CATSKILLS AMERICA’S FIRST WILDERNESS
FORESTS: THE FRONT LINE AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
WHY YOU SHOULDN’T MOVE FIREWOOD PRIZE-WINNING MOLASSES GINGER COOKIES WOOD BURNING STOVES: QUESTIONS ANSWERED
WINTER 2020
CONTENTS 3
CATSKILL PARK DAY
4
CONTRIBUTORS
6
WARMING AND BURNS
10
WHY YOU SHOULDN’T MOVE FIREWOOD
13
FIREWOOD ABC’S
17
SNAPSHOT
18
WINTER IN THE CATSKILLS COLORING PAGE
22
THE FRONT LINE AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
27
WOOD BURNING STOVES
29
CALL FOR ARTISTS
30
MOLASSES GINGER COOKIES
34
ENDNOTE
Cover Photo: Heather Phelps-Lipton
PHOTOS: HEATHER PHELPS-LIPTON
CATSKILL PARK DAY
THIS IS WHAT ADVOCACY LOOKS LIKE February 4, a coalition of 33 organizations visited Albany to present a common list of asks to benefit the Catskill Park and its communities. Learn more at catskillcenter.org/catskillparkday CATSKILL CENTER
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CONTRIBUTORS 2020 WINTER
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 and contributes to the magazine. She’s also the Catskill Center’s Director of Communications and for this issue, plied the Catskill Forest Foundation’s Ryan Trapini about firewood.
KELLI HUGGINS Kelli is an educator, historian, and native Catskillite. For this issue, she experimented with and contemporized an old recipe for molasses cookies. Kelli is a Visitor Experience Coordinator at the Catskills Visitor Center and helps edit the magazine.
WILL LYTLE aka Thorneater Comics Will is a Catskills native comic artist and illustrator. Deeply influenced by the natural environment of the Catskills, Will tries to capture the form of magic they inspire.
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2020 WINTER
MICHAEL KUDISH Michael has been studying Catskills forest history since 1971 and penned his dissertation on the topic. He has been a Catskill Center member since 1970.
GABE D. CHAPIN Gabe has spent his professional career measuring, burning, modeling and generally admiring trees and forests from Florida to Alaska, and is currently the Forest Carbon Program Manager for The Nature Conservancy in New York. He spends much of his free time walking in, building his house with and admiring the trees around his home in Accord, NY..
NOELLE MARTIN Noelle is a recent graduate with her MA in English. She joined the Catskill Center to gain experience in the nonprofit world and contribute to an organization that has a purpose. In her past year at the Catskill Center, she has worked as an executive assistant and helps edit the magazine.
DAN SNIDER Dan is a hiker, a paddler, and a board game aficionado. He’s also the Field Projects Manager of the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership.
ABOUT US: Since 1969, the Catskill Center has protected and
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fostered the environmental, cultural and economic well-being of
Arkville, NY 12406
the Catskill region. Our mission is to ensure a bright future for the Catskills by preserving our environment, expanding our economy and celebrating our culture.
845.586.2611
Become a member at: catskillcenter.org/membership
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CATSKILL CENTER
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6 
2020 WINTER
PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE NYS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
AN EXPERT GIVES HIS THOUGHTS
WARMING AND BURNS WILL CLIMATE CHANGE LEAD TO MORE CATSKILLS FOREST FIRES? MICHAEL KUDIS H The question was asked whether climate change will lead to an increased frequency of forest fires in the Catskills. The answer is generally no. Here is why: Climatologists feel that climate change will involve warming and an increase of precipitation. A wetter climate would not lead to an increase in frequency and severity of forest fires.
M. Kudish has been studying Catskills forest history since 1971 and penned his dissertation on the topic.
But along with more frequent
capacity and should not be greatly
storms with greater precipitation,
affected. Pines, oaks, and hickories,
climatologists
which exist on lower slopes, are also
predict
that
there may be longer occasional
drought tolerant.
intervening droughts. If so, will these
droughts
increase
the
likelihood of forest fires? They might, but only when the drought is especially severe. If people are extra careful and vigilant during these occasional droughts, forest fires may still be rare. What droughts will do is place stress on certain species of trees, shrubs, and herbs. Basswood, white ash, elm, and especially sugar
IN THE 19TH CENTURY, FOREST FIRES WERE FREQUENT IN CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE CATSKILLS, SUCH AS THE ESCARPMENT, AND WHAT ARE NOW THE LOWER ASHOKAN RESERVOIR BASIN AND IN THE PEPACTON RESERVOIR BASIN.
maple will feel it the most, as these species today grow on sites with
There were many more people
greater soil water holding capacity.
working in the woods back then—
That’s why we rarely see these
bark peeling, logging, and quarrying.
four species along the crests of
Almost all the burns were caused by
high ridge lines over 3,000 feet in
people, some by accident and some
elevation; soils here are shallow-
by the deliberate setting of fires to
to-bedrock, exceedingly stony, and
promote blueberries. Lightning fires
therefore lack much water holding
were, and still are, rare because of
capacity.
accompanying downpours.
Species common along the high
Because of the worst fire years,
ridge lines are hemlock, red spruce,
in 1903 and in 1908 (primarily in
balsam
paper
the Adirondacks), New York State
birches, red maple, beech, and
became tired of the conflagrations
black cherry. These more drought-
and set up programs to prevent,
tolerant
grow
locate, and suppress forest fires. It
on soils with less water holding
was in 1909 that fire towers started
8
fir,
yellow
species
2020 WINTER
and
already
to grow in great numbers atop the peaks. Since 1909, fires in the Catskills have been only a minor concern. One further thought is that a warming
climate
may
create
problems in the forests far more 1909 WOODEN FIRE TOWER ON HUNTER MOUNTAIN
serious than occasional droughts and resulting burns, such as the invasion of insect defoliators and fungal diseases from The South, as well as the invasion of more pests from Eurasia. -MK
CATSKILL CENTER
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DAN SNIDE R
WHY YOU SHOULDN’T MOVE FIREWOOD Invasive forest pests have had devastating impacts on the American landscape. Not long ago, emerald ash borer catapulted into the public consciousness as it began to munch through the Northeastern United States’ ash population. Hemlock woolly adelgid has contributed to upwards of 80% hemlock mortality in some early-affected areas, such as in the Great Smoky Mountains. However, these pests haven’t done this damage all on their own.
MOST INVASIVE FOREST PESTS IN THE CATSKILLS DO NOT MOVE VERY FAR OR VERY QUICKLY — THEY TYPICALLY TRAVEL ONLY AS MUCH AS THEY NEED TO FIND SUITABLE HOSTS. For
Asian
firewood cut and moved from within
longhorned beetle and emerald ash
newly-emerged
an infested area to an unaffected
borer adults, healthy ash, maple, or
one is a risk of a potential new
birch trees are often close at hand.
infestation.
They will fly a few hundred feet, or maybe a few miles, before settling
The moving of firewood is part of
down for a meal. On their own, insect
the reason why some invasive forest
populations spread relatively slowly.
pests have spread across the country
PHOTO: ASIAN LONG-HORNED BEETLE, COURTESY OF THE USDA
so rapidly, and why many impacted So, what makes managing these
states
insects problematic? When they can
movement regulations. These laws
get a little help finding unaffected
are created to slow the unintentional
trees to feed on by hitching a ride
spread of invasive pests like the
with humans. Humans can and have
Asian longhorned beetle, oak wilt,
accidentally
larvae,
spotted lanternfly, and many others.
eggs, or adults around in firewood.
By using firewood locally to where
A 2012 study of retail firewood from
it is cut, we reduce the potential
Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and
to introduce new populations of
Wyoming found that larvae can
these pests throughout the region.
survive in felled and cut wood for
The fewer populations of each pest
as long as eighteen months before
there are, the easier it is to contain
emerging as adults [1]. The study
and eradicate that pest, and the
collected 371 bundles of firewood
more native trees we preserve in
from 163 retailers throughout the
our landscape and in our yards.
four states over ten months. They
Slower spread of these pests can
report live insect emergence from
also give more time to develop
47% of the collected bundles, with
new management tools, such as
one bundle at the extreme end
biological controls, to help reduce
hiding 520 insects! Every log of
these pests’ populations.
transported
have
enacted
firewood
CATSKILL CENTER
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New York State regulations limit firewood movement to within 50 miles of where it is harvested, and it cannot be imported from outside the state. There is a simple form to fill out on the NYS Department of
Environmental
Conservation’s
website that allows the movement of firewood within that 50-mile limit. There are also heat-treatments that allow firewood to be moved outside the 50-mile limit. These treatments subject firewood to high heat for long periods of time, which kills any insects that might be hiding within the firewood. Firewood treated in this way must carry a specific label: "New York Approved Heat-Treated Firewood/Pest Free." The best way you can help prevent the spread of harmful forest pests is to source your firewood locally (within 50 miles of where you intend to burn it). You can help keep any
LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE AND OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES AT CATSKILLINVASIVES.COM OR DONTMOVEFIREWOOD.ORG -DS
invasive pests living within their immediate area by buying and burning untreated firewood locally. This simple precaution helps to
Notes [1] Jacobi, William R., et al. "Retail Firewood Can Transport Live Tree Pests." Journal of Economic Entomology, vol. 105, no. 5, 2012, pp. 1645-1658. doi: 10.1603/ec12069.
prevent the introduction of new satellite populations of invasive insects
in
currently
unaffected
areas and helps slows the insects’ spread considerably. 12
2020 WINTER
Dan Snider is the Field Projects Manager of the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership
HE
SPREAD
OF
H EATHER P H E L P S - L I P T O N
FIREWOOD ABC’S A CONVERSATION WITH RYAN TRAPANI OF THE CATSKILL FOREST ASSOCIATION
Do you warm your house with wood? RT - Yes. And I like to get three years ahead, so I’m cutting for three years from now. How many cords do you go through in a year? RT - Maybe three to four. I also do it for sugaring, and that’s called sap wood, which is different than firewood. For sap wood you only use trees that are really light, that burn hot and fast, like aspen, sassafras, white pine, or hemlock. That’s a different pile. A perfect segue! Do particular sorts of trees have more heat than others? RT - Absolutely. Here in the Catskills, we have a great variety. In Alaska, where it’s awfully cold, they only have balsam fir or spruce, for example, and that’s really light and not very dense, so it doesn’t have as many BTUs. But here we have everything from the densest like apple and black locust, to sugar maple, which is somewhat in the high-medium range, to ash and red maple in medium. We wouldn’t even touch sycamore or aspen. You wouldn’t touch it because you feel like it doesn’t have any energy? RT - Because we have so much to choose from. Why cut down aspen for firewood when you can cut down black birch or black cherry? CATSKILL CENTER
13
Is there a lot of black cherry around? RT - Yeah, it grows up in the old abandoned fields that were farms like 60 years ago. Black cherry will still be there now unless it gets shaded out by other trees over time. Any recommendations for people making fires? RT - You have to have dry wood. If you don’t burn dry wood you’re burning twice as much wood or you’re paying twice for your wood. My father used to burn green wood, eight cords a year, when he lived in New Paltz, then when he got dry wood it was four and a half cords. But then, how you burn also really matters. The wood should be all charred in the stove, and in full flame, before it’s damped down. If you see that wave of fire on top you did it right because that’s unburned gas being burned and that’s what they’re there for. It’s called pyrolysis, and it’s like burning unburned gas. That’s what wood gas fires do. But if you damp it down too soon there’s a lot of vapor in there, and it’s going in your chimney, and you’re losing heat through vapor. A lot of people don’t get the wood hot enough, before they damp down if you damp down too soon, because you’re in a rush, or whatever, you want to go to bed ... but you’ve got to get it hot. The best thing to do is damp down in stages, not just damp down all the way, but sometimes you have to, right? You want to get that rolling flame on top. That’s when you’re getting the most heat out of your wood. What do you think about the theory of leaving the flue open all the time? Can you get more heat that way? RT - No, you’re wasting it. Now it’s just going up the chimney and if you have a newer stove you are going to over fire. They’re very efficient and you can ruin your stove. You’ll get away with it if you have steel because steel tends to expand more, but if you have cast iron, you will crack it. Especially if you have dry wood. READ MORE AT CATSKILLCENTER.ORG/BLOG
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2020 WINTER
HOLZHAUSEN : A METHOD OF STACKING CUT AND SPLIT FIREWOOD USING A BUILT-UP CIRCLE THAT TURNS INTO A BEEHIVE-LIKE SHAPE
YOUR LEGACY
THE FUTURE OF THE CATSKILLS Planned Giving. Secure the health of the Catskills for generations. catskillcenter.org/plannedgiving
Your tax-deductible donation supports healthy ecosystems and vibrant communities throughout the Catskill region.
Become a Member Individual ($35) Dual / Family ($50) Senior/Student ($25) BENEFITS INCLUDE SUBSCRIPTION to the Catskill Center’s quarterly Catskills magazine with news from the Catskill Center and across the Catskill Region. 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. MEMBER ONLY INVITATIONS to the Annual Gathering, lectures and special events. MEMBER PROGRAM SERIES ACCESS TO THE CATSKILL CENTER ARCHIVES at the Erpf Center in Arkville. Please contact the Catskill Center to schedule an appointment. MEMBER PACKAGE Members receive a membership package in the mail, including a member card and Catskill Center cling sticker.
Catskillcenter.org/membership Or complete this form and mail to: CATSKILL CENTER P.O. BOX 504 ARKVILLE, NY 12406 NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE
MEMBERSHIP LEVEL $35 — Individual $50 — Dual / Family $25 — Senior/Student $100 — Partnering member $250 — Benefactor $500 — Leadership Circle $1000 — President’s Circle
AMOUNT CARD # EXPIRATION SECURITY #
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2020 WINTER
ZIP
PHONE
Member Snapshot SUNNIE JO MEMBER SINCE 2018 As a landowner, ecological designer, and community organizer, I find the Catskill Center to be an invaluable local resource — my go-to organization for research, recreation, and inspiration. As a member, I know my small annual donation goes a long way to support the hard work of protecting, promoting, advocating, and educating. Over the last couple of years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet other members, partnering organizations, and the folks behind the scenes at the annual Outdoor Event and last year’s Fall Gala, which celebrated the organization’s 50th anniversary. I’ve been so impressed by the richness of our community and the enormity of the area the Catskill region covers (10% of the state). The park alone is close to 700,000 acres, and the Catskill Region is five times that! For a small organization, they accomplish a lot and seem to have fun doing it. The Center is more than just an environmental organization with the best map of hiking trails; they are our economic and cultural stewards, and, as the climate crisis intensifies, they provide a source of inspiration and direction. I look forward to learning and getting more involved each year.
CATSKILL CENTER
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A WILL LYTL E C O L O R I N G P A G E
Notice
a
chipmunk
among
the
undergrowth, and a chickadee and a titmouse in the branches of the tree.
A WILL LYTLE COLORING PAGE
The flowering natives below are goldenrod,
white
lowries aster.
snakeroot,
and
ERPF GALLERY 43355 Route 28 Arkville, NY Mon-Fri 9:30am - 4:30pm
Selected photos and outakes from the 2019 Catskill Center publication,
NATURAL RESOURCES: 50 STEWARDS OF THE CATSKILLS
AT THE
20  
ERPF GALLERY
2020 WINTER
Hiking, Paddling, Bicycling, Climbing, Skiing, Backpacking, Birdwatching, Fishing, Snowshoeing, Dude-ranching and loads of other excellent Catskill outdoor activities. 10am-5pm. Kingston. catskillcenter.org/outdoorexpo
Wifi. Guidance. Garb. Maps. Snacks. Restrooms. Events. Books. Hikes. Treasures. Firetower. 5096 Route 28 Mount Tremper, NY 12457 845-688-3369 catskillsvisitorcenter.org CATSKILL CENTER
21
GABE D. CHAPI N
FORESTS: THE FRONT LINE AGAI CLIMATE CHANGE AS AN ECOLOGIST AND FORESTER FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS, I’M FORTUNATE TO SPEND TIME WALKING THROUGH THE WOODS, THINKING ABOUT ALL THE AMAZING CONTRIBUTIONS THAT OUR NY FORESTS PROVIDE
AINST GE — habitat for wildlife, high quality timber, a source of fresh drinking water — the list goes on. Recently, I have begun to focus on another critical, yet often overlooked, resource that is found in our forests: carbon.
THE CARBON CYCLE Trees and the other plants around us use energy from the sun to combine CO2 and water to produce the sugars that they use as food to live and grow. While many of us appreciate this process, called photosynthesis,for the maple syrup we put on our pancakes or the toasty heat from the woodstove, my focus is on the value that trees provide in removing and storing (i.e. sequestering) carbon from the air. CATSKILL CENTER
23
This movement of carbon between
store carbon at very high rates, even
the atmosphere and other various
at well over 100 years of age. Old-
carbon storage "pools" — such as
growth forests with complex, multi-
forests and other vegetation, the soil,
storied canopies and very large trees
and the oceans — is known as the
can easily store over 220 tons of
carbon cycle. Trees are particularly
carbon in every acre of trees.
effective at taking in carbon and locking it away in the wood that
CARBON
makes up their stems, branches, and
about carbon markets and engaging
roots. In fact, pound for pound, wood
with landowners on projects to
is about 50% carbon. While some of
manage their forests lands more
this carbon may be re-released as a
sustainably through The Nature
tree dies and decomposes, much of
Conservancy’s Working Woodlands
this carbon eventually transfers into
program has been some of the most
the soil, and new trees rapidly grow
interesting and rewarding work of my
and fill in the space.
career. Recognizing the importance
AS
A
RESULT
OF
THIS
of
MARKETS
tackling
climate
Learning
change,
individuals and corporations are
PROCESS, A SINGLE ACRE OF
increasingly looking to offset carbon
MIDDLE-AGED FOREST IN THE
emissions that cannot be reduced
NORTHEAST MIGHT STORE
through efficiency improvements or use of renewable energy.
THE EQUIVALENT OF 120–190 TONS OF CARBON DIOXIDE,
One common way of offsetting carbon emissions is to buy forest carbon
or about as much as the emissions
offset "credits" from landowners who
from powering 17 homes or driving
take steps to increase the carbon
31 cars in one year, while continuing
stocking in their forests. Each credit
to suck in an additional one to two
is essentially a ton of carbon dioxide
tons of carbon dioxide each year.
taken in and stored in the forest that
While we used to think that this
would otherwise have been released
process slowed down considerably
through more aggressive timber
as the forest aged, we now know that
harvesting.
they can continue to take in and
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2020 WINTER
These programs allow continued
— usually around 2,000 acres or
timber harvesting on the property
more.
but require landowners to maintain
being developed that may expand
the carbon that is sold on their
these
property for anywhere from 40-100
landowners, there are several ways
years (depending on the specific
that you can manage your woods
marketplace).
While new programs are opportunities
to
smaller
For the landowner,
to store more carbon while meeting
this provides a financial incentive
your other important management
to sustainably manage their forest
objectives.
PHOTOS: HEATHER PHELPS-LIPTON
at a time when property taxes and other financial pressures may steer
If you are interested in managing
them towards more heavy-handed
your woods for carbon, talk with
management or even selling their
a professional forester and let
property.
them know that this is one of your management goals.
Some simple
MANAGE YOUR FOREST FOR CARBON Currently, carbon market
steps to consider that can both
projects
overall quality of your woods include:
are
only
feasible
for
landowners with very large holdings
improve carbon storage and the Increase
your
rotation
length
CATSKILL CENTER
25
between harvests and distributing
low-impact
logging
your harvested trees across all size
that
classes, not just cutting the biggest
and damage to residual timber and
ones.
small trees during any harvests.
Focus as much of your harvest as
To learn more about The Nature
possible on lower quality trees to
Conservancy’s Working Woodlands
make room for those with greater
Program
future growth potential. Prior to
WorkingWoodlandsNY.
minimize
soil
visit
techniques disturbance
nature.org/
harvesting, take steps to ensure that you have or will get adequate
-GC
regeneration of new trees once the harvest is complete. Implement Gabe D. Chapin is the Forest Carbon Program Manager for The Nature Conservancy in New York
MAY 29, 30 + 31 SPEAKERS + OFFERINGS WILL FOCUS ON BIRDING AS AN INCLUSIVE WINDOW INTO THE NATURAL WORLD. WITH MOLLY ADAMS - FOUNDER OF THE FEMINIST BIRD CLUB CATSKILLCENTER.ORG/TAKINGFLIGHT 26
2020 WINTER
N OELLE MAR T I N
WOOD BURNING STOVES: questions answered
you frequent in the summertime), we looked to a few local retailers for answers to some frequently asked questions about the wood stove:
WHY HEAT YOUR HOME WITH A WOOD BURNING STOVE? The
number
one
question!
Everyone who has ever had to heat their house knows that electric is expensive, that oil may be better but still expensive, or that gas is another (and potentially expensive) alternative.
With the winter months comes a
The
longing to keep warm and cozy.
Oneonta’s local wood stoves seller,
folks
at
Hearths
A’Fire,
There is an influx of hot chocolates,
say burning wood to heat your home
crockpot stews, weighted blankets, puffy coats (that maybe don’t zip as well as they did before the holidays) and many other creature comforts necessary for thriving through winter in the Catskills. No matter how many cups of chamomile I try to drown my freezing insides with, there is nothing that expels the cold-to-the-bones feeling like a wood burning stove. Whether you have a wood burning stove, intend to make the purchase in the near future, or make sure to only choose friends that have one (those same friends whose pool CATSKILL CENTER
27
is a natural and available option;
https://www.iii.org/article/wood-
and wood stoves "can supplement
stove-safety.
furnace usage and reduce heating
a wood burning stove’s robust and
HOW DO YOU DISPOSE OF THE ASH LEFT FROM A WOOD BURNING STOVE? Lauri
steady heat can’t be matched.
Kennedy from Cracker Mill Hearth
costs up to 30 percent" [1]. In addition to the cost savings, the efficiency of
& Emporium, in Shokan, had this
ARE WOOD BURNING STOVES SAFE? Experts say that it is not
to say about disposing of ash:
generally the wood stove itself that
should be done carefully. Some wood
is unsafe; rather, it is improper
stoves come with a convenient ash
installation and/or handling of a
pan removal system, and others rely
stove that can make it hazardous. So
on the homeowner shoveling out
make sure to review the commonly
the ash from the firebox. Either way,
available "Dos" and "Don’ts" when
making sure that the ash is placed
it comes to maintaining a fire in
in a metal can, that is not then
your home. Some basics to keep
placed on a combustible surface,
in mind: always make sure there
will ensure that heat from possible
is enough space between your
hot ash or coals will not transfer to
stove and combustible materials
other surfaces. Once the ash is cold,
(being sure the base for your
it can be disposed of on driveways or
stove is noncombustible and fire
used in gardens when appropriate."
resistant);
have
your
chimney
by
AT WHAT POINT IN THE STOVE’S AGE SHOULD YOU REPLACE IT? How often should
properly inspected; burn only dry, well-seasoned
wood;
purchasing
a
stove
recognized
testing
"Disposing of ash from a wood stove
consider listed
laboratories;
you clean your stove? Is there a way
and really think about where you’d
to safely keep your stove burning
like to install your stove within your
overnight?
home—a central location is best when using it as a home heating
According to the folks at Arkville’s
system. Many more of these safety
Mountain Flame Inc., the longevity
tips can be found on the Insurance
of your stove depends on the model
Information Institute’s website at
and the care put into it. For example,
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2020 WINTER
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM AT PLATTE CLOVE PRESERVE is now accepting applications. Until April 24. catskillcenter.org/plattecloveartresidency
homeowners
should
consider
There is a lot more attention to
servicing a stove at least once a
detail necessary when it comes to
year and avoid burning green wood,
safely maintaining a wood burning
which has high moisture content.
stove versus the click of a button required for the more mainstream
Lastly, if you’re thinking of keeping
forms of heating a home; however,
your stove burning all night, make
the all too frequent sound of heat
sure the stove is designed to burn
clicking on cannot be compared to
all night. Most new stoves are not
the warmth produced by the robust
designed to keep the fire ablaze
fire in a wood burning stove.
through the night, nor is wood itself a resource that burns for longer than a few hours without needing to be attended to.
Notes [1] “Tips, Frequently Asked Questions and Resources.” Hearths A’ Fire, 2016, www. hearthsafire.com/faqs-tips.
CATSKILL CENTER
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Vintage Recipe
PRIZE-WINNING MOLASSES GINGER COOKIES IN 1939, THE COUNTRY WAS STILL REELING FROM THE SHOCK OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND CATSKILLS RESIDENTS WERE NOT IMMUNE FROM THE STRAIN AND AUSTERITY IT CAUSED. K ELLI HUG G I N S
F
or the most part, getting by
would select one 1st prize winner each
meant
budgets
week and four runners-up. The local
and taking any work one
stretching
runners-up won a can of Brer Rabbit
could find. But that year, there was
molasses, which, depending on local
a unique opportunity for women to
sale prices, was about a 15-30 cent value.
bake their way to better finances: the Brer Rabbit Molasses National Recipe contest. Brer Rabbit molasses partnered with newspapers around the country and PHOTOS: HEATHER PHELPS-LIPTON
hosted a series of local competitions that funneled winners into a national grand prize contest. The Catskill Mountain News was one such newspaper. The contest was simple: bakers could send
FIRST PLACE WINNERS RECEIVED $1.00 IN CASH AND ENTRY INTO THE GRAND PRIZE RACE. THE GRAND PRIZE WAS $500 CASH OR A $500 CREDIT WITH THE WINNER’S LOCAL GROCER.
in as many molasses-based recipes as they wanted throughout the month of
Contest
November 1939. A panel of local judges
what a life-changing amount of
promoters
stressed
CATSKILL CENTER
31
money that could be for a family:
IDA J. SLITER, A SCHOOLTEACHER
"No grocery bills for one year. No
FROM MARGARETVILLE, WON
pinching pennies to make ends
THE FIRST WEEK WITH HER
meet....Entertain your friends royally
MOLASSES COOKIES.[3]
without fear of crippling the budget. And set the best table for your family
1 cup sugar
in the community."[1]
1 cup Brer Rabbit molasses 1 cup shortening
Local women submitted more than 50
2 eggs, well beaten
entries to the Catskill Mountain News in the
1 cup hot water or coffee
first week alone. Throughout the month,
2 level teaspoons soda
recipes like Pear Gingerbread Upside
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Down
1 1/2 teaspoons ginger
Cake,
Spicelettes,
Molasses Pumpkin
Doughnuts, Chiffon
Pie,
1/2 teaspoon cloves
California Filled Gingerbread, Molasses
1/2 teaspoon allspice
Taffy, and Carrot Pudding tempted the
1/2 teaspoon salt
judges and rose through the ranks to
4 1/2 cups flour
become weekly winners and runners-up. Judging was based on "originality,
Cream shortening and sugar, add
practicalness, and good results."[2] If
molasses and eggs. Sift dry ingredients
you’re curious to try out any of the above
together and add alternately with water
treats, recipes for them and more can
or coffee. Beat thoroughly and let dough
be found in the Catskill Mountain News
stand overnight. In the morning roll out
archive digitized on the New York State
and bake.
Historic Newspapers website. (www. nyshistoricnewspapers.org).
I put myself in the position of the judges
MY TAKE ON IDA’S WINNING RECIPE
and decided to test Ida’s recipe for
1 CUP SUGAR 1 CUP MOLASSES 1 CUP SHORTENING 2 EGGS, WELL BEATEN 1 CUP HOT WATER OR COFFEE (I USED COFFEE) 2 LEVEL TEASPOONS BAKING SODA 3 TEASPOONS CINNAMON 2 TEASPOONS GINGER 1/2 TEASPOON SALT 4 1/2 CUPS FLOUR
myself. I made a couple of changes right from the start. I upped the ginger and cinnamon and eliminated the allspice and cloves (just a personal preference, you could leave them in if you like) so there was more of a gingerbread kick. Brer Rabbit molasses still exists, but you can use whatever molasses you find at the store. I also noticed that the dough was more slack than a typical rolled dough. Letting it stand in the refrigerator does firm it up, but I found making them drop cookies an easier way to handle the mixture. The resulting cookies have a flavor reminiscent of gingerbread and a pillowy soft texture. I dipped my cookies in white chocolate for added flair. They’re also nice rolled in cinnamon sugar before baking.
Cream shortening and sugar, add molasses and eggs. Sift dry ingredients together and add alternately with water or coffee. Beat thoroughly and, for best results, let dough chill overnight. Roll dough into small balls and press lightly to form roughly 2-inch circles. Bake at
Ida’s cookies are good, but did they take the big prize or not? By the end of the month-long contest, more than 8,000 bakers across the country entered
350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes or until their bottoms are golden brown. - KH
over 13,000 recipes. Ultimately, the winning recipe, a Molasses Chocolate Cake, belonged to Olive A. Gormley, a widow and mother of three from Medway,
Massachusetts.
Although
no Catskill Mountain News readers took home the main prize, the contest did seem a welcome distraction for those who entered and it was definitely good marketing for Brer Rabbit Molasses.
Notes [1] "Best Recipe Wins 500 Cash Prize, "Catskill Mountain News, November 10, 1939, 8. [2] "Best Recipe Wins 500 Cash Prize." [3] "Brer Rabbit Prize Winners," Catskill Mountain News, November 3, 1939, 7.
Endnote Winter is often thought of as a quiet
Tuesday of February. Usually just
time; a time to enjoy sitting by a warm
after Catskill Park Day, the Assembly
fire; a time to hibernate. At the Catskill
and the Senate release their budgets.
Center, however, winter is actually
Then, through April 1st when the
one of our busiest seasons. With the
State Budget is due, there is a lot of
new year comes New York State’s
work to be done to ensure that the
budget season. As we work to educate
Catskill Park and the Catskills are well
lawmakers about the importance
represented.
of the Catskill Park and our greater Catskills, this is an intense period
We work hard to guarantee that
of advocacy work for the Catskill
the Catskills are at the table and
Center. Our goal is to ensure that the
involved in as many conversations
resources needed make their way to
as possible. Keeping up conversation
the Park.
about the Catskills is always effective to
continue
achieving
accomplishments
important
within
the
Catskill Park, like past milestones such as: the Catskills Visitor Center, improvements to trails at Kaaterskill Falls, resources to manage highuse at the Peekamoose Blue Hole, new parking lots for many popular trailheads and many more throughout the last several years. These accomplishments have been This important season begins with the Governor in mid-January when he presents his State of the State and annual budget address. February kicks off with more advocacy work at Catskill Park Day—always the 1st 34
2020 WINTER
achieved through the hard work and collective effort of many people across the region, and through the leadership of the Catskill Park Coalition which the Catskill Center co-chairs.
WHEN IT COMES TO RESOURCES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CATSKILL PARK, OUR COLLECTIVE VOICES MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN ALBANY. Whether you’re a hiker, angler, biker, hunter or any of the many other types of people who come to the Catskills, we all benefit from working together.
change. We’re lucky to be in a state that values our natural lands, such as the Catskills, and at the same time works to save our entire planet for generations to come. Join me in raising your voice for the Catskills this year. All it takes is a call to the Governor, your Assembly member, and your State Senator to help make a difference!
This is the reason why I don’t mind a busy winter: this time of year we can make a real difference for our beautiful Catskill Park. We can help drive those resources to the Park, and
Jeff Senterman
we can help New York pass some of the most progressive environmental legislation in the country. Already in 2020, the Governor has proposed $33 billion in efforts to improve New York’s environment and combat climate
JEFF SENTERMAN is the Executive Director of the Catskill Center.
CATSKILL CENTER
35
2020 WINTER
Delivered directly to Catskill Center members. Read it and pass it along!
A periodical celebrating New York State’s glorious Catskills.
PO Box 504 43355 State Highway 28 Arkville, NY 12406
The Catskill Center for Conservation & Development