Next Holistic Clinic

WCA member Julia Rose asked me to pass along this information to you.

The next FREE holistic community clinic will be held in Phoenicia on Thursday, March 7 from 4-7pm at Parish Hall on Main Street in Phoenicia.

Treatments available are:

acupuncture

massage

reflexology

reiki

matrix energetics

.....and more.

We will not be taking appointments for this clinic, so just come on in!

Attached is a flier with the dates for all of our 2013 clinics.

Brought to you by Healthcare is  Human Right, your local practitioners, Family of Woodstock, and the Massage Therapy Foundation.

thank you,

Julia Rose, L.Ac

Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Tui Na Massage

Phoenicia Healing Arts Center

74 Main Street, Phoenicia, NY

845-688-2323

www.phoeniciahealingarts.com

Wet And Heavy

The valley got about 4-5 inches of wet, heavy snow and then sleet last night. It was followed by sleet, freezing rain and then rain, rain, rain this morning. Moving the snow is not going to be fun for anyone. It is compacted and melting and very, very dense and wet, like the consistency of a snow cone. The winds have been reasonable. Some gusts, some wind-chimey-ness but otherwise not too bad. The roads have been plowed and sanded but I haven't been on them personally so I can't attest to their drivability. But they seem passable. Hope all is well wherever you are.

Summer Visits To Woodland Valley

Here is a lovely piece that WCA member Johanna Jordan sent to me about Woodland Valley. Thanks for sharing your memories of Woodland Valley with us Johanna!!

Summer Visits to Woodland Valley

 Of course, I only know Woodland Valley as it is in the summertime.  In the more than sixty years I have been visiting, I have only been when there is snow on the ground three times. Once when I was in college, during a snowstorm of at least a foot, three college friends, my brother, and my father stayed at a neighbor’s winter-ready home across the brook for a weekend. (We carried our supplies from the state road.) Once for a few days in mid-March when the snow was melting and only patches remained. And once around Thanksgiving for less than a day, just to see if we could be warm enough in our cabin in 20 degree weather.  We couldn't. 

 So mostly I know the fullness of June foliage, the exploding population of birds, the irritation of champion no-see-ums and mosquitos, the pleasures of unfurling ferns, the crowds of various butterflies, the mysterious stillness before thunderstorms. Dawns loud with birdsong, deer in their fresh summer coats almost orange, parent birds nesting and feeding, the long long dusk with the song of the wood thrush. Late summer nights with the sound of katy-dids. Owls calling to each other.  Once, sitting up at night, terrified, I heard the dying scream of an owl's prey.  Once, saw mother bear and cub.  There were deer foraging right outside the bedroom window.  Red squirrels.  Grey squirrels. Flying squirrels. Once a porcupine crossed the brook not 10 feet from where I sat, completely unaware of me.  Skunk.  And the raccoons that we used to feed and learned not to. Chipmunks. Mice. Evidence, that one year, that beavers had tried to build.  Once a mink.  Several times, otters. The show-off dance flight of the hummingbird.  The flame azalea between our cabin and our neighbor’s home covered with dozens of tiger swallowtail butterflies. Staying up at night to see stars.  Shooting stars. Satellites. The Milky Way. Walking at night. Berry picking years ago.

 And always the brook, Woodland Creek.  The clay banks, and making things of clay.  Creating dams.  Moving and just plain throwing rocks. Learning the brook by walking in it. Getting to know it really well. Always the sound of the water.  When I stop the car after our long journey, turn off the engine, step out, I am flooded with the special quiet of the place, and the special sound of the brook, never stopping, different in different seasons, but always there, always comforting.

- Johanna Norgren Jordan

Ukeleles At The Library

The Phoenicia librians posted the following notice on their Facebook page recently.

"The rumors are true. A very kind donor has stepped forward to donate 8-10 ukeleles to the library, along with lessons. More details to follow as they are fleshed out. We anticipate mid-to-late spring to be the start of ukulele merriment at Pho. Library!"

Such fun!!! I think I am going to sign up and learn how to play!!!

A Couple of Small Storms

Not terribly much to report weather-wise in the valley. We have had a couple of small snow storms in the last ten days. The first one left us with less then an inch of snow. The last one (which fell on Tuesday) left us with about 3-4 inches at the end of the valley but less going towards town. It wasn't really even enough to be plowed from my driveway. But the roads were super slippery on Tuesday night. I was sliding all over the place coming home. But everything has since been plowed.

There is more bad weather forecasted for Saturday into Sunday but right now everything is fine and anyone coming up tomorrow should get here without a problem.

Articles On Town Board Resolution

I realized after I posted the last piece about linking to the Town Board meetings that I should have posted the links to the news articles regarding the controversy. This vote has been the big buzz in town lately. And I thought those of you who are not in the valley should be aware.

http://www.woodstockx.com/2013/02/08/shandaken-board-formally-opposes-state-gun-control-act/

http://www.watershedpost.com/2013/shandaken-board-declares-opposition-new-yorks-new-gun-law

This will make for shorter reading if you are interested in the issue and would like to comment one way or the other to the town board members.

Shandaken Town Board Meetings on YouTube

I know I have told you about this before but given the recent controversial vote at the February 4th Town Board meeting regarding gun laws, I thought I would remind you again. Any of you who can't attend the meetings and don't have access to local cable can watch them on the internet. And any of you would would like to comment on that recent vote can email the town board members at the following email addresses:

Council members

Vincent Bernstein - councilmanbernstein@shandaken.us
Doris Bartlett - councilmanbartlett@shandaken.us
Jack Jordan - councilmanjordan@shandaken.us
Al Higley Jr - councilmanhigley@shandaken.us

Supervisor

Robert Stanley - supervisor@shandaken.us

Shandaken Town Board Meeting Videos Live on YouTube

To provide more convenient & accessible information to our citizens, Shandaken Town Board Meeting Videos will be available online at the Town's Youtube page. Video's will still be available to watch on Time Warner Channel 23 but this will provide this service to those that don't live here full time or don't use Time Warner TV.

here is the link:
 http://www.youtube.com/user/townofshandaken?feature=watch

Festival of the Voice 2013

The Phoenicia Festival of the Voice announced recently that they would be performing Rigoletto as the main Saturday night event at this year's festival. Performing the piece will be a world class group of artists.

There will be lots of other great performances scattered over the four days of the festival too. And they are even planning to open the festivities on Thursday night with a Gospel performance. That promises to be incredible! For the full schedule you can go to http://www.phoeniciavoicefest.com . I can't wait!!

Valentine's Day Dance Party In WV

On Valentine's Day right here in Woodland Valley there is going to be a dance party at the Menla Mountain Retreat. The event is organized by One Billion Rising an organization that asks people to  WALK OUT, DANCE, RISE UP and DEMAND an end to violence against women. The event is free and open to all. Here are the details from an email I received and a link to the website so you can check it out:

"One Billion Rising is a world-wide movement dedicated to ending all violence against women. On Valentine's Day, men and women in countries across the globe will gather together to dance and dance, with the intention of raising consciousness and strengthening the powerful healing vibration of joy. 

I am writing to invite you to our own local dance event, "Catskills Rising", produced by Karol Ketchell and happening on February 14th at the Menla Mountain Retreat.

This dance party is free, and children are welcome. The link below has all the details, plus an RSVP option.

Hope to dance with you then!"

http://onebillionrising.org/page/event/detail/4v735

Plans For The New Library

If any of you would like to see the plans for the new Phoenicia Library they are available online (follow the link below). They are still in the permitting stage but once they finish the process the building will be ready in 8 months. There is also a model of the new building to help everyone better understand exactly what the structure will look like. Check it out.

http://phoenicialibrary.org/our-plans-a-better-library/

Made In Shandaken Fundraiser

The Phoenicia Library is having a fundraiser and they need local artisans. Beth Waterman asked me to share the details.

"The Phoenicia Library is having fundraiser for the library called "Raise the Roof" on March 16 and 17 to benefit the new library. It will be held at the Phoenicia Fish and Game on Route 28.

We are looking for vendors and/or donors for the craft sale, (flyer available to download on the library website). We are hoping to have a showcase of strange and wonderful things "Made in Shandaken" by creative, ingenious folks who support the library. In addition to the vendors, the library will sell donated crafts. Ships in bottles? pot holders? gee gaws? Whatever anyone wants to donate - all are welcome!"

- Beth

You can get the downloadable donation form that you see printed above on the library website at:

http://phoenicialibrary.org

Whew....That One Slipped Around Us

We got out of this storm fairly easily by all accounts. The total accumulation here in the valley is only about 6 inches. Watching the radar it looked like we stayed between the 2 storms until the last minute. When they finally merged everything slid to the north and east. So we got really lucky and the heavier snow went in that direction.

Shoveling hasn't been too bad. The snow that was falling yesterday afternoon was wet and heavy but the temperature drop overnight made for much lighter fare this morning. So moving it hasn't been too hard on the back.

There have been no power, phone or cable outages so far as I can tell.

The plows have been up and down WV road all night so I am assuming that the roads are fine but I haven't been out personally to check.

That's all for this storm. It seems I have been blogging my fingers to the bone on the subject of weather this season. Oh well, I guess I had a break last year and this winter makes up for it. But for now.....that's all she wrote.

Snow Far, Not Too Bad

There have been light flurries all day here in the valley but almost no accumulation. I think maybe we have about an inch on the ground. It looks like the bulk of the storm has stayed to our south and east. The two storms are merging together now and I think the weather from here on in will get a bit rougher. But I am hoping that the worst of it slides right by us. I guess we shall see.

So far there have been no power, phone or internet outages. If for some reason I don't blog for a long period of time you can assume that I have lost either power or internet or both. But I am hoping that doesn't happen.

Be careful if you are driving up tonight, the roads are getting slick. Please drive slowly and allow plenty of time to slow down in the intersections so you can be sure of making a full stop. Hopefully you can all tuck in and enjoy the snow from inside. 

Taking Stock

Troutmeister Mike O'Neil sent me another historical photo that you all might enjoy. See below for Mike's message about the image.

"For those of you who've helped us stock Woodland Brook with Beaverkill Trout Hatchery browns over the decades, here's a photo of the originator--Fred D. Shaver, his son Edwin, and to the far right Gary--the most recent boss of the operation, sent to me by Lisa--Gary's daughter."

The Troutmeister

Peggy Makes It A Meatless Monday

Since it is a Monday I thought I would give a shout out to our fearless WCA Vice President, Peggy Neu. Peggy works for an organization called Meatless Mondays. Below is an explanation from their website on why they are campaigning for folks to go meatless one day a week. You can read more about the movement on their website at http://www.meatlessmonday.com/ but here is a brief overview.

"Going meatless once a week may reduce your risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. It can also help reduce your carbon footprint and save precious 
resources like fresh water and fossil fuel.

Read about these benefits. But keep in mind that just going meatless is not enough. That’s why we give you the information you need to add healthy, environmentally friendly meat-free alternatives to your diet each week. Further, if you do eat meat on other days, we strongly recommend grass-fed, hormone-free, locally-raised options whenever possible."

More History About the Simpson Ski Slope

I haven't posted any history about the valley in quite a while. Recently Jay Simpson forwarded me a couple of emails shared between he and Rolf Reiss (one of the Woodland Valley historians). The messages were regarding the old Simpson Ski Slope (which Jay's family formerly owned) located at Romer Mountain Park (situated at the beginning of Woodland Valley Road). I think everyone in the association will enjoy their correspondence as well as the photos that go along with them. Here is the exchange.

Hello Jay,

..... I am sure you remember what those rope tows felt like  on a freezing rainy day with no one else on the rope to help hold it up. On one  such day my mittens froze to the rope and when I tried to ski away from it at  the top I was unable to disconnect my mittens from the rope. I still recall the  feeling of being picked up off the ground as I began to head towards that steel  car rim mounted to the pole above me. At some point my mittens broke free from  the rope and I came crashing down on the snow covered ground.  I had the  wind knocked out of me and my pride was slightly damaged but I took right off on  another run. I am sure that you and your family members have a million great  memories of that wonderful  place. I drive past there at least two times a  day and can never get away without recalling something joyful that I experienced there.......

Best,
Rolf

_____________

Hi,

Notice the shingles on the roof of the ski hut. They used remnants of shingles gathered from other jobs to complete the roof. The original hut was built on conjunction with the Phoenicia Ski Club. This was long before the c.1964 addition.

The CCC boys cleared the land... every tree, only to realize that the wind would blow the snow off the slope. So a number of fir trees were re-planted to protect the slope. The pictures of a treeless slope shows the true contour of the land. A portion of the ski train that came up the West-Shore Railroad from Weehawken through Kingston can be seen parked on the siding. 

- Jay