The Dreaded Wintry Mix

After the long spell of unseasonably warm winter weather we have been having I was lulled into a false sense of security. But it looks like winter is finally here.

Last night we had a lot of sleet and freezing rain that changed at times over to just plain rain. This morning I woke up to about an inch of heavy, wet sleet and snow on the ground. Nothing that we can't handle, but still, it will be a pain to clean up. Right now it seems to be raining lightly but the storm is moving past us. So the first shot of real winter weather hasn't been too bad.

To my knowledge there has been no loss of power in the valley. The plow trucks have been up and down the road so hopefully driving won't be too bad. But take it slowly and carefully if you have to go out.

That's all for now folks!

Christmas Poetry From Boreegard

Here is a little holiday poetry from Woodland Valley's own Mike O'Neil aka Boreegard. Merry Christmas to all!


CHRISTMAS AT SIX OR SEVENTY-THREE

Somewhere is the Christmas list I crayoned out to Santa,
Somewhere are the ashes from the evening’s lovely fire,
Somewhere are my parents, who swept me off to bed,
To dream of the saint who would soon shoot down our chimney,
And fill my hopeful stocking.
All of that is here, as I number seventy-three.
Somewhere.


Boreegard

December 20, 2015

Dog Home Safely!

After two weeks in the woods, Golith, the dog that was lost from Phoenicia went home with his relieved owner today. Here is the story as I heard it. Apparently, Duane Formont had seen him last week around his place in Phoenicia and had been putting food out for him ever since. The food was gone every morning and since there are no stray animals near his house he suspected that the dog was in the area.

Yesterday he called Amy, the owner, and told her to come down and try walking around his property to see if she could lure him in. She sat there for several hours in the inclement weather but there was no sign of the dog. Marilyn Manning told her to leave her car there and put Golith's dog bed next to the car. Lo and behold they heard barking this morning and looked out and Golith was in his bed!!

Duane called Amy and she came and parked in the Pharmacy parking lot and walked to Duane's so as not to scare the dog off. She talked to him softly as she approached and then opened her car door and Golith jumped right in and went to his spot like he had never been gone.

I was told that he is in pretty good shape for a dog that was out in the woods for the last two weeks. There is some sort of small issue with one of his paws but all in all he seems just fine.

We can only speculate about where he has been. But since he was definitely seen all the way up at the end of Woodland Valley Road, I think that he went to the end, entered the woods, went up and over to Oliverea (he was sighted again there) and then back down Rt 28 again to Phoenicia. But I guess we will never really know for sure.

Wherever he has been this is such a happy ending to a nerve wracking couple of weeks. One of Amy's granddaughters said it was "a Christmas miracle" and I think she might be right!

A tired Golith at home enjoying the bed

Dog Update

Here is an update from Facebook posted by Joyce Grant about the missing dog. Seems he has traveled out of Woodland Valley but please stay on the lookout anyway.

Goliath was seen in Lanesville on Friday 12/11.. heading toward Hunter, Tannersville.. Please do not chase him.. he will run.. he is gentle but scared! Probably up by Hunter or Tannersville by now.. Please call if you see him! thanks!!
- Joyce Grant

Saying Goodbye to Mama's Boy

Here is an article in the Woodstock Times about the closing of Mama's Boy. It was a great place and everyone in town will miss it. Good luck at Mama's Boy Burgers in Tannersville, Michael! I am sure many of us will visit you there.

http://www.woodstockx.com/2015/12/06/mamas-boy-cafe-closes/

Reward for Missing Dog

Unfortunately, Goliath, the dog that went missing last week is still out there. The owner is heartbroken and is now offering a $1000.00 reward for his safe return. Here is his photo again and the information from the current flyer. Please keep your eyes and ears open. And follow the instructions below if you see him.
























$1,000. REWARD for his safe return. 12/7 -Goliath STILL MISSING! Family Dog Member.. Please watch for him.

Goliath was last seen about 1/2 way up woodland valley road in Phoenicia, NY.on 12/2. He may still be at the end of W.Valley Road.. or continued into Oliverea or Claryville, NY. He is large 85 lb+, Old, 9yr, Arthritic, Gentle and safe to approach. This is a family dog member.. any help locating would be greatly appreciated!

.He IS safe to approach..but scared, very gentle. big - brown - collar and tags & microchipped. White bandanna around neck.. IF you spot him: Call Town Clerk 845-688-5004 or Nancy Hudler 845-688-7284. or Marilyn 688-9741. Owner: Amy Blum 845 688-3380 & 914-271-0217

Beware of Scammers

WCA member Jeff Schwartz sent me this as a reminder to beware of scammers this holiday season. Here is Jeff's message.


Many years ago I informed you of a scam, where I was in receipt of a large check that was too good to be true. You may want to post a warning on the blog again.

Its that time again, I received

Envelope stamp- Canada
Check $4832.11 (can be any amount)
Drawn on a Calif. Bank (Can be any bank)
Issued by a Company with a USA address.
Check looks real, multi colored warnings of security features present.
In this mailing I am the proud winner of PublishersClearing House 2nd Prize $75000
(I do not rate a phony 1st prize, I am insulted- but that requires a visit of a film/TV crew-not in
the phoney budget).

The letter states the check is for "duty taxes" but I can't deposit it until I speak to the
agent listed, phone number given.

My assumption is that they want you to transfer these funds after you deposit the check
to their phoney offshore entity. They know it will take a week before the check is returned.
By then your money is long gone.and your bank has charged you for a returned check.

Did I even try to call Nooooo
If it is too good to be true, bets are it is not real.

Wishing all our neighbors and friends
a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season

- Jeff and Aileen Schwartz

Please Watch for Missing Dog

A large, friendly, German Shepard mix, dog went missing this morning from Marilyn Manning's place in Phoenicia. It was last spotted heading up Woodland Valley Rd by the ski slope. His name is Golith. He was wearing a white bandana.

If anyone sees him please call either the town clerk's office at 845-688-5004, Nancy Hudler the town dog warden at 845-688-7284, or Marilyn Manning at 845-688-9741.

Mama's Boy Closing

Mama's Boy Market in Phoenicia is closing and selling everything off the shelves. This is a post that was on Facebook earlier today. We will miss Mama's Boy!!

CLOSING SALE! 50% off everything on our shelves today and tomorrow. Except for our coffee beans. Plus practically EVERYTHING else is for sale coffee equipment, convection oven, refridgeration and freezers, picnic tables, chairs, tables, display items and much much more. STOP IN, SAY GOODBYE AND TAKE A PIECE OF MAMA'S BOY HOME WITH YOU!

Regular Hunting Season Is Open

This is a brief reminder that regular hunting season opened this Saturday November 21st and runs through December 13th. Late bow season then goes from December 14th to December 22nd. Here is a link to the DEC website so you check out all the dates for yourselves.

Remember to WEAR ORANGE if you are going into the woods at this time of year! Stay safe!

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28605.html

Easy Cheesy 'Taters

Right about now you may all be looking for new ideas for Thanksgiving side dishes. Here is one from WCA member Mike O'Neil (aka Boreegard).

Bo’s Easy Cheesy ‘Tater Casserole


2 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced.
4 tbsp. flour, 2 tbsp. dried parsley, 1 tbsp. minced garlic mixed together.
1 cup half and half, heated.
¾ cup panco bread crumbs mixed with 2 heaping tbsp. melted butter.
¾ cup grated cheddar cheese.

TO DO

Grease a 2 quart casserole pan.
Boil potatoes in salted water until barely soft—around 10 minutes.
Drain quickly and place potatoes in pan.
Spread flour/ herb mixture on potatoes and mix well.
Pour heated half and half on potatoes and mix well.
Cover with buttered breadcrumbs.
Sprinkle cheese on top evenly.
Bake in preheated 375 degree oven until browned on top (20 to 30 minutes).


Will feed up to six hungry people nicely.

Testament:  She Who Must Be Obeyed raved over it.  So might you too, bunky.


Boreegard
November, 2015

Possible Solution To Bee And Hornet Problems

After posting Boreegard's poetry about the hornets invading his house yesterday I thought of something one of my friends posted on Facebook a few months back. He had a novel solution to the problem. Those of you with the same issue might want give it a try, it certainly couldn't hurt. Read on.

"I saw this on fb a few months ago. If you put a small paper bag filled with paper hung on your porch it will mimic a hornets nest. It will keep other hornets and carpenter bees from eating in the area. It freaking works. In the spring and every year prior we had tons of carpenter bees drilling holes on the porch. This year they started to, then after we put up the bags, nothing.!!! Amazing natural way to keep them away."
- Jerry

Boreegard Ruminates On Mother Nature

         Attack of the Yellow Hornets
                (Der Nacht Flieger)

Though our storm windows are guaranteed to be
Impenetrable to outside influences,
A nightly visitation of European hornets
Began making its way into my bedroom last week.

Larger than their white-faced American cousins,
The yellow and black striped species
Will often build nests in unprotected spaces,
Between the walls of a house.

Spraying the window crevices with toxic poisons
Did no good, except to make ME queasy.
The winged terrors continued their nightly trespass
Into my sanctum sanctorum.

It was unnerving to hear them droning
Overhead after the lights were out,
And I had settled down for beddy-bye.
Nightmares overtook sweet dreams.

Though I have no quarrel with them personally,
The thought of being stung appalls me.*
As a matter of self-protection, I took to killing them
With a battery-powered electric zapper, shaped like a tennis racket.

The zapper emitted crackling sparks when pressed firmly
Against the intruders, and when held long enough,
Satisfying wisps of blue smoke would waft into the air.
Amazingly even that did not always do the job.

To achieve a bona fide death, I’d wrap the smoldering,
Twitching body into a folded paper towel
And carefully squeeze.
Best not to pinch the thorax or tail.

Mother Nature finally put an end to all this.
She delivered her first killing frost.
Besides withering the tomato stalks and basil to a pathetic heap,
It was the hornets’ death knell.  All hail our true Mother!

Boreegard  
aka Mike O'Neil
November, 2015

 * The pain from the sting may persist for several days with attendant swelling.  Victims may wish to seek medical attention in case of allergic reaction. In rare cases death can occur.   

Paul Misko At Trout Unlimited Meeting

I got this message in a Trout Unlimited newsletter the other day. I thought I would pass it on for any of you who are interested. 

This is a reminder that the November 18th meeting of the Ashokan-Pepacton Watershed Chapter this is coming Wednesday at the Boiceville Inn on NY 28 in Boiceville. It’s one week earlier than normal, due to Thanksgiving which is the following week.

The business meeting starts at 7 PM followed by our program at 7:45 PM. Once again this month we have another top notch event. Paul Misko, the Woodland Valley Park Association historian, is our guest speaker. Paul’s program will touch upon the history and tanning industry of Woodland Valley, formerly known as Snyder Hollow. The Winter 2013 Kaatskill Life issue ran an article penned by Paul on this very topic, titled: “The Woodland Valley Forest: An Environmental Disaster with a Happy Ending.”

Paul has visited Woodland Valley since childhood where he caught his first trout at the age of 5. Since then he’s accumulated a serious pile of history about Woodland Valley and the surrounding area, and over the last several years has written articles and given talks on Catskill and American history. In 2009 he founded the Catskill 4000 Club, which often does history related hikes. Most recently he has been doing radio shows, including trivia quizzes on Catskill topics.

Hope to see you there; below is a photo of the Woodland Valley as seen from Giant Ledge. Don’t miss what promises to be an interesting program about Catskill history, its forestry, and old Snyder Hollow.


- Ed Ostapczuk

Planning Board Seeks New Member

The Shandaken Planning Board needs a new member. If anyone in Woodland Valley is interested here is the official announcement.

Shandaken Planning Board is currently seeking a Planning Board Member. This position is a volunteer, non-compensatory membership with a term of seven (7) years and requires residency within the Town of Shandaken. Resume and letter of intent may be submitted to the attention of: Building Dept., via e-mail at shandakenbldg@gmail.com or sent to: P.O. Box 134, Shandaken, N.Y. 12480, postmarked no later than November 25, 2015; This may also be dropped off at the Shandaken Town Hall, 7209 Route 28, Shandaken. Prospective applicants should plan on attending the Planning Board Workshop meeting on Wednesday, January 13, 2015 at 7:00 PM.

And The Winners Are…...

I know it is a week later and most of you have probably already heard, but for those of you who are out of town, the winners of the town elections are as follows:

Supervisor - Robert A. Stanley
Town Clerk - Joyce A. Grant
Supervisor of Highways - Eric Hofmeister
Town Board - Gael Alba and Peter DiSclafani
Town Assessor - Dave Channon and Fionna Tanzillo

Vote Today!

This is to remind everyone to go to the polls today and cast your ballot. There are a lot of important local town positions that are being decided.

The polling place for Woodland Valley is the M.F. Whitney Firehouse in Phoenicia. Please vote and make your voices heard!!

Another Great Halloween Parade

The Phoenicia Halloween parade was great fun this year. As always, the folks of this town were wildly creative with their costumes. My personal favorite was the little girl who came dressed as a Hindu Goddess. Awesome!! Thing 1 and Thing 2 were pretty great as well. For those of you who could not be there here are some fun photos.

Halloween Parade Today

The Phoenicia Halloween Parade is today at 2pm. As always, the wonderful Phoenicia Rotary will be on hand to give out free cider and deserts after the march down Main St. Don't miss this super fun, hometown gathering. It is a great way to celebrate the holiday!! See you there!

Beautiful Fall Colors

WV resident Tommy Healy sent me these lovely photos of the valley he took over the weekend. It has been a beautiful autumn this year with some of the nicest colors I remember in a long time. 

The weather has been bouncing up and down between fairly balmy and downright frigid but mostly it has been bearable. But everyone is having their wood delivered and gearing up for the long winter. Why does the spring and summer go so fast and winter seem endless? 

Anyway, thanks for the great photos, Tommy!

Fall Poetry From Boreegard

Even the Most Imperfect Love Apples


Back from a hot family visit in Texas,
The cool October New England air,
Requires an inspection of the hallowed
Northern home ground, even after a mere week’s absence.

I fill the empty bird feeders,
And soon the crow caws,
The titmouse lands, and the
Cardinal pip pips from his tightly held branch.

In the wilting summer garden,
Elements of sweet basil still stand,
Guarding the diminishing supply of
Tomatoes against the voracious foraging deer.

I pick even the most imperfect Love Apples,
Roma, Early Girl, Big Boy, Celebrity,
Spotted, cracked, embarrassed by worm riddled bottoms,
Victims of too much rain, they cling to withered vines.

In the autumn kitchen I lave them in warm water,
Dry them and treat them as gifts from GOD,
Which surely they are.
For nothing has such sweetness and inner red intensity.


Boreegard
aka Mike O'Neil

Good Grief, Flurries!!!

It seems like it is a little early in the season to start to post about weather but alas we had some flurries of snow today that I feel I should mention. They didn't last long or stick to the ground but it was still strange to see snow.

We also had our first frost last night. And tonight is even colder so any fragile outdoor plants that didn't get done in by last night's dip in temperature will surely meet their demise this evening.

The leaves are peaking at this point and the colors this year have been outstanding. Since we had such a dry summer I didn't know what to expect as far as leaf color this fall, but they haven't disappointed. Any of you who have been out of the valley for a while should think about taking a drive and visiting. The show won't last long!

Holz Hollywood NYC Book Signing

The HOLZ HOLLYWOOD book signing in NYC on Thursday was a huge success. George was joined by fellow Woodland Valley resident David Hershkovits (founder/editor-in-chief of Paper Magazine) and the fabulous actress Bebe Neuwirth to talk about the process of photography from all aspects. It was an interesting and informative conversation that provided a real behind the scenes look at the creative process of making great images. There were many other celebrity friends, art directors, photo editors, stylists, make-up artists and models that came to help George celebrate his achievement. I enjoyed the evening immensely. Bravo, George and congratulations on 30 years of great imagery!

Mini Cooper Print Campaign Shoots In WV

Last Monday some of you might have noticed that the Woodland Valley bridge was closed all day. That was because a BMW/Mini Cooper photo shoot that was taking place on the bridge. The production company chose Woodland Valley as one of the stops on their multi-day, multi-city print campaign tour. The company had the town close the bridge to traffic for the day and set up their production vehicles on part of the Romer Mountain Park property. Everything went very well and the folks involved said that the shoot was a great success! So watch for the Woodland Valley bridge in any Mini Cooper ads you might see.

Holz Hollywood Event In NYC

If you are going to be in the city this Thursday October 15th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm here is your chance to attend another fabulous HOLZ HOLLYWOOD event. George is going to be hosting an evening of art and conversation and signing his books at Rizzoli - 1133 Broadway in Manhattan. Joining George will be fellow Woodland Valley resident David Hershkovits (founder/editor-in-chief of PAPER magazine) and also the incomparable Bebe Neuwirth. Sounds like a great evening to me. Hope to see all you city dwellers there!

BTW, here is a link to David's story in PAPER about the upcoming event. http://www.papermag.com/view/gallery/5605bc39b6de82458ce31e52

Catskill History On WIOX

I got this message from Paul Misko and thought I would pass it on to all of you.

Hi All,

If you are interested in some Catskill history. Wed, 6 p.m. go on computer and click on wiox radio in Roxbury, home page and listen to the quiz show. A Woodland resident will be competing. www.wioxradio.org

- Paul Misko

Some Woodland Valley History From Rolf Reiss

WCA member and valley historian, Rolf Reiss sent me some awesome Woodland Valley photos along with some history to match. Here is Rolf's message to me. 

All the photos are at least 100 years old (excluding the brochure from 1927). Almost all of the them can be attributed to long time summer resident and Woodland Valley Park Association member Charles Newman. 

The first photo of the well dressed young men preparing for an overnight adventure includes three Newman family members, Ben Longyear, Joe McGrath, George Foster and Dave Hilson. They seem to have all of the essentials of the day including blankets, canteens, axes, six shooters and a coronet.

The inscription on the photo of the lady in the wicker rocker (second photo) being carried by two gents reads " Woodland Valley Taxi 1907"

I especially love the third photo of the two daredevils perched on the log over the Woodland Valley stream. 

On the back of the photo showing the two beleaguered hikers, Charles Newman signed his name and wrote " I am so tired of hiking the Whittenberg Mt." Many of us who have visited that peak surely know how he felt.

The post card showing campers somewhere in the valley was postmarked at the Woodland Post Office on Aug 6, 1913 and reads " This is what we are doing. We are crazy about the place. Will Archer is here with us but we didn't see much of him. Will stay three weeks. Best, Love Mary."

The next photo is of a summer outing somewhere in the Woodland Valley Park Association.

The last photo is a post card from the Beech Knoll Club. Included with the swimming hole post card is a brochure from the 1927 season. The drawing on the cover depicts the beautiful home built by the artist Thomas Craig now owned by Ed Twerdak. Evelyn Craig (Thomas's daughter) was still alive in 1978 when I moved here and mentioned to me that John Burroughs had told her that "the most beautiful view in all of the Catskills was from the porch of her home".

- Rolf

PS - Here is an update I just received from Rolf.

"I was recently told that the home where Ed Twerdak lives was NOT built by Thomas Craig although he did live there. I think that it was perhaps one of the Beech family who had it constructed but I have to do more research on that." 

- Rolf

Strainer Removed By NY Army National Guard

The strainer that took the life of Jordan Engler on Labor Day weekend was removed today by the NY Army National Guard. The work was made possible by an emergency declaration issued from Governor Cuomo's office yesterday that allowed the removal of stream debris in advance of the approaching hurricane Joaquin.

To read more about the removal and see photos here is a link to the Watershed Post article.
http://www.watershedpost.com/2015/soldiers-remove-deadly-strainer-esopus-warning-sign-installed

Earlier this week Jordyn Engler's father spoke publicly for the first time about the events of that tragic day. http://www.watershedpost.com/2015/father-girl-who-drowned-esopus-creek-speaks-out

Such a sad story. My heart breaks for this family. My they find some peace.

HOLZ HOLLYWOOD In Woodstock

Join photographer and WCA member George Holz at the book signing and Q&A for his gorgeous just released book HOLZ HOLLYWOOD. The event will take place at Shop Little House at 47 Tinker St in Woodstock this Saturday, October 3, 2015 from 3-5pm.  Looks like it will be a great event!

Rabies & Distemper Clinic Tomorrow

Tomorrow, September 26th. there will be a RABIES & DISTEMPER clinic at Town Hall - 7209 Rt 28 - here in Shandaken. The clinic will run from 8:30am to 10 am. Rabies vaccines are $10.00. Distemper vaccines are $15.00. Cash only for shots! No appointment necessary. PLEASE KEEP DOGS ON LEADS AND CATS IN CRATES. Bring any recent vaccine records. For more info call the town clerk at 688-5004.

Shandaken dog licensing will also be available during this event. Checks will be accepted for licensing.

There will also be a spay. neuter and surgery clinic from 10am to 5pm. For more information on spaying, neutering and other mobile services call Upstate Spay and Neuter at 845-901-4637.

Marietta Hofmeister Passes

I am very sad to tell you all the Marietta Hofmeister died yesterday. Marietta was one of a kind. I thought she was terrific. I found her to be kind and funny. She was a stalwart presence on Main St. I loved passing by, whether on foot or driving, and waving to her as she sat in her chair in front of Morne Imports next to her cow statue window. And it was fun to go in the store and search through all the great gear she had for sale while chatting with her about the town.

I also loved teasing her about her sometimes seemingly abrupt manner. I always knew that underneath it all she was a genuinely nice person who cared about her community. Her passing will leave a hole on Main Street Phoenicia. My condolences go out to her entire family. May she rest in peace.

Here is a link to the Gormley funeral home site for service information.
http://www.gormleyfuneralhome.com/obituaries.aspx?turl=http://hosting-12231.tributes.com/obituary/show/margaretha-hofmeister-102871362

Thursday Night Music Circle At ESRM

This is just to remind all of you who are looking for a place to play music that there is an ongoing circle right in the neighborhood. Every Thursday night beginning at 7pm musicians of all skill levels meet at the Empire State Railway Museum on Lower High Street for some acoustic fun. WCA members Dakin Morehouse and Harry Jameson are the leaders of the group. Here is a recent email I received from Dakin.

... At the Historic Phoenicia RR Station - 7:00 Thursday, as usual.
Looking forward to pickin' an singing with you.
Let's hear that old song you just learned, or the new one you just wrote.
Friendly ears to try it out on.

____

| iiiiiiii \
| llllllllll \
| llllllllllll \
| llll ( ) lll \
| lllllllllllllll \
| { *.*.*.*.*} | Dakin & Harry
| llIIIlllllllllllllll |

Directions - #70 Lower High St, Phoenicia, NY
Heading West on Rt 28 just past the Phoenicia diner it will be the first road on your right.
Going East on Rt 28 pass the Eagle and take the second entrance to Phoenicia but turn Right just before the RR tracks.
And from in Phoenicia, turn South onto Bridge St, over the Esopus then turn Left immediately after the tracks.

Fundraiser For Shandaken's Parks

The 2nd annual celebration honoring Shandaken's Parks will be held this Sunday, September 20th in the pavilion at the Emerson. There will be a picnic lunch starting at 1pm. Tickets are $30.00 for adults and $5.00 for kids. All the proceeds will support Shandaken's Parks.

Library Open Late On Fridays

I just received a message from Phoenicia Library Director, Liz Potter. The library will now have extended hours on Friday nights. Here is what Liz had to say.

Your friendly local library is now will be open until 8 PM on Friday night for all your library needs. We are hoping to make it a little easier on weekenders and working people to get to their library. We'll see how it goes through December. We are also about to conduct a community wide survey to get a sense of all your wishes and needs related to the library ... so be on the lookout !

Loss Of A Young Life

  Many of you may know that there was a tragic drowning death of a young, teenage girl in the Esopus Creek last Saturday. I am linking to an article that fully explains the details of how it happened.

http://www.watershedpost.com/2015/teen-drowned-while-tubing-after-bus-dropped-her-near-notorious-hazard

  Woodland Valley resident Pete Oberbeck was featured in the article and probably saved the life of the kayaker that he was able to warn about the strainer. The hazard exists in Shandaken by the cemetery at the fishing accessing point. Please warn everyone you know not to go into the Esopus at that point until the DEC removes that dangerous hazard.

  I am copying and pasting a sample letter from the Town of Shandaken website to the NYSDEC. You can help by writing to them and helping to get that hazard removed.

  From the Town of Shandaken -

PLEASE HELP US PREVENT FURTHER LOSS OF LIFE! Use this sample letter below to contact the people shown to solve this problem with the debris in the Esopus Stream - (owned by NYSDEC). Before another tragedy occurs. Please copy and paste.. insert your own contact info at bottom.
Sample letter:

"Dear Governor Cuomo, Senators Carlucci & Seward and Assembly Members Cahill & Zebrowski:

This email/letter I'm forwarding to you is one I hoped to never have to write.

A 14 year old girl, Jordyn Engler, lost her life on the Esopus Creek by putting her inner tube into the river in a location that was known to be unsafe (her Dad was also injured).

The obstruction that took her life was a well known strainer (many downed trees in the stream's main current) that has been pointed out to folks from Ulster County, the NYS DEC, NYC DEP and the members of the Ashokan Stream Management Program's Recreational Stream Access Committee. As these downed trees are on NYS DEC's Forever Wild land, they can't legally be moved or destroyed as per Article XIV of the NYS Constitution.

Section 1. The lands of the state, now owned or hereafter acquired, constituting the forest preserve as now fixed by law, shall be forever kept as wild forest lands. They shall not be leased, sold or exchanged, or be taken by any corporation, public or private, nor shall the timber thereon be sold, removed or destroyed.

As an individual that advocates for recreational use of the Esopus Creek; I'm exceptionally heartbroken over this loss.

I appeal for your help to preserve the recreational use of the Esopus Creek by taking reasonable measures to protect public safety; Article XIV, as written, doesn't speak to safety - so feels out of balance, though of good intent.

Can you suggest either amending Article XIV of the NYS constitution (easy, no?), get an executive exception for this parcel of land or land adjacent to recreational whitewater resources, or suggest or execute any other actions to prevent further loss of life?

As always, thank you for your support and representation."
Signed ....
(Here is the contact info)..Gov. Cuomo - www.governor.ny.gov
Senator Carlucci - http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/david-carlucci/contact
Senator Seward - seward@nysenate.gov
Assembly Member Cahill - cahillk@assembly.state.ny.us
Assembly Zebrowski - http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Kenneth-Zebrowski/contact/

Roxmor Postcards

Tommy Healy has a collection of old postcards and sent me scans of some great examples from Roxmor. I thought they were excellent and that all of you might enjoy them too. I think that the hand coloring on them is especially nice. If anyone in WV (or Roxmor specifically) has any history they want to add I will gladly post it. Thanks for sending them Tom!