Live Music Sunday Night at the ESRM

WCA member Dakin Morehouse sent me this. For those of you who don't know, Dakin is also the President of the Empire State Railway Museum. They are hosting a series of live musical performances right here at the Phoenicia Station. The museum is beautiful and it is a great way to support our talented local artists. Go check it out if you have the chance!

Support Live Music in Phoenicia
Don't Miss It!
Sunday--January 31
Flying Cat Music Presents
Danielle Miraglia in Concert
at 7:30 sharp
The Empire State Railway Museum
on Lower High Street, Phoenicia

$10 suggested donation with RSVP
to flyingcatmusic@gmail.com
$12 without RSVP

For information call 845-688-9453
http://www.daniellem.com/home.html

Another Valentine Making Workshop

Here is another message from Rebecca Rego Barry who is a member of the Phoenicia Library Board.

"Did the snow keep you from the Library's Valentine-making workshop yesterday? Well, here's your second chance. Join us TOMORROW, January 30th, between 10:00 and 2:00."
- Rebecca

This seems like a great chance to have some fun in the cold weather! Check it out!

Weather for Weekenders - 01/29/10

The intense rain at the beginning of the week melted most of the snow we had laying around from past storms. But we had a snow storm yesterday that brought us about 2 inches of fresh powder. The temperatures were cold when the snow fell so it is very light and fluffy. The problem now is that the temps have dropped drastically and it has gotten VERY cold. (it is 0 degrees at my house now) with high winds that really chill you to the bone. The snow was just enough to hide any small patches of ice that were left behind by the rain, so WATCH YOUR STEP. I myself almost wiped out twice yesterday. The weather is supposed to stay chilly through tomorrow and then warm up (if you think temps in the 20's are warm) slightly on Sunday. If you are planning on coming up, bring your long johns!!!

Make Valentines at the Phoeinica Library

I received this message from Rebecca Barry today regarding a fun event at the Phoenicia Library.

"Hello Friends -- One of the library's most popular annual events is coming up, and we'd like you to be a part of it this year. Come make a Valentine for your sweetie and one or more as a fund-raiser for the library you love. You can come TOMORROW the 28th from 3:30-5:30, or to another upcoming session (Jan. 30, Feb. 4, or Feb. 6. I'll send more reminders.) Craft help and materials both available!"
- Rebecca

If you have a chance get out and support our fabulous library and make something special for your loved ones!!

Follow Up on Monday's Storm

Although Phoenicia escaped with no major damage, there was apparently a state of emergency issued in Shandaken during Monday's storm. I guess since the water was getting so close to the bridge that they were trying to be prepared. Here is a link to the story about it in the Daily Freeman.

Daily Freeman - Floodwaters Recide Following Monday's Rainfall

I have been up and down Woodland Valley Road over the last few days and although I can't speak for individual homeowners, the only real damage I can see is rutting on some driveways from runoff. Looks like we were lucky this time.

Sometimes You Just Feel Like a Nut

Dennis Havel sent me this photo of a friend of his who came into his yard for a visit recently. How cute! He was about 30 feet away and Dennis took the photo through the window with his 300mm lens.






















Here is another shot of a squirrel levitating. He has been hovering around Dennis' window of late.

Alls Well that Ends Well

The rain stopped yesterday between 4:00 and 5:00 pm. Just in time as far as I am concerned. The boulders were starting to move in the creek. HATE THAT!!! Although I haven't been to check yet, from what I have heard, WV road is fine and the water has receded. I really do think that the rain stopped coming just in time to prevent the situation from getting serious. Folks in town said that the water came up to within a foot of the Bridge Street bridge into town. Not too bad considering the flooding we have had in the past (the 2005 flood comes to mind). I think we dodged a bullet here.

High Water on the WV Creek

We have had a LOT of rain overnight into today! The Woodland Valley Creek has risen significantly. I was out at about noon and took this photo out the window of my car on the Herdman Road bridge. The water was over Woodland Valley Road in several spots as I drove up into the valley and was still rising. The Esopus is at flood stage. There is a flash flood warning for our area in effect until tomorrow morning. The rain has seemed to taper off in the last hour. The radar looks like it is clearing out. If you want to follow both the height of the Woodland Creek and the Esopus you can follow the links to the USGS gages that I have listed here. I will keep you all posted. Hopefully, this will stop before it gets too bad!

Woodland Valley Creek

Esopus Creek at Cold Brook

New Neighbors Join the WCA

I am very happy to welcome the new folks that recently bought the log cabin on WV road (just across the street from the Hide Away Campgrounds) to the valley and the WCA. Their names are Tammy and Richard Feuer. Richard is a dentist and Tammy works in hospital administration.

I am looking forward to getting to know our new neighbors! Woodland Valley is a GREAT PLACE and I think I speak for everyone when I extend my heartiest welcome to both of them! You are going to LOVE it here!!!

More on the Owl

Last week, after Rolf Reiss sent me the photo of the owl he had seen in his backyard during the day, I had a chance to look at the picture a little more closely. I noticed that the owl's right eye was slightly closed indicating that he might have injured it in some way. I emailed Rolf and we both thought that maybe he had vision problems and didn't get enough food at night and that was why he was hunting in the daylight. It is just a theory though so I am putting the photo up and you can all see what you think.

As a sidebar, one of my friends in Mt. Tremper has also seen an owl in her backyard in the daytime. I wonder if it could be the same one? I am not sure as to the extent of their hunting range. If anyone out there can share more information that would be great.