A Grateful Heart in the Heart of the Catskills

By Greg Madden

As we transition from the season of multi-colored beauty in the Catskills and drift into colder and darker times, a time of reflection for all settles in. With Thanksgiving on the November calendar and horizon, a pure and family based celebration, we ponder and ask just what are we grateful and thankful for, as this year rounds to a close and we have repeated our bountiful harvest?

I, for one, am beyond thankful to be here with a completely new career, group of amazing friends, clients and experiences. I am thankful for you all and the gifts and energy you share so effortlessly. I am thankful for those I work with and the exciting journey we have undertaken in these challenging last few years. It is a journey to help thousands here on the mountaintop and throughout the Catskill Region. The work is good and so are you neighbors. I am so very, very grateful for all of you.

Those of us who are fortunate to live here full time find ourselves enjoying these different seasons nestled amidst rolling hills, majestic forests, and pristine lakes, the breathtaking landscape that has captured our hearts as well as the hearts of many over the years, including famous historical personalities like Washington Irving and Thomas Cole.

These gentlemen are just two of millions of folks to understand and express their gratitude for the profound beauty of the Catskills, gratitude for the respite it offers, and gratitude for the role it plays in preserving our planet Earth.

For generations, the Catskill Mountains have been a source of inspiration for artists and writers alike. One such luminary, Washington Irving, captured the essence of the Catskills when he wrote about the bounty in our waters, “There is certainly some- thing in angling that tends to produce a serenity of the mind.” His words resonate deeply with those who have cast their lines into the serene, crisp and chilly waters of the Catskill lakes, ponds and roaring kills, immersing themselves in the soothing symphony of nature. To live in the Catskills is to be surrounded by the beauty and serenity that Irving so eloquently described.

Thomas Cole, considered by many as the most significant, and also the father of, American landscape painting, was equally drawn to the Catskills. Cole, American born and influenced by great European artists and the founder of the Hudson River School art movement remarked, “Nature is the art of God.” He was mystified with the Catskill Mountains as they served as his muse, and he painted its lush forests and majestic peaks with unparalleled reverence. His paintings continue to inspire artists and visitors alike, reminding them of the profound connection between humanity and the natural world.

Whether you live here or visit us often, just experiencing the Catskills is a daily reminder of the healthful and restorative power of our natural setting. As the sun rises over the elevated horizon, casting a warm glow upon our mountains and streams below, it is impossible not to be thankful for the simple yet profound beauty that surrounds us each moment. The lush greenery, the babbling brooks, creeks and kills, and the rustling of fallen leaves all serve as constant reminders of the wonder of nature that engulfs us.

It is a place where one can truly appreciate the words of John Muir, who once said, “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” It takes me back to a story on forest bathing we published here just recently.

The rapidly changing seasons we experience (except the long and endless winter) bring along their own unique beauty and reasons for gratitude.

In the spring, the mountains burst into a kaleidoscope of color as wildflowers bloom, and our forests come alive with the blended melodious tones of birdsongs, nature’s own soundtrack.

Next, summer brings long, sun-drenched days spent by our lakes, where the water sparkles like diamonds from the nearby Herkimer mines. The hiking and biking trails come alive as do our golf courses.

I just adore autumn as it transforms our landscape into a fiery tapestry of reds and golds, drawing visitors from near and far to witness the breathtaking spectacle, as was highlighted in last month’s Guide. You are a regular reader, right? Good … just checking!

And in winter, when the mountains are cloaked in snow, there is a profound meditative stillness that settles in like a blanketing fog over the land, inviting introspection and quiet reflection along with a legendary array of winter sports.

For us Catskills residents, there is a deep sense of gratitude shared for the community that thrives in our unaffected paradise. Small hamlets and townships dot the countryside, each with its own unique charm and character. Locals band together to support one another while welcoming those of us who weren’t born here, and the sense of belonging for all is refreshing and palpable.

The anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” In the Catskills, this sentiment holds true as the tight-knit community works together to preserve our natural gallery of treasured and beloved mountainscapes, while sharing this paradise with others looking for respite from the hustle and bustle of off-mountain life.

The Catskills have not only been a source of inspiration and spiritual renewal for deep thinkers but a place for those seeking solace and renewal. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “In the woods, we return to reason and faith.”

Famous figures from various walks of life have found their particular brand of nirvana in the Catskills. John Burroughs, the renowned naturalist and essayist, made his home in the mountains and found endless inspiration in its landscapes. He once wrote, “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in tune once more.” His words encapsulate the transformative power of the Catskills, where the healing touch of nature is readily available to all who seek it.” His biographer Edward Renehan offered that Burroughs’ has a special identity and he was less that a scientific naturalist than that of “a literary naturalist with a duty to record his own unique perceptions of the natural world.”

The Catskills have also been a stimulus for musicians. American folk legend and social activist Pete Seeger, who lived in Beacon, NY, sang about the beauty of our region in his songs. He understood the importance of preserving such natural treasures for future generations, as reflected in his lyrics, “This land is your land, this land is my land, from California to the New York Island.” The

Catskills, with their rich cultural heritage and amazing vistas, continue to inspire the musical crowd to this day. And then there was the Woodstock Music Festival that offered countless anthems to legions of folks that changed their world. Held in nearby Bethel, NY, the site is just a stone’s throw away from the official Catskills border. Those of that late 60’s vintage are grateful for that event that changed so many lives in our country and the world.

Our mountains serve as a refuge for countless species of rare and regular plants and animals, providing a safe haven for biodiversity. The delicate balance of our ecosystems here in the Catskills reminds us of the importance of protecting the environment on a global scale. For this we are most thankful.

The mountains act as a vital source of clean water for millions of New Yorkers, serving as the headwaters for the Hudson River. This role in freshwater conservation is invaluable, as clean water becomes an increasingly scarce resource in our world. As Chief Seattle, a Native American leader, once wisely observed, “The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth.” The Catskills remind us of our responsibility to be stewards of the land and water that sustain us.

It is way too easy to take our home on Earth for granted, but in the grand tapestry of our planet, the Catskill Mountains are a cherished thread that weaves us together, a place of inspiration, beauty, and solace. As we stand in awe of its majesty, the words of Rachel Carson echo throughout and off the walls of the Hudson River. Carson, a pioneering environmentalist often credited with advancing the global environmental movement, remarked, “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”

Each November, we annually take time for appreciation and celebrate Thanksgiving. We give thanks for the Catskills which provide such reserves of strength, power and a place to unwind, and for that, we are endlessly thankful for this bounty and all the jewels on display here.

For me, I am thankful for all of you and the journey we share together. Each Thanksgiving we give thanks for all we are grateful for, as there is plenty for all and as our regular readers know, I will once again be thankful for pumpkin pie (à la mode), turkey day leftovers and my friends who have become my family.

Happy Thanksgiving ….. I am beyond blessed and grateful for every one of you. Thank you !!

Greg Madden, is the Development Manager at Wellness Rx Pharmacy where he also practices ancient healing modalities like Tui-Na Medical Massage and BioPhoton Light Therapy. More at www.IlluminatingWellness.care.

WellnessRx, Pharmacy for the Public Good is America’s first nonprofit Community Pharmacy and Wellness Center in Tannersville, NY (WellnessRxLLC.com) and in April in Phoenicia, NY (PharmacyforthePublicGood.org), both located on Main Street.