Catskill Confidential September 2020 by Sullivan County Democrat/Catskill-Delaware Publications

Catskills Take One Free

Sullivan County’s Premier Visitors’ Information Resource

C O N F I D E N T I A L

Volume 20 Number 5

FALL 2020

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C O N F I D E N T I A L Fred Stabbert III Isabel Braverman Rosalie Mycka Petra Duffy Liz Tucker Barbara Matos Susan Panella Sue Owens

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Catskills Confidential is published monthly May through September and in November, January and March by Catskill-Delaware Publications 845-887-5200 issuu.com/scdemocrat

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an autumn to remember utumn is nearly upon us, and the Sullivan Catskills is alive with arts and culture, bustling main streets, and adventure around every bend. Our hillsides adorned with hues of gold, red and orange make each year’s leaf peeping a memorable one. We are a perfect backdrop to any fall getaway. Whether you come here to kayak, fish, pumpkin pick, hike, or take long drives through our windy roads leading you through small town main streets--these ideal distancing activities will make you feel life hasn’t changed so much. You will feel that sense of freedom and liberation that you so long for. We will be offering fall packages to invoke travelers’ curiosity and interest to stay longer and visit more of our fall attractions including farms, farmers’

Roberta ByronLockwood President/ CEO Sullivan Catskills

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markets and Michelin quality restaurants. We have packages that include a haunted property, inns with character, and a traditional Catskills resort. These getaways revolve around Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Annual Harvest Festival. Going into its 22nd year, this event may look a little different, but it still is a chance to shop local and support local farms while you are on the hallowed grounds of the 1969 Woodstock festival. Visit www.bethelwoodscenter.org for more details. Day travelers can redeem their parking passes at various restaurants for special offerings, which are listed on our website. For more information on our fall packages and what to do in the Sullivan Catskills visit www.sullivancatskills.com or call 845-747-4449.

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WELCOME M TO SULLIVA AN COUNT C Y

Stop and smelll the flowers, then thank k a volunteer.

We invite you to o join the movement

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top places to view foliage story and photos by Isabel Braverman he fall is many people’s favorite season, and for good reason—the display of fall colors is a breathtaking sight each and every year. Here in the Sullivan Catskills we have some beautiful views, whether you’re going for a hike or driving down country roads. Here are some of our favorites:

side of Port Jervis, NY that is known for its curvy road. You can pull into one of the pull-off spots to get out of your car and take in the views. Look down to see the Delaware River surrounded by trees on one side and a cliff on the other. The area has become a hotspot for graffiti and trash so be a mindful visitor and don’t leave anything behind!

Jensen’s Ledges The Bouchoux Trailhead (more commonly referred to as Jensen’s Ledges) is located near Hancock, NY off of Route 97. The moderate hike is 2.1 miles long and leads to stunning views of the Delaware River at the peak. The trail can be quite steep in some areas and also rocky, so make sure to wear proper foot attire and be prepared for a more strenuous walk.

Hawk’s Nest The Hawk’s Nest is a scenic overlook out-

Route 97 (Upper Delaware Scenic Byway) This north to south scenic route runs from Port Jervis to Hancock, NY and is just over 70 miles long. You could make a day trip out of it and go from one end to the other while stopping in the little towns along the way. Much of the road runs adjacent to the Delaware River and there are plenty of opportunities for scenic views. A 2015 Reader's Choice contest by USA Today voted it as the #2 "Best Autumn Scenic Drive" in the entire country and #1 in the northeast.

Jensen’s Ledges

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Rail Trails The Sullivan O&W Rail Trail is comprised of a series of railtrail segments created along the route of the old New York, Ontario and Western (O&W) Railway. Sections of the trail can be found in Parksville, Liberty, Hurleyville, Woodridge and Philipsport. There are plans in the works to connect the segments into one trail.

Walnut Mountain Park Located right in Liberty this 265-acre park has a variety of trails to offer to suit different interests. There are trails that are old carriage roads with a red shale base and also trails that cut through the woods and fields. There are also over nine miles of mountain bike trails. It’s the second highest mountain in Sullivan County and the top offers some great views.

Hawk’s Nest

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Above, Eldred Preserve Chief Operating Officer Scott Samuelson, left, chats with Eldred Preserve owner Dan Silna during a recent site review of the building progress. At left, five private lodges, along with a boutique hotel, with afford lodgers many options while visiting the Eldred Preserve resort for an overnight stay.

Eldred Preserve getting ready for 2021 opening story and photos by Fred Stabbert III lessed by a super summer building season and the ability to get back to work, The Eldred Preserve is fast working on finishing the $30,000,000 resort complex in time for its scheduled April, 2021 opening. The nine-building resort, built at the former site of The Eldred Preserve in the Town of Highland, sits on 800 pristine acres of Catskills forest and lakes. “We already have our first wedding booked for October 2, 2021,” Chief Operating Officer Scott Samuelson said. “And we are getting many inquiries.” Plans call for a soft opening in early 2021 to the Eldred Preserve, which will include The Old Homestead Restaurant

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at Eldred Preserve, The Bradstan Boutique Hotel at Eldred Preserve and a 125-seat event space, capable of hosting weddings, reunions, cabarets and other parties. The resort also has plenty of outdoor amenities, including gardens, patios, an outdoor amphitheater, pool and miles of walking trails around a beautiful 65acre mountaintop lake. Samuelson said current plans call for The Eldred Preserve to be open from April 1 through December 31 yearly – with a grand New Year’s Eve bash being the final event of the year. “We will be hiring in the fall of this year,” Samuelson said. “And will have a soft opening before April 1, 2021. “It is perfectly scheduled,” he said. “When we are going full tilt, we will have 50 employees.” C AT S K I L L S C O N F I D E N T I A L

liquid gold laire Marin is queen bee. The beekeeper, distiller and owner of Catskill Provisions has created a lineup of products that all shine a little brighter with the addition of one naturally occurring, local creation—honey. Marin co-founded the business with her partner Cathy Leidersdorff in 2010. She has grown the business to a multi-faceted line of gourmet products including honey, maple syrup, chocolate truffles and a growing line of spirits. Marin was looking for ways to connect the farming community with the distillery movement around the year 2008. She began working with other distillers and came up with her first spirit—honey rye whiskey. While whiskey can be spicy or smoky, Marin wanted to balance that a touch and thought honey would be the perfect companion. “Our tagline is ‘all buzz no sting,’ so it’s pleasant to sip on,” she says. Moving forward from there her brand now has several other spirits to offer: pollinator gin, bespoke gin, pollinator vodka and maple bourbon. They are all produced without sugar or corn syrup and with local, non-GMO New York State ingredients only. And it all began with her love of bee-

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story and photos by Isabel Braverman

keeping, which she found sort of accidentally. When she moved to Long Eddy in 2003 she gave her partner a beekeeping kit for Christmas. But she soon found herself to be the one using the kit and was fascinated by the bees. “I would open the beehive and just be totally transported,” she said. After a long career working in publishing in New York City, she decided to make the big leap and in 2010 quit her job to follow her dream and go fulltime. A recurring theme became “if not now, when.” She brought her honey to restaurants in the city and formed relationships with them. They sold her products in their restaurants and she operated as a sort of wholesale business. After expanding the business she wanted to move to the next step. She and her partner bought the old fire station building in Callicoon 14 years ago and had rented it to the Callicoon Brewery. In April 2018 Marin announced they would like to have the building back by March 2019 to occupy and start renovations making 16 Upper Main Street into

Catskill Provisions recently opened a tasting room and shop in Callicoon, NY. The store offers all of their gourmet products such as honey, ketchup, chocolate truffles and more. Try a delicious cocktail from the bar, they are made with their own New York State spirits. Guests can sit outside on the deck (picture above) and all tables are sanitized after each visit. Their spirits include honey rye whiskey, pollinator gin, bespoke gin, pollinator vodka, and maple bourbon.

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story and photos by Isabel Braverman

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continued from page 11 the tasting room restaurant it is today. The brewery moved across the street into the old Olympia Hotel building, which they owned and restored to its old glory. After extensive renovation work at 16 Upper Main they opened their tasting room this past Memorial Day. While opening a restaurant during the pandemic is not ideal, the space allows for social distancing and also has outdoor seating. After every visit tables are sanitized to ensure the safety of guests and staff. “It’s lovely to be able to be a place where people feel that they’re comfortable enough to be able to congregate and come back to, we have a lot of return customers,” Marin remarked. The tasting room offers elevated cocktails using their own spirits, local and house-made ingredients, light on the sugar. Drink options include the Bee’s Knees (vodka, honey, lemon), as well as New York State wine, beer and ciders. In addition to drinks, they also offer gastro pub food such as cured and confit chicken wings with your choice of Thai Chili honey glaze or bourbon barrel maple, Hilly Acres Farm beef sliders with bacon and onion marmalade, and cheese and charcuterie plates. They source everything from the local farmers’ markets and also will offer popup events throughout the year with local restaurants, such as Native of Honesdale, Pa.

Catskill Provisions 16 Upper Main St., Callicoon, NY Hours: Thursday-Saturday 12-7pm and Sunday 11am-6pm Phone number: 845-418-6482 Website: www.catskillprovisions.com Catskill Provisions offers artisanal fine food and craft spirits with honey at its core, and just opened a brand new tasting room in Callicoon. Stop by and try a cocktail made with one of their very own spirits: honey rye whiskey, pollinator vodka, bespoke gin or pollinator gin. A portion of all sales from the spirits are donated to causes that help support honeybees and other pollinators. Owner Claire Marin has been an avid beekeeper since 2003. Owner Claire Marin, pictured at left, has been a beekeeper since 2003. All of the cocktails on offer at Catskill Provisions in Callicoon feature locally produced honey. The shop features artisanal products like pancake and waffle mix and maple syrup, pictured above.

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´ big deal film fete G

rab your popcorn and enjoy curated bond with his transgender neighbor Gosindependent films that offer a fresh samer (Alexandra Grey, "Empire," "Transparperspective on this unique moment ent") and her father, a retired English in time as the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance professor who is still processing his child's (DVAA) presents the 9th annual Big Eddy identity. Film Festival, September 24 – 26. “We’re so excited to be able to expand the The festival will expand beyond the movie Big Eddy Film Festival this year, through excittheater for one-of-a-kind experiences, both ing new partnerships, and virtual streaming outdoor and online. technology,” says festival director Tina SpanThe event kicks off with a drive-in screengler.“ Of course, the public’s safety is top of ing of the classic movie “Grease” on Thursday, mind, so offering the option for our attendees September 24. Pop the tailgate and cozy up to experience the festival from their own under a blanket, or bring lawn chairs to sit homes is important. Also, the outdoor venues around a campfire in the field. Bring your we’ve lined up are not only unique spaces, own brown bag dinner, or enjoy snacks and but are also large enough to allow for ample beverages from the concession stand. This social distance.” screening is for Superstar Pass-holders only; “Now more than ever, we value collaboraindividual tickets are not available to this tion and partnerships with neighboring orevent. ganizations that seek to provide The festival continues at Bethel Woods Cen- opportunities for our mutual audiences,” says ter for the Arts on Friday, September 25 with Bethel Woods CEO Eric Frances.“We are the screening of “Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll thrilled to share our space with a likeminded President.” organization like DVAA and look forward to The film chronicles the relationship that welcoming the community for a weekend of music played in Carter’s early life, his camfilm and culture in a safe environment.” paign for the White House, and his term as From September 24 through October 4 the 39th President of the United States (1977 there will be an extended virtual festival with - 1981).The film, which was slated to open a curated lineup of new documentaries that the Tribeca Film Festival in April (which was will be available on a streaming platform. cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic), Tickets are available to individual films, for has been picked up for distribution by CNN both physical screenings and online films. Big Films. Eddy Film Festival Superstar Passes include On Saturday, September 26 is the world pre- admission to three nights of outdoor screenmiere theatrical screening of the new drama ings, plus a panel discussion at Bethel Woods, “Gossamer Folds,” a coming of age story set in and a 2020 BEFF sweatshirt. (Note: online 1980s Missouri.Ten-year-old Tate (Jackson screenings are not included in the pass). Robert Scott,“It”) defies his transphobic faFor more details, visit www.bigeddyfilmther and develfest.com or call DVAA at 845-252-7576. ops a strong Catch the screening of “Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President”

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The Blue Fox Motel in Narrowsburg, NY is the perfect retreat for city dwellers, as it offers ample outdoor space and private cabins.

the perfect getaway he Blue Fox Motel is steeped in history but the current owners have done an extensive renovation to bring it into the modern world. Tucked into the hillside off Route 97, the boutique motel features 11 rooms, four suites, three cabins and a five-bedroom private house that sleeps 12 people.

story by Isabel Braverman photos by Isabel Braverman and Paul Clarke Every room has its own entrance that opens to the outside and guests can meander around the quaint property replete with walking paths, a pool and the resident goats (yes, goats). The three ownersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Jorge Neves, Meg Sullivan and Paul Clarkeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;opened the motel portion of the business (the restaurant opened last August) in the late spring, right before the global COVID-19 pandemic hit. They were unsure of how the opening

The owners, pictured at left, are Paul Clarke, Jorge Neves, and Meg Sullivan. You can also find friendly goats on the property who help with lawn maintenance (and also enjoy a nice afternoon break), pictured above,

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would go, but it turns out that city folk wanted exactly what they had to offer. “The property is spread out,” said Sullivan. “People felt safe and didn’t want to leave.” Indeed, as soon as they opened the doors they had friends and family from New York City come and stay. Some of them are still there today. Their friends passed on the word and sure enough more and more guests began to arrive. And they continue to come back—most of their business is repeat customers. In addition to the motel they also have a bar and restaurant. Neves worked in the restaurant business in Manhattan for 25 years and brought his friend and chef, Honorio Anguisaca, to cook at the Blue Fox.

They offer fine, casual dining with classic menu options like a burger and fries as well as fresh salads, guacamole and cod cakes, and a full bar and extensive wine list. “We don’t try to reinvent the wheel, we just do solid stuff,” Neves remarked. “Our burgers are great, our grilled cheese is fantastic.” During the pandemic they are only offering outdoor dining and takeout with a limited menu. In addition they do catering, events, weddings and retreats. Located next to the Ten Mile River, the property was owned by the Landers family in the 1950s. It eventually was taken by the bank and the new owners bought it and completed

continued on page 18 The Blue Fox Motel offers 11 rooms, four suites, three cabins and a five-bedroom private house that sleeps 12 people, so you have lots of options for a weekend getaway or relaxing vacation. All of the accommodations are private and have their own entrance to the outside.

The Blue Fox Motel 5670 State Route 97 Narrowsburg, NY 12764 845-252-5200 www.bluefoxmotel.com

info@bluefoxmotel.com Restaurant hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5-9pm; Friday-Saturday 5-10pm; Sunday 5-9pm

The Blue Fox Motel is a rustic retreat that offers open space and modern amenities for guests. The restaurant is currently open for outdoor dining and offers classic American fare. The motel opened in the spring amid the coronavirus pandemic, but the owners say guests are seeking out the countryside haven. “Word of mouth and referrals have made us booked pretty much every weekend,” says co-owner Paul Clarke. They also offer catering, events, weddings and retreats on site; just contact them and they will set you up.

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continued from page 17 three years of renovations. The original structures are still there but they had to be completely redone and winterized. The pool is also original but they updated the surrounding area using bluestone (hence the “blue” in the name) already found on the property. “We really wanted this to be a place for both the locals and for the city folk trying to get out,” Sullivan said. “We wanted it to be a place where there could be harmony between all of that.” “It’s such a great community,” Clarke added. While the future is uncertain during the pandemic, the owners have plans to host community events such as movie screenings or DJ dance parties when it is safe to do so. Their enthusiasm for the business is evident, and that reflects on the guests too, who just keep coming back to the Blue Fox. The Blue Fox Motel is located right off Route 97 outside of Narrowsburg. Their restaurant offers a spacious dining room and classic menu items. The burger and fries, pictured below, is a fan favorite. Or try their fresh spinach and strawberry salad, pictured below left. They currently offer outdoor dining and takeout.

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farmersmarkets Barryville Farmers' Market

Saturdays 10am to 1pm May 23 to October 24 Special Holiday Markets November 24 and December 29 3405 Scenic Route 97 Barryville, 12719 (United Methodist Church) 845-557-0913 info@barryvillefarmersmarket.org www.barryvillefarmersmarket.org

FMNP SFMNP Callicoon Farmers' Market

Outdoor Market: Sundays 11am to 2pm March 22 to November 29 A. Dorrer Drive in Callicoon (Callicoon Creek Park) FMNP SFMNP www.callicoonfarmersmarket.org FMNP SFMNP

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Sullivan Fresh Monticello Farmers’ Market

(Operated by Cornell Cooperative Extension) Mondays 11am to 2pm July 6 to September 28 10 Jefferson Street (Behind the Ted Stroebele Recreation Center) Monticello 845-292-6180 mm2592@cornell.edu www.sullivancce.org FMNP SFMNP SNAP

Narrowsburg Farmers’ Market

Saturdays 10am to 1pm 7 Erie Ave, Narrowsburg (Behind the Narrowsburg Union) May 16 to October 31 570-982-0050 info@narrowsburgfarmersmarket.org www.NarrowsburgFarmersMarket.org FMNP SFMNP

Rock Hill Farmers' Market

Saturdays 10am to 1pm June 6 to September 26 223 Rock Hill Drive in Rock Hill rhfarmersmarket@gmail.com www.rockhillfarmersmarket.com FMNP SFMNP

Roscoe Farmers’ Market

Sundays 10am to 2pm May 12 to October 11 Niforatos Field 1978 Old Route 17 in Roscoe roscoenyfarmersmarket@gmail.com www.roscoeny.com FMNP SFMNP

Harvest Festival at Bethel Woods

Sundays 11am to 4pm August 30 to October 11 Bethel Woods Center for the Arts 200 Hurd Road in Bethel festivals@bethelwoodscenter.org www.bethelwoodscenter.org

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Always colorful.

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