Woodland Valley Nextdoor Group

I got an email today from WCA member Kevin Lanier. He and WCA President Michele Keesee are starting a neighborhood social network on Nextdoor for networking with valley neighbors. Here is Kevin's email to me telling about the group. You can go to the Nextdoor site, find Woodland Valley and join the group.

We've got 12 members now, but know it is more valuable with more members. 

 

The intent of the Woodland Valley Nextdoor Community is a communication portal where info can be shared, sought, etc. relatively quickly.  If you need advice on a good plumber or electrician, best local swimming or fishing holes, or if you want to share information quickly (fish stocking this Saturday or hike this Sunday), this is a great way to do it.  Once you join, you can customize your settings to receive emails whenever a new posting is made, or to receive a digest only once a day or week (as you like). 

 

On another point that the readers may find of interest is that the Woodland Valley Lodge our house name), is about to welcome Jenny Milchman, an author, and her family for the next six months.  Jenny will be writing her next book in the Lodge over the Winter months.  See her Amazon bio and buy her first book at  http://www.amazon.com/Jenny-Milchman/e/B004XO27I2

 

Thanks again -

 

Kevin Lanier

 

Candidate Forum On YouTube

Candidates for Shandaken Town Board, and Town Assessor, participated in a League of Women Voters candidates forum this past Saturday.  Thanks to Shandaken artist Dave Channon you may view this session in its entirety on youTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQjOTS32iDk

Reminder - Rabies Clinic This Coming Saturday

This is to remind you all that there is a low cost rabies and distemper clinic this Saturday, November 2 at the Shandaken Town Hall from 10am - Noon. Rabies shots are $10.00, distemper shots are $15.00. CASH ONLY. All dogs must be on leads and cats must be in carriers.

Town Of Shandaken On Facebook

The Town of Shandaken uses Facebook as a venue for quick notifications and emergency warnings as well as updates of local town events and happening. If you are on Facebook, search for the Town of Shandaken and like the page. That way you will see everything the town posts on your home page.

Also, another great group on Facebook is the UPSTATERS group. It is a closed group and so you have to ask to join it and be verified. But people share a lot of good information about living upstate on the page.        

Possible Cabin For Nature Lovers

Paul Misko sent me this amusing post for the blog. Read on.....

This little beauty has all the extras.....

Pre-Code Solid Stone construction.

Easy Access doorways.

High Ventilation windows.

Blown Leaf Insulation.

Star-Gazer Roof System.

Open Floor Plan.  

Bluestone Countertops.

Flow-Through Plumbing

Natural Sediment Floor.

And....It comes pre-populated with mice! (and  some other critters ,which only come out at night)

Nature at your doorstep!

Interested? Contact realtor Ivanna Cheetum for a closer look.

Candidate Forum This Saturday

The League of Women Voters and the Woodstock Times are hosting a forum for Shandaken candidates this Saturday at 1PM at the Shandaken Town Hall. Please show up and support our candidates.

Autumn In The Catskills

Fall is upon us here in Woodland Valley. The trees are slowly shedding their leaves and the temperatures are dropping. Although we haven't had a frost yet, I think it will be soon. But the colors have been beautiful. WCA member Tommy Healy has been out and about taking photos around the Catskills of the gorgeous scenery. He sent us a few pix for everyone to enjoy. Thanks Tommy, nice photography!

Town Seeks Planning Board Member

Town of Shandaken Planning Board is seeking a Board Member to fill their vacancy. Must be a resident of Shandaken. 

Please send letter of interest & resume to:

Shandaken Planning Board - PO Box 134 

Shandaken, NY 12480 or

email: Shandakenbldg@gmail.com0 or

email: Shandakenbldg@gmail.com

Phone: (845) 688-5008

Meeting Dates: Regular Workshop meetings are scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm and the meetings are scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm. Special Meetings and Hearings scheduled by the Planning Board are posted in the Legal Notice Section of the Ulster County Press and on the Notices page of the Town website.

Description: The Planning Board consists of 7 Volunteer Members, each with staggered 7 year terms. They are responsible for hearing cases regarding Special Use Permits, Site Plan Review, Lot Line Adjustments, Subdivisions; and then making determinations on whether they should be granted.

Perspective Candidates should attend the Wednesday 11/7 meeting at 7:00pm

Flood Mitigation Public Meeting

Town Clerk Joyce Grant just sent me this notice about the public meeting being planned for tomorrow in regards to town-wide flood mitigation. It would be a worthwhile meeting to attend for all those in the flood plain.

PUBLIC MEETINGS Scheduled:

New York Rising Community Reconstruction Program for the Town Of Shandaken & Hardenburgh
To Formulate Flood Mitigation Project - Provide input from citizens to appropriate flood mitigation projects

Public Meeting #1 - Open To All

Saturday, October 19, 2013 from 1:00PM - 3:00PM
Upper Belleayre Resort located at 181 Galli Curci Road, Highmount, NY

Public Meeting #2 - Open To All
Saturday, November 9, 2013 from 1:00- 3:00pm
Upper Belleayre Resort located at 181 Galli Curci Road, Highmount, NY

 The New York Rising Community Reconstruction Program (Formerly known as Community Reconstruction Zones), has been established to provide additional rebuilding and revitalization assistance to Communities severely damaged by Hurricanes Sandy and Irene and Tropical Storm Lee

Fundraiser For The Shandaken Dog Shelter

This Saturday, October 19th - 11am - 5pm there will be a fundraiser for the Shandaken Dog Shelter at the Shandaken Town Hall - 7209 Rt 28. They are planning a bake sale, a tag sale and for a $10.00 donation you can get a 4x6 print of you and your dog (that includes the digital file). Dog warden Nancy Hudler does an excellent job with the animals. Now she needs your help to raise some funds. So stop by and buy something to support the shelter.

Eugene Ruffolo European Tour

I got an email from Eugene Ruffolo about his upcoming tour. Here is what he had to say.

Hey Friends and Fans,

I'm excited to announce the dates of my upcoming European tour...which kicks off in 2 short weeks! I'm heading to three of my favorite countries...Holland, Germany, and Italy. This is my first solo Europeand tour in over a year..so I'm looking forward to playing some of my favorite venues, discovering some new one, and seeing some dear friends along the way. I sure hope you can come and catch a show near you..Dates/Cities are on the flyer above , but please check my website for more detailed information about exact venue locations (some still to be announced), show times, tickets etc..

On a another note, I have finally begun recording my long awaited (at least by me:) Italian CD.. This is a project I'm super excited about..a celebration of my heritage and a combination of songs and recipes that are dear to me. It's been a long time in the planning stages,but I've begun recording, and so far the tracks are amazing.. I've recruited (as always) some amazing musicians, and, in keeping with the international spirit of the project, and meeting up in Torino with a spectacular guitarist (Nico di Battista) to some some additional recording. So the project will continue it's forward momentum even while I'm on the road.

In December I'll be back in New York City and am doing a series of Christmas concerts based on my Christmas CD

"Even Santa gets the Blues", which I am bringing to a few cities in the US...These will be acoustic shows with guitar/string quartet.

That's the big news for now...Hope to see you along the way..

eugene

www.eugeneruffolo.com

Flying Cat Music Benefit

The Trapps, The Cupcakes, and

Special Guest Marji Zintz

in a Benefit Concert for

 Flying Cat Music

and

The John Herald Fund

Friday, October 18

7:30 p.m. (sharp), door at 7:00

Empire State Railway Museum

70 Lower High Street, Phoenicia, NY 12464

Admission is $18 or $15 with RSVP

to flyingcatmusic@gmail.com

For information email as above

or call 845-688-9453

Links to artists' websites:

http://www.thetrapps.net/

http://www.reverbnation.com/thecupcakes

http://www.reverbnation.com/marjizintz

Flying Cat Music hosts a special benefit concert with The Trapps, The Cupcakes, and special guest Marji Zintz on Friday, October 18, at the Empire State Railway Museum. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. with the door opening at 7:00. Tickets are $15 with RSVP or $18 at the door. For information or reservations email flyingcatmusic@gmail.com or call 845-688-9453. Proceeds will go to the John Herald Fund and the Flying Cat Music Equipment Fund. The museum is located at 70 Lower High Street in Phoenicia, NY 12464.

Flying Cat Music is a non-commercial enterprise dedicated to providing an intimate venue where stellar touring musicians, who may not be household names, will find appreciative audiences. About twelve times a year, fans of roots and Americana music gather in the cozy and acoustically warm reception room of the old Phoenicia train station to hear two full sets of music from a great act passing through our area. The Railway Station Concert Series is now in its fifth year at the Empire State Railway Museum, but the next show up is a departure from the regular format. Some of the finest musicians living in the Mid-Hudson Valley will take the stage for this benefit concert. Featured are two exceptional bands, the Trapps and The Cupcakes; along with special guest solo artist Marji Zintz. Money raised will be split between the Flying Cat Music equipment fund to help pay for repairs and upgrades to the sound system used for this concert series and the John Herald Fund, which is administered by Family of Woodstock and provides emergency assistance to local musicians in financial need.

Carver Blanchard Concert Tonight

WCA member Dakin Morehouse sent me this message regarding music tonight at the ESRM (Empire State Railway Museum) on Lower High Street. Here is what Dakin had to say.

Attention music lovers -  

Lutenist CARVER BLANCHARD will be giving a LUTE CONCERT tonight, 7:30.  

We're passing up 2 other events to listen to his masterful playing under the great wooden dome of the Phoenicia RR Station (ESRM).  

Hope you can catch this rare musical treat.

Dakin

Carver Blanchard

formerly lutenist for the Smithsonian Institution, 

composer and singer 

will present a varied program of 

Elizabethan standards, original compositions and arrangements.

Assisting Carver will be: 

Leigh Draper on string bass and percussion 

and 

Chris Zaloom on lead guitar. 

Empire State Railway Museum

Lower High St

Phoenicia

Saturday, October 12th

7:30 pm

"Tradition, to live, must breathe contemporary air."  

Admission $10 at the door.

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What's Up At The Library?

THIS Saturday, October 12th:

• 11-12pm:  Cowboy / Girl Poetry Slam w/Grand Prize and host Holly George Warren.  In honor of Phoenicia's Wild West Weekend, bring your poem and your giddy-up for this fun event.  All ages.
•  10AM - 3PM:  Phoenicia Library Fundraiser Book and Lawn Sale.  $3/bag of books, $5 box of books.  (Bring a box, we have bags).  Come browse our top-notch book sale room and our collection of household treasures.  All funds go to the rebuild. (Please note,  we are not accepting any book (or lawn sale) donations, our cup runneth over !).

THIS Sunday, October 13th, 7PM - 9:30 PM:  Gene Autry screening and Uke performance with Robert Warren (Uncle Rock) and the Catskill Ukulele Group at Shandaken Theatrical Society to  benefit the Phoenicia Library rebuild and STS. Tickets:  $15.

NEXT Saturday, October 19th

• 10:30 AM:  Join the SPCA and a furry friend to hear about the world of pet adoption, animal rescue and more.  Miss Jill will bring Dozer, her rescue dog, to discuss the ins and outs of pet adoption today.  All ages

• 1 PM:  New KID BOOK and Fall Apple Party:  Come see the 40 brand new kid books donated to us by the Libri Foundation.  Select a book to check out and munch an apple!

ONGOING:  

Math Help with Phyllis is resuming October 28th, and will be each Monday from 3pm to 5pm.

Reading and Writing Help with Susan is available by appointment.  She is also available to help with college essays and applications.

Saturday Art Hour has concluded. Miss Paula has left the staff to go to graduate school.  We thank her for her wonderful programs and dedication to the library!

SAVE THE DATES IN NOVEMBER:

Saturday, Nov. 9 @ 3:  Author Tony Fletcher will read from his new memoir Boy About Town and discuss the process of writing a memoir. 

Saturday, November 23rd, 11 AM - 1 PM:  "What Does Obamacare Mean for Me?" Please join community member and insurance expert Scot Hastie to learn about the health exchanges offered by the Affordable Care Act.  Scot will answer basic questions about what the exchanges are, who is eligible, what it can offer you.  Registration required, please call the library 688-7811. 

• Some take-home brochures about about the NYS insurance exchanges are currently available in our window nook at the library. 

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For more details, go to our library website or stop by!

.

Phoenicia Library, 9 Ava Maria Avenue, Phoenicia NY 12464
845.688.7811

http:/phoenicialibrary.org/

More About Bee Balm

After reading my previous post regarding Bee Balm, the intrepid Mike O'Neil aka Boreegard, sent me a message with more information about the feisty little plant. One of the things in the article that I didn't know was that it is commonly called Oswego Tea, very interesting. Although I have made tea out of it many times myself, I was unaware of that name.

Below is the link that will direct you to the information he sent. Check it out if you are interested.

http://voices.yahoo.com/oswego-tea-monarda-didyma-other-boston-tea-5051952.html

Finishing Road Repairs

The Town Highway Department has been finishing the road repairs that were started this past summer on Woodland Valley Road. They have spent the last couple of days paving the section from just below Fawn Hill Bridge to just below the Holz farm. That will finish off that part of the road just in time for winter.

For those of you who are wondering why the highway department doesn't do the whole road at once, I found out this week from Eric Hofmeister that it costs $100,000 per mile to repave the roads and highways here in Shandaken. Since Eric is trying to keep costs as low as possible and stay within his budget so as not to increase taxes,  he plans to have the crew do incremental sections of different roads in town each year. So be patient, they will get all the way up into the valley, it just may take another year or so.

Drive slowly as you come up into the valley in the next couple of days. Men at work!

Shandaken Low Cost Rabies Clinic - Nov 2nd

The Town of Shandaken is having a low cost rabies and distemper clinic on November 2, 2013 from 10:00am to noon. It will be held in the Town Hall meeting room - 7209 Rt 28. The cost is $10.00 for rabies shots and $15.00 for distemper shots. CASH ONLY! All Dogs must be on leads and cats must be in crates. For more information please call Nancy Hudler at 688-7284.

Loving My Bee Balm

Although we still haven't had a hard frost, the growing season here in the valley is coming to a close. At this point I am looking around my property and pondering what I planted that did well and what did not and making plans for next year.

One of the favorite things I grow around my house is Bee Balm (also known as Bergamot). It is native to the Catskills (which is a good thing), spreads well (actually I find it to be slightly invasive) and looks great. And the most amazing extra benefit of it is that the butterflies, bees and hummingbirds (especially the hummingbirds) love it. During the summer I would say there is a hummingbird in it about every 10 minutes.

I thought I would pass my thoughts about this on to the rest of my neighbors. You might want to consider planting some yourselves. That way you can ditch those hummingbird feeders that you have to clean and refill all the time. Plant some bee balm and get the same results. It it bright and cheery and blooms for several months. And you will love having those charming little birds around all day without having to do any work. Just a thought.

Joe D's Rockin' 50's Show

WCA member Joe DeSarle will be doing a fun filled and fabulous 50's show on Saturday night, October 12th at the Landmark Grille in Boiceville. It promises to be a great evening. Here are the details.

Saturday October 12, 2013
The Landmark Grille
4072 Rt 28
Boiceville, NY
845-657-2240
8:00 pm

Joe D *50's Rock N Roll Show

Joe will bring all of your favorite rock 'n' roll oldies and sing his heart out. His velvet voice and fun-loving energy will keep you dancing & singing all night long.