MORRISTOWN , NJ 07960 Looking through the lens of spirit, science and traditions around the world we will explore and understand perspectives on these times. Astrology has a lot to say and we will have discussions afterwards. $37 Prepaid, Space limited. $40 at door.

Sessions with Alexander scheduled and paid for tonight will be discounted 30% as a special introductory offer. Sessions in person in Morristown Friday, on the phone or Skype, or in Phoenicia , NY at his studio afterwards. Discover more about his work on www.astrologyspirit.com

Janet and Alexander are developing a Soul Astrology program to support people living their highest truth, best life and soul purpose,

Botchford Ancestors

Since I haven't posted any Woodland Valley history in a while when Hawley Botchford sent me this photo I couldn't wait to get it on the blog. The older woman on the left is Hawley's great, great grandmother, Orilla Clement Woodworth, who moved to Woodland Valley with her husband David in the mid-1800's.

Here are the names of everyone in the photo. From L. to R. - Orilla Clement Woodworth 1808-1901; Malinda Woodworth Beach, 1826-1901 (Daughter of Orilla and mother of Lydia (Daisy) Beach); Lydia (Daisy) with Evelyn Craig on her lap. Evelyn Craig was the daughter of Thomas Bigelow Craig. She owned the family's house on WV road until her death. (The house is at the top of the hill above the sharp curve near Fawn Hill bridge across from where the DEC recently did the big rebuild) Ed Twerdak owns the place now.

Anyway, what fabulous and strong looking ladies!!

Logo Contest Winner

So, I have counted the votes several times and the winner of the Woodland Valley Logo Contest is #4. This logo had 3 different variations so we need to vote once more on a final version. The deadline for voting is Sunday June 5th. Please submit your votes to the new WCA official email address: woodlandvalleymail@gmail.com.

Thanks to all those who participated. The contest was a hot one with the winner receiving only 3 votes more than the other closest design. In the interest of full disclosure the logo that won is the design that I submitted. I feel a little odd about being the one counting the votes when I came out the winner but I will say that 1) I didn't vote and 2) If anyone wishes to have a re-count I would be more than happy to meet with you and go into the WCA mail accounts so it can be verified.

So that's the story. Be sure to vote so we can have the stickers ready for the annual WCA meeting at the end of July!

Upcoming Art of Living Course - June 2nd - 5th

WCA member MJ Reiss sent me the following message:

Hi Folks,

By now, most of us know that the breath is an amazing tool that can bring us into the present. But why be interested in the Art of Living course that is being offered in Stone Ridge on June 2nd?

If you observe the breath, the breath helps you become harmonious and relaxed.

We need to learn how to use the breath, how to focus the breath to release unnecessary emotions, unnecessary impressions of the past.

As the mind drops these negative emotions ( anger, sorrow, guild about the past or anxiety about the future, or superiority or inferiority complex connected with our own activities of the past; anything that can take away your joy or completeness - all these can be released using the breath.

That is why the name of this course is called the Art of Living. It is a skillful way of handling your mind, a skillful way of releasing negative emotions.

Responding to the needs of the moment, instead of being driven by your past experience, habits, and neg emotions. After you learn these techniques you have a beautiful practical tool. If you are disturbed or upset, just three or 4 min of breathing can calm your mind.

Two aspects of the course:

· Breathing techniques
· Learning about the human mind

Habits:

· Understanding the harmful/ beneficial
· Learning to release the harmful
· Learning to enhance the beneficial

This and much more is available.

Come take the course : )

June 2nd - 5th
Weekdays 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Weekends 12 noon - 4:30pm

Yoga Studio
215 Pine Bush Road
Stone Ridge, NY
12484

MJ Reiss
mjreiss@artofliving.org
845-750-5845

Little Red Cabin For Rent

WCA member Rachel X Weissman is renting out her adorable cabin on High St. Here is a description of the house and a link to her website for more photos.

"Visit the little red cabin, a cozy and eclectic writer’s home in the woods, just a 5-minute walk to the village of Phoenicia. No need for a car, the Trailways bus brings you to the village, and your feet carry you the rest of the way. This 1-bedroom cabin is perfect for a single person or couple and a well-behaved dog. Built as a rustic hunting cabin in the 50s, it has been renovated with wood and ceramic tile, and decorated with traditional and contemporary art. Now it is one large space with a vaulted ceiling and skylights.
A full weekend, with arrival any time on Friday and departure on or before Monday evening is available for $350. By the week: $750. An extra fee of $50 for your pooch. Deposits necessary: payment by PayPal or check."
- Rachel

http://cabinrental.mycatskills.net/

Nature's Tazer

Paul Misko sent me this message yesterday. It seems like the perfect day to post it. Read on:

I took this picture with a film camera and an exposure of about 2 minutes. Then I had to quickly pack up and take shelter before I got zapped by nature's tazer. At least there is something nice about a thunderstorm.

- Paul

Power and Phone Outage Yesterday

There was an extended power and phone outage yesterday morning in Shandaken. A large portion of the town was effected including WV and Phoenicia. About 3:30am the electric and phone went dead here in the valley. All service remained out until about noon. Once everything came on again it stayed on. Unfortunately, the rest of the town wasn't as lucky and the outages continued through the day for some hamlets. I heard through the grapevine that a transfomer blew out on Rt 28 and was the cause of all the problems. But all is well that ends well and everything is back to normal now.

Rick Altman Trio in Woodstock

Enjoy jazz in Woodstock; The Rick Altman Trio (featuring WCA member Rick Altman) is back at the Harmony Cafe in Woodstock on Sunday, May 22nd from 8-11 pm.

Check for info on upcoming shows at www.rickaltman.com Hope to see you there!

Unitard Upstate

Woodland Valley residents, now is your chance to catch Unitard (featuring WCA member David Ilku) a bit closer to home. Read on for details.

The UNITARDS (Mike Albo, Nora Burns and David Ilku) are playing Poughkeepsie NY and it will never be the same. With their brand new line-up of outrageous, biting, farcical, and oh yeah, funny sketches and monologues. Making mockery of the mundane and fools of the fabulous, the Unitards will have you spitting up your cocktail as they skewer everything from Upstate second homes and Cheese to Gay Dads and Baby Sitters. Don’t miss this one night only event.

Friday May 20th 8pm
Bull and Buddah 319 Main St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone
845.337.4848
Website
http://www.bullandbuddha.com/
Only $10

Volunteers Needed For Library Fundraiser

Bernie Handzel is coordinating volunteers for the upcoming library fundraiser. He asked me to pass along this message:

As you know May 21 , 2011 is the fundraising concert for the library at the Onteora HS auditorium. We could use volunteers as outlined below, they can contact me by e-mail bernardhandzel@yahoo.com or phone 688-2893.
- Bernard Handzel

Phoenicia Library Benefit - Volunteers are Needed. Saturday, May 21st.

10 people to help take money at the door and do the guest list; we can break into shifts:
2-4 p.m. 4 people (2 for guest list/2 for door)
4-6 p.m. (2 for guest list/2 for door)
6-8 p.m. (1 for guest list/1 for door)

4 worker bees to help generally:
2 people to help with set up (silent auction tables, refreshment stand etc.) - noon-2:30 p.m.
2 people to help with clean up - 7-9 p.m.
4 people to staff refreshments table in shifts: 2:30-4:30; 4:30-7 p.m.

Martyn Joseph at the ESRM Friday Night

For any of you who are looking for a little local fun the Empire State Railway Museum and Flying Cat Music present Martyn Joseph this Friday night. It should be a great show! Here are the details:

An Evening with Martyn Joseph

Don't miss Martyn Joseph's concert this Friday night at 8:00 p.m. at the Phoenicia train station. Get a taste of what you will see and hear if you attend by watching these two YouTube videos of Martyn performing live. The first is filmed in his own home where he was staging a benefit concert. It's a montage song he wrote about America. The second has Martyn on a festival main stage performing two haunting songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nnnUOVjW2k&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBvLsKAnjkU&feature=related

For a better understanding of Martyn Joseph, read this excellent article about and review of Martyn Joseph's career journey.

http://www.acousticlive.com/acoustic_live/April_2011.html

Details:

Martyn Joseph in Concert
Friday, May 13
8:00 p.m. sharp, door at 7:30

The Empire State Railway Museum
70 Lower High Street
off of Route 28, Phoenicia, NY

$18/door or $15 w/RSVP to
flyingcatmusic@gmail.com
or call 845-688-9453

Library Fundraisers

Here is some information about upcoming library fundraisers. Another great cause in our community!

PHOENIX RISING CONCERT

Hi All!
I hope you can come out to support our Phoenicia Library, plus hear some great music!! The music lineup is Uncle Rock at 3; Amy Helm, Larry Campbell & Friends at 4; Uncle Monk at 5 p.m., the Phoenicia opera singers at 6, with some surprises after that. Plus a fab silent auction!
See poster (attached) for ticket &location info. Please spread the word!!!
Best,
Holly


Library Bookfair at Barnes and Noble

Phoenicia Library Book Fair at Barnes & Noble 5/9-5/16

From Monday, May 9th, to Sunday, May 16th, Barnes & Noble will donate 12% of the price of your book purchases, in store or on-line, to the Phoenicia Library in the form of a B&N gift card. (They'll also donate 12% of your cafe purchases and 5% of the purchase price of a B&N Nook.) This is a great way to help the Library because it doesn't cost you a penny.

You must mention the Bookfair ID#:10480564 or use one of the attached vouchers for the library to get the donation.

The Barnes & Noble store in Kingston will also have two tables set up with the Library's wish list items, one in the front by the register and one in the children's section. You can help the Library two ways at once by buying them one of the books on their wish list. Even though people have been wonderfully generous with their book donations, the Library needs the very latest books too. If you purchase a wish list book for the Library, it gets a double benefit, both the new book and the percentage donation.

The Barnes & Noble store will hold and deliver books purchased for the library. Don't worry about duplicates, they can easily be exchanged by the library.

Farm to Table Fundraiser

Max Resnick sent me this message about the fund raiser she is doing for our schools. We can help the kids and get food ourselves besides. Seems like it will be a win/win situation to me. Here is the message from Max.

Whether you are a crazy foodie or not, the May 23rd Farm to Table event that I'm co-chairing with Marybeth and Devin Mills of Peekamoose Restaurant at Onteora MS/HS, is going to be a lot of fun. We have an outstanding lineup of chefs, who will be preparing hors d'oeuvres for your enjoyment ($2/piece), and you can hang out with a lot of great folks who are coming out to the event.

And, we have tons of other activities:

* Juicer and smoothie stations
* Gardening info
* Nutritional information and healthy salad dressing presented by Lysa Ingalsbe
* Food crafts for kids
* Background music by Onteora Students
* Photo Booth
* Silent Auction with fabulous foodie items

We're doing this to raise monies to purchase a walk-in freezer for the school district's food services program, to continue to make our students' food healthier. This will help us extend our use of local produce beyond the growing season; reduce spoilage and redirect our Food Services staff efforts from packing/unpacking the currently overcrowded freezer to have more time to create new menu offerings.

Sadly, neither Jamie Oliver nor Michelle Obama will be able to join us. But, we appreciate all of their efforts in helping raise the consciousness of folks and our nations' students to eat better food and to learn healthier eating habits.

Feel free to spread the word. Our event web-site is still under construction, but should be chock-filled with info in a couple of days.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Max

Unitard at Joe's Pub in NYC

WCA member David Ilku will be performing at Joe's Pub as part of the fabulous comedy trio Unitard. If any of you will be in the city this weekend be sure to check out the show. It is brand new material so those of us who have seen him in the past can get a fresh dose of original, right out of the box, comedy. Don't miss it!

UNITARD- BRAND NEW SHOW, All New Material
Saturday, May 7 at 9:30pm
Location: JOE'S PUB 425 LAFAYETTE ST NYC, NY

Upcoming Fundraisers for the Library

I got this message from the folks at that Phoenicia Library. Please try and support whatever events you can and help to rebuild one of the most important resources in our community.

Phoenicia Library rebuild PHOENIX FUNDRAISERS

Well, we continue to forge ahead nestling into our location at 9 Ava Maria, which is feeling much less transient, with the addition of more and more books, materials and computers, and especially visits from you! We will begin clean up of the building at 48 Main next week, with our hopes and sights on rebuilding there. We will also be posting a wish list on our website soon, for all of those who have asked. We remain so grateful to all of you for your continued support, as we have a long road ahead of us. But, judging by the list of fundraisers below, we may even have some fun in the process. (Expect some updates to the list, as we have more information)
HOPE TO SEE YOU!--The Phoenicia Library Staff and Library Board.

May 7 PIE BAKE-OFF at Mama’s Boy Market.
7 Church St. Phoenicia
Every sweet you eat benefits the library!
Register at the library or at Mama’s
sponsored by Mama’s Boy
(Saturday before Mother’s Day)
MamasBoyMarket.com
845-688-3050

May 8-15 BARNES & NOBLE
Book Fair
A precentage of your purchases will be donated to the Phoenicia Library
Barnes & Noble Booksellers #2226
1177 Ulster Ave., Kingston, NY 12401
tel: (845)336-4691 Attn: Bathsheba

May 21 CHICHESTER YARD SALE (Rain Date Sunday, May 22nd)
organized by Stephanie Barnes
Stephanie Barnes 688-5822 or email stephanie@barneche.com

May 21 PHOENIX RISING BENEFIT CONCERT
Musical Talent includes:
Amy Helm, Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams, Byron Isaacs, and Friends (Americana)
Uncle Rock (Family music)
Uncle Monk, featuring Tommy Ramone (folk/bluegrass)
Phoenicia Festival Of the Voice Founders Maria Todaro, Louis Otey, and Kerry Henderson (opera)
And other special guests

Produced by Robert Burke Warren (Uncle Rock) and music journalist/author Holly George-Warren. Sponsored by the Onteora Central High School (donating use of auditorium) and the Phoenicia School PTA
The concert will be held at Onteora High School, Route 28, Boiceville, NY, on Saturday May 21, from 3-8 p.m.
Concert will be accompanied by a special silent auction, featuring signed books by acclaimed authors, deluxe luxury items, and one-of-a-kind goods donated by well-known musicians.
Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased via PayPal at the Phoenicia Library’s website: phoenicialibrary.com ; or with cash or check in person at the Phoenicia Library or by check to Phoenicia Library, PO BOX 555, Phoenicia NY 12464

May 28 SILENT ART AUCTION organized by Judith Singer, with help from members of Arts Upstairs. To be held at Emerson. The auction will run from 3 - 5:30, with hors d'oeuvres and other hospitality.

**June LIBRARY FAIR **
Our annual fair, with booksale, bakesale, entertainment. Fun for the whole family, and our chance to thank you for all you do for us.


June 25 Flying Cat Music
Musical Benefit
Hosted and organized by Janet Klugiewicz and Tommy Rinaldo at the
Shandaken Theatrical Society

November 24 (Thanksgiving) 5K “Turkey Trot”