The temperatures here in Woodland Valley have gone into the low 30's today. That almost feels like spring compared to the subzero nights we have been experiencing all week. This weekend is forecasted to bring even warmer weather into the area (temps in the 40's) so it looks like we might get an extended break. It is not yet time to bring out the t-shirts and shorts but any degree of warming will do as far as I am concerned!
Meanwhile, since the weather is warming the springs around town have melted enough so that the water is flowing from it's normal channels into the Phoenicia water district. So, as of this morning, the boil water advisory has been lifted. That is terrific news for all those who rely on that system.
If you are coming for the weekend the roads are clear and there is some snow left around but it is not too bad. Do continue to watch our for icy spots when you are walking to and from your car. Have a great weekend whether you find yourself in the valley or beyond!!
Friday, January 31, 2014
Library News And Events
Here is what I am getting for everyone on my Valentine's Day list. It shows my family and friends I care and also spreads the love in the community by helping to rebuild the Phoenicia Library! Get one (or many) for your sweetie too! They are $10.00 by themselves or $12.00 with gummy bears. Go to the library or contact them today 845-688-7811 for info on how to get yours.
Below is a list of upcoming library events and some updated news sent to me by Liz Potter, the library director. There are a lot of great events to attend. It will alleviate your cabin fever and you can learn something too! So check them out!
February Library Events
** Ukulele Jam and Lesson
Saturday, Feb. 1 @ 10:30-12:30
Veterans and beginners alike, come learn Valentine's Day tunes!
Ukuleles to lend. With Babs Mansfield.
** Prey Birds and Reptiles
With Brian Robinson
Saturday, February 15th@ 1 PM
Meet our Feathered and Scaled Friends Live and in Person! All Ages.
** Free Fly-Tying Classes
Starts Saturday, Feb. 15^th
fun with feathers and fur!
with Hank Rope, local licensed guide
Sponsored by the Jerry Bartlett Memorial Angling Collection and Phoenicia Rod and Gun Club
DATES: Four Saturdays: February 15, February 22 and March 1, March 8.
TIME: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
LOCATION: Phoenicia Fish and Game on Rt 28, Phoenicia
Open to ages 14 or above. Bring your own tools although there are a number of vises for youngsters to use. Feathers and hooks will be supplied. Experienced tyers welcome to sit and tie along.
Registration is required. Call Hank Rope at 845-254-5904 to register or for more info.
** Ongoing and New Programs
** MATH HELP with Phylis Rosato Every Monday 3-5
All ages and stages of math. Phylis has a real following - come find out why.
** READING AND WRITING HELP is always available for free, by appointment, with a certified literacy instructor.
** STORY HOUR
will be starting again soon on Tuesday mornings. We are planning a group for babies on up, centered on books and being together ! We'll send out an announcement shortly.
-------------------------
LIBRARY NEWS
**Rebuild
Although the front of 48 Main looks deceptively quiet, behind the scenes our hearty crew is working hard every day on framing the interior and the extension. Every few weeks we post pictures of the progress on our Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/phoenicia.librarians)
** Board News
Our President Kurt Boyer has stepped down from the board after serving for approximately four years. The board presented him with a "Library Champion" certificate to thank him for steering the board through the rebuild and always adding a note of humor to the proceeds. Bernard Handzel will be stepping in as President, and Sue Bernstein is taking over as Vice President.
All events are free and open to the public.
More information with our calender is available at our website. (http://phoenicialibrary.org/)
Phoenicia Library
9 Ava Maria
Phoenicia NY, 12464
(845) 688-7811
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Group Shot Of CMRR & ESRM
Here is a group shot from the recent combined meeting of the CMRR and ESRM (both groups include many WCA members). They all work to continue to bring the railroad history and experience into our community. Both groups are all volunteer organizations that have operated for 30 years. Lookin' good!!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Boil Water Advisory
At first I did not post this advisory because Woodland Valley doesn't have town water. But I realized today that the folks on High St do and we have several members who live there. Here is the advisory from the Town of Shandaken Facebook page.
And if you are wondering why people need to boil the water. Apparently, the spring feeds to the reservoir have frozen due to the extreme cold lowering the local supply. This forces the town to use the alternate pumping station on High St which basically pumps water from the Esopus creek. While the town is chlorinating the water it is advise that the water be boiled until further notice.
Here are links to the story in the Freeman.
Original Story:
http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-news/20140126/phoenicia-water-district-residents-under-boil-water-advisory
Update:
http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-news/20140127/phoenicia-boil-water-advisory-remains-in-effect-updated
Still In Effect! Just a Precautionary measure, if this were a real emergency each of the Water District residents would be personally notified!
* Phoenicia Water District Residents >> BOIL WATER ADVISORY
Water Commissioner Rick Ricciardella has issued a BOIL WATER Advisory. -Bitter Cold Temps resulted in a water shortage, the back up system is being used (which was compromised during Irene). Water IS being chlorinated.. but advisory is issued. Boil ALL drinking & cooking water until this cold weather breaks. *And PLEASE use water sparingly.. check for running toilets, leaks, etc.
Here are links to the story in the Freeman.
Original Story:
http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-news/20140126/phoenicia-water-district-residents-under-boil-water-advisory
Update:
http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-news/20140127/phoenicia-boil-water-advisory-remains-in-effect-updated
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Finished For Now
The snow seems to be finished for today. Not a bad storm all things considered. In the end we only got about 4-5 inches. Since it was so cold the snow was the light fluffy kind and moving it was fairly easy.
The roads were a little bit tricky for a while but I am sure the highway department got them all cleared up by now.
There were no power or phone outages as far as I know.
Right now it is in the low teens temperature-wise. That almost seems like a heat wave after last week's subzero weather. But I think the forecast is for a small break and then back to the horrendous cold. Looks like it will be a long time before we can put our long johns away.
The roads were a little bit tricky for a while but I am sure the highway department got them all cleared up by now.
There were no power or phone outages as far as I know.
Right now it is in the low teens temperature-wise. That almost seems like a heat wave after last week's subzero weather. But I think the forecast is for a small break and then back to the horrendous cold. Looks like it will be a long time before we can put our long johns away.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Paul Misko Talks About WV on WIOX
This message just in from the Catskill Forest Association. If you are not in the area you can stream it on the web.
CFA-On-The-Air: From the Forest
Wednesday's 6PM - 7PM
WIOX ROXBURY 91.3FM or www.wioxradio.org
Tonight's Show: Woodland Valley History with Paul Misko
On tonight's show we'll be talking to Woodland Valley Park Association Historian - Paul Misko. Paul has been visiting Woodland Valley since he was born and has made plenty of time to explore this unique valley where he has unraveled much of its history. Paul will discuss some of the changes that have occurred in Woodland Valley - tanning industry, sawmills, quarries, state forest preserve, etc. We'll also see if we can get Paul to talk about some of his favorite places and the interesting characters he's met along the way. Tune in at 91.3 FM or stream online at www.wioxradio.org to hear more.
CFA-On-The-Air: From the Forest
Wednesday's 6PM - 7PM
WIOX ROXBURY 91.3FM or www.wioxradio.org
Tonight's Show: Woodland Valley History with Paul Misko
On tonight's show we'll be talking to Woodland Valley Park Association Historian - Paul Misko. Paul has been visiting Woodland Valley since he was born and has made plenty of time to explore this unique valley where he has unraveled much of its history. Paul will discuss some of the changes that have occurred in Woodland Valley - tanning industry, sawmills, quarries, state forest preserve, etc. We'll also see if we can get Paul to talk about some of his favorite places and the interesting characters he's met along the way. Tune in at 91.3 FM or stream online at www.wioxradio.org to hear more.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Nothing
I know you have all been waiting to hear how much snow we had today in Woodland Valley. Well, at this point we have had a grand total of none, not one flake. The entire storm slipped to the south and east of us. Yipee!! So even though the temperatures have dropped into the single digits and it is COLD there is no snow to complicate things. Good luck to everyone down in NYC and NJ as you dig out, we know what it feels like!!
Monday, January 20, 2014
The MLK National Historic Monument
Mike O'Neil (aka Boreegard) sent me this musing earlier today. Enjoy! And Happy MLK Day!!
Southern War Monuments
In great measure the oldest monuments and buildings in today’s Metro Atlanta have been standing little more than one hundred years. William Tecumseh Sherman’s campaign and its aftermath saw to that. Sherman, who couldn’t remember actually using the phrase with which he is universally credited, “War is Hell,” surely did write, “War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it.”
The monuments on Atlanta’s Auburn Street are of considerably more recent vintage. Less famous perhaps than Peachtree Street, sweet Auburn, as it came to be known in its salad days, is the neighborhood where the King family lived and thrived--where Martin Luther King, Jr. was born, where he grew up, and where his body now lies.
On a quiet gray December weekday, long after the hoopla of the hot Summer Olympics has cooled down, is a good time to visit a cluster of four sites there. They are the house in which Martin Luther King was born and lived (50l Auburn), Ebenezer Baptist Church where he was co-pastor with his father (407-13 Auburn), the Freedom Hall Complex which includes his gravesite and the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change (now headed by his younger son Dexter Scott King), and the new National Park Service Visitor Center (450 Auburn).
My wife and I could only spend a little time there that morning. It was the end of a trip and we had to be at the airport soon, to return the rental car and board a flight that would carry us back home and to Christmas. Still, it was enough time to fix a few things in memory’s indelible eye.
The film at the Visitor Center was viewed by nine people--six of us a black family running the gamut of age, the rest of us white--in a theater built to hold 200. Our group’s small size gave us a more intimate sense of shared experience.
The narrator’s professionally dulcet and measured voice (certainly that of Julian Bond) led us through a straightforward accounting of Martin Luther King’s life and death with interviews, still shots, film clips and soundbites from a few of the more beautiful, unforgettable speeches. Here is a black insurance agent calmly explaining how he insisted on picking up the church’s insurance, canceled by the white power structure in an attempt to break one of the first boycotts, fully realizing that his business would almost surely be ruined. “What I explained to them back then,” he says to the camera, “was that Insurance is the business of assuming risk, and that’s what I was intent on doing.” Here are John Lewis and Andrew Young reminiscing about their leader’s brilliant ability to create consensus at the end of a day’s meeting with his brawling, cacophonous, civil rights sub lieutenants. Coretta Scott King fondly recalls her first sight of her future husband: He looked so young and thin. Here too is the public man, preaching, counseling, being arrested, being awarded the Nobel prize and finally, assassinated. See if you can sit through it without its cumulative force bringing a lump to your throat, and at least one tear.
His body lies at rest across the street in a large marble sepulcher. The tomb is outdoors, set on a platform in the middle of a long rectangular pool of calm blue water which is fed by geysering fountains. The pool is surrounded by legions of international flags and its shape reminds one of the reflecting pool at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Hewn deeply into the tomb’s marble are the words:
FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST
THANK GOD ALMIGHTY
I’M FREE AT LAST
Next door is the spiritual and logistical linchpin--Ebenezer Baptist Church. Its plain brick facade belies the turmoil it has witnessed--both the beatific successes and the cruel horrors attendant upon any war. Almost as an epilogue to her son’s death, the bizarre murder of King’s mother, Alberta Williams King, took place here in 1974--six years after he was killed. She was shot to death by an assassin as she was playing the church organ. So much joy, so much pain to be centered in one building.
On this chilly December morning, as we walk by Ebenezer Baptist, back to the rental car, the pastor bounds down the church’s front steps hurrying to some appointment, slows as he sees us, smiles and says, “Hi--how you doin’?” We greet him back, smiling, in kind. And then we go our separate ways.
It was just a simple exchange of goodwill, but on reflection it was the most compelling monument Sweet Auburn could possibly have erected.
- Boreegard
Southern War Monuments
In great measure the oldest monuments and buildings in today’s Metro Atlanta have been standing little more than one hundred years. William Tecumseh Sherman’s campaign and its aftermath saw to that. Sherman, who couldn’t remember actually using the phrase with which he is universally credited, “War is Hell,” surely did write, “War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it.”
The monuments on Atlanta’s Auburn Street are of considerably more recent vintage. Less famous perhaps than Peachtree Street, sweet Auburn, as it came to be known in its salad days, is the neighborhood where the King family lived and thrived--where Martin Luther King, Jr. was born, where he grew up, and where his body now lies.
On a quiet gray December weekday, long after the hoopla of the hot Summer Olympics has cooled down, is a good time to visit a cluster of four sites there. They are the house in which Martin Luther King was born and lived (50l Auburn), Ebenezer Baptist Church where he was co-pastor with his father (407-13 Auburn), the Freedom Hall Complex which includes his gravesite and the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change (now headed by his younger son Dexter Scott King), and the new National Park Service Visitor Center (450 Auburn).
My wife and I could only spend a little time there that morning. It was the end of a trip and we had to be at the airport soon, to return the rental car and board a flight that would carry us back home and to Christmas. Still, it was enough time to fix a few things in memory’s indelible eye.
The film at the Visitor Center was viewed by nine people--six of us a black family running the gamut of age, the rest of us white--in a theater built to hold 200. Our group’s small size gave us a more intimate sense of shared experience.
The narrator’s professionally dulcet and measured voice (certainly that of Julian Bond) led us through a straightforward accounting of Martin Luther King’s life and death with interviews, still shots, film clips and soundbites from a few of the more beautiful, unforgettable speeches. Here is a black insurance agent calmly explaining how he insisted on picking up the church’s insurance, canceled by the white power structure in an attempt to break one of the first boycotts, fully realizing that his business would almost surely be ruined. “What I explained to them back then,” he says to the camera, “was that Insurance is the business of assuming risk, and that’s what I was intent on doing.” Here are John Lewis and Andrew Young reminiscing about their leader’s brilliant ability to create consensus at the end of a day’s meeting with his brawling, cacophonous, civil rights sub lieutenants. Coretta Scott King fondly recalls her first sight of her future husband: He looked so young and thin. Here too is the public man, preaching, counseling, being arrested, being awarded the Nobel prize and finally, assassinated. See if you can sit through it without its cumulative force bringing a lump to your throat, and at least one tear.
His body lies at rest across the street in a large marble sepulcher. The tomb is outdoors, set on a platform in the middle of a long rectangular pool of calm blue water which is fed by geysering fountains. The pool is surrounded by legions of international flags and its shape reminds one of the reflecting pool at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Hewn deeply into the tomb’s marble are the words:
FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST
THANK GOD ALMIGHTY
I’M FREE AT LAST
Next door is the spiritual and logistical linchpin--Ebenezer Baptist Church. Its plain brick facade belies the turmoil it has witnessed--both the beatific successes and the cruel horrors attendant upon any war. Almost as an epilogue to her son’s death, the bizarre murder of King’s mother, Alberta Williams King, took place here in 1974--six years after he was killed. She was shot to death by an assassin as she was playing the church organ. So much joy, so much pain to be centered in one building.
On this chilly December morning, as we walk by Ebenezer Baptist, back to the rental car, the pastor bounds down the church’s front steps hurrying to some appointment, slows as he sees us, smiles and says, “Hi--how you doin’?” We greet him back, smiling, in kind. And then we go our separate ways.
It was just a simple exchange of goodwill, but on reflection it was the most compelling monument Sweet Auburn could possibly have erected.
- Boreegard
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Only A Couple Of Inches
It snowed a lot of the day yesterday but the final accumulation was only about another 1-2 inches here in the valley. I didn't rush to post about it because it was not really a big deal. The roads are clear so the trip down to town and back is not scary. And my driveway (which can be a bit of a challenge in bad weather) was not plowed but was also no problem to navigate. So I assume that would be true in most of WV.
The temperatures are in the 20's at this point but the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday is for another bitter cold snap. This weather has really been crazy. We seem to be riding a roller coaster with the temperatures. I guess will just have to wait and see if this lasts all winter.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Just A Wee Bit Of Snow
Another busy day so I am posting late. But I thought I would catch you all up on the weather before the long MLK weekend.
Although the rain over the last few days had taken most (but not all) of the major snow away, The valley folk woke up this morning to a fresh blanket of the white stuff covering everything. It was not much though, less than an inch. So cleanup was not a problem. And even though the temps are in the 20's there is not much ice around anymore. So that is a good thing.
The roads at this point are clean and dry but do watch out for rocks on the road. Whatever sand/salt mix the highway department is using to coat the roads has some fairly large size stones in it. So I would recommend staying well behind any other vehicle coming up into the valley. If a truck or other vehicle's tires toss something up onto your windshield it could cause some damage. So don't follow too closely.
I think we are supposed to get some snow over the weekend but we will have to see how that works out. That's all for now folks!
Although the rain over the last few days had taken most (but not all) of the major snow away, The valley folk woke up this morning to a fresh blanket of the white stuff covering everything. It was not much though, less than an inch. So cleanup was not a problem. And even though the temps are in the 20's there is not much ice around anymore. So that is a good thing.
The roads at this point are clean and dry but do watch out for rocks on the road. Whatever sand/salt mix the highway department is using to coat the roads has some fairly large size stones in it. So I would recommend staying well behind any other vehicle coming up into the valley. If a truck or other vehicle's tires toss something up onto your windshield it could cause some damage. So don't follow too closely.
I think we are supposed to get some snow over the weekend but we will have to see how that works out. That's all for now folks!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
The Latest Hanover Farm Stand News
For those of you who have followed the farm stand controversy in town there was some news today in the Daily Freeman. Al Higley has filed an appeal of the decision that ordered the removal of the new upgrades to the property and prevents him from doing business at the site. Here is the latest.
http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-news/20140114/shandaken-farm-stand-owner-appeals-order-to-dismantle-route-28-business
http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-news/20140114/shandaken-farm-stand-owner-appeals-order-to-dismantle-route-28-business
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Tax Bills
There has been some problems with the town tax bills. They were mailed as usual on January 2nd but somehow some of them have gotten delayed by the post office. Joyce Grant, the town clerk, put up this message (see below) on the town Facebook page this morning. Please follow her instructions if you or anyone you know have not received your tax bill.
ALL of the Shandaken Tax Bills were mailed on Thursday January 2nd. The box flats of mail were then sent to Albany & sorted there.. This seems to have slowed down delivery from the post office.. IF you did not receive your bill yet, (and you don't have a Mortgage), email or call us and we can email your bill to you! Town Clerk/Tax Collector 845-688-5004 or townclerk@shandaken.us
- Joyce Grant, Town Clerk
- Joyce Grant, Town Clerk
Sunday, January 12, 2014
The Spirit Of The Season
This past Christmas Woodland Valley residents Carl and Barbara Lambaca threw a Christmas party for the homeless while on holiday in Florida. They served up a delicious meal in a local park. What a great way to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas. They are totally awesome!!!
One of the local news channels down there did a story on them. Check it out.
http://www.cbs12.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_12093.shtml
One of the local news channels down there did a story on them. Check it out.
http://www.cbs12.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_12093.shtml
Phoenicia Gets More Publicity
There is another piece about Phoenicia on the web right now at examiner.com. Seems like our sleepy little town is hot, hot, hot. Check it out.
http://www.examiner.com/article/ain-t-that-america-phoenicia-ny-its-little-pink-house-festival-of-the-voice
http://www.examiner.com/article/ain-t-that-america-phoenicia-ny-its-little-pink-house-festival-of-the-voice
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Nick's Response
Here is the letter Nick Alba wrote back to Richard to complete the story below.
Hi Richard,
I really enjoyed reading your narrative about your early days here in the valley. We're very close in age, but I never experienced anything quite so rustic in my urban upbringing. Do you have any idea of what year the photos were taken? When I bought this place in 1981 the upper side porch was screened in, and that porch beneath it was framed out, screened in, and had an entry door. The front porch, interestingly enough, had a dry stone foundation which was collapsing, and I removed it and put in piers, similar to the old house. I don't believe that there was the picture window in the living room in these photos. My house came with a picture window. The rear addition was also quite different. There was a door on the side, quite unnecessary, flanked by windows, which I removed and replaced with at picture window. Another large double hung window faced the woods. I replaced that with a patio door, and a patio, so I can enjoy the delightful view. My house was white when I bought it, but layers of old paint revealed a yellow color, closer to what I painted it before I even knew.
I heard about the old house on the road from the previous owner, Julius Weissman. I had no idea what it looked like, and its a lot more of a house than I envisioned. Julius claimed that it was the oldest house in Ulster County, which I find hard to believe, Maybe he meant Shandaken, or maybe he meant Woodland Valley. He told me that it collapsed from a snow storm, and he had it removed from the tax rolls. There was scraps of old lumber in my yard which might have been remnants of the old house, or the out house. The Weissman's had a tenant at one time, Bob and Debbie Lepp, who still reside in the area, and Julius told me that the used the wood from the outhouse as firewood to heat the house. The owners prior to the Weissmans were named Schwartz. My house had an aluminum screen door in the front with a big "S" on it.
Thanks for this interesting information.
Nick Alba
Hi Richard,
I really enjoyed reading your narrative about your early days here in the valley. We're very close in age, but I never experienced anything quite so rustic in my urban upbringing. Do you have any idea of what year the photos were taken? When I bought this place in 1981 the upper side porch was screened in, and that porch beneath it was framed out, screened in, and had an entry door. The front porch, interestingly enough, had a dry stone foundation which was collapsing, and I removed it and put in piers, similar to the old house. I don't believe that there was the picture window in the living room in these photos. My house came with a picture window. The rear addition was also quite different. There was a door on the side, quite unnecessary, flanked by windows, which I removed and replaced with at picture window. Another large double hung window faced the woods. I replaced that with a patio door, and a patio, so I can enjoy the delightful view. My house was white when I bought it, but layers of old paint revealed a yellow color, closer to what I painted it before I even knew.
I heard about the old house on the road from the previous owner, Julius Weissman. I had no idea what it looked like, and its a lot more of a house than I envisioned. Julius claimed that it was the oldest house in Ulster County, which I find hard to believe, Maybe he meant Shandaken, or maybe he meant Woodland Valley. He told me that it collapsed from a snow storm, and he had it removed from the tax rolls. There was scraps of old lumber in my yard which might have been remnants of the old house, or the out house. The Weissman's had a tenant at one time, Bob and Debbie Lepp, who still reside in the area, and Julius told me that the used the wood from the outhouse as firewood to heat the house. The owners prior to the Weissmans were named Schwartz. My house had an aluminum screen door in the front with a big "S" on it.
Thanks for this interesting information.
Nick Alba
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Yesteryear in Woodland Valley
The fall and early winter were crazy busy times for me work wise and I have gotten very behind in my postings. But I am trying to catch up now. So here is some cool Woodland Valley history that was sent to me back in late November. Sorry it took me so long to post it but I think you will agree that it is worth the wait.
PS - Nick also wrote back to Richard and I will post his response tomorrow. Thanks Richard for sending us this cool info and photos.
PS - Nick also wrote back to Richard and I will post his response tomorrow. Thanks Richard for sending us this cool info and photos.
Yesteryear in Woodland Valley
My father, Fred (Fritz) Graefe, was born in a house on 140th St. in New York City, “among the slaughterhouses” and with the toilet “out back.” He was the youngest of 7 children of 44 year old German immigrant parents. The family also owned the Woodland Valley house now owned by Nick Alba.
I composed the following reminiscences by my father from a conversation I had with him when he was 93 years old. He died in 2001 at age 94 and is buried in the Shandaken Rural Cemetery, along with his parents and 4 of his siblings.
“When I was a teenager, the family went to Woodland Valley in the Catskills each year. We would take the Hudson Dayliner (boat), then a train to Phoenecia, then stop at Simmon’s store to buy supplies for the season (e.g., a barrel of flour). Then then we’d rent a wagon to take us up the valley.
We’d go to the Catskills in May. I would always leave school early each year to do so. That’s why it took me a long time to get through high school. My brother, Al, worked many different jobs before becoming a New York City cop. Each year, he would quit one of these early jobs to go to Woodland with the family.
Clara (my eldest sister) owned an Essex car. You had to crank it. In Woodland, you had to be sure to get a running start to get up the hill at Craig’s”
I too, have many recollections of Woodland Valley as a child, when the family home was owned by my Aunt Clara and her sister Margaret (Miggie). It was really “roughing it.” There was no electricity or plumbing – just an old icebox and an outhouse. Cooking was done on a wood stove, and wood was stored in an old woodshed on the property. We hauled drinking water from a nearby spring. We used only the kitchen and the upstairs bedrooms. As we walked through the living room to get to the stairway, two mounted squirrels and a pheasant peered at us from among the host of items stored there.
There was the “old house,” too – a dilapidated locked-up structure with a lean-to garage attached, down by the road. As kids, we would peek through the smudged windows at the hoard of “treasures” that filled the old house – mostly items given to my grandfather by the wealthy families he worked for as a butler and valet.
We loved the woods and streams and especially the swinging bridge, down where the campsite now stands.
From his humble beginnings, my father got a job at age 18 as a messenger at the bank in New York City that would eventually become Chase Manhattan Bank. He retired at 65 as an officer at one of the bank’s branches.
My brother (age 76) and I (age 72) stopped and chatted with Nick Alba in September when we were in the area to do some maintenance at the family cemetery plot at Shandaken. It was great to see what he has done to the house and to share memories with him. Following are some pictures from the past
Richard Graefe
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Invasion Of The Hipsters
Looks like there might be another wave of Brooklynites descending on Phoenicia again this summer. The Escape Brooklyn website just wrote a piece about visiting our little town (see link below). I don't know how I feel about them saying we have "awesome friendly locals and weirdo townies". When it comes to the Brooklyn escapees saying someone is friendly and weird that may be a case of the pot calling the kettle black. But one way or the other they are welcome to visit Phoenicia (or as I like to think of it "The Island of Misfit Toys"). Your fellow weirdos await you!
Escape Brooklyn
Escape Brooklyn
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
COLD!
I have to run out this morning and I can't do a long post but I just wanted to let everyone know that it is subzero cold here in the valley this morning (-6 when I got up). The rain took a lot of the snow away in the last couple of days but the patches that are left are frozen solid. There was a bit of snow last night so now the ice is covered. BE VERY CAREFUL if you are walking out today!! The ice is not everywhere but if you hit a patch you could go flying. Walk slowly and mindfully.
I promise that for the folks here in the valley who already know how cold it is, I will blog about something else when I return later. I am sure I am boring you to pieces!
Until then, stay safe and warm!!
I promise that for the folks here in the valley who already know how cold it is, I will blog about something else when I return later. I am sure I am boring you to pieces!
Until then, stay safe and warm!!
Friday, January 3, 2014
No Worse Than Last Time
The sun is out and the cleanup of this latest weather event has begun in earnest. I personally didn't think it was so bad. There has been some drifting this morning but by my snow ruler we got about 10 inches. Just a bit less than last time. And it is super light and fluffy so cleanup seems fairly easy.
They were forecasting big winds but although we have had some gusting and blowing snow (see photo above) that really hasn't been bad either…at least so far. I think the worst of this storm went to the northeast. I was afraid that if the wind was bad we would get power or phone outages but that never happened.
The road seems clear and although I haven't driven into town to confirm it, the trucks have been up and down all night and day so I don't think there are any problems there.
The real story here is the cold. It is about 6 degrees now and the temps are forecasted to drop into the subzero range tonight. I think they are predicting -9 in Phoenicia. So the trick will be to get warm and stay warm.
Once I finish the cleanup I myself plan on staying close to home and baking to further warm the house. But for now it is back outside to shovel the snow. I think a chocolate chip cookie is a proper reward for a day of shoveling, don't you?
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Total So Far
OK valley weather seekers, here is the situation so far. The snow started last night and continued into the morning. By about 11:00am we had roughly 3inches on the ground. The snow tapered off but kept falling lightly pretty much all day.
I actually went out and drove to Woodstock in the afternoon and the roads were not too bad. I headed on to Kingston to try and run a few more errands but at that point the snow started to fall more heavily again. The drive back wasn't scary but the snow was building up on both Rt 28 and Woodland Valley Road so I was happy to get home around 4pm.
Right now it is snowing heavily again. I would say at this point we have around 7 inches on the ground. It is very cold and getting colder. Because of that fact the snow is extremely light and fluffy which makes it fairly easy to move. But a word of warning, that ice layer that was left from the last storm is still at the base of the pile so BEWARE! I wore ice cleats all day and even with them on I almost slipped at one point.
There have been no power or phone outages up to now. Let's hope that continues. The snow is forecasted to continue until morning. I will let you know how it all shakes out. Until then stay safe and warm. Good night.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Enough Merrymaking, Back To The Weather
Seems like we can't get a minute to enjoy the holidays before the weather channels start putting the alert out again. The forecasters are calling for 9-16 inches here in the Catskills over the next few days.
But before we go into that, let me start by saying that the inch or two of mushy snow we got from the last storm did indeed freeze solid into a icy, slippery, potential dangerous layer. The icy layer doesn't seem to be too deep as you get near town but here in the top of the valley conditions are treacherous. Just going to my car requires ice cleats. So BE CAREFUL if you haven't been to the valley in a while and you are planning a trip this weekend. The additional snow may hide the really slippery under layer and make things even more hazardous.
This next storm is forecasted to start tonight, continue throughout tomorrow and finish on Friday in the wee hours. After the storm finishes the temperatures are supposedly going to plunge into the subzero range. So it is going to be super cold. Plan on getting all your supplies from town early, bringing in the wood, and tucking in to keep warm and ride the weather out.
I will try and keep you posted as long as we don't lose power. And once again, Happy New Year!!
But before we go into that, let me start by saying that the inch or two of mushy snow we got from the last storm did indeed freeze solid into a icy, slippery, potential dangerous layer. The icy layer doesn't seem to be too deep as you get near town but here in the top of the valley conditions are treacherous. Just going to my car requires ice cleats. So BE CAREFUL if you haven't been to the valley in a while and you are planning a trip this weekend. The additional snow may hide the really slippery under layer and make things even more hazardous.
This next storm is forecasted to start tonight, continue throughout tomorrow and finish on Friday in the wee hours. After the storm finishes the temperatures are supposedly going to plunge into the subzero range. So it is going to be super cold. Plan on getting all your supplies from town early, bringing in the wood, and tucking in to keep warm and ride the weather out.
I will try and keep you posted as long as we don't lose power. And once again, Happy New Year!!
