CATSKILLS AMERICA’S FIRST WILDERNESS
HOW TO OVERWINTER
HONEYBEES — LEAVE NO TRACE A WINTRY GUIDE
LIBRARIES WITH A MISSION
LUCKY DOG FOOD HUB CATSKILL CAKE
FIRETOWER COLORING PAGE
WINTER 2018
CONTENTS 3
AT THE ERPF GALLERY
4
CONTRIBUTORS
6
CATSKILLS LIBRARIES WITH A MISSION HOW TO OVERWINTER HONEYBEES
16
A WINTRY GUIDE - LEAVE NO TRACE
18
ILLUMINATED FIRETOWER
21
SNAPSHOT
22
CATSKILL CAKE
26
LUCKY DOG FOOD HUB
32
A BIG BEAUTIFUL SIGN
34
ENDNOTE
Cover: Campmor’s Tahir Thomas atop Giant Ledge
Morton Memorial Library: Pine Hill, NY
10
Photo: Heather Phelps-Lipton
Nov 19-Jan 4
Rosalind Dickinson / pottery Howard Harrison / lights
ERPF GALLERY
Annie Hayes / hooked rugs
43355 Route 28
Linda Heller / ceramic plates
Arkville, NY
Susan Kukle / jewelry and floor coverings Lisa Marie Layman / soaps + honey
Mon-Fri
Judy Mensch / hand decorated napkins
9:30am - 4:30pm
Functional items of beauty by Catskill makers
THE THIRD ANNUAL UTILITARIAN ART SHOW
AT THE
ERPF GALLERY CATSKILL CENTER
3
CONTRIBUTORS Winter 2018
JEFF SENTERMAN Jeff is a Catskill native and when he’s not steering the ship that is the Catskill Center, can often be found atop a local peak. Jeff contributed his regular column, "Endnote" and is the Executive Director of the Catskill Center.
HEATHER PHELPS-LIPTON Heather edits, contributes to and creates the photography for the magazine. She plied Lucky Dog’s Richard Giles with questions for this edition. Heather is the Catskill Center’s Director of Communications.
MICHAEL CONNOR Michael runs Open MIC, a non-profit media advocacy organization, and lives in Phoenicia. He is a member of the Catskill Center’s Board of Directors and contributed "Beyond Books: Catskills Libraries with a Mission".
WILL LYTLE aka Thorneater Comics Will is a Catskills-born and raised comic artist and illustrator. Deeply influenced by the natural environment of the Catskills, WIll tries to capture the form of magic they inspire. He created the coloring page, "Illuminated Firetower".
4
WINTER 2018
MARKLEY BOYER Markley splits his time between Brooklyn and the Catskills —and has for 23 years. He has pulled fish from most of its rivers and streams and is the Board Chair for the Catskill Center. Markley tells us about the happenings at the Catskills Interpretive Visitor Center.
ANDY MOSSEY Andy has a knack and a passion for speaking up for public lands without a voice. For this issue, he shares pointers on leaving no trace in the cold months. Andy is the Stewardship and Advocacy Coordinator at the Catskill Center.
CHRIS LAYMAN Chris Layman is a beekeeper/mentor and manages hives in the Catskill Mountains and throughout the Hudson Valley. With his wife Lisa, he owns Fox Farm Apiary in Hannacroix, NY. Check FoxFarmApiary.com and @foxfarmapiary for news about their upcoming beekeeping classes for beginners Chris offers in Woodstock, NY.
KELLI HUGGINS Visitor Experience Coordinator, Catskill Interpretive Center Kelli is an historian, educator and native Catskillite. She experimented with and contemporized a 19th century recipe — Catskill Cake!
ABOUT US: Since 1969, the Catskill Center has protected and
CCCD can be reached at:
fostered the environmental, cultural and economic well-being of
43355 State Highway 28
the Catskill region.Our mission is to ensure a bright future for
Arkville, NY 12406
the Catskills by preserving our environment, expanding our economy
845.586.2611
and celebrating our culture. Become a member at: catskillcenter.
cccd@catskillcenter.org
org/membership
CATSKILL CENTER
5
6 
WINTER 2018
MICHAEL CO N N O R
BEYOND BOOKS: CATSKILLS LIBRARIES WITH A MISSION If you live in the Shandaken hamlet
"We really take our marching orders
of Phoenicia and need help with
from the community," says Liz Potter,
math, you might want to head to
director of the Phoenicia Library,
the library on Main Street. The same
which offered local residents some
advice would apply if you need help
366 programs in 2018 - an average
obtaining Medicare benefits. Or if
of 33 per month - all free of charge.
you simply want to learn how to play the ukulele. The solutions to your problems probably won’t be found in the library’s books, however. They’re more likely to emerge from one of dozens of seminars, counseling sessions, and how-to programs that put the Phoenicia library at the heart of the town’s activities.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND THEIR LIBRARIANS HAVE GRADUALLY TAKEN ON OTHER FUNCTIONS WELL BEYOND LENDING OUT BOOKS In the town of Delhi, Cannon Free Library director Susan Frisbee says, CATSKILL CENTER
7
"I tend to think of libraries these
Woodstock, taxpayers rejected a
days as sort of a secular church in
controversial measure that would
the community, serving a lot of the
have dissolved the town’s library
same purpose," by providing space
district;
for locals to gather in small groups
library’s board to pursue plans for a
or as participants in a variety of
multimillion-dollar expansion of its
programs, from watercolor painting
library building.
the
vote
enables
the
to meetings of the local historical society.
To be sure, not all libraries are
O
thriving, and some face budget
n Catskill ballots this past
shortfalls. But the dire future that
November,
won
many forecasters had predicted
in
for libraries with the advent of the
Marlborough, Olive and Shandaken
Internet just hasn’t happened. One
all approved substantial budget
big reason, according to researchers
increases for local libraries. And in
at the Brookings Institution, is the
big
8
libraries
victories.
WINTER 2018
Voters
critical role that “third places”
And even in the digital age, people
like libraries play in strengthening
are still reading, either traditional
communities
those
print books or "e-books" that can
places that are neither one’s home
–
meaning
be borrowed electronically. Delhi’s
(first place) nor workspace (second
Cannon Library circulated 1,268
place).
books
and
other
materials
in
one recent month. In Phoenicia, "A reason public libraries are seen
circulation has almost doubled in
as
third-place
the last 10 years with more than
institutions is that they and their
25,000 "checkouts" of materials
librarians have gradually taken on
annually.
such
important
other functions well beyond lending out
books,"
Brookings
The most popular activities at local
researchers. "In many communities,
libraries are generally those for
librarians are also ad hoc social
children (especially pre-K), including
workers
They
reading and crafts. Delhi features a
help local people figure out the
monthly LEGO club for young folk, for
complexities of life, from navigating
example. But the Phoenicia library
the health system to helping those
has recently hosted one activity for
with housing needs."
more seasoned residents: a "Grief
and
say
the
navigators.
Group" for those in mourning or In rural areas like the Catskills,
coping with the prospect of death.
access to the internet is a particular draw. "Basic connectivity is a huge
As the Catskills brace for this year’s
reason people come here," says
wintry temperatures and snow, the
Phoenicia’s Potter. Some visitors
Phoenicia Library plans to repeat
use the library’s computers, others
a popular "Cabin Fever" live music
bring their own laptops, tablets or
series that it has held for the last
smartphones. Delhi’s Susan Frisbee
couple of years. "You’d think nobody
says it’s not uncommon for local
would come out during the dead
residents to park their cars outside
of winter" says director Liz Potter.
the library at night, after the building
"But that’s one of our most popular
has closed, to access the web.
programs. It’s a wonderful event." -MC
CATSKILL CENTER
9
C HRIS LAYMAN
HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY OVERWINTER HONEYBEES BEEKEEPING OFFERS ULTIMATE ONENESS WITH NATURE — WATCHING BEES INTERACT WITH THEIR SURROUNDINGS INVITES ONE TO BE MORE PRESENT IN THE MOMENT. VETERAN BEEKEEPER CHRIS LAYMAN OF FOX FARM APIARY OFFERS ADVICE ON HOW TO ENSURE THE WINTER HEALTH OF HONEYBEES.
10
WINTER 2018
W
inters can be cold and long in the Catskills and honeybees appreciate all the help we can offer if they are to make it through the season. Successful beekeeping in winter begins
in the Spring when you receive your bees. With good nutrition, vector virus management (Varroa mites), adequate honey stores and proper venting and insulation, you stand a much better chance of seeing those bees again in the Spring. CATSKILL CENTER
11
SUITABLE BEES
cluster becomes immobile, unable
T
every year as the forests continue to
VARROA MANAGEMENT
populate. Honeybees in the Catskills
The Varroa mite is a parasite that feeds
need hardy queens and resourceful
on honeybees. Varroa are responsible
foragers. You may wish to consider
for the deaths of millions of colonies
requeening
appropriate
worldwide. Mites are here in the
genetics. There are many sources
Catskills and have decimated most of
in the Northeast for queens that
the feral hives. In addition, the mites are
have acclimated to colder areas and
the vector for new viruses which bees
that are varroa sensitive hygiene
are struggling to fight.
He Catskill growing season
to laterally reach even two frames
is short and bees’ nutrition
over for honey.
on the ground decreases
with
(VSH). Join a bee club and talk with other local beekeepers who are raising suitable queens, or inquire at Hudson Valley Bee Supply in Kingston.
VARROA MITES ARE IN THE CATSKILLS AND HAVE DECIMATED MOST OF THE FERAL HIVES
Bees need a good, healthy population going in to winter. When honeybees
Without addressing mites your hives
feel sick, they don’t want to infect the
will have a much lower chance of
entire hive and leave the hive to die.
survival; varroa management must
Altruistic self-removal is a practice
begin as soon as you hive your bees.
that puts the welfare of the colony
There are many ways to manage varroa;
above that of the individual, but if
this is what I have found to work for
the recruitment (birth) of bees is out
the hives I keep. Before winter sets in
of balance with the natural attrition
you can treat for mites with oxalic acid
(death) of bees, even with adequate
vapor without opening the hive. I apply
honey stores, the colony’s chance for
a treatment of oxalic dribble directly
survival is greatly reduced. During
on the bees In the Fall. While this helps
late Fall and Winter a normal bee
eliminate any remaining mites it may
colony can lose a few thousand
also help the bees to purge any nosema
bees. A large enough cluster can
ceranae spores while there is still time
shift around the hive, but a small
for a few cleansing flights. May through
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WINTER 2018
CHRIS FEEDING FONDANT TO THE BEES AT THORN PRESERVE
October I use organic acids to manage
winter. During these periods you may
Varroa mites. I find that one formic
want to supplement feed any and all
acid strip cut in half and applied every
hives with low honey stores. Leave at
30 days keeps mite counts down
least 75 pounds of honey in each hive.
and reduces visible signs of virus
With proper nutrition, bees can fight off
in the brood. I also add red banded
most diseases. It is so important that
polypore hydrosol to my sugar syrup
they have enough of their own honey
in the Spring and Fall to boost healthy
but if honey stores are low, fondant
immune function and reduce the viral
or winter patties will help get them
load. The bees that overwinter need to
through. A mild November means that
be at their healthiest to survive.
supplemental feeding is essential, as the honeybees will fly around and use
HONEY STORES/NUTRITION
up resources with nothing to forage.
In the early Fall, you may want to begin some supplemental feeding.
COLD/MOISTURE
Summer and Fall in 2018 were quite
Excessive Winter moisture can bring
rainy, providing a reminder of the
down a hive. Using wooden bottom
importance of supplemental feeding
boards in place of screened boards
for your honeybees. During rainy
can be helpful for cold, but make sure
periods before Winter, every day of rain
the hive is tilted slightly forward so
is one less day of foraging, plus hive
that moisture can drain. For those
bound bees are eating honey stores
with resource hives (two hives back to
meant to get them through the coming
back), drill two quarter-inch holes in the
14  
WINTER 2018
CHRIS LAYMAN AT THORN PRESERVE, WOODSTOCK, NY
bottom toward the back of each hive to
winter cluster. When bees are settled
allow excess moisture to drain and air
in a cluster and there are mice present,
to enter. I also wrap my hives with tar
a mouse’s every move disturbs the
paper to protect against harsh winds.
cluster, using valuable energy. Food stores are further depleted as the
To
help
with
insulation
and
mice eat pollen and honey stores. They
simultaneously assist with feeding,
also defecate in the hive, producing
I remove the inner board and place a
additional
shallow empty honey super (hive box)
conducting a final inspection, it’s
at the top of the hive. Fondant or other
essential to ensure that no mice are
dry winter patties can be placed on top
in the hive. Mouse guards should be
of the frames. Keep the feed centered.
installed at this time; we use screened
Cedar or pine chips can be contained
guards.
toxic
moisture.
When
in a net bag, placed over the fondant and spread out over the top of the
Bear attacks are common in Fall.
hive to absorb moisture and provide
Many bears are coming down from the
additional insulation. The bag can
mountains in search of protein and
easily be pulled up when it’s time to
they can’t resist the lure of honeybee
refeed. Install the inner board, then the
larvae to fatten up for winter. Now is the
winter board with vent, then insulation.
time to check your electric fences. After the bears go into hibernation and it
PROTECTING THE HIVE
begins to snow you can disengage your
When cold weather temperatures
fence, as heavy snowfall can short out
set in, honeybees will go into a state
and damage your solar electric unit.
of torpor, which enables animals to survive periods of reduced available
Even
food. Torpor is a state of decreased
beekeeping is well worth the effort.
physiological activity in an animal
Beekeeping
usually through a reduced body
experience of oneness with nature and
temperature and lower metabolic rate.
invites you to be more present in the
Hibernation is an extended form of
moment. I invite you to try it!
with
all
these
offers
challenges,
the
ultimate
torpor, but is not the same. If you have any questions, please reach The bees’ temperature will hover
out to info@FoxFarmApiary.com.
around 55 degrees Fahrenheit in a cold
-CL CATSKILL CENTER
15
Leave No Trace
A WINTRY GUIDE ANDY MOSS E Y
Planning a winter adventure? First
keep a tight grip on the ground when
things first, consult reputable weather
things get slick, aka, microspikes.
forecasts such as weather.gov, then get
Gaiters are another essential piece of kit
to packing. In winter, avid recreationists
to keep the snow where it belongs, out of
stack multiple layers to combat the cold
your boots.
and possibly snowy conditions. Leaving
TRAVEL
a copy of the itinerary with a homebound
SURFACES
AND
CAMP
ON
DURABLE
someone is a smart choice no matter what time of year, but in winter it is
Snow is a durable surface, but when its
crucial. PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE
less than six inches deep, can compact and become very icy. Come spring, any
As the snow builds up, so does the
area that was compacted to ice will take
possibility of losing traction on the trail.
far longer to thaw — stick to the trail and
Pack some traction into your pack to
camp only in designated sites to help
16  
WINTER 2018
vegetation bounce back in the spring.
their energy expenditure during the cold
Trash and litter have no place in our
weather months and spooking wildlife
beautiful mountains; be certain to pack
can alter their natural behavior and force
out everything that you pack in.
them to leave food and safety. Do your best to visit their home with their best
Cat holes are not a viable option in frozen
interests in mind. RESPECT WILDLIFE
ground. The best option for the solid earth time of year is to pack out human
Not all trails are created equal for
waste using a WAG (waste, alleviation
winter exploration. Always be prepared
and gelling) bag system.
with some snowshoes or skis for deep
DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY
snow conditions. If snowshoeing, avoid walking in designated ski paths — skiers
Bring a map and compass, GPS, a smart
will greatly appreciate your effort to keep
phone with an extra battery pack and
the sking or XC trail intact.
avoid building cairns or leaving other
BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHER VISITORS
markings for wayfinding. Responsible winter explorers leave all rocks, animals, natural items, and artifacts intact and in their original place to help preserve the character of the Catskills. LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND Stick to the stove whenever possible. Cooking on modern stoves is a very fuelefficient and timely alternative to fire. Downed wood is generally frozen and wet in the wintertime, but in an emergency,
The Catskill Park is a fantastic place to explore — even in the depths of winter. The cold keeps many at home or cozy in a lodge, which makes for some serene opportunities to reconnect with the wild nature of the Catskills.
fires can be a literal life saver. If possible, use existing fire rings in designated areas. MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACTS Let nature’s sounds prevail; you never know what wildlife you might encounter
Clove is the Dutch word for a deep mountain valley, rooted from kloof, meaning a “cleft”
on the trail. Animals are very careful with
CATSKILL CENTER
17
ILLUMINATED FIRETOWER — A COLORING PAGE — CREATED BY WILL LYTLE ILLUMINATED FIRETOWER - A COLORING PAGE — CREATED BY WILL LYTLE
ADD THIS GEAR TO YOUR WINTER HIKING KIT
EXTRA LAYERS FOR INSULATION AND PROTECTION A THERMOS OF HOT TEA OR COFFEE HAND WARMERS MICRO SPIKES AND/OR CRAMPONS GAITERS TO KEEP YOUR FEET DRY SNOWSHOES AND/OR SKIS A LIGHTER IN A PLASTIC BAG A SPARE BATTERY TO RECHARGE CELL PHONES
»» Wifi »» Guidance »» Maps »» Sculpture Trail »» Snacks »» Restrooms »» Events »» Books »» Hikes »» Treasures
CATSKILLS VISITOR CENTER 5096 Route 28 Mount Tremper, NY 12457 845-688-3369 catskillsvisitorcenter.org
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ADDRESS
10% DISCOUNT on purchases at the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center, all Catskill Center facilities and Campmor in Paramus, NJ with presentation of member card.
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CITY STATE PHONE
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20
WINTER 2018
ZIP
Snapshot MICHAEL KUDISH "In 1969, the first people stood on the moon and looked back at the earth observing that all life was concentrated on our small planet - resulting in the environmental movement. That same year, The Catskill Center was formed. In 1970, when I joined as a graduate student working on my Ph.D. thesis "Vegetational History of the Catskill High Peaks", we had out first Earth Day. The Catskill Center was then the only private organization that bound the whole region together and cared for its environment. There was no question that I should join..."
Read more at bit.ly/mkudish
CATSKILL CENTER
21
Vintage Recipe
CATSKILL CAKE Scone-esque and buttery with a burst of fruitiness from dried currants, Catskill Cake is well-suited to the holiday (even breakfast!) table. KELL I HUGGIN S
In March 1887, Good Housekeeping
There is no indication of what
printed a letter to the editor from
exactly makes this cake "Catskill".”
a reader in Pewee Valley, Kentucky,
And unfortunately, as the writer was
referred to only as LTC.
identified simply as LTC, tracing any personal or family tie to this area
LTC’s letter detailed three recipes for
would be difficult, if not downright
using surplus egg yolks, including
impossible.
one bake called "Catskill Cake." Mystery aside, newspapers across "One
cupful
of
sugar,
one-half
the country reprinted the recipe
cupful of butter, one-half cupful of
for Catskill Cake. It was relatively
sweet milk, one and one-half cupful
popular in 1887, but how does it suit
of flour, yolks of seven eggs, one
a 2018 palate?
teaspoonful of cream of tartar, one half teaspoonful of soda. A cupful of
Catskill Center staff sampled a test
currants floured and put in adds to
bake of Catskill Cake and it got the
this, when baked in a solid cake."
thumbs up all-around.
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WINTER 2018
Catskill Cake 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup room-temperature butter 1/2 cup whole milk ("sweet milk" in the original recipe) 1 1/2 cups flour, plus ~1tbsp for flouring currants 7 egg yolks 1 tsp cream of tartar 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 cup currants (you can substitute raisins)
Before ovens had controls, bakers managed their oven temperature by adding fuel or moving coals
Preheat oven to 325.
Dust the currants with remaining flour and stir into the mixture.
Cream butter and sugar until light. Add egg yolks one at a time, combining
Grease well and lightly flour a bundt pan.
completely.
Pour mixture in an even layer. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown
In a separate bowl, combine the flour,
and a toothpick inserted in the cake
cream of tartar, and baking soda.
comes out clean. Wait until completely
Alternate stirring the dry ingredient
cooled to remove from pan.
mixture and the milk into the sugar, butter, and egg mixture until all
Decorate with powdered sugar or serve
ingredients are fully combined.
plain.
24  
WINTER 2018
Give it a go and share with us your thoughts + a pic. @catskillcenter #catskillcake
26  
WINTER 2018
THE LUCKY DOG FOOD HUB A Chat with Richard Giles H E A T H E R P H E L P S - L IP T O N RG: I’m Richard Giles and I operate
transporting, storing, and making
Lucky Dog Organic Farm in Hamden,
good local food. In a sense, the hub is
New York. We’re in the center of
the aggregation and transportation
the Western Catskills, which is a
business that goes from here in the
beautiful place to be.
Western Catskills down to New York City. There are stops along the way
ARE THE CATSKILLS A GOOD PLACE TO FARM? RG: It’s a place
and there are local markets too.
where you want to be very in tune
To me the larger, more important
with the seasons.
thing is that there’s a growing group of very small farms here that form a
We’re in a valley, right on the west
kind of central need for a hub.
branch of the Delaware River. We take pride in keeping the New York
DID YOU CREATE THE HUB?
City water clean.
RG: No, not alone. I sell in the New York City Green Markets and go to
It puts us in a pretty cool climate.
New York every week anyway. Other
We’re surrounded by mountains,
farms would ask me occasionally to
which is an advantage for growing
take a pig to a butcher in New York. I
great sweet vegetables, but we do
started doing some of that.
have a long winter. Together with support of some
WHAT IS THE FOOD HUB? RG:
really good local agencies, The
The food hub is a group of farms in
Center for Agricultural Development
this area that work together selling,
and Entrepeneurship (CADE) and CATSKILL CENTER
27
the Watershed Council are ones I
because that’s where I focused.
would mention primarily, and also
From the start, small restaurants
the local economic development
seemed to fit our model and almost
department of the county as well as
became a parallel enterprise to our
other organizations that look either
group of farms up here, but they
toward economic development or
aren’t all small restaurants.
help develop sustainable farms like We’ve sold to some of the bigger
us.
restaurants too and we’ve sold to I started transporting a little stuff
retail stores. But small restaurants
and then just formalized it over
that want really good really local high
the years. We got help, especially
quality food and are in most cases
from CADE, and had a consultant
willing to pay a little premium for
who worked for them help us create
that compared to large commercial
a business plan to develop that
delivery services continue to be a
business, The Hub Transports, from
major portion of our traffic.
our farm. The transportation’s now done by a
HOW MANY FARMS ARE PARTICIPATING RIGHT NOW?
young man with trucks who is not
RG: Oh boy, that’s a good question.
me (the old man with trucks). That
We have run from 20 to 30 farms.
part of the system is challenging,
Right now we have fewer than 20.
trucking
Winter time it’s going to be slow.
loads,
getting
enough
load to justify the travel, making deliveries in a big busy city, and
One of the things that Tiana (at
finding qualified drivers. All those
607 CSA) has done, is to add items
things are always challenging. It’s
to their CSA, a few dozen eggs here
one of the essential parts of this
and a few chickens there and a few
farm system called the hub.
other meat products and milk. If you counted every one of those additions
IS THE NYC MARKET PRIMARILY RESTAURANTS + COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA)S? RG: It
as a participating farm, that’s quite
has been for our hub; maybe it’s
important
28
WINTER 2018
a number. I think that may be the most farm
growth
aspect
SMALL DIVERSE FARMS ARE MORE RESILIENT TO CHANGE AND I THINK THERE’S A LOT OF POSSIBILITY IN THAT
because a very small farm, a start up
I bought this farm in 2000 and
farm say, can latch onto the hub and
had a crop that year. We’ve grown
also to the CSA as it pulls in more
every year a little bit. Growth isn’t
sales that don’t require a farmer to
everything, but it’s a necessity to
go and sit all day at a market.
survive, to have enough volume so that we can pay our wages, so that
Often start up farms need time to
we can make repairs, so we can grow
be on the farm, might not have a
our crop. Over the years, I’ve had
truck or don’t have the time or the
great fortune of developing a really
efficiency to take a truck down once
great crew here. I think that’s one of
a week or twice a week.
the loveliest things on all of these small farms here — there’s a large
HOW HAS THE HUB AFFECTED THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF LOCAL FARMS AND FARMERS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF FARMING? RG: I would say almost
number of people who want to work,
all of the farms that have shipped
should be the economic opportunity
through the hub locally have been
to help developing small farms
able to grow their own businesses.
thrive. Small diverse farms are
who enjoy farm work. I believe farming should be seen as the jobs program in the Catskills. It
more resilient to change and I think To me that’s most important thing.
there’s a lot of possibility in that.
They have this one channel for getting their farm product out for distribution, which supplies some income, so they can invest. They can have some confidence that they’re going to be able to grow and move their product. I see farms growing in size and in product diversity and in product quality. Because of the hub, our own farm has been able to grow.
30
WINTER 2018
...
IT’S SKI SEASON GET YOUR Discounted Passes HUNTER BELLEAYRE PLATTEKILL WINDHAM at the CATSKILLS VISITOR CENTER
YOUR LEGACY
THE FUTURE OF THE CATSKILLS
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Catskill Interpretive Center
A BIG BEAUTIFUL SIGN GRAND ENOUGH TO SIGNIFY ONE OF AMERICA’S GREAT PARKS IS IN THE WORKS.
MARKLEY BOYE R
In the spring of 2019 changes are coming to the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center — starting with the sign on Route 28. A big beautiful sign is in the works, grand enough to let you know that you are in one of America’s great parks! A massive stack of rocks, suggesting the ledges and overlooks for which the Catskills are famous, will serve as the backbone of the sign. The Hudson River School painters were drawn to these ledges and painted them often. We’re still hunting for just the right stack of rocks, and when we find them, you might just recognize one of your favorite overlooks.
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Below the sign, a low wall will echo the
create a microcosm of some of the
thousands of miles of old stone walls
characteristic materials of our region,
that any avid explorer of the Catskills
and a suitable welcome for visitors.
will recognize from their rambles. Stones cleared by early settlers made
You may also notice that we’re
for great boundaries between the
making a few small adjustments to
fields and kept livestock in or out.
the name to make clear what really
Some believe that some of the stone
goes on there.
walls go back further than that and that native peoples created them for
When the sign goes up, it will
obscure purposes.
announce the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center.Â
Capping the wall will be a massive slab
We’ve put the emphasis on the word
of bluestone, which has been quarried
"Catskills" to make it absolutely clear
in the Catskills starting in the 19th
where we are!Â
century. The stone of sidewalks and buildings of many of the great cities
We also think that visitors might
in the region were sourced in the
want to take a picture of themselves
Catskills.
standing in front of our big beautiful sign to show the world that they’ve
Finally, the sign itself will be made of
made it. In fact, we’re copying an idea
wood and will gradually weather to the
that our Executive Director saw out
characteristic gray of an old Catskill
west last summer and installing a
barn. The combination of the ledge
discreet "selfie stand" where you can
rock, the field stone, the bluestone
prop your smartphone and get in the
and the barn wood is designed to
picture!
- MB
Ç?Ç?M Ç?A U Ç?R I C E D . H Ç?I N Ç?C H Ç?E Ç?Y
CATSKIL Ç?C E N T E R
Endnote
I
n
1969,
the
Catskill
Center
affair as we partner with friends and
became the first environmental
supporters to celebrate the progress
organization dedicated to the
of the Catskills over the last 50 years
preservation and protection of the
and look forward to the future. Special
Catskills, but that wasn’t just what
events, activities, publications and
the organization was. Created with a
more will be forthcoming throughout
dual mission to preserve and enrich
the year — so stay tuned!
the environmental, cultural and economic well-being of the Catskills,
While we are celebrating the past 50
the Catskill Center simultaneously
years, I am just as excited by thinking
works to preserve our natural areas,
how the next 50 years in the Catskills
while working to ensure continued
are going to turn out. We have plenty of
economic viability and growth of our
challenges and opportunities facing
communities.
us to work on. Those include major issues like climate change and more
This
dual-natured
is
regional issues such as the transition
one that the Catskill Center has
to a tourism-based economy and
embraced and followed in the five
protecting our forever wild Catskill
decades since our creation. In that
Park lands from too much use. There
time, we have met that mission
are also opportunities to create
in many different ways including
resilient communities, strengthen
through planning, advocacy, main
our local economy and better protect
street
our natural lands and their wildlife
work,
actions,
land
mission
stewardship, preservation
legal and
corridors.
much more. The only thing that hasn’t changed over the years is our
Over the last two years, the Catskill
commitment to preserve, protect
Center has worked hard to adjust its
and enrich these beautiful Catskill
programs and its strategic direction
Mountains.
to address these opportunities and challenges.
Celebrating our 50th year of service to the Catskills will be a year-long
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Some of the recent work includes:
- Managing the Catskill Park’s first
Well, it led to this — our new Catskills
and only visitor center
magazine. A quarterly collection of
- Hiring stewards to assist New York
news and information from and about
State manage use at popular areas on
the Catskills (still with a healthy dose
the Forest Preserve
of information and news about the
-
Partnering
organizations
with to
dozens advocate
of
work of the Catskill Center). We hope
for
you love this new magazine format as
additional regional resources from
much as we do!
Albany - Finding and implementing an effective biocontrol that gives us hope that our hemlock trees will survive - Working to protect streamside areas to preserve water-quality and reduce flooding impacts
WE HOPE YOU LOVE OUR NEW MAGAZINE FORMAT AS MUCH AS WE DO I look forward to continuing our work to preserve and enrich the wonderful
Together with those new programs, the Catskill Center has been working to update and refresh the way it communicates with you! Today you can join our conversation on social media, follow our websites and take
mountains, forests and communities of the Catskills. I invite you to join us in that work so we can celebrate our next 50 years together! To the Catskills!
part in new and exciting memberdriven activities and events. You may have also noticed that our quarterly
membership
newsletter
has been changing over the last year.
JEFF SENTERMAN is the Executive Director of the Catskills Center.
CATSKILL CENTER
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Delivered directly to Catskill Center members.
A periodical celebrating New York’s State’s glorious Catskills.
PO Box 504 43355 State Highway 28 Arkville, NY 12406
The Catskill Center for Conservation & Development