Benefit Concert - December 12th

This is a fabulous concert for a great cause with a special guest appearance by Woodland Valley's own Miriam Rose.

Leslie Ritter & Scott Petito Holiday Benefit Concert
with Special Guests......
Jonathan & Grasshopper
from Mercury Rev
Kelleigh McKenzie
and a special appearance by
Miriam Rose

Sunday December 13th
2:00 pm
Mountain View Studio
Mountain View Ave, Woodstock, NY
Call 518-943-0085 for information
for Directions go to: www.mtnviewstudio.com

Admission to this show is a non perishable food or cash donation which will benefit

The Good Neighbor Food Pantry
and Meals on Wheels

Serving the Woodstock area in cooperation with the Woodstock Interfaith Council.

for more information go to www.LeslieandScott.com

Snow to Ice

Remind me......did last winter ever really end? Right now it just feels like we are continuing the bad weather of last year with almost no summer break. OK, I will stop complaining now and get to the current weather.

The snow finished falling in the late morning yesterday and changed to rain. The temperatures rose throughout the day and then plunged last night into the 20's freezing the whole wintery mix up solidly. When I went out earlier today there was a layer of ice over the top of the snow making things very slippery. The temperatures are rising again but they don't seem to be going as high as yesterday. So things are melting a little again today but will probably freeze up again later. Basically, what I am trying to tell you is that the whole thing is a big frozen mess. So if you are coming for the weekend be sure to get in touch with your plow person and have them clear your driveway.

- Carol

PS - Again please remember that this report is coming to you from the top of Woodland Valley. Things may be a little better down the road and closer to town.

White Christmas?

Mother Nature has gone out of her way to see that we have some snow around for Christmas. We have gotten about a foot of anow overnight into this morning. It is changing back and forth between snow and hail at this point. I think it is supposed to end early this afternoon. Those of you who are coming for the weekend should call your plow guy (or woman, as the case may be) and get them to clear your driveway.

And to the Florida residents (you know who you are) who wished for a white Christmas in their holiday letter, I just wanted to let you know that I think this is all your fault! LOL!!

Free Christmas Show and Train Ride

There is lots and lots of fun to be had this weekend in Phoenicia. Dakin Morehouse sent me this information about the STS Christmas Show, the party at the Empire State Railway Museum and the train ride on the Catskill Mountain Railroad. Santa himself will even be there. This event is a gift to the community from all three of the organizations involved and it is entirely free! So come one come all for some festive Holiday cheer!

Santa Rides the Rails Again!

- On the Catskill Mt. RR Christmas Trains -
and so can all you kiddies – for Free!
That’s on Sunday, December 13, right after the 12:00,
Shandaken Theatrical Society’s Annual Christmas Show
on Church St. in Phoenicia
~ ~ ~
Then it’s across the creek to the historic
Phoenicia RR Station
for cookies & cider,
Model RR trains and good cheer –
and a Train Ride with St. Nick Himself!
(Trains will run as they fill up between 1:00pm and 4:00pm)
~ ~ ~
While this annual event is free, donations are always welcome - and helpful to the Empire State Railway Museum
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Many thanks to all the contributors including the ESRM, Catskill Mt Railroad, the Shandaken Theatrical Society and participating Phoenicia shops and restaurants.

The Schwartz's Thanksgiving Cruise

This Thanksgiving WCA members Jeff and Aileen Schwartz took an eight night cruise to the Bahamas. Here are a few photos from their trip. Looks like they had a great time!

Weather Report - Snow!

I haven't posted much weather yet this season because there hasn't been anything significant to report. But today it snowed on and off for most of the day. It seems to be stopping at this point. I just went outside with my handy, high tech (NOT), weather ruler and stuck it into the snow on my porch. Looks like we got about 5 inches (that is where I am at the end of the valley) there is probably less in town. It is the wet, heavy kind so I am not sure how long it will stay around. I keep all of you up to date.

Weekend Fun Reminder - Dec 5th & 6th

Remember this weekend is the The Shandaken Gift & Artist Studio Tour. There are many stores and artists participating in this event. WCA member and artist Wendy Grossman is opening her studio right here in Woodland Valley. Stop by for a visit! For information and a map go to http://www.ShandakenArt.com/.

And please try and shop locally this holiday season. There are many great shops in town to buy presents for everyone on your gift list including Tenderland Home, The Mystery Spot, 60 Main, The Nest Egg, Morne Imports and many more. By buying your presents here you are keeping the money in the community and supporting the people and businesses that make this town great.

So hopefully I will see you out and about getting your gifts this weekend!!

More Simpson Family History

On November 29th I posted some vintage postcards from the collection of Stephen Bernstein and asked if anyone could give me some more history on the pictures. Jay Simpson wrote me this note.

"I saw the pictures of the Simpson House, Simpson Store and Simpson Rapids in your blog. I can provide the following additional information:

The house was the Simpson Family homestead being built by James A Simpson and his wife Julia Longyear. He was a tanner who ran the Phoenix Tannery from 1843 to 1870. The tannery was located just across the stream from the homestead. The house was sold to the Guglielmetti family in 1946 and they ran a boarding house there until Route 28 was realigned in the mid 1960s and it was demolished during the reconstruction. The house was located about a half mile west of Al's Diner on Route 28 on the North side. You can still see the "wide spot" where it was.

The Simpson Store was begun by A. J. Simpson in 1878 and was in the family until it was sold in 1988 to Sue Taylor who operates the Sweet Sue restaurant. Interestingly, this building was at one time owned by Madison J. C. Woodworth of Woodland Valley. Many of the old pictures in and around Phoenicia were actually published and sold as post cards by A. J. Simpson.

I have attached several pictures that may be of further interest.

The last two are of the Simpson House, the top one shows the building shown in the Simpson Rapids photo from the front as it faced Route 28. The woman on the left is my grandmother, Clara Simpson."

- Jay

Thanks for sending us this information Jay!!

Eugene Ruffolo Releases Christmas CD!

WCA member Eugene Ruffolo sent me this message. He has a very cool new Christmas CD! Check it out and remember you can support local artists and give great gifts at the same time this holiday season.
- Carol

"I am excited to announce the release of my new Christmas Cd "Even Santa Gets The Blues"-recorded in Germany last summer on audiophile label Stockfisch Records. http://www.stockfisch-records.de/stckff/sf_stockfisch_e.html

The Cd is an interesting (at least to me) collection of Holiday classics, unknown gems, and a few of my own originals, and features Ian Melrose on guitar-Margaret Fiellin on vocals-and a host of other wonderful players.

I'm working hard to get it set up and available on Cdbaby (www.cdbaby.com) and will let you know when its up and available for digital and hard copy purchases..

In the meantime--if you simply can't wait..or feel strongly that I should get ALL of the money, it can be purchased directly by sending a check for $20.00 to:

Cane Morte Music
c/o Eugene Ruffolo
92 Horatio Street #3G
N.Y. N.Y.
10014

if you are anxious to start celebrating- email me (RUFFOLINO@aol.com) with an adress- and I'll send it out even before the money arrives--because It's Christmas and I trust you...

It's a bit pricey in these hostile times--but this is a very high quality SACD audiophile recording , and was produced in Europe where the Euro proudly reigns!

Lastly--and against my better judgement--I'm offering this clip if you'd like a sneak preview.I know I'm a bit pastey--look like a Christian artist--and suck at lip synchng--AND am unacceptably corny--but hey--it's Christmas!!
(kinda makes you wanna take a peak-doesn't it?)"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36Ciqc6DtFc

- Eugene

Looking for Babysitter

WCA member Josh Sheldon sent me this message.

"We're looking for an occasional babysitter (or Mother's helper) for our three year old son, Eli at our house in Phoenicia. This would be primarily on weekends during the day but occasionally weekend evenings and weekdays.

Our son Eli is very sweet, easy going and a heck of a lot of fun (ok, it's his dad talking here).

We're looking for someone with childcare experience, who is kind & patient, preferably from immediate area and has references. Own transportation preferred but if local I can provide car service.

If interested tell us about yourself and your babysitting experience, let us know your rates, if you have transportation (if you don't have transportation tell me how far from Phoenicia you live) and list your references (with phone # and email if they have one)."

- Josh

Contact Josh at joshuasheldon@verizon.net or phone: 917-597-7888