Spring Time on Giant Ledge

Paul Misko sent me this post a couple of days ago. Read on:

"A couple weeks ago I was on a hike with a forestry expert to check out the population of Ash trees. We bushwhacked up the western slope of Giant Ledge, and had lunch on the summit. Along the way I spied a few wild orchids in bloom. This orchid is called "Platanthera Orbiculata", and I've found these on other mountains in the area as well. On the way down, just below the summit, is the spring. The water is always flowing, and frigid, and since I finally remembered to bring a thermometer, I checked the temp. The water was 43 degrees!! My theory is that all winter long, the rock crevasses on the summit fill up with ice, which then slowly melts and filters through the rocky soil. If the recent heat wave is beating you down, then run up to the spring for a cold drink."
- Paul Misko

Phoenicia Library Need Volunteers

I got the following message from the Phoenicia Library. They need volunteers for the Festival of the Voice weekend.

"If anyone has a couple of hours to spare during the Aug. 5-7 weekend, we need volunteers! We'll be selling t-shirts and books and taking donations on the library lawn during the Festival of the Voice."

Call Tracy at the library if you have some time to donate 688-7811.

Lisa Davies Food Blog

For those in the valley who love food (and really, who doesn't), WCA member Lisa Davies has a wonderful blog called "This Little Piggy went to the farmers market". It is about cooking from scratch and sharing that information. There are a lot of great recipes and some nice food photos too. I thoroughly enjoyed it. With all the great fresh fruits and vegetables around at this point it is an excellent place to get some new ideas. Check it out:

This Little Piggy went to the farmers market

More Poetry From Boreegard

Woodland Valley Storm

There is something marvelous and special
About a thunder-boomer moving through
Our little valley at night.

I sit on the darkened old cabin porch
Watching the far lightning
As it approaches closer and closer.

I am bathed in the mountainous
Cacophony of the thunder as it
Bounces off Panther and Romer.

It has the stern shocking sound
Of Revolutionary cannons—Henry Hudson’s men
Are bowling a perfect game tonight.

The attendant rain freshens the stream,
Oxygenating the trout, renewing them,
Raising their spirits—and mine.

Boreegard
aka Mike O'Neil
June 28, 2011

Dershowitz Party Still On

Nat Dershowitz has decided to go ahead with his summer party this year. If you plan to attend please bring something to drink and a non-meat dish to share. He will provide the hamburgers and hot dogs. Bring a tennis racket if you play and a bathing suit to enjoy the fabulous pool. I hope to see you there!

Fun at the 2011 Annual Summer Meeting

Despite the heat, big fun was had yesterday at the 2011 Annual WCA Summer Meeting. It was a good crowd and we got a lot of business done. The slate of officers was re-elected from last year. They are:

President: Carol Seitz
Vice President: Peggy Neu
Treasurer: Brave Emma
Secretary: Mike O'Neil

The Board of Directors were also elected. They are:

Michelle Keesee
Dakin Morehouse
Mike O'Neil
Carol Seitz
Brave Emma
Madeline Piel
Peggy Neu

My deepest thanks goes out to the Roxmor Colony who so generously let us use their clubhouse for our shindig. Also thanks to everyone who helped organize the meeting and buy and prepare snacks. Those folks are:

Tom Thompson
Dakin Morehouse
Brave Emma
Rebecca Ffrench
Lauren Silver Altman
Tammy Feuer
Richard Feuer
Sarah Vischer-Marino
Nick Alba
Noni Connor
Dave & Kathy Parse

Everybody's favorite violinist Miriam Rose closed the meeting with a beautiful classical piece. Thank you to Miriam for donating her time and talent to help her community!!

And thanks to everyone who stayed and helped clean up! A lot of folks pitched in and it made for short work. Great job everyone!! I think I can safely say, a good time was had by all!!

WCA Annual Meeting Tomorrow

Don't forget that the annual WCA summer meeting is this Saturday 4:00pm at the Roxmor Clubhouse (the old Roxmor Inn). This is our one official meeting of the year where we take care of association business. Snacks will be provided. Looking forward to seeing you all there!!

Woodstock Fringe Festival Opens

The Woodstock Fringe Festival opens it's 2011 season soon with many exciting productions. Woodland Valley's own Noni Connor will be featured in a new one-act play "Finding Elvis". Here is the release from the festival about this work.

"This year's Festival is lead by two gifted artists, Arian Johns and Mindy Pfeffer who are the 2011 WoodStock Fringe Playwrights/Producers in residence. They have been working tirelessly to bring us an exciting season of new work. Ariana and Mindy will offer two one-act plays FINDING ELVIS, by Mindy Pfeffer (with Noni Connor, Mindy Pfeffer and Dana Patton, directed by Nicola Sheara) and MOONBITE, a montage of radiant lunacy by Ariana Johns. These plays were developed in the Woodstock Fringe Playwrights Unit."

Performance Schedule:
Friday & Saturday August 12 & 13 8pm
Friday August 19th 8pm & Saturday August 20th 3 pm
Byrdcliffe Theatre - Upper Byrdcliffe Road - Woodstock

To check out these plays or any of the other exciting work that the festival has to offer you can visit: http://www.woodstockfringe.org/

Erosion Training for Landowners

I received the following email from the folks over at the Cornell Cooperative. This class is coming Saturday morning. I thought the stream side homeowners in the valley might be interested. Here is a description of the class:

The Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program is holding a training program for streamside landowners on July 23, 2011 in their office in Phoenicia from 9:30-12:30. This is a repeat of a workshop that was held at the Ashokan Watershed Conference in April 2011.

Stream Program staff members will speak on a variety of topics including exactly what erosion is, what causes it, and the effects that it can have on the landscape as well as water quality. Staff will also teach property owners criteria which will assist them in determining whether or not their property is vulnerable to erosion and steps they can take to lessen their risk of erosion. We will use the EmRiver Stream Modeling Table to show the effects of management changes on streambank erosion at this training.

Registration is free but must be done in advance. A minimum of 4 people must be registered for the program to be held. To learn more about this program or to register please contact Gretchen Rae at 845-688-3047 or by email at gr283@cornell.edu. The last day to register for the program is July 21.

For more information about Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s community programs in the Ashokan Watershed call 845-688-3047 or visit us online at www.ashokanstreams.org or follow us and the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program on www.facebook.com.

Rick Altman Trio in KIngston & Woodstock

Come out to hear great jazz in Kingston. This Saturday, July 23rd, The Rick Altman Trio featuring Rick Altman on vibes, Jody Sumber on drums and Chris Sullivan on bass, will be at the Rondout Music Lounge, a brand new place to hear music, at 21 Broadway in Kingston, NY from 8 til midnight (845) 235-7098.

Then on Sunday they'll be all warmed up to play at Harmony Music in Woodstock, from 8 til 11 pm, with Jody Sumber on drums and Mike Ralff on bass. Harmony Music is at 50 Mill Hill Rd. in Woodstock, NY (845) 679-3484.

It will be an exciting weekend of music!! We hope to see you there!!

Help Needed With Snacks

This Saturday July 23rd - 4:00pm - Roxmor Clubhouse, is the annual meeting for the WCA. We need some help buying and preparing snacks for the meeting. If anyone can make a cheese platter, crudite, cookies or help buy and organize the snacks in any way it would be much appreciated. If everyone does a little it will get done easily. The WCA will reimburse everyone for their expenses. If you are willing to help organize the food please email me here at wvview@gmail.com

Thanks!!!

MIriam Rose at the Woodstock Farm Festival

I recently received this message from WCA member Lauren Silver. If you are in the area don't miss this gig!! Miriam is awesome and just gets better everyday. Here is what Lauren has to say:

"Come one, come all; Miriam Rose will be playing next Wednesday, July 20th, 5:15-7:30 at the Woodstock Farm Festival in the acoustic tent (at the Houst parking lot). We'd love to see you there..."

Questions Regarding Town Metal Pickup

As a service to the community I posted the town announcement regarding this week's metal pickup. Unfortunately, I do not know any more details about it. If you have questions about the pickup please call the town highway department at (845) 688-9901 or the supervisor's office at: (845) 688-7165 or (845) 688-7169. Remember you should have the metal to the curb by tonight!

Donations in Memory of Marilyn Dershowitz

Several people in the valley have asked me about making donations to charity in memory of Marilyn Dershowitz. Her family has decided that anyone inclined to do so should donate to The Phoenicia Library. Marilyn was an avid reader and was often seen amid the bookshelves in town. I think donating to this important resource is an outstanding way to honor the memory of our beloved friend and neighbor.

If you would like to donate please send your checks to:

The Phoenicia Library
PO Box 555
Phoenicia, NY 12464

And to make it even easier, if anyone would like to donate using PayPal they can just go to the Phoenicia Library website "support us" page (I have posted it below) and click through to the PayPal link.

Phoenicia Library - Support Us

Metal Pickup This Week

The town of Shandaken is having it's annual metal pickup during the week of July 18th. Any of you with metal that you would like to get rid of this is your chance. Here is the announcement from the town's website:

"Eric Hoffmiester, Town of Shandaken Highway Superintendent, is announcing the Town’s annual metal pick-up will take place during the week of July 18th. He requests that if you have metal trash (and we reiterate “METAL ONLY”), please have it alongside the road for them to pick-up by Sunday, July 17th. If the Town passes through your road and it is not out, they will not return for it. This is a one pass annual convenience the Highway Department provides for Town residents."

Please make sure to follow the instructions carefully and HAVE THE METAL ALONGSIDE THE ROAD BY SUNDAY, JULY 17th. They are only making one pass per road sometime during next week and, as the instructions say, if you miss it they will not be back until next year!!

Shandaken Studio Art Tour - July 16th - 17th

This weekend is the fabulous 2011 Shandaken Studio Art Tour. Over 40 artists will open their studios to the public. This year's theme is "Cool and Green". There are receptions at Art Upstairs and the Cabane Gallery on Saturday night. Woodland Valley's own Tim Slowinski & Euphema Robinson will be on the tour so be sure to check them out! For more information and a map you can go to:

Shandaken Art Tour 2011

So get out there and enjoy some great local art!! See you on the tour!!

Marton Ommundsen Passes

It is hard for me to believe that I have to write these words again so soon but longtime WV resident Marton Ommundsen passed away yesterday. He died suddenly at his home here in the valley. The cause at this point is unknown. Marton is survived by his long time partner, Nancy Heagle (Nancy owned and operated "The Birds Nest" store in Phoenicia for many years) and many, many friends.

I will always think of Marton sitting outside his house alongside WV road by the couple's beautiful garden. Below is a link to his obituary in the Daily Freeman. I will keep you posted on any announcement regarding memorial services.

Daily Freeman - Maritn Ommundsen

May he rest in peace.

Another Beautiful New Arrival!!

Mike and Noni Connor have a brand new fabulous grandson!!! Colton Emmett Connor, born at 12:30 am 7/5/11 to their son Chris and his lovely wife Brittany. Everyone is home already and resting. Congratulations to the entire family!!

Love the first photo below!! It looks like he might be trying out for the Phoenicia Festival of the Voice! Judging by this picture I think he might follow his grandmother onto the stage!!

After the Sad Departures, An Arrival

Here is a message of hope and new life from WCA members Ricarda O'Conner & Michael Ottavi.

Dear Neighbors,

In recent days, several beloved Woodland Valley souls have left the planet suddenly and tragically. Our hearts go out to their grieving family and friends. Our deepest condolences to you all. God knows, we have been through it, too. Many times.

As a slight antidote to the sorrow of these untimely departures, I wanted to introduce you to a soul who has just arrived.

He is Maxime Alexandre, the newest member of our family, born in Paris to Michael's niece, Adele, and her husband, Manuel on Tuesday, July 5th, 2011. He is their first child, the first grandchild to both sets of their parents, and the first great-grandchild to Michael's mother, Alice. He is 48 hours old in this photo, sleeping peacefully on his father's lap.

Arrivals and departures. Over and over again. No matter what, the circle of life goes on.

Our Love and Best Wishes to You All,

Cardi O'Conner and Michael Ottavi

A Sad Goodbye to Marilyn Dershowitz

Jeff & Aileen Schwartz attended Tuesday's service for Marilyn Dershowitz. They shared their experience with me. I added the photo above. It was taken at one of their annual gatherings a few years ago. I think this is how I want to remember Marilyn, smiling and happy in her lovely garden with Nat on a gorgeous summer day. Here is the message I received from Jeff:

"I had just gotten up Tuesday from sitting Shiva for the passing of my father.

When I heard the news on Sunday, I hoped that I could go to the funeral and pay my respects to Marilyn and console Nat.

Aileen and myself arrived early, and the throngs of people started to show up. The chapel was large and it seemed that every seat was filled and the people squeezed together to make room for more.

There were many residents of the Valley attending, we were well represented.

You saw famous people, many lawyers, friends and family. Everybody had a story to tell.

The funeral service began at 11:45 and eulogies were said by family members & friends.

It started with Marilyn's nephew, who was so broken up that it took him a while to compose himself and begin speaking.

Her great niece and nephew spoke of their memories, private, one on one time, holiday meals. Barely able to get though it before their tears prevented them from going on.

Another nephew spoke, business associates and friends reflected on their time spent with Marilyn.

Marilyn's and Nat's daughter and son spoke and you could hear the grandchildren's voices, and you knew that they will be growing up without benefit of Marilyn's guidance.

All the stories touched your heart, there were funny quips and tearful acknowledgements that Marilyn will be greatly missed.

And then Nat spoke. He reflected on the fact that they were together for 57 years and it would be so difficult to go on. He spoke of their final time together, their conversation and how things can change in an instant. He told of the things that they had planned for the upcoming weeks with the children and grandchildren. The boat ride to see the fireworks, the shows and the play that they had gotten tickets for. Now she won't be there to enjoy them with her family.

But he will have to carry on, be the father and mother, the grand father and grand mother - a huge task awaits him.

May Marilyn rest in peace and be an inspiration to us all.

She will be missed."

- Jeff and Aileen Schwartz

Dershowitz Shiva Call Hours Corrected

I have just been informed that the shiva call hours that I had been given were accidentally inverted. The correct hours are 11am to 9pm. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes. Please make sure that anyone you know who plans to pay their respects has the correct times. Thanks!!

Funeral Services for Marilyn Dershowitz

Funeral services will be held for Marilyn Dershowitz on Tuesday, July 5th 11:45am at Riverside Memorial Chapel (180 76th St. at Amsterdam, in NYC). Shiva will follow on Wednesday and Thursday at the Dershowitz residence at 2 Tudor City Place Apartment 8-H South. Shiva hours are 9am to 11pm.

Marilyn Dershowitz Passes

I am very, very sad to have to tell you all that Marilyn Dershowitz was killed this morning in a tragic accident. She was riding her bike in Manhattan when she was struck by a US Postal truck. She was taken to the hospital but did not make it. There were articles in the Daily News and the NY Post about the incident.

Daily News - Marilyn Dershowitz

NY Post - Marilyn Dershowitz

This is a devistating loss for our community. Marilyn was an important part of all of our lives here in the valley. She will be greatly missed.

I will keep everyone posted on the details of any memorial service arrangements that are made.

May she rest in peace.

Catskill Woodland Camp

Cara Cruickshank just sent me this message regarding the upcoming Catskill Woodland Camp.

2 Week Theater Camp for Ages 5-12
REGISTER NOW

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Join us for 2 weeks full of creative fun:

Theater arts
Hiking
Fine Arts
Gardening
Music
Soccer
Creative Movement
Set Building
Picnics
Team Games
Creative Writing
Mask Making
Storytelling
Water Games
And Much More!

Barter/Exchange and Tuition Assistance
Available upon Request

Call us now! 720-935-2540
Or visit www.catskillwoodlandcamp.com

Catskill Woodland Camp
P.O. Box 647, Phoenicia, New York 12464
cara@catskillwoodlandcamp.com
(720) 935-2540
Save 10%
Sign up with a sibling or a buddy and receive a 10% discount!