CATSKILLS ADVOCACY: FOR THE LOVE OF THE CATSKILLS
WOMEN ON THE MAP WAFFLES, TWO WAYS LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
SPRING 2021
CONTENTS 3
CONTRIBUTORS
4
WHAT’S NEW AT THE CATSKILL CENTER
6
HOW TO GARDEN
8
LOCAL BUSINESS: THE HERBAL SCOOP
12
FEATURE: WOMEN ON THE MAP
15
BROOKIES BY STEVEN WEINBERG
16
ADVOCACY UPDATE: CATSKILL PARK DAY
19
MEET A CATSKILL CENTER MEMBER
21
NATURAL RESOURCE: MARC WOLF
22
VINTAGE RECIPE: WAFFLES, TWO WAYS
26
THE (CITIZEN) SCIENCE OF SPRING
28
EXCERPT: THE CATSKILL PARK
30
ENDNOTE
Front Cover Photo + Painting by Steven Weinberg Inside Cover Photo by Maria C. Fernandez
CONTRIBUTORS SPRING 2021 JEFF SENTERMAN Jeff grew up spending weekends in the mountains, and when he’s not steering the ship that is the Catskill Center, can often be found atop a local peak. His column, EndNote, appears in each issue. Jeff is the Executive Director of the Catskill Center.
KELLI HUGGINS Kelli is an educator, historian, and native Catskillite. For this issue, she wrote Women on the Map and Waffles, Two Ways. Kelli is a Visitor Experience Coordinator at the Catskills Visitor Center. She also copy-edits the magazine.
SARAH MCGINNIS For this issue, Sarah test-baked and photographed a bounty of waffles (it’s a tough job), and handled the layout and design work. Sarah is the Exhibit, Outreach and Marketing Coordinator for the Catskills Visitor Center.
KATIE PALM Katie Palm is the Catskills Visitor Center Director by day and a talented gardener in her spare time. She contributed How To Garden (When You Don’t Have Time to Garden).
ANDY MOSSEY Andy has a knack and a passion for speaking up for public lands. He’s the Stewardship & Advocacy Coordinator for the Catskill Center and contributed to the Advocacy Update in this issue.
STEVEN WEINBERG Steven Weinberg is a children’s book author and illustrator and operates the Spruceton Inn with his wife Casey. The cover image is a glimpse into his Catskills art studio, and you’ll find one of his famous trout paintings on page 15.
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WHAT’S NEW AT THE CATSKILL CENTER CRISP (Catskills Regional Invasive Species Partnership) is looking for volunteers to monitor for spotted lanternfly. Spotted lanternfly is spreading into our region and threatens to damage multiple agricultural crops including apples, grapes, hops, and maple. Learn more at https://www.nyimapinvasives.org/slf THE CATSKILL STEWARDS PROGRAM is growing in 2021 to include a Ridge Runner for the Catskill Park! A Ridge Runner hikes trails, meets and greets hikers, and provides materials to inform visitors about the trail and its intended primitive experience. To ensure our success, we need your help! https://catskillcenter.org/ridgerunner CATSKILLS VISITOR CENTER releases a new self-guided, family-friendly, themed scavenger hunt each month. Pick up the current challenge sheet at the service window (Thurs-Tues, 10-3). Upcoming themes are Unplug and Observe (March), Amphibians (April), Birds (May), and Pollinators (June). For more information, call 845-688-3369 or visit catskillsvisitorcenter.org. KATIE PALM AND SUSAN BLAKE recently celebrated their 10th anniversaries with the Catskill Center. Katie is the Catskills Visitor Center Director and Susan is the Data & Office Manager. Congratulations and thank you for all that you do! TROUT TALES 2021 - A celebration of all things spring! Catskills Trout Tales (CTT) is an event designed to inspire visitors and residents alike to explore the area’s forests, waters, and communities as stewards rather than simply consumers. Catskills Trout Tales 2021 will be mainly online - join us at the CTT Facebook page throughout April & May for virtual events, stories, and art from our Catskills friends and neighbors. ABOUT US: Since 1969, the Catskill Center has protected and
43355 State Highway 28
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. Become a member at: catskillcenter.org/membership
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2021 SENSE OF PLACE
845.586.2611 cccd@catskillcenter.org
...AND AROUND THE CATSKILLS FREE FISHING DAYS allow anyone to fish the fresh waters of NY State with no license required! Upcoming dates include June 26-27, September 25, and November 11. For details visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/89821.html. DOUBLETOP AND GRAHAM MOUNTAINS are located on private property and recently due to the increasing number of visitors and resulting negative natural resource impacts, the landowner has closed the mountains to the public. Trespassing on private property could be subject to legal action. Alterations to hiking challenges are as follows: Catskills 3500 Club Challenge: Beginning 3/21/21, the 3500 Club will require summiting 33 high peaks rather 35. Graham and Doubletop are removed from the list, but the rest of the challenge will remain unchanged. The Catskill Grid 420 and the Catskills 4 Seasons 140: Qualifications have been reset to include Mill Brook Mountain (Ridge) and Dry Brook Ridge in place of Graham and Doubletop. Until 3/21/21, South Doubletop may be substituted for Dry Brook Ridge.
PHOTO: HEATHER PHELPS-LIPTON
VISITING PEEKAMOOSE BLUE HOLE requires a permit. Get yours at https://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com/. Permits will be required from May 15-September 15, 2021. Once a permit is acquired visitors should plan to visit only on the day their permit is valid. At the Blue Hole, Catskill Center Catskill Stewards provide visitors visitors with information about the best way to have a fun and safe visit, while helping to protect this natural wonder.
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HOW TO GARDEN (WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE TIME TO GARDEN)
by Katie Palm As I write this, I look out my window and my perennial garden is covered in two feet of snow - and more is falling! The vision of my early bulbs peeking out of the ground seems like a dream that won’t ever arrive. But, like all seasons, this winter too will pass and before I know it, I will be out prepping my garden for spring. Everyone approaches their garden with different priorities. Some prefer a hands-on method that creates a perfectly manicured vision. Others find beauty in the wild untamed-ness of letting your garden grow as it wants. I find I am a "time gardener" - I only make it into the garden when I have the time, which isn’t as often as I would like. This means that my spring cleanup may be the only attention I give my plants for several weeks. Here are my favorite tips for starting your garden off right, even when you can’t devote as much time to it as you’d like:
LEAVE THE DEER FENCE UP. One of the first lessons I learned when I started gardening in the Catskills was that deer love just about any green shoots that appear in a perennial garden. I think they consider my flower bed their personal salad bar! If you want to have beautiful plants earlier in the season, keep that deer fence up until there is plenty of food for the deer out in the woods.
DON’T CLEAN UP. Leave the dead plant material in the fall. I leave seed winter protection for overwintering insects. It is quite common for our family to spot wooly bears crawling out of the remaining plant material on a warm spring day. Because I am a time gardener, I often find that I am cleaning out the dead plant material after the new shoots have started to appear. Rather than feel like I am slacking on my gardening duties, I tell myself that I have protected those early shoots from late frosts. 6
2021 SENSE OF PLACE
PHOTO: SARAH MCGINNIS
heads for migrating and winter birds. The dead leaves and stems provide
PRUNE.
There is nothing more satisfying than cleaning out old dead
stems on my roses. Or every other year cutting my hydrangea back to the ground so it doesn’t take over space needed for my peonies. A good rule of thumb about knowing when to prune shrubs is to pay attention to when they flower. If they bloom before June – wait to prune until after bloom. If you prune these early spring blooming shrubs too early, you will be removing flower buds and reducing that year’s display.
PLAN AHEAD.
Knowing myself as a gardener with limited time, I have
learned to install my plant supports when I conduct my spring clean. I really like the grow-through plant supports for my peony plants. It is much easier to help the shoots get through a support that is already in place than to try and maneuver long stems through a support that you are installing too late in the season.
REFRESH THE SOIL.
In the spring, I check my mulch level in the
garden. I have gotten into a routine where every 2-3 years I add fresh mulch to my garden. The amount of mulch I add depends on how much of the old mulch has broken down and how much of my soil has migrated out of my manmade beds on top of a hill. My favorite mulching method is to cover the flower bed with wet newspaper and then cover the newspaper with mulch. The newspaper acts as an extra barrier to keep weeds out of the garden. It breaks down within a couple years – as does the mulch. Enjoy the last days of winter. Browse the spring seed catalogs and garden magazines and dream of the garden beauty to come. Happy gardening!
SHOW US your spring garden! Tag us on Instagram @CatskillCenter
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2021 SENSE OF PLACE
AN INTERV I E W W I T H K E N D R A P A Y N E , OWNER OF T H E H E R B A L S C O O P
WELLNESS FROM THE GROUND UP Callicoon-based business owner Kendra Payne is a herbalist and yoga teacher who is dedicated to nutrition and wellness. After facing chronic illness as a child and into adulthood, Kendra turned to her life-long interest in plants and nature, earning certification as a herbalist. She turned that passion and knowledge into a business, opening The Herbal Scoop in 2019 with the motto "Eat more plants. Drink more leaves." The Herbal Scoop store, both online and in-person, sells herbs, tinctures, and teas. Kendra also does one-on-one consultations to help individuals find their ideal herbal practice. We chatted with Kendra to learn more about her business and her connection to the Catskills.
PHOTO: NOUSHA SALIMI, COURTESY OF KENDRA PAYNE
What drew you to the Sullivan County Catskills? I had spent so much time in Sullivan County and actually got married in Woodridge! My husband and I would use our days off in NYC to travel to Sullivan County to get away from the chaos. Gradually, we knew we wanted to make Sullivan County our home and we made that dream come true in 2019. What does your work look like in the early spring? My business kicks into high gear in early spring! I am growing in 2000 square feet this year so early spring is planting season. I will be living in the greenhouse this spring to get ready for planting season.
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How has it been to be a small
Are there Catskills native plants
business owner (of a relatively
that
new business) during COVID?
enjoyed working with or hope to
Being a new small business
work with?
during
a
I really enjoyed working with
rollercoaster. There are days that
wild rose, goldenrod, elderberry,
I made zero dollars and thought
mugwort, reishi. All of these
about giving up and there are
plants made it into the shop and
days that felt like I was living my
there are some wonderful herbal
dreams. On those days I was able
goodies from my Catskill finds.
COVID
has
been
you
have
particularly
to spend time harvesting herbs, making
herbal
products
and
What’s been your most exciting
connecting with the community. I
find while foraging locally?
loved those days and that’s what
My most exciting find this year
has kept me going through this
was perfectly bloomed St. John’s
pandemic.
Wort on the summer solstice. I was able to harvest some and
Have you seen a shift in how
made the most beautiful oil I
people think of wellness due to
have seen.
the pandemic? I think there has been a definite
If you could only grow one plant,
shift
what would it be?
in
how
people
think
about wellness. I think people
Oooh that’s a difficult one. I
are more open to the idea of
personally work with Astragalus
building a wellness practice. We
root a lot. It makes it into a
experienced so much over the
lot of my herbal blends and I
past year and people really began
incorporate it into my veggie
to rely on their wellness practice
broths as well.
to help them feel better. I have had many conversations with
What are some of your goals
people on how to build the right
for the business and broader
herbal tea for their needs. People
community?
are getting back to basics and
There are a lot of goals for The
that feels really good.
Herbal Scoop. I want to be able to grow or forage all of the herbs in
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2021 SENSE OF PLACE
my shop. Each year I am expanding my growing space so one day I hope to be able to complete that goal. As a Black-owned business it’s important to me to work with
SHOW OFF YOUR CATSKILLS GEAR IN ACTION!
Black farmers and continue to build relationships and create opportunities
of
equity
and
liberation. One last goal I will share is that I hope in 2022 to host a Black Herbalist Conference at The Herbal Scoop farm!
Tag us on Facebook: @CatskillsVisitorCenter Or Instagram: @Catskills.Visitor.Center Don’t have any CATSKILLS gear yet? Visit the Catskills Visitor Center in person or online to find hoodies, hats, mugs, key tags, and more! All purchases support the work of Catskill Center. www.catskillsvisitorcenter.org
VISIT
theherbalscoop.com
to
learn more about the business and products. Find a selection of The Herbal Scoop’s herbal teas at the Catskills Visitor Center
store
and
online
at
catskillsvisitorcenter.org. Photo by Lee Alexander
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KELLI HUGGIN S
WOMEN ON THE MAP MANY CATSKILLS TOWNS AND LANDMARKS WERE NAMED AFTER INFLUENTIAL FIGURES. BUT WHERE ARE THE WOMEN? In the mid-2010s, a series of
who
researchers around the world
settled,
began
discovered, or
were
colonized, otherwise
for
influential in them. Sexism and
their efforts to document how
the bias of those shaping our
few places are named for women
history have effectively erased the
compared to those named for
contributions of many who are
men. A team of engineers with
not men. In many cases, when a
Mapbox released a study in 2015
place is named after a woman, it
showing that in seven cities
is someone given the honor due
spanning
to their relationship to a man,
making
headlines
multiple
continents,
only 27.5% of streets bore women’s
typically a mother or wife.
names. That same year, an activist group in Paris renamed 60 streets
We don’t have data on the
in protest of the fact that only
breakdown of place name origins
2.6% of city streets were named
in the Catskills. A crowdsourced
for women (versus 31% for men).
list on Catskill Center social media
Movements have cropped up on
brought up quite a few options,
college and university campuses
but if we had asked for places
to examine namesakes of dorm
named for men or for geographic
and classroom buildings. Rebecca
features, we suspect there might
Solnit and Joshua Jelly-Schapiro’s
have been more. In the following
2016 Nonstop Metropolis: A New York
list, we have highlighted some
City Atlas includes a map imagining
of these local places named for
every
renamed
women. This is not intended to be
for a woman.This disparity has
an exhaustive list, but instead to
historical roots, of course. Places
show the variety in these name
are often named for the people
origins.
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subway
stop
2021 SENSE OF PLACE
AUGUSTA SAVAGE IMAGE: COLLECTION OF SCHOMBURG CENTER FOR RESEARCH IN BLACK CULTURE, NYPL. DOT NEBEL IMAGE: PHOTO BY WERNER J. KUHN, COURTESY OF BELLEAYRE MOUNTAIN. MAUDE ADAMS IMAGE: PHOTO BY EDMOND ROSTAND.
Augusta Savage Road (Saugerties): Augusta Savage was a Harlem Renaissance sculptor who moved to Saugerties in the 1940s. She was an activist and an educator. Her Saugerties home and studio is listed on the New York State and National Register of Historic Places and her work is in the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and other museums. Charlotte Creek and Charlotte Valley (Delaware County): In the 18th century, Sir William Johnson named his 26,000 acre land patent for British monarch Queen Charlotte (1744-1818). Claryville (Sullivan County): Claryville was originally called Claraville, named for a local landowner’s wife.
Dot Nebel Ski Trail (Belleayre Mountain): Born in Schenectady, NY in 1905, Dorothy H. Nebel was a decorated downhill and slalom skier and a pioneer for women in the sport in the United States. Nebel also worked at Belleayre Mountain designing trails and directing the ski school. She was inducted into the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame in 1972. Ellenville (Ulster County): Ellenville was called Fairchild City
until
Charles
Hartshorn
came to town and realized the locale needed a post office and, therefore,
an
official
name.
After debating the issue in the Hoornbeck Tavern and failing to come to a consensus, they named it for Ellen Snyder, who was in town visiting her sister, tavern owner Maria Hoornbeck.
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Leavitt Peak (Hunter):
in the late 19th and early 20th
Also known as Southwest Hunter,
centuries. Best known for being
this 3740’ peak is named for
the first actress to play Peter
Elinore and Bill Leavitt, the first
Pan on Broadway, Adams was
finishers to summit the required
very private and largely withdrew
peaks to become members of the
from the public eye by the 1920s.
Catskill 3500 Club in 1963.
She
purchased
Tannersville
an
where
estate she
in
spent
Margaretville (Delaware County):
most of her retirement. She died
The
there in 1953.
town
of
Margaretville’s
namesake was Margaret Lewis, great-granddaughter
of
land
Mt. Utsayantha (Stamford):
patent owner Robert Livingston.
Lore tells of the mountain being
She inherited the tract of land that
named for an indiginous woman
was named in her honor in 1850. It
named Utsayantha. The story was
was previously Middletown Center.
popularized in the 19th century, when the mountain became a
Mary’s Glen (Hunter):
tourist attraction for summer
The Mary of Mary’s Glen was Mary
boarders and vacationers.
Scribner, wife of Ira Scribner who owned a sawmill there.
One thing that becomes quickly apparent in studying geography is that place names are not static. People frequently change them to better suit modern norms and tastes, to honor new people, or for various other reasons. Will we see more Catskills places named for women in the coming years? It remains to be seen. What is clear,
Maude Adams Road (Tannersville): Maude Adams, born in 1872 in Utah, was a famed stage actress
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2021 SENSE OF PLACE
however, is there is no shortage of local women-- famous and not, historical and contemporary-- who could deserve such recognition.
“2020 WINTER BROOKIES” BY STEVEN WEINBERG. STEVENWEINBERGSTUDIO.COM @STEVEN_DRAWS
CATSKILL CEN T E R S T A F F
ADVOCACY UPDATE CATSKILL PARK DAY 2021: A VIRTUAL VOICE FOR THE CATSKILLS
The Catskill Center has advocated
in an organized day of advocacy in
for the Catskill region since its
Albany.
educating people, from visitors to
This year due to COVID-19, Catskill
lawmakers, about all the Catskills
Park Day looked different; however,
have to offer. One of our major
with your help, we were still able to
tools in maintaining these efforts
give the Catskills a virtual voice.
is Catskill Park Day: together with
Instead of our normal gathering
27 local groups that comprise the
of Catskill advocates in Albany,
Catskill Park Coalition, the Catskill
the Catskill Park Coalition worked
Center composes a list of the
together to schedule conference
Catskill Park and its communities’
calls with our representatives. In
fiscal needs and presents them to
collaboration with the Catskill
the governor and state legislators
Mountainkeeper, we held the first
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2021 SENSE OF PLACE
PHOTO: JEFF SENTERMAN
start in 1969. That is 52 years of
ever Catskill Park Day webinar on February 9th, 2021 – 200 people tuned in to the webinar to support the Catskills. The
Catskill
included
Park
Day
panel
Department
of
Environmental
Conservation
(DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos, NYS Senator Michelle Hinchey, Assembly Member Aileen Gunther, Assembly Member Chris Tague, Catskill Mountainkeeper’s Deputy Director
Katherine
Nadeau,
and Catskill Center’s Executive Director Jeff Senterman. We went into the day strongly committed to a set of priorities essential for the region to thrive this year: an
increase
in
Catskill
Park
management to further ensure public
safety,
Environmental
Protection Fund (EPF) programs to enhance and protect the Catskills, and important actions to take in support of the local economy. When asked how these requests were received at Catskill Park Day, the Catskill Center’s Stewardship
continued funding in the areas we were drawing attention to." Although Catskill Park Day was different this year, as long as those who want to maintain the beauty of the Catskills and cultivate a healthy local economy continue to show their support, the Catskills will continue to thrive. After a record number of visitors last year, the Catskill Center is preparing for another busy season. Catskill Park Day has set us up for a successful year of advocacy, but always remember that maintaining the well-being of the Catskill region is also every visitor’s responsibility.
& Advocacy Coordinator, Andy Mossey,
said,
"The
advocacy
season is ongoing. We feel that
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT CATSKILLCENTER.ORG/ADVOCACY
the Catskills are in a good place and we should expect to see CATSKILL CENTER
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Your tax-deductible donation supports healthy ecosystems and vibrant communities throughout the Catskill region. Catskillcenter.org/membership Or complete this form and mail to:
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 Catskills Visitor Center, all Catskill Center facilities and Campmor in Paramus, NJ with presentation of member card.
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
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.
AMOUNT
MEMBER PACKAGE Members receive a membership package in the mail, including a member card and a Catskill Center cling sticker. 18
2021 SENSE OF PLACE
ZIP
PHONE
CARD # EXPIRATION CVC
ROBERT COLLIGNON, COSMIK ICE CREAM
CATSKILL CENTER BUSINESS MEMBER SINCE 2021 When it came time to choose
where
to
give
back as part of the 1% for the Planet program, supporting the Catskill Center was the only way to go. Five years ago, after a decade living in the city, I moved to Hobart to get closer to nature and to start a new business. I’ve always loved freeze-dried ice cream and wanted to make it with high quality ingredients, so Cosmik Ice Cream was born. After building a production facility in Margaretville, the Catskill Center connected me to other small business owners at the Great Outdoor Expo, where I found guidance and support. Over the next few years as my business found its footing in Delaware County, I found a community and a renewed appreciation for the outdoors. The Catskill Center’s impact was felt beyond the Expo as I hiked, scaled fire towers, and visited the Erpf Gallery. And as I became more involved in the community, I saw that the Catskill Center was a constant presence at local events.
PHOTOS: COURTESY ROBERT COLLIGNON
As a small business owner, I’m proud to support the Catskill Center in their preservation and improvement of the region. It’s an honor to give back to a place that has given me so much. - Robert Collignon
FOR MORE OF ROBERT’S STORY, VISIT WWW.CATSKILLCENTER.ORG/BLOG CATSKILL CENTER
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BUSINESS MEMBERS ALPINE ENDEAVORS
LAMONT ENGINEERS, PC
BLAIR COLLECTIBLES
LAURELSIDE 3 LLC
BUGGED OUT
LVDV OPERATIONS, INC
CAMPMOR
MARGARETVILLE TELEPHONE
CATSKILL COLLECTIBLES
COMPANY
CATSKILL REGION SURVEYING
MARK LOETE PHOTOGRAPHY
SERVICES
NEW YORK CENTRAL MUTUAL FIRE
CENTRAL CATSKILLS CHAMBER OF
INSURANCE COMPANY
COMMERCE
PART 2 EVENTS
CENTRAL HUDSON GAS & ELECTRIC
PHOENICIA LODGE
CORP.
SAFECO ALARM SYSTEMS, INC.
CERES TECHNOLOGIES
SCHWARTZBERG & KENYON PLLC
CHAZEN ENGINEERING, LAND
SHUSTER ASSOCIATES
SURVEYING & LANDSCAPE
SILVERHOLLOW AUDIO
ARCHITECTURE CO., D.P.C.
SLUITER AGENCY, INC.
COMMUNITY BANK N.A.
SPILLIAN
COSMIK ICE CREAM
SPOTTED DOG VENTURES, INC.
ERICKSON’S AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
TIMOTHY TAYLOR GALLERY
FLOWING SPIRIT HEALING
TUTHILLTOWN SPIRITS DISTILLERY
FOXFIRE MOUNTAIN HOUSE
VLY MOUNTAIN SPRING WATER, INC.
GREEN LABEL HOMES
WALNUT GROVE FARM
HOPE SPRINGS FARMS
WIEDENKELLER INSURANCE
HUDSON VALLEY APPRAISAL CORP.
WOODSTOCK CHIMES FUND
HUDSON VALLEY ENGINEERING PC
ZONE 4 LANDSCAPES LTD
IMMUNESHEIN, LLC
Thank you for your support. We would like to recognize these businesses for their generosity. When you do business with them, you support Catskill Center and the entire region. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO BECOME A BUSINESS MEMBER, VISIT WWW.CATSKILLCENTER.ORG/BUSINESSMEMBERSHIP 20
2021 SENSE OF PLACE
NATURAL RESOURCES:
MARC WOLF, MOUNTAINTOP ARBORETUM
Formerly an Obie award-winning playwright and actor, Marc Wolf turned to native plants for a regeneration of sorts. After attending the School of Professional Horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden, he began working for the Mountain Top Arboretum in Tannersville – a hidden gem of the Catskills. "I used to identify trees in my New Jersey backyard when I was seven years old. After working in the theatre in New York City for 30 years, I felt I needed to reconnect and started studying at the Botanical Garden, which reawakened my inner kid. The Arboretum is 178 acres at an elevation of 2,400 feet, but it’s still very accessible with gardens, easy trails and boardwalks. Part of it is stunning hemlock-spruce forest. Walking through, it’s so dark but then it opens up onto a huge mountaintop marsh. It’s a breathtaking transition. The best part of the job is caring for and studying the native plants. I love tending the trails. I love working in our new Education Center. There are twenty-one tree species literally holding it up. It smells and feels like you’re in a forest. You can see the branching patterns. It’s just great to be in there." -Marc Wolf Excerpt from Natural Resources: 50 Stewards of the Catskills, available at www.catskillsvisitorcenter.org CATSKILL CENTER
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Vintage Recipe
WAFFLES, TWO WAYS KE LLI HUGG I N S SPRING IS SYNONYMOUS WITH MAPLE SYRUP IN THE CATSKILLS. TREES ARE TAPPED IN THE LATE WINTER AND EARLY SPRING, ALLOWING MAPLE PRODUCERS TO GATHER THE SAP THAT WILL BE BOILED INTO SYRUP. ABOUT 40 GALLONS OF SAP GO INTO ONE GALLON OF MAPLE SYRUP. Waffles, with their little indents, are the
but also crisper outside. They have an
perfect vehicle with which to showcase
enticing bread-like fragrance while
Catskills maple syrup. Here are two waffle
cooking.
options, using different ingredients and yielding their own textures and tastes. The first recipe is adapted from a 1917
2 1/4 teaspoons dry active or
recipe book published by Fleischmann’s
rapid rise yeast
Yeast. The Delaware County village of
2 cups of milk, scalded and
Fleischmanns was named for the family behind the company. The Fleischmann
cooled
family purchased property in the region
1 tablespoon sugar
in the late 1800s and invested in the place
1 tablespoon butter, melted
that would come to be incorporated in their name in 1913. PHOTO: SARAH MCGINNIS
Yeasted Waffles
2 1/2 cups sifted flour 1 teaspoon salt
If you’re new to using yeast in baking, these waffles are a simple introduction to this ingredient. Using yeast in waffles makes them light and airy inside,
2 eggs Dissolve yeast and sugar in the lukewarm (~110 degrees) milk. Add butter, CATSKILL CENTER
23
flour, salt, and eggs and beat until smooth. Cover and set in a warm, draft-free place for an hour. The mixture should become bubbly and rise slightly. Stir and cook on a heated, greased waffle iron. These oatmeal waffles offer a denser, heartier alternative to a yeasted waffle. My family has been making these for decades and they are one of my favorite foods. A baking powderleavened recipe, these waffles are slightly sweet, chewy, and perfectly absorb butter and syrup.
Oatmeal Waffles 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup quick-cooking oats 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 1/2 cups milk 6 tablespoons melted butter 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla Mix together flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine eggs, milk, butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add the wet mixture into the dry and stir until combined. Preheat your waffle iron and follow your individual iron’s directions.
PHOTO: MARC WOLF
I love the red maple. It is our first native tree to bloom in the spring, and I am always on the look-out for the earliest opening flowers. The bright red clusters are beautiful up close and can light up the forest in the right light. When I catch views of masses of red maples flowering in the valleys below, I am reassured that spring will soon reach the Arboretum’s 2400’ elevation, too. - Marc Wolf, Mountain Top Arboretum
THE (CITIZEN) SCIENCE OF SPRING ANN PETERS For the past two years our family has volunteered with the AM&RC (Amphibian Migrations & Road Crossing) to witness and document the great amphibian migration. This migration occurs on the wettest of nights in March and April,
and,
Citizen
Scientists
(trained volunteers) like ourselves, greatly look forward to them. For the purpose of science, we skip bedtime and don reflective gear, headlamps,
clipboards,
pencils,
and unfortunately, a spatula. We head out to a favorite migration spot in the area and walk up and down the road for an hour or two, photographing, counting, and moving the amphibians we find across the road. My daughter (age 7) enjoys catching
26
2021 SENSE OF PLACE
the spring peeper frogs and eastern newts. My favorite find was the spotted salamander that was the size of my hand! Seeing
pictures
of
these
creatures is one thing, but witnessing
one
scuttle
across the road with its bright spots catching the flashlights rays, is a different experience entirely.
Making
this activity a family affair requires extra safety efforts and
consideration,
but
is well worth the missed bedtime.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE, ONE AMPHIBIAN AT A TIME Interested in volunteering with the Amphibian Migrations & Road Crossing? You can sign up for email alerts for training sessions and more information here: https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/51925.html Ann Peters is an avid outdoor explorer, a Rover Scout and Otter scout leader with the 91st Sojourners- BPSA, the Catskill-Woodstock Ambassador for Hike it Baby, a homeschool mom to 2 kids, and a Catskill Center volunteer. Keep an eye out for more stories from Ann on making a difference as a Citizen Scientist.
Planned Giving. Secure the health of the Catskills for generations. PHOTOS: ANN PETERS
catskillcenter.org/plannedgiving
YOUR LEGACY
THE FUTURE OF THE CATSKILLS CATSKILL CENTER
27
BOOKSHELF: THE CATSKILL PARK: INSIDE THE BLUE LINE Given that the Catskill forest preserve is constitutionally protected as a collection of "forever wild" natural areas, with no timber harvesting or deliberate habitat alteration allowed, one might assume that there would be no need for any kind of management or stewardship of those lands once they are acquired —that they simply need to be left alone while nature is allowed to take her course. Certainly one of the primary reasons for protecting the most mountainous lands in the state as forest preserve is to safeguard natural ecosystems and preserve whole landscapes where resources are not extracted and natural cycles may continue without interruption or disturbance. The forest preserve exists not only for the benefit of nature, however, but also for the benefit of people. The citizens of the state, who collectively own the forest preserve, demand access to these lands for outdoor recreation, nature study, and personal enjoyment and reflection. There has been a long history of outdoor recreation in the Catskills. Long before the forest preserve was established, the mountains were filled with people who loved to fill their lungs with clean mountain air as they stretched their legs among the streams and forests. The great trout streams of the Catskills have always attracted fishermen from New York City and elsewhere, and for centuries people have turned to the hills for hunting game in the fall. Walking among the scenic areas of the mountains was a favorite pastime of the upscale clientele who stayed at the famous and numerous Catskill Mountain hotels during their heyday in the late 1800s and early 1900s. After the forest preserve was created, the Catskills became home to the first hiking trail commissioned by the state (authorized in 1892), leading to the summit of the Catskills’ tallest peak—Slide Mountain. As the acreage of 28
2021 SENSE OF PLACE
the forest preserve increased over
Excerpt from The Catskill Park:
the years, and as the recovering
Inside the Blue Line, published with
and regenerating forests began to
permission from Black Dome
mature, the building of public trails
Press.
and lean-tos also increased, as did the recreational use of these public
The Catskill Park is a history of the
lands. Hiking and outdoor clubs such
Catskill Park (established 1904)
as the Appalachian Mountain Club,
and the Catskill Forest Preserve
the NY/NJ Trail Conference, and the
(established 1885). This region is
Adirondack Mountain Club came
one of the earliest experiments
to the Catskills more and more for
in environmental conservation
recreation, and the Catskill 3500 Club
in the United States, wherein
formed to recognize those people
wildlands coexist with private
who ventured to all of the highest
property within the blue line of the
peaks in the region. Today there are
Catskill Park.
over three hundred miles of marked foot trails in the Catskill Park, and
The Catskill Park: Inside the Blue
these clubs often work with the state
Line is illustrated with 32 pages
land managers on trail maintenance
of
projects and help make the Catskills
more than 70 historical and
a great place to hike and camp.
contemporary B&W photographs, and
color
photographs
includes
the
and
Carpenter
So, who determines what activities,
Report, an 1886 inventory of the
recreational
are
Catskill Mountains, including its
allowed on forest preserve lands?
streams and rivers, game forests,
Who determines which, how many,
and industry. It was originally
and where, human "improvements"
published in 2004 and has just
such as hiking trails, horse trails,
been reprinted.
or
snowmobile kiosks,
otherwise,
trails,
lean-tos,
footbridges, areas,
The Catskill Park: Inside the Blue
campgrounds, and even ski areas
Line is available from Black Dome
might be allowed and built on forest
Press and local retailers including
preserve
the Catskills Visitor Center.
land
parking
to
accommodate
the public demand for recreational access and opportunity? CATSKILL CENTER
29
Endnote
The Catskills are ready for the
with the employment of seven
renewal of spring. Although the
stewards, as opposed to last year’s
past year has been a challenging
four, stationed at the increasingly
time for everyone, no one could
populated Peekamoose Blue Hole,
have prepared us for the way in
Kaaterskill Falls, and Platte Clove
which the pandemic urged people
Preserve.
to reconnect with nature. In 2020 our stewards greeted more than
In addition to these locations,
70,000 visitors to the Catskill Park.
one of these seven stewards will
In a time of fear, uncertainty, and
fulfill the brand-new position of
monotony, people turned to the
Ridge Runner – a highly qualified
refuge of the Catskill region.
individual
who
will
take
on
With
visitors
stewarding popular backcountry
comes an increase in the Catskill
locations throughout the Catskill
Center’s responsibility to protect
Forest Preserve. The Ridge Runner
our natural resources. Last year’s
will be a vital addition to the
massive upturn in hikers only
Catskill Center’s team by providing
reinforced the importance of the
even more coverage for the Catskill
Catskill Stewards Program for the
Park and the opportunity to interact
health and safety of everyone and
with thousands of hikers across
every acre.
Therefore, this year
the region. The Catskill Center
will see the growth of the program
is excited to further implement
30
an
increase
in
2021 SENSE OF PLACE
PHOTO: HEATHER PHELPS-LIPTON
the immense responsibility of
IN ADDITION TO MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES, WE ARE DEDICATED TO ENSURING THE CATSKILLS ARE WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE FOR EVERYONE. our
recreate
and more people come to the
responsibility and our Leave No
commitment
to
Catskills to recreate. In addition
Trace initiative with the growth of
to maintaining the integrity of our
the Stewards Program.
natural resources, we are dedicated to treating each other with respect
We expect 2021 to see just as many
and kindness and ensuring the
visitors to the Park as last year, if
Catskills
not more. Although it is wonderful
inclusive for everyone.
are
welcoming
and
to welcome all visitors – new and returning,
local
and
traveling,
Although it is the Catskill Center’s
novice and experienced – to the
responsibility to introduce and
region, we must be ready with a
implement tools to protect both
considerable increase in education
the Catskill region and its visitors,
and outreach. The age of COVID-19,
it is up to each and every one of
as well as a tough budget year,
us to uphold these values. Join me
has shifted the way we conduct
in our effort to further transition
advocacy; however, we have been
the Catskill region’s growth from
able to remain in contact with
challenge
Albany, educating lawmakers on
promoting education and outreach,
the importance of the Catskill
encouraging
Park and greater Catskill region,
protecting our natural resources
and continue the important work
for generations to come.
to
opportunity inclusivity,
by and
of ensuring the Catskills are being represented. As a founding member of the New York Outdoor Recreation Coalition, the Catskill Center is committed
JEFF SENTERMAN
to upholding our values as more
Catskill Center Executive Director CATSKILL CENTER
31
SPRING
2021
Catskills magazine is delivered directly to Catskill Center members.
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
