It was business as usual in town today amid some large dust clouds which were created by the drying mud from yesterday's flood. Everybody was cleaning up and getting the last of the water, dirt and debris out of their shops and restaurants. Some places weren't effected at all while some were still pumping out their basements.
Woodland Valley seems to be in good shape. There wasn't any major tree damage that I observed. There is a little debris on the side of the road in some spots that was caused by water overflowing the WV stream, but it is very minor. I haven't heard of any big problems with people's homes here in the valley other than a bit of water in a few basements. All in all I think Woodland Valley got off easy this time.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Phoenicia Floods
The old wives tale says that the winter won't come until the creeks are full and it looks like this year that prediction will be true. We have had a LOT of rain in the last couple of days. When I woke up this morning the Esopus was up over 18 feet at Coldbrook (flood stage is 13 feet). By sunrise the water had receded slightly and I ventured out to see how bad the situation was on the roads and in town.
Woodland Valley wasn't in bad shape. There was water over the road in several spots but the rain stopped just as it was about to get serious. The rebuild on Ed Twerdak's property seems to have held nicely. The WV stream had jumped the banks at the old ski slope but as I said before, the water receded in the nick of time.
Phoenicia flooded as the Stony Clove Creek jumped it's banks. It was obvious that water had come over the top of the Bridge St bridge but thank goodness that too had receded quickly. Town was still a bit of a mess this morning with water in several stores. The street also buckled in several places (see photos below). But Main St is open again and everything is slowly getting back to normal.
Here are some photos from about 8:00 am this morning of the flooding in Phoenicia.
The next few photos are from Woodland Valley Road. The first one is the Tonisgah bridge, the second is the curve down by the old ski slope, the next is the rebuild by Fawn Hill bridge and the last is the stream in front of Roxmor.
At this point the rain has stopped and everything is being cleaned up by various property owners and the Shandaken Highway Department. So everything seems to be returning to normal.
Woodland Valley wasn't in bad shape. There was water over the road in several spots but the rain stopped just as it was about to get serious. The rebuild on Ed Twerdak's property seems to have held nicely. The WV stream had jumped the banks at the old ski slope but as I said before, the water receded in the nick of time.
Phoenicia flooded as the Stony Clove Creek jumped it's banks. It was obvious that water had come over the top of the Bridge St bridge but thank goodness that too had receded quickly. Town was still a bit of a mess this morning with water in several stores. The street also buckled in several places (see photos below). But Main St is open again and everything is slowly getting back to normal.
Here are some photos from about 8:00 am this morning of the flooding in Phoenicia.
The next few photos are from Woodland Valley Road. The first one is the Tonisgah bridge, the second is the curve down by the old ski slope, the next is the rebuild by Fawn Hill bridge and the last is the stream in front of Roxmor.
At this point the rain has stopped and everything is being cleaned up by various property owners and the Shandaken Highway Department. So everything seems to be returning to normal.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
The Roxmor Neighborhood House
After the summer meeting back in July, Linda McDonald (one of our fabulous Woodland Valley historians) sent me this great information about the Roxmor neighborhood house. By now most of you probably don't remember, but Dakin Morehouse had talked about it at the meeting. He told us it had been located on the Roxmor property but had been taken down a long time ago. Since this summer has been crazy busy for me, I didn't have time to get this information up to the blog (I have to do extra work on old photos). But it is some GREAT valley history and I am finally getting it out to share with all of you folks. Here is what Linda had to say:
"Hello again, some more pictures you might like.
(1) is the neighborhood house that Dakin mentioned at the meeting. I remember it as a young child. It was in disrepair and then torn down in the 60's or 70's. Few people remember it now and I was never in it, but was always intrigued by what I thought was a tiny church, till my Mom explained it's use. If you were going up the Roxmor driveway, it would have been on your right in the woods, a few hundred feet in, set on a flat area.
(2) is the Roxmor store. I believe it was only used in the summer. It also had the Post Office in it. My Mom and her friends would walk down from Woodland Valley Park Association (about 3 miles) to get the mail and then walk back. Can't you just see that now a days. It got washed away in one of 30/40's floods, not sure just when. The land was really eroded away. It doesn't even look like anything could ever have been on that part of the road. If you were coming down the Roxmor driveway, it was off to the right on the other side of the Woodland Road. The Post Office was moved permanently to E.B. Miller's home, who was Post Master year round (presently Dakin & Doris Morehouse's house). Mr Miller was the developer and proprietor of Roxmor, his son Paul Miller later lived there with his family and was the Post Master until the close of the Woodland Post Office and his retirement in 1966. The first Woodland Post Office was on the Botchford property.
(3) is Roxmor inside in the common area/living room, where today the pool table is and their square dances are held. Still has much the same feel to it.
(4/5) this is the front and back of a penny postcard (really cost .04) that Paul Miller sent to his brother Edward Tryon Miller on the last day of the Woodland Post Office's operation. October 21, 1966. For almost a 100 years we had our on Post Office and more recently our own Zip code 12497.
On another interesting note, E. Tryon Miller of Roxmor married Vesta Morehouse of Woodland Valley Park Association (WVPA). Her father, Wilmot Morehouse was 1 of the 3 founders of WVPA in 1906. He was also Dakin Morehouse's Grandfather. The road 'Wilmot Way' was named after Wilmot Morehouse. The road is on the left just past the State Campsite, near the end of the Woodland Road, where you would cross over the Woodland stream into some of the WVPA's Club's private property."
- Linda McDonald
Thanks Linda for this AWESOME history. Sorry it took me so long to post it to the blog!!
"Hello again, some more pictures you might like.
(1) is the neighborhood house that Dakin mentioned at the meeting. I remember it as a young child. It was in disrepair and then torn down in the 60's or 70's. Few people remember it now and I was never in it, but was always intrigued by what I thought was a tiny church, till my Mom explained it's use. If you were going up the Roxmor driveway, it would have been on your right in the woods, a few hundred feet in, set on a flat area.
(2) is the Roxmor store. I believe it was only used in the summer. It also had the Post Office in it. My Mom and her friends would walk down from Woodland Valley Park Association (about 3 miles) to get the mail and then walk back. Can't you just see that now a days. It got washed away in one of 30/40's floods, not sure just when. The land was really eroded away. It doesn't even look like anything could ever have been on that part of the road. If you were coming down the Roxmor driveway, it was off to the right on the other side of the Woodland Road. The Post Office was moved permanently to E.B. Miller's home, who was Post Master year round (presently Dakin & Doris Morehouse's house). Mr Miller was the developer and proprietor of Roxmor, his son Paul Miller later lived there with his family and was the Post Master until the close of the Woodland Post Office and his retirement in 1966. The first Woodland Post Office was on the Botchford property.
(3) is Roxmor inside in the common area/living room, where today the pool table is and their square dances are held. Still has much the same feel to it.
(4/5) this is the front and back of a penny postcard (really cost .04) that Paul Miller sent to his brother Edward Tryon Miller on the last day of the Woodland Post Office's operation. October 21, 1966. For almost a 100 years we had our on Post Office and more recently our own Zip code 12497.
On another interesting note, E. Tryon Miller of Roxmor married Vesta Morehouse of Woodland Valley Park Association (WVPA). Her father, Wilmot Morehouse was 1 of the 3 founders of WVPA in 1906. He was also Dakin Morehouse's Grandfather. The road 'Wilmot Way' was named after Wilmot Morehouse. The road is on the left just past the State Campsite, near the end of the Woodland Road, where you would cross over the Woodland stream into some of the WVPA's Club's private property."
- Linda McDonald
Thanks Linda for this AWESOME history. Sorry it took me so long to post it to the blog!!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Leaping Trout Art Project Gallery Show
Trout Unlimited's town-wide 'Leaping Trout' Art Project is culminating with an exhibit at the Art Upstairs Gallery which began with an opening party there on Saturday, Sept 18, from 6 to 10 PM. All 27 works will be on exhibit through Sunday, October 10 when the art works, donated by the artists, will be auctioned off in a Benefit Auction beginning at 5:00.
The works, artists' bios and other information can be seen at: www.theleapingtrout.com as well as on-line bidding information. The individual art projects have been exhibited in businesses and restaurants throughout the area since the beginning of Trout Season. There are works by many artists including the WCA's own Dakin Morehouse. So check out the show when you get a chance and make bid on one of these extraordinary pieces. They would be a gorgeous addition to any household!!
The works, artists' bios and other information can be seen at: www.theleapingtrout.com as well as on-line bidding information. The individual art projects have been exhibited in businesses and restaurants throughout the area since the beginning of Trout Season. There are works by many artists including the WCA's own Dakin Morehouse. So check out the show when you get a chance and make bid on one of these extraordinary pieces. They would be a gorgeous addition to any household!!
Monday, September 27, 2010
2010 "Lark in the Park"
The 7th annual "Lark in the Park" runs from October 2nd to October 11th this year. The event features many walks, talks, hikes and other activities designed to heighten awareness of the Catskill Mountain region of New York State.
For a full list of events you can go to:
http://www.catskillslark.org/2010_events.htm
There is even going to be a "Woodland Valley History Hike" that I think many of you may be interested in attending. Here is the description of that hike from the website.
Saturday, OCTOBER 2 - Woodland Valley History Hike - 10:30AM
Join the Catskill 4000 Club on a hike to a great view near the head of Woodland Valley. Along the way, get an ear full of local history and stories about the bark peelers, John Burroughs, and others. I'll even throw in some tips on hiking and survival. Bring rainjacket, sweater, flashlight, and lighter, lunch and drinks. NO DOGS Please. Cold/Windy or showers postpones hike to Sunday. This is a moderate/ difficult hike of about 4 miles, and 5 hours, with some uneven rocky places. Group size limited, so you must register by Friday, Oct. 1st, by 8:00 p.m. To register, contact Paul Misko at woodvalleybear@gmail.com.
Directions:
From Rt. 28, west of Phoenicia, take turn-off for Woodland Valley. Cross bridge and come to "T". Make right turn onto Woodland Valley Rd. and travel about 6 miles to the Woodland Valley Campground. Go to office and pay the $6.00 parking fee.
If you would like to read more about the history of the park you can go to: http://www.catskillslark.org/history/history.htm . I have attended many of the hikes and talks in this program (even led one walk myself) and I can tell you it is great fun and interesting too so try and join the fun!!
For a full list of events you can go to:
http://www.catskillslark.org/2010_events.htm
There is even going to be a "Woodland Valley History Hike" that I think many of you may be interested in attending. Here is the description of that hike from the website.
Saturday, OCTOBER 2 - Woodland Valley History Hike - 10:30AM
Join the Catskill 4000 Club on a hike to a great view near the head of Woodland Valley. Along the way, get an ear full of local history and stories about the bark peelers, John Burroughs, and others. I'll even throw in some tips on hiking and survival. Bring rainjacket, sweater, flashlight, and lighter, lunch and drinks. NO DOGS Please. Cold/Windy or showers postpones hike to Sunday. This is a moderate/ difficult hike of about 4 miles, and 5 hours, with some uneven rocky places. Group size limited, so you must register by Friday, Oct. 1st, by 8:00 p.m. To register, contact Paul Misko at woodvalleybear@gmail.com.
Directions:
From Rt. 28, west of Phoenicia, take turn-off for Woodland Valley. Cross bridge and come to "T". Make right turn onto Woodland Valley Rd. and travel about 6 miles to the Woodland Valley Campground. Go to office and pay the $6.00 parking fee.
If you would like to read more about the history of the park you can go to: http://www.catskillslark.org/history/history.htm . I have attended many of the hikes and talks in this program (even led one walk myself) and I can tell you it is great fun and interesting too so try and join the fun!!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Dragonfly Closeup
Dennis Havel sent me this close-up photo of a dragonfly last week. I have seen a lot of them in the valley over the past few days. I was down at Romer Mt Park (the old Simpson ski slope) over the weekend and there were about 20 of them dancing in the sun over my head.......beautiful!!!
Friday, September 24, 2010
CMRR in NY Times Today
Many members of the WCA do volunteer work at the Catskill Mountain Railroad and/or the Empire State Railway Museum. Today they got some coverage for their fall foliage train rides in the NY Times. Here is the link so you can check it out.
http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/travel/24foliage.html?scp=1&sq=catskill%20mountain&st=cse
Let's hope this brings a lot of folk up to ride the trains and spend money here in our area!
http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/travel/24foliage.html?scp=1&sq=catskill%20mountain&st=cse
Let's hope this brings a lot of folk up to ride the trains and spend money here in our area!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Answers to Carl's Question
I received 3 answers to Carl Tannenbaum's question regarding the Shultis farm. They were all correct. I thought all of you might be interested to learn some history too. Here are the responses and what I know about them.
"The Shultis family is firmly grounded in Woodstock. Many years ago my father would contract with old Mr. Shultis to deliver firewood. Don't know anything of a current nature about them, but they were never located in Woodland Valley as far as I know."
- Boreegard - aka Mike O'Neil
Bo is correct in that there is a large Shultis family residing in Woodstock. I have met some of them. But apparently there was another Shultis family. Read on:
"According to our lawyer, the Shultis family had a big farm that covered the land where Schweitzer road (Chichester) is now. So the family was definitely up in Silver Hollow."
- Ricarda O'Conner
She is correct. I got the following from a member of the Simpson family.
"There was a Shultis farm in Chichester on the left-hand side of Rt 214 that began on the top of Sunshine Hill (blogmistress note: Sunshine hill is where 214 meets Silver Hollow Road) and ran a good distance. There was a boarding house, dance hall, cabins and a large pond where a lot of Phoenicia went skating in the winter. As it turns out Steve Shultis is my first cousin and the son of Herb Shultis, the last Shultis owner, and he lives in Poughkeepsie."
- Jay Simpson
So apparently there are 2 Shultis families. I don't know if they are related but it seems neither lived in Woodland Valley. This was great fun and interesting too! Thanks for the question Carl and also thanks to everyone who sent information!!!
"The Shultis family is firmly grounded in Woodstock. Many years ago my father would contract with old Mr. Shultis to deliver firewood. Don't know anything of a current nature about them, but they were never located in Woodland Valley as far as I know."
- Boreegard - aka Mike O'Neil
Bo is correct in that there is a large Shultis family residing in Woodstock. I have met some of them. But apparently there was another Shultis family. Read on:
"According to our lawyer, the Shultis family had a big farm that covered the land where Schweitzer road (Chichester) is now. So the family was definitely up in Silver Hollow."
- Ricarda O'Conner
She is correct. I got the following from a member of the Simpson family.
"There was a Shultis farm in Chichester on the left-hand side of Rt 214 that began on the top of Sunshine Hill (blogmistress note: Sunshine hill is where 214 meets Silver Hollow Road) and ran a good distance. There was a boarding house, dance hall, cabins and a large pond where a lot of Phoenicia went skating in the winter. As it turns out Steve Shultis is my first cousin and the son of Herb Shultis, the last Shultis owner, and he lives in Poughkeepsie."
- Jay Simpson
So apparently there are 2 Shultis families. I don't know if they are related but it seems neither lived in Woodland Valley. This was great fun and interesting too! Thanks for the question Carl and also thanks to everyone who sent information!!!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Request for Information
Carl Tannebaum sent the message below to all of us in the WV community. If anyone has information about the Schultis farm they can email it to me here at the Woodland Valley View (wvview@gmail.com) and I will pass it along to him. Thanks!
Hi Everyone -
A woman who lives at the same retirement community as my mom is interested in any information about the Schultis farm which she thinks was/is in the valley. I think her grandfather lived on the farm. She wants to know where it is/was and any other information anyone out there can provide.
Hope someone can help out.
Sincerely,
Carl
Hi Everyone -
A woman who lives at the same retirement community as my mom is interested in any information about the Schultis farm which she thinks was/is in the valley. I think her grandfather lived on the farm. She wants to know where it is/was and any other information anyone out there can provide.
Hope someone can help out.
Sincerely,
Carl
Monday, September 20, 2010
Doris Morehouse Visits Scotland
I got this message a few days ago from Dakin Morehouse who is holding down the fort while Doris visits the British Isles. Here is what he had to say:
"Here's the picture of Doris and Cuz'n Jill (of Woodland Park Association) in front of Stonehenge. They are in Scotland now researching her maiden name Fife, which is also a county there. Well that's her excuse for going anyway ...
B&Bs, Rail Pass, old castles etc. Sounds like they are having a grand ol' time."
Bachelor Dakin
"Here's the picture of Doris and Cuz'n Jill (of Woodland Park Association) in front of Stonehenge. They are in Scotland now researching her maiden name Fife, which is also a county there. Well that's her excuse for going anyway ...
B&Bs, Rail Pass, old castles etc. Sounds like they are having a grand ol' time."
Bachelor Dakin
