Fox Kits Romp In WV

WCA member Lorraine Dellapenna sent me a link to a cool video of a fox family that lives behind her house. They are such beautiful creatures and we have all been seeing more and more of them around the valley in the last couple of years.

CAUTION: In viewing the video, if you are squeamish about the food chain I would advise you not to watch. They have obviously killed something (maybe a squirrel) and are passing it around in the beginning of the piece. It isn't really gorey but might be upsetting to some.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU_QQ1X45aY&feature=youtu.be

Camp Lofawyl For Sale By Owners

WCA members Linda and Bob McDonald have decided to sell their house in The Woodland Park Association. She sent me this description with some photos. It is a lovely cabin that would make a nice home for someone. Anyone who is interested should contact Linda directly. Here is the info:

Hello, just wanted to give you a bit of a history on Camp Lofawyl, our beloved cabin. It was built in the Spring of 1913 and occupied that summer by my Grandfather & Grandmother James & Lillian MacDonald. The house has always been well maintained. It has lovely leaded glass windows down stair. It has been insulated and has storm windows through out. Down stairs has knotty cherry paneling from the 1950. The kitchen was remodeled in 2005, as was the Bathroom. In 2008 a 10 x 19 foot addition was added to the left side of the down stairs (in keeping with the style of the house) to enlarge the dinning room and add some computer space to the living room. 2010 saw a new roof on the house to match the addition (which is now all architectural shingles).

The house is fully furnished and recently carpeted through out, except for the kitchen & bath. (I will just be taking a few family items and books and pictures) All the furniture is in move in condition and the mattresses are only a few summers old.

The kitchen, up dated in 2005, has nice cabinetry and new counter tops & stainless sink. The stove is gas and has a heater in the side, frost free refrigerator & small microwave are all included. There is a small storm window and screen enclosed back porch off the kitchen.

The bathroom has been updated with new fixtures & cabinets in 2005

There are 3 bedroom, the master has a king size bed, chest of draws, standing wardrobe and built in dresser. Second bedroom has a double bed, chest of draws, nite stand & small built in wardrobe. Third is a twin bed (it has had a double, but is a bit cramped, trundle would be the nicest), nite stand and 2 built in dresser.

The water for the house is from a very dependable spring at the back of the yard with a reservoir and pumped into the house by a new pump, put in in 2011, which is housed in a shed at the back of the house with a holding tank and the water heater.

The stove, water heater, cloths dryer and hanging wall furnace are all run on propane gas and very efficient.

There is a garden shed and a 1 car garage with electric door opener. The garage has a small work area on the main floor with the washer, dryer and a utility sink. The second floor has a larger work shop and plenty of space for storage that is insulated and a sealed room, that could be converted to a 4th bedroom easily.

As Rob told you, we have some health issues that we are dealing with and would like to move into an all inclusive Retirement & extended health care community and we need to do it before we cannot pass their entrance physical.

So, if you or anyone you know would like Camp Lofawyl ( Loaf-a-while ) please contact me at 904-724-5165 before June 23rd or 845-688-7803 after that date.   

- Linda

 

DEIS Review Continues

The ongoing discussion about the building of the Belleayre Resort comes to another critical juncture tomorrow. There will be two sessions of public comment allowed. Those of you who have comments should attend the sessions tomorrow or write to the DEC and the Governor at the addresses below.

DEIS Public Hearing* on the Belleayre Resort:

WEDNESDAY MAY 29

First Session:     3:00 p.m.

Second Session: 6:00 pm

Belleayre Mountain Ski Center Discovery Lodge. Rte #28

* Info Session May 22, 2013, at 7 p.m.

WRITE:

The DEIS  Public Review process deadline for comments is June 24.

Your opinion is important!!

The NYS-DEC is required to count every public comment!

Website of DEIS documents:
http://www.thelagroup.com/Belleayre_Resort/SDEIS/index.htm
http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/54704.html

Email/write to : 
NYS-DEC Reviewer:
belleayre@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Daniel Whitehead,
Region 3 Environmental Permit Administrator
NYSDEC
21 South Putt Corners Road
New Paltz, NY 12561

 Cc: NY GOV. Cuomo
http://www.governor.ny.gov/contact/GovernorContactForm.php
The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

Love Those Feisty Little Trout

The semi-annual trout stocking of the Woodland Valley stream went very well yesterday. Despite the cold (and I do mean cold) temperatures of the past few days, the weather was gorgeous. Still a bit chilly but nowhere near as bad as the days before. Actually, given the rigors of our task it was the perfect day. All 360 of the heathy brown trout were safely inserted into their new home. And big fun was had by all who helped.

Catching Up

In the last few weeks I have been swamped with work and falling behind with my blogging. I do the best I can but sometimes things just don't get posted in a timely fashion. I can pre-schedule posts if I am going to be busy but the things that come in after I set that up just have to wait until I get another chance. Sorry about that folks, but a girl has got to work.

Anyway, today, on this cold (temps in the 40's, with last night going into the 30's....brrrrrr....but I digress) and rainy day I am once again playing catch up. I have posted several things in a row so be sure that you scroll down so you don't miss anything,

Things should get back to normal soon and I will be able to blog more regularly again. At least I hope so.

PS - For all you folks who read this blog for the weather, my friends in Tannersville said that it snowed up there last night!! It didn't stick but snow in May is just wrong!

WV Hikers - Wildflower Hike Report

Paul Misko sent this report about the Woodland Valley hikers "Wildflower Hike" last Saturday. Here is what Paul had to say.

"It was a perfect day for a photo hike, with the hazy filtered sunlight, and barely a breeze. Perfect for grabbing some flower photos. There were a lot of downed trees from recent storms to climb over and around, as we visited each patch of blossoms along the way, much like a swarm of bees would do. Along the way we found a deer antler, and someone almost thought they may have possibly heard a bear, but it proved to be inconclusive. Several tips were shared, such as using a small magnifying glass in front of the camera lens to give you more macro capabilities. We eventually returned to civilization without losing a single hiker."

- Paul Misko

Rick Altman Trio At Harmony May 26th

Rick Altman will be doing a gig at Harmony in Woodstock tomorrow with special guest Steve Raleigh. You don't have to get up Monday for work so now is the time to catch Rick's show.  Here is the message he sent to me with the details.

Long weekend coming up, make it memorable!  Listen to great jazz on Sunday, sleep late on Monday.  Bring your out-of-town guests and support live music in Woodstock.  See you there...

The Rick Altman Trio

with Mike Ralff & Jody Sumber

*and special guest, guitarist Steve Raleigh*

An evening of jazz classics and original compositions

with vibes, bass, and drums

Sunday, May 26, 2013

7:30 to 11 p.m.

*donation*

HARMONY

52 Mill Hill Rd. Woodstock, NY (845) 679-3484

Phoenicia Library Needs Plants

The annual library fair and plant sale is two weeks from today. If anyone has plants that they can donate please call Marvella at the phone number below.

Phoenicia Library Plant Sale

Attention all gardeners!  Its time to dig, divide and DONATE!

We’re interested in annuals, perennials, shrubs, herbs and houseplants to sell at our annual library fair on Saturday, June 8th from 10-3.

If you need help digging or need containers, please call Marvella @ 845-688-5407

You can bring your plant donations to the library on Friday, June 7 or early in the morning on Saturday, June 8 in front of Mama’s Boy Market on Church Street, Phoenicia.

Please label your plants if you can.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

WHAT GREEN TREASURES YOU DONATE WILL GO DIRECTLY TO FUNDING OUR LIBRARY'S MISSION OF EDUCATION, LEARNING AND ENJOYMENT.

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

http:/phoenicialibrary.org/

Poetry From Boreegard

I am a bit behind in my posting again. I meant to put this up yesterday but just didn't have the chance. I have posted it before but I think it is great and warrants another reading. Be sure to check back tomorrow. I will be posting a bunch of things I didn't have time to put up tonight. But for now here are Boreegard's (aka Mike O'Neil) musings on the stream.


The Brook on May 23


At the evening’s last pool,
Two bats swoop in tandem and strafe the water,
As I send my line upstream, searching for trout.

The Grandparents’ Pool, where once we laved
Their old anglers ashes,
First he in his year of death,
Then she in her’s.

I think of reincarnation, and worry,
That the reincarnate might bite,
On my Dark Cahill’s barb.

One last cast, times three,
Then, up through dark childhood woods,
Stumbling home,
Troutless, breathless, content.

                         Boreegard

Ramp It Up

I went ramping (picking wild leeks) last week and got a nice bunch. Looks like there is a potato leek soup in my future. Keep your eyes open when you are in the woods. This is the time of the year to find them. Remember when you are picking them (or any wild food or flower) not to take the whole patch. Leave some so that they can replenish themselves for next year.