Quiet In The Valley

All is well here in Woodland Valley. The weather has been on the cold side. There are still no leaves on the trees. We have had a LOT of rainy days but today was beautiful. The daffodils, hyacinth and forsythia are all blooming on different properties along the road. And the wild Colt's Foot (see photo) is coming up everywhere. I am hoping the really nice weather is just around the corner.

To keep you updated on the state of the virus in this part of upstate NY, the Ulster County Covid-19 totals stand at 1294 confirmed cases with 24 fatalities. There are 7 confirmed cases in the Town of Shandaken. So cases continue to slowly rise.

Since we are all staying home and social distancing there is not much more to report. I hope wherever you and your family are you are all in good health. Stay safe!

Friday Update

I hope you are all staying home and keeping healthy. As of this writing there are 880 cases of CO-VID 19 and 16 fatalities in Ulster County. The Town of Shandaken has 6 confirmed cases.

Starting today 4/17/20, the NY Governor's executive order requires all citizens to wear face masks, cloth, scarf or bandana to cover their nose and mouth when in public and not able to keep a six foot distance from others. If you need a mask they are available at the Shandaken Town Hall for free. Just call the Town Clerk for information 845-688-5004.

Free mental health services are available through the Family of Woodstock 845-679-2485.

The Town is providing meal and/or grocery deliveries to those in the high risk demographic. For more information call the Town Clerk at 845-688-5004 or email townclerk@shandaken.us or the Town Supervisor at 845-688-7165 or email supervisor@shandaken.us.

Most restaurants in the area are offering take-out service and Phoenicia Supermarket is offering free delivery 845-688-2448.

And for those who are fine with food but just bored out of your mind, the Methodist Church has donated puzzles and books for people to take for free. They are on the porch of the Nest Egg. Take one if you want or leave one if you have something you are finished using.

Stay Safe!!

Some Good News in Woodland Valley

I hope you are all well. Since we are all dealing with the ongoing pandemic and the stresses around work and health related concerns, I thought some good news was in order.

First, congratulations to our esteemed President Bethany Saltman who's book "Strange Situation: A Mother's Journey Into The Science of Attachment" made The Washington Post's 10 books to read in April list. Here is a link to The Washington Post for those of you who subscribe and can read it. Go Bethany!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/ten-books-to-read-in-april/2020/03/31/b7b0a744-737e-11ea-a9bd-9f8b593300d0_story.html

Secondly, WV resident Bonnie LeFave sent me these photos of a pair of eagles that she recently saw down by the intersection of Pantherkill and Woodland Valley roads. These are such beautiful birds! I think the one on the right is a juvenile (see if you other birders agree). We are so lucky to have these majestic creatures in our midst. Thanks for sending us these photos, Bonnie.

So there you have a little good news in the midst of chaos. Stay safe!

Updated Information - 3rd Case in Shandaken

There is a 3rd case confirmed here in Shandaken and 462 cases in Ulster County. Town Supervisor Rob Stanley put out an update on the Town website today. It has a lot of good information about getting food safely if you are at risk. Here is the link.

https://www.shandaken.us/news/3-18-20-update-volunteers-needed/

Also, the Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan has been holding online town hall briefings. His next one is Thursday, April 9th at 2pm. You can tune into it from the Ulster County CO-VID 19 information page. Here is that link.

https://covid19.ulstercountyny.gov

Please remember to take care of your own mental health in this crisis and take news breaks when it all feels like it is too much. We are lucky to live in a beautiful place, take a few deep breaths and enjoy the beauty just outside your window.

Stay healthy and safe!

Updates From NY State

You can sign up for updates delivered directly into your email box from the State of NY. This daily summary focuses on the things that are happening in NY that have a direct effect on us. It is a great way to get up to the minute relevant information.

Here is the link:
https://now.ny.gov/page/s/coronavirus-updates?fbclid=IwAR2xSG9OaomXyhl9F1H41k3S3NJcEzOWRKC0x6sFTY-pg-wSp8MuFSeba8o

Right now the Town of Shandaken still has had only 2 cases of the virus. Stay healthy everyone!