Road Crew On WV Road

The Shandaken Highway Department is working on repaving a couple of sections of Woodland Valley Road in the past couple of days. The road is being torn up and make ready for resurfacing from Roxmor to just before the Fawn Hill bridge and then again from just before Tonisgah Road to right before the Holz Farm (they may go up further tomorrow). These sections were originally scheduled for repair a few years ago but, when Hurricane Irene hit, the town's resources were directed at the urgent highway repairs needed throughout Shandaken. Now that the dust is settling from that situation, the regular road repairs are getting back on track. So be aware that there are road crews in the upper valley and that the road itself is loose stone and dirt. So DRIVE SLOWLY in these sections. And plan extra time to get in and out of the valley because while they are working they may narrow the traffic to one lane and/or stop it completely to let the crew do their work.

Woodland Valley House For Sale

Some WCA members are selling their house. WCA member Lynn Davidson asked me to put the info to the blog. Below is a brief description and some photos. Anyone looking to move to Woodland Valley should check it out. This great home could be yours! And the price has just been reduced to $299,000!!

Please contact Lynn Davidson at 688-7020 for more information.

IMAGINE SITTING IN A HOT TUB ON YOUR DECK OVERLOOKING TERRACE MOUNTAIN IN YOUR CEDAR SIDED, SUN-DRENCHED CONTEMPO WHILE YOU LISTEN TO THE SOUND OF WOODLAND VALLEY CREEK. INSIDE YOU CAN ENJOY THE VIEW WHILE SITTING ON THE BUILT-IN WINDOW SEAT IN THE GREAT ROOM. KITCHEN OPENS TO GREAT ROOM, WHICH OPENS TO THE LIVING ROOM FEATURING A UNIQUE COBBLE STONE FIREPLACE. THE FIREPLACE HAS A FULL HARMON WOOD/COAL STOVE WITH STEAL STOVE PIPE GOING UP THE CHIMNEY.

Awesome Summer Party!

Saturday was a gorgeous day and a large part of the community came out for the annual Dershowitz summer party. As usual, Nat was a terrific and gracious host. I think it is the best crowd we have ever had for the event. There was lots of swimming, tennis playing, eating and general socializing. I think I can speak for everyone when I say it was a fantastic day. Thanks again Nat for your hospitality!!

Phoenicia Festival Of The Voice 2013

Don't forget that the Phoenicia Festival of the Voice is coming up next weekend August 1st - 4th. As usual, they are planning an exciting schedule of entertainment and education. There are many varied performances scheduled as well as "Latte Lectures" to learn more about the music you will be hearing over the weekend. For information and tickets here is a hot link to their website. This is exciting event that I never miss. See you all there!!

Phoenicia Festival of the Voice. 

PS - Here is a direct link to their calendar for easy access.

Phoenicia Festival of the Voice - Calendar

Town Tinker Tube Rental In NY Times Article

WCA member Harry Jameson got a mention for his business, The Town Tinker Tube Rental, in a NY Times article about upstate swimming holes. The piece (complete with video) was published yesterday and offered the Town Tinker as a more organized way to enjoy the river then trying to locate the local haunts. Here is a link to the piece if you would like to read it.

NY Times - Heading upstate in search of a watery Eden

Bunnies Found

I got a note just a little while ago from Ginger Strand, a new valley resident, about some rabbits she found in the neighborhood. Here is Ginger's message. Please contact her if they are your bunnies.

Ginger Strand here, could you post about a pair of lost bunnies I found, in case someone is looking for them?

I saw two bunnies by the side of Woodland Valley Road, terrified and clearly not wild bunnies.  They were very happy when I picked them up and put them in my car.  I think they were either abandoned or escaped.  If the latter, the owner should call me at 845-688-7241 or email me at strand@gmail.com and we can arrange for return!

Thanks!

Ginger

Town Employee Arrested For Embezzlement

Although I cannot fill the void created by the absence of a town newspaper with this blog, once in a while there is a major story in town of which you all should be made aware. The latest news to come under that heading is the arrest of Florence Sullivan, the former Town of Shandaken highway department secretary. There are several felony charges pending against Ms Sullivan for allegedly embezzeling at least $20,000 from the town in the last seven years. There were 2 articles published in the Kingston Freeman about the arrest. You can follow the links below to those articles to get more details.

Shandaken Highway Department employee accused of embezzling more than $20,000

Shandaken Supervisor says highway employee's thefts went on for years

New Town Flood Maps

The preliminary new flood maps for the Town of Shandaken can be viewed through the parcel viewer available on the Ulster County website at the following link:

http://gis.co.ulster.ny.us/

For ease of use follow these directions as the parcel viewer works best when focused on a concentrated area.

1) Click the link above

2) Click on all features on left side of screen except: “Civil Boundaries” and “Roads”

(This will help you get to your general area using the tools above the viewer.)

3) Click on “Tax Parcels” (This will help you focus on your property.)

4) Click on “Water Resources” and the “+” symbol

(This will provide a drop-down menu)

5) Click on “FEMA FIRM Areas 2013 Preliminary”

(This illustrates the preliminary 100 year flood plain.)

6) Click on “Aerial Photos” to illustrate the location of your structure in relation to the 100-yr flood plain.

7) You MAY Click “FEMA FIRM Areas Pre-2007″ to show the changes from previous mapping.

If you have any questions regarding FEMA Flood Mapping, do not hesitate to call the Town Building Department at 688-5008 *If you have trouble – try link below: 

Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Links To Flood Maps

Tribute To A Cousin

Joe DeSarle wrote to me about a song that he composed and recorded last year. I will let Joe tell the story. Here is his letter.

Hello Everyone.

Some of you have heard the story behind my song "He Stopped By" which is based on a true story. Several years ago I was upstate in Woodland Valley and was planting in my garden which is up on a hill quite distant from my house. I heard a very distinctive sound of someone walking in back of me and I turned around several times and looked but on one was there. After planting I headed back to my house and Mary told me that we received the bad news that cousin Doug had passed away. Some time later I recounted the story to Doug's wife, Joanne, and she responded "He loved Woodland Valley so much that he even passed by on his way to heaven". I wrote the song over one year ago and now decided to make the video after receiving photos from Joanne and his sister, Mary Ann. Doug was a wonderful young man. who's life was cut short by esophageal cancer. Everyday is a gift so enjoy them fully.

Regards to all,

Joe 

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

PS - Joe later told me that his cousin Doug had grown up in Woodland Valley in the vicinity of Joe's current home.

Resort Comment Period Closes July 24th

This is to remind everyone that all comments on the proposed Crossroads Ventures project at Belleayre are due by July 24th. Since the comment period will officially close tomorrow, if you have thoughts about the resort now is your last chance to express them. You can email you letters to:

Mr Daniel Whitehead
Belleayre@gw.dec.state.ny.us