VISITVortex Hudson Valley Winter 2022-23 by VISITvortex

WINTER 2022-23 | FREE

B E

D R AW N

I N

OUTDOOR WINTER FUN | VISIT MARGARETVILLE MEET THE OWNERS | LOCAL MAKERS | HOLIDAY CELEBRATING SPRING IN THE HUDSON VALLEY || ________________ | VISIT CATSKILL | ________________ ________________ | SPRINGGIFT 2018GUIDE

The season of giving happens year-round with US. We understand the value of caring about the communities we serve and supporting local is at the heart of everything we do. Bank where you and your community matter.

866.440.0391 / UlsterSavings.com

Locations in Ulster, Dutchess and Orange Counties EQUAL HOUSING LENDER / MEMBER FDIC

2022

WILLIAMS Lumber & Home Centers

We have everything you need!

Lumber • Hardware • Paint • Electrical • Windows & Doors Building Materials • Plumbing • Heating • Power Tools • Hand Tools Lawn & Garden • Kitchen & Bath • Housewares • & More!

845.876.WOOD

www.williamslumber.com RHINEBECK • HUDSON • HOPEWELL JUNCTION • TANNERSVILLE • RED HOOK • PLEASANT VALLEY • HIGH FALLS

Apparel Accessories Skin Care Gifts Curiosities

hamiltonandadams.com | @hamiltonandadams | #staycurious 32 John Street, Kingston, NY 12401 | 845-383-1039 4

ta b l e o f c o n t e n t s Outdoors

Eat. Stay. Play.

Stay

Local Makers

outdoor winter fun visit margaretville The Graham & Co meredith’s bread Eat. Drink.

jar’d wine pub

Health

110

Shop Locally

Wellness

119

Meet The Owner

Shop Locally

127

Meet The Owners

Meet The Owner

135

Meet The Owners

103

Meet The Owner

143

December 2

season of healing mountain float spa a gift for everyone h ops pet un ia hudson valley chocolates

Kenco, kingston hummingbird jewelers stoutridge distillery ester wine & spirits snowflake festival

VISITvortex.com | PO Box 82, High Falls, New York | 845-687-3470 | visitvortex@gmail.com instagram: @visitvortex | facebook.com/visithudsonvalley

visitvortex.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

visit vortex

winter starts here

57 City View Terrace, Kingston New York

845.338.5119

Online at PotterBrothers.com

t a s y a Holid the Plaza Find all the gifts you need

Clothes • Cards • Gifts • Home décor • Crafts Dining • Fitness • Beauty • Fine Wines • Flowers ...and more

KingstonPlaza.com For store directory & special offers 8

Plaza Road Kingston, NY 12401

Winter at 151 Plaza Road, Kingston, NY www.herzogs.com • (845) 338-6300

SNOWBLOWERS

TABLE SAWS

KITCHEN & BATH

PELLET GRILLS

HOLIDAY GIFTS

FA M I LY OW N ED & O P ER ATED • 1 13 Y E A R S I N TH E CO M M U N IT Y 9

ESCAPE TO THE HUDSON VALLEY’S MOST ICONIC RESORT A timeless getaway to nature is our specialty. Snuggle up beside a wood-burning fireplace, ice skate in our grand open-air pavilion, and enjoy cuisine from award-winning chefs—all included in your overnight rate. Rejuvenate with a nature-inspired treatment at The Spa at Mohonk Mountain House. JOIN US ON OUR MOUNTAINTOP & FEEL YOUR STRESSES MELT AWAY.

Book a day spa visit or an unforgettable getaway on our best rates of the year. 877.475.6365 | mohonk.com | New Paltz, NY

Est. 1869

v i s i t vo rt e x

ABOUT US

who we are be drawn in

our mission

is to help stimulate the local economy by promoting and introducing the faces behind independently owned businesses and organizations. VISITvortex is a celebration of each season and a portal to the great people and places of the Hudson Valley. Sharing the very best of local.

Jesse Marcus Melissa Hewitt Jane Anderson Melissa Hewitt, Sharon Wasko Jesse Marcus, Alisha Dingee Melissa Orozco Rachel Collet Peter Lewis Anne Pyburn Craig

if you’d like to advertise in this quarterly magazine or on the website, please call us at 845-687-3470. ©2022 visitvortex VISITvortex.com | PO Box 82, High Falls, New York | 845-687-3470 | visitvortex@gmail.com instagram: @visitvortex | facebook.com/visithudsonvalley | visitvortex.com

visitvortex.com

publisher creative Director editor designers sales production photography cover writer

11 11

Bill Winter

Ski All Day...Play At Night! • A few short blocks from the Historic Stockade and trendy Uptown Kingston • Heated, saltwater indoor pool and recreation center • Complimentary Wi-Fi and hot American breakfast • State-of-the-art fitness center • First Capitol Bistro & Bar, serving dinner and room service NYS Thruway Exit 19 – direct easy access to all Catskill Ski areas via Route 28 or I-87 in less than an hour Visit bwpkingston.com for special Winter ‘Ski & Stay’ packages!

Kingston Hotel & The Venue Uptown 503 Washington Avenue, Kingston 845-338-0400 1 (800) 780-7234 bwpkingston.com 13

Outdoors

outdoor fun n o e xc u s e to s tay i n s i d e by anne pyburn craig

OUTDOORS

here’s nothing quite like the bracing air of winter, and getting out in it is great for you, body and soul. Cold-weather activity burns more calories and does more for heart health, since your body’s also working to keep itself warm; Vitamin D in sunshine and all that dazzling natural light in general are the antidote to the low-energy, cabin-fever blahs.

Whether you’re an experienced skier, someone who’d sooner slide sitting down, or hankering to glide gracefully on skates, these places offer tons of good old-fashioned winter fun, often with all the modern conveniences onsite or right nearby. And when you return to your cozy nest, whether it’s your local home or an inn or hotel, the coziness will feel ten times as cozy as it did before you left for your outdoor adventure. Time to kick back with something from one of our fine beverage makers— you’ve earned it!

visitvortex.com

Just don’t forget to dress for it by layering up and making sure your hands, ears, and feet stay cozy and dry. Wear footwear with good traction; you want any sliding you do to be deliberate. Pop on a good pair of shades against the glare, and you’re good to go—and with options like we’ve got around here, you won’t have any trouble finding great destinations.

d ow n h i l l s k i i n g /b oa r d i n g /t u b i n g

PLATTEKILL MOUNTAIN is a friendly, family-owned Catskills ski resort with 38 trails and terrain for all skill levels. They’ve been described in Powder magazine as “The Alta of the Catskills.” There’s lift service available to tubers here, too. 469 Plattekill Road, Roxbury, NY 607-326-3500, plattekill.com

BELLEAYRE MOUNTAIN, New York State’s publicly-owned ski area in Highmount, offers skiing and snowboarding on 50 trails and five glades plus a terrain park, a progression park, and an X-Course. There are lessons for all ages and skill levels and an adaptive program, and miles of trails available for cross-country and snowshoeing. 181 Galli Curci Road, Highmount, NY 845-254-5600, belleayre.com

HUNTER MOUNTAIN RESORT, featuring four distinct mountain faces that offer just about every type of terrain, offers multiple restaurants and shops and a variety of lodging, including a spa and fitness room just steps from the lifts at the Kaatskill Mountain Club and “ski-in, ski-out” condos. 64 Klein Avenue, Hunter, NY 800-486-8376, huntermtn.com

WINDHAM MOUNTAIN offers 54 trails and six terrain parks; they’re constantly upping their snowmaking and grooming game, and a freshly renovated Base Camp houses the Windham Mountain Kids ski school. Here too you’ll find a comprehensive range of lodging and dining options for apres- or pre-ski eats and drinks. 19 Resort Drive, Windham, NY 518-734-4300, windhammountain.com

STAATSBURGH STATE HISTORIC SITE in Staatsburg is the former estate of Ogden and Ruth Livingston Mills, and you’re welcome to use your plastic sled or snow tube on their expansive lawn for free. (No metal runners please!) The Mills and Norrie State Parks nearby are laced with trails great for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. 75 Mills Mansion Drive, Road #1, Staatsburg, NY 845-889-8851, parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/staatsburgh

DRAYTON GRANT PARK at Burger Hill in Rhinebeck has a half-mile sledding hill. The climb may be long, but so’s the ride—and at the summit, panoramic views take in the Catskills to the east and the Berkshires to the west on a clear day. The park also offers plenty of trails for cross-country skiers and snowshoers. 3137 NY-9G, Rhinebeck, NY 845-876-4213, winnakee.org/visit-our-parks-preserves/drayton-grant-park-burger-hill

c ro s s - c o u n t ry s k i i n g / s n o w s h o e i n g

Photo by OPRHP

MINNEWASKA

STATE

PARK

Photo by Glenn Koehler

PRESERVE

welcomes cross-country skiers and snowshoers as well. 5281 Route 44-55, Kerhonkson, NY 845-255-0752, parks.ny.gov/parks/minnewaska RAIL TRAILS offer wonderful cross-country ski and snowshoe possibilities. They’re broad, smooth and level, and you can easily plan a trip that takes in a pit stop for a sustaining snack and a hot drink.

MOHONK PRESERVE grooms a selection of their carriage roads for serene Shawangunk skiing, and you’re welcome to ski and snowshoe on the rest of the 70 miles backcountry-style. You’ll want to park at the West Trapps, Coxing, Spring Farm or Testimonial Gateway trailheads. Visitor Center: 3197 State Route 44/55, Gardiner 845-255-0919, mohonkpreserve.org

SHAWANGUNK NORDIC SKI ASSOCIATION offers maps, conditions reports, free clinics and a racing program for all ages when conditions permit. skithegunks.com WALNUT MOUNTAIN PARK, maintained by the Town of Liberty, offers over 13 miles of trails in the heart of the Sullivan County Catskills. 73 Walnut Mountain Rd., Liberty, NY 845-292-7690

FAHNESTOCK WINTER PARK in Carmel offers over 11 miles of trails, plus hills for sledding and tubing. 1570 Route 301, Carmel, NY 845-225-7207, parks.ny.gov/parks/fahnestock JAMES BAIRD STATE PARK offers seven miles of scenic wooded trails in Pleasant Valley. 845-452-1489 14 Maintenance Lane, Pleasant Valley

CLERMONT STATE HISTORIC SITE in Germantown has five miles of marked trails for cross-country skiers and snowshoeing enthusiasts with gorgeous Hudson River views. One Clermont Avenue, Germantown 518-537-4240, clermontny.org/ clermont-park

outdoor wisdom BASECAMP S H AWA NGU NK RIDGE, a community hub, offers gear, guidance and bootcamps for outdoor sports, not to mention nutritious grab-n-go food to take with and organic elixirs and balms to help you recover. 2809 RT 44 55, Gardiner, NY 845-513-5756, basecampgunks.com

ALPINE ENDEAVORS will help you get organized and go ice climbing in the Catskills or Adirondacks. Rosendale, NY 877-486-5769, alpineendeavors.com

o u t d o o r i c e s k at i n g MOHONK MOUNTAIN HOUSE Ice Pavilion is a 9,375 square foot outdoor ice skating rink graced by a 39-foot high stone fireplace perfect for warming up with a cup of hot chocolate. Thirty miles of trails with stellar views of the Catskills are also available for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Call ahead to see if day passes are available on the day of your visit, or book a stay and have it all at your fingertips. 1000 Mountain Rest Road, New Paltz, NY 855-883-3798, mohonk.com/recreation/winter-activities BOWDOIN PARK in Wappingers Falls features a 76-by80-foot ice skating rink with glorious river views; its 301 acres also offer gentle sledding hills. 85 Sheafe Rd, Wappingers Falls NY 845-298-4600, dutchessny.gov/Departments/Parks/ Bowdoin-Park.htm BEAR MOUNTAIN ICE RINK, located at the Bear Mountain State Park in Tompkins Cove, is a beautiful outdoor rink with gorgeous views, skate rentals and skating lessons. 3006 Seven Lakes Drive, Bear Mountain, NY 845-786-2701 x266, bearmountainicerink.org

A Family-Owned & Operated Mountain... Experience the Difference! BUY TICKETS, RENTALS & RESERVE LESSONS ONLINE AT www.plattekill.com

Roxbury, NY (607) 326-3500 21

YOU’RE GOING TO NEED WATER. Let Binnewater Ice Co. provide all of your ice and water needs.

25 S Pine Street, Kingston, NY 845-331-0504 binnewater.com

COME ENJOY OUR BOUTIQUE HOTEL RIGHT IN THE HEART OF ROSENDALE

Great Pop-Up Meals • Craft Cocktails Beers on Tap • Real Safe Hospitality

Booking Safe Special Events, Weddings, Corporate and Family Gatherings 435 Main Street, Rosendale 845-658-7800 the1850house.com

10% 10% Savings Savings

10% 10% Savings 10% Savings Savings

On your On your entire entire purchase purchase whenwhen you present you present this card this card

On your On your entire On your entire purchase entire purchase purchase whenwhen youwhen present you present youthis present card this card this card

Compliments Compliments of: of:

Compliments Compliments Compliments of: of: of:

Free Tastings and Tours. Cocktail Lounge. Wood Burning Fireplace.

784 main 784 main streetstreet . margaretville . margaretville 43311 State Hwy 28, Arkville em: homegoods@catskill.net em: homegoods@catskill.net 845-586-6300 p: 845 p: 586.4177 845 586.4177 w: hgom.net w: hgom.net uniongrovedistillery.com 24

784 main 784 main street 784 main street . margaretville street . margaretville . margaretville em: homegoods@catskill.net em: homegoods@catskill.net em: homegoods@catskill.net p: 845 p:586.4177 845 p: 586.4177 845 586.4177 w: hgom.net w: hgom.net w: hgom.net

EAT. STAY. PLAY.

v i s i t m a rg a r e t v i l l e & n e a r b y c at s k i l l s

visitvortex.com

Eat. Stay. Play.

estled at the western edge of the Catskill Park, protected from the comparatively hectic Hudson Valley by High Peaks and deep woods, you’ll find Margaretville. Named for Colonial settler Robert Livingston’s granddaughter, it’s the center—geographically and otherwise—of the sprawling, sparsely settled town of Middletown, with a small hospital and supermarket and a pharmacy. Beyond these useful basics, Margaretville has developed a microculture all its own: quirky, artsy, yet plainspoken and downto-earth, all extremely useful qualities for thriving in the outback. Up here, the tensions of urban living can melt away and slip from

your shoulders like snow falling softly from a pine branch. You’ll find a lot to explore; the art of living up here requires making your own fun, and Margaretville’s creative types—from artists to chefs to shopkeepers—are expert and hospitable. And for those in love with outdoor mountain fun, this mellow oasis in the Cats makes a superb base camp: It’s just 10 miles to Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, and 13 miles to Plattekill. Don’t feel like bringing a car? Take the Metro North train to the Trailways bus via an easy connection from Poughkeepsie to New Paltz, or just grab the Trailways from Hoboken; once you arrive in Margaretville, you’ll find everything you need within easy walking distance.

For those in love with outdoor mountain fun, this mellow oasis in the Cats makes a superb base camp. 26

outdoors PLATTEKILL MOUNTAIN Skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing are just minutes away. Just over the mountain on Route 30, you’ll find Plattekill—the last indie family-run ski mountain in the Cats—famed for its laid-back authentic vibes and combination of big mountain terrain and small mountain charm. You and your crew can even rent the entire mountain for a day. 469 Plattekill Road, Roxbury 607-326-3500, plattekill.com THE DRY BROOK RIDGE WILD FOREST, 8,900 acres laced with trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, is accessed from a trailhead within the village. There’s no admission fee, and backcountry camping is welcomed; all they ask is that you be safe and leave no trace. Find a map of the forest on the DEC’s website. THE EAST BRANCH OF THE DELAWARE RIVER, nationally renowned for freshwater fishing and a lovely paddle or float in warmer months, runs right through the village. 27

indoors SPECIES BY THE THOUSANDS You’ll find aromatherapy, candles, jewelry, and gifts at Species by The Thousands, a craft studio founded in Brooklyn back in 2006 by artist Erica Bradbury. The handmade work, inspired by “natural, spiritual and outsider worlds,” is beloved around the globe; only in Margaretville can you visit the source and see the magic Bradbury conjures from these hills in its natural habitat. 798 Main Street, Margaretville speciesbythethousands.com WILDFLOWERS FLORIST Wildflowers offers gifts, antiques, and highly creative floral design for any occasion or just because. The shop was founded back in 1995 by Richard Simms, an MFA who majored in Fashion Design at FIT, studied ikebana (flower arranging) in Japan, traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Caribbean, and brings an exquisite sensibility to each floral artwork. 746 Main Street, Margaretville 845-586-2444, wildflowers-design.com 28

FOOTHILLS SHOE Forget your hiking boots? Fear not. Foothills Shoe, the “Sole of the Catskills,” has your new favorite pair. Customers are regularly astonished by the shop’s wide, well-chosen selection, reasonable prices, and friendly, efficient service. They’ve got everything here from sandals to subzero, all of it top-quality. 785 Main St, Margaretville 845-217-7282, foothillsshoe.com HOME GOODS OF MARGARETVILLE For decades, Home Goods of Margaretville kept the village and its visitors supplied with kitchen essentials, gadgets, linens, and gifts at a level you’d not expect in a village of a few hundred. Since 2014, it’s been owned by Margaretville natives Jess and Jake Olenych, who reclaimed the 12-foot ceilings and exposed brick at the onetime Peoples National Bank and moved across the street just in time for the pandemic, emerging as both a topflight home goods store and a community food center where local farmers, bakeries, and artisanal producers bring their finest offerings. 784 Main Street, Margaretville, NY 845-586-4177, hgom.net 29

CAFE MARGUERITE When you’re way too hungry to cook after choosing your goodies, stop in at Cafe Marguerite, where you’ll find delicious coffee, delightful chocolate, and delectable pastries along with heartier fare like Asian sausage on a bun or smoked salmon on an “everything” croissant. They’re famed for their flawless custom cakes. And check their calendar for the next Taco Takeover, when Cafe Marguerite turns into Cafe Margarita! 746 Main Street, Margaretville 718-484-2121, cafemarguerite.com ARKVILLE BREAD AND BREAKFAST The Arkville Bread and Breakfast, open daily from 7am-2pm, is yet another Catskills original of extraordinary excellence, situated in a retired railway caboose. Chef/owner Jack Zamor cooks a wonderful whirl of hearty breakfasts and savory lunches, presenting generous portions of creative dishes at reasonable prices. Visit Twisted Sister Yoga next door before or after. 43285 State Route 28, Arkville, NY 845-586-1122, arkvillebreadandbreakfast.com

CATSKILL RECREATION CENTER Want to take a dip? No, not in the East Branch of the Delaware, which is too cold for all but the bravest even in midsummer. Head down the road a mile to Arkville, to the Catskill Recreation Center, where you can reserve pool time and a session in their state-of-theart 2,000-square-foot gym. The facility is a nonprofit, a gift to the community from a Livingston descendant, and you’ll find the vibes upbeat, inclusive, and welcoming. 651 County Highway 38, Arkville 845-586-6250, catskillrecreationcenter.org UNION GROVE DISTILLERY You may want to grab an extra Reuben or Philly cheese steak to go, because you need to bring your own eats to Union Grove Distillery to wash down with a craft cocktail. The distillery is owned by the husband-and-wife team of Brian and Penny Mulder. They craft singularly delicious potions from hyperlocal ingredients and serve up tastings at a copper-topped bar beside a roaring fireplace; there’s a piano, and visits from musicians and food trucks are often on the calendar. 43311 State Highway 28, Arkville 845-586-6300, uniongrovedistillery.com 31

sleep comfy Less than a half hour from Margaretville, these Catskills lodgings go above and beyond to make you at home away from home. EMERSON RESORT AND SPA Want a resort vibe and all the amenities that come with it? The Emerson Resort and Spa located in Mount Tremper (yes, it’s named for Ralph Waldo Emerson) has a signature restaurant, an award-winning spa, shops to browse, and the world’s largest kaleidoscope. 5340 Route 28, Mount Tremper 845-688-2828, emersonresort.com THE GRAHAM & CO. Want maximum chill? The Graham & Co. in Phoenicia is a low-key, 20-room boutique hotel located within walking distance of the hamlet’s Main Street. It’s got a nostalgic feel, Tivoli radios in every room, bikes to borrow, and a firepit for evening stargazing. 80 State Route 214, Phoenicia 845-688-7871, thegrahamandco.com Learn more from the folks at Delaware County Tourism at GreatWesternCatskills.com. 32

Discover the Gem of the Catskills. Delaware County, New York.

Escape to the Perfect

Plan your next adventure at greatwesterncatskills.com 33

Flowers have a mystical power. The haunting, ephemeral quality of nature can be transcendental.

• • • •

Six-lane, 25-yard lap pool and state-of-the-art gym Group yoga, spin, and water aerobics classes Cycling events, lifeguard training, swim lessons Affordable rates with a clean and friendly atmosphere 651 County Highway 38, Arkville • 845-586-6250

Wildflowers is always seeking the most magical of blooms. Awarded Best Floral/Event Design Company in New York, by Corporate America Boardroom Elite 2016 & 2017

catskillrecreationcenter.org

CREATING NEW AND EXCITING LOOKS FOR WINTER ARRANGEMENTS.

746 Main Street, Margaretville 845-586-2444 Instagram: @Wildflowers646 • wildflowers-design.com Email: 90casale@gmail.com

PHOENICIA

GET INSPIRED IN THE CATSKILLS 80 Route 214 • Phoenicia 845-688-7871 • thegrahamandco.com #thisisthecatskills

Stay

th e g r a h a m

& co., ph oenicia

by anne pyburn craig

Want some true Catskills downtime? It doesn’t get much more authentic than the Graham & Co., an “unpretentious but considered” 20-room boutique hotel just three blocks off Phoenicia’s Main Street that features Tivoli radios, kitchenettes, bikes for exploring, a communal den, and “plenty of places to relax with a drink.”

p h o to s b y r a c h e l c o l l e t

The onetime Cobblestone Inn was purchased and given a deep refresh by a four-person design team with the help of the Barattini family in 2013; the Graham & Co. was taken over by Martin Torres and Joe DiThomas in 2018. “It was like nothing the Catskills had ever seen,” says Torres of the hotel’s beginnings. “It was the first of many

“We took what they started and continued everything that worked, and tweaked things that didn’t,” he continues. They added the Bungalow: a stand-alone unit with a mas-

ter bedroom, second bedroom, full kitchen, bathroom with walk-in shower, and a private backyard with a firepit. The couple also improved the infrastructure and began to offer guest experiences.

STAY

boutique hotels that found their way here. And when we bought the Graham in 2018, the family was kind enough to set us up for success.

Those experiences, arranged through partnerships with Catskills neighbors, include snowshoe or

“We enjoy creating and operating a fun, design-driven boutique space that recognizes the heritage of the Catskills. It’s about creating a feeling of nostalgia by providing one-of-a-kind experiences and services for guests.” from the hotel—will find Phoenicia’s quirky and delicious dining and shopping in easy walking distance. Ski slopes are just 20 miles away. Torres and DiThomas were longtime Catskills trekkers when they upended their lives and re-planted themselves here. “Martin and I have

visitvortex.com

snow-bike rentals, guided snowshoe and hiking tours, and an aromatherapy workshop with Barbara Mansfield of Phoenicia Soap in which you’ll be guided in creating your own unique scent. Many more experiences are close at hand. Those who arrive at the Graham & Co. via Trailways bus—a scant two blocks

been coming to the Catskills since the mid-nineties,” says DiThomas. “In fact, we stayed at the Cobblestone Inn (now the Graham & Co.) back in 1997.” “I grew up far, far away from the Catskills in El Paso, Texas, in the desert,” says Torres. “So I always appre38

ciated all the lush green trees, not to mention the four seasons—something I never had growing up.” Like many Catskills entrepreneurs, the couple set up shop here to live a life more in line with their dreams and ideals. “I would have loved to have been a journalist, but that path

didn’t look to be sustainable, so I got a degree in advertising from the University of Texas and never looked back,” says Torres. “I was very fortunate to have a career in advertising for over 25 years. It took us to Tokyo and back. It was the only thing I knew I wanted to do. But after a while, like everything else, it just wasn’t fun

“It was like nothing the Catskills had ever seen. It was the first of many boutique hotels that found their way here.” – Martin Torres

anymore. Both of us knew we had to do something more personally fulfilling.” They weren’t initially certain of what that something different might be, but they did know where, and put in a bid on the Phoenicia Pharmacy. “We lost that bid,” says Torres, “It wasn’t to be, but while trying to do the deal, we met Gilbert Barattini and his family, who’d reinvented the hotel along with a team of designers.” DiThomas had been working in real estate and had had a year of hotel experience, and the couple had done some AirBnB hosting, both in the Hudson Valley and in New York City, so they weren’t complete novices. “We both understood the importance of doing what it takes to keep the client happy,” says DiThomas. “And the location chose us. Once we decided that we wanted to try and run a hotel… it was always Plan A. We had no Plan B.” Fortunately, Plan A has proven to be a hit. The Catskills have long been a place for city people to escape and feel grass under their feet. And the Graham & Co.’s clientele is very much into getting outside and experiencing what the Catskills has to offer, from hiking, skiing, biking, or swimming to just hanging out in the fresh air. At the Graham & Co., they find a pool, hammocks, firepits, and a store stocked with personal care items and a bit of

swag—and the simplicity that’s always been key to an old-fashioned stay in the country. “At the end of the day, we are still a renovated motel,” says Torres. “We don’t offer spa services. We don’t have a giant conference room, so all our effort goes into the details.” Those details shine in the rooms, the hospitality, and the experiences 40

that the couple offer. “Housekeeping is such an important and under-recognized job, but that’s where it starts,” he continues. “I think that a lot of hospitality businesses have tried too hard to have a hook or a theme and may have forgotten about hospitality itself. We’re always working on having a warm, welcoming place to experience the Catskills from.”

During the pandemic, the Graham & Co. team discovered that their property was well situated to offer safe refuge. “We discovered we might be better positioned for the challenges of COVID than some other hospitality businesses,” says Torres, “and then a few happy accidents along the way helped us too. For example, once we instituted contactless checkin, our motel configuration allowed guests to walk

right into their room from their car and find the key inside. No elevators. No hallways. It’s what guests were looking for at the time— even now, but to a lesser degree. And instead of our usual breakfast spread on the weekends, we started bringing breakfast to our guests’ rooms in a tiny black crate. It turns out people loved that personal touch, and I can’t see that going back to the way it

it’s only gotten better.) Next spring, there may be a new communal hangout space and all rooms will have air conditioning; beyond that, the Graham & Co. will maintain its beloved design-forward rustic flavor.

was before.”

Torres. “We’d really love to continue to build something special. For guests. For Phoenicia. For the Catskills. We enjoy creating and operating a fun, design-driven boutique space that pays homage to the Catskills. It’s about creating a feeling of nostalgia by providing one-of-a-kind experiences and services for guests…I love to see a teenager arrive from the city sullen and moody and leave here a happy kid. That goes for the adults too. When that happens, we know we’ve done our job.”

Another pandemic-related trend probably isn’t going anywhere either. “We’re getting a lot more corporate retreat requests,” Torres says. “I think that’s because so many employees of companies are working remotely and corporate culture is becoming harder to grasp, so more companies are relying on the corporate retreat to infuse them with a group experience. If you want your corporate culture to say ‘chill,’ what better place than the Graham & Co to give you that vibe?” What better place, indeed, than a boutique hotel snuggled up to a hamlet named by Budget Travel as one of America’s “Coolest Small Towns?” (That was in 2011, but trust us,

“The Graham & Co. is the ‘Happy Place’ for so many people. We get so many return guests; we just can’t let them down,” says

the graham & co. 80 NY-214, Phoenicia 845-688-7871 thegrahamandco.com

We are located in the heart of The Catskill Mountains. We carry Minnetonka Moccasins, chimes, puzzles, local books & maps, gemstones, homemade fudge, jewelry, candy, t-shirts, games, crafts and so much more. We are packed to the rafters with fun, practical, and hard-to-find merchandise. Come visit us for a unique shopping experience.

nesteggshop.com 42

Savor the Season...

Tender Land Home for the Holidays

home portraits

gifts / accessories / home decor Oil paintings from photos or onsite. Artist David DeWitt, Accord, NY, daviddewitt.com Contact David for an estimate: dndewitt@gmail.com

10am - 5pm / 64 Main St, Phoenicia, NY 845-688-7213 / tenderlandhome.com 43

RE D

ITH ’S C

OU NT RY B

AK ER Y, L LC

ALL-NATURAL • LOCAL • NO PRESERVATIVES

Regional American Cuisine 94 North Front Street, Kingston, NY 12401 845-338-2626 HoffmanHouseTavern.com

· BREAD · PIES · COOKIES

Traditional Bakery and Dedicated Gluten-free Bakery

Meredithsbread.com | (845) 331-4318 | 415 Route 28, Kingston, NY 12401

O PE

NOW COFFEE BAR BREAKFAST & LUNCH LOCAL PROVISIONS SERVING WINE & BEER ORDER ONLINE HAPPY HOUR FRIDAYS

11 Jane Street, Saugerties 845-247-7189 olsenandcompany.com 44

· MUFFINS · QUICHE · JAM & more!

OPE

LY DAI

COFFEE BAR • MARKET • LOCAL PROVISIONS 317 MAIN STREET, KERHONKSON, NY 12446 845-626-1458

millandmainstreet

www.millandmainstreet.com

LOCAL MAKERS

Local Makers

visitvortex.com

meredith’s bread

t all began with a simple roadside farmstand in 1972. Bob and Lynn Allen, owners of Meredith’s Bread, began by selling local produce, prepared foods, and a handful of homemade breads. Fifteen years later, when the original owner of the Meredith’s Bread brand was selling the business, they bought the name and some equipment and took over where she left off, selling a small variety of muffins and breads. Committed to maintaining the business that had been established, but eager to make a name for themselves in a competitive market, Bob and Lynn began to grow their product line, creating delicious, preservative-free fruit pies, cakes, cookies, and more, all from scratch. Thirty years later, Meredith’s now offers more than 350 baked goods, many of which are glu-

Using mostly regional flours and grains, vegetables, fruit, dairy, eggs, and honey, they are committed to supporting the local economy and maintaining quality and flavor by using honest, wholesome ingredients. 46

ten-free, sugar-free, or dairy-free. Using mostly regional flours and grains, vegetables, fruit, dairy, eggs, and honey, they are committed to supporting the local economy and maintaining quality and flavor by using honest, wholesome ingredients. The secret to their success lies in that original

farmstand experience of selling directly to their dedicated customers. Instead of going to retail markets and selling wholesale, Meredith’s has maintained the practice of getting to know their customers and interacting with them face-toface. At the height of farmers market season, they sell their made-in-the-Hudson-Valley baked goods in locations from Albany to New York

City. Customers who are eager for something as simple as a fresh loaf of homemade bread, or just a sweet roll to go along with their morning coffee on their way to work, will stop at one of the many convenient locations throughout Manhattan, from East Harlem all the way down to Battery Park.

Those who can’t eat gluten will find not just four or five choices, but a cornucopia of goods. Using the farmstand business model has not only allowed Meredith’s to thrive in the niche mar-

da have been diagnosed with celiac disease. They know what a difference eating right can make.

ket they have created, but has also allowed them to understand the needs of their customers and respond directly to them. When something they bake is amazing, they hear about it. And when it’s not, they hear about that, too. They have listened to the requests for gluten-free options, and responded with utmost enthusiasm by offering not just a few gluten-free items, but a whole line of options, from breads to desserts to pastries, for their loyal customers.

To ensure the very best and safest gluten-free goodies, they’ve created a second bakery—a dedicated gluten-free facility with its own staff, equipment, and certified gluten-free ingredients. Gluten does not go near any of Meredith’s gluten-free products.

There’s a very personal reason why the Allens care so much: both Lynn and daughter Aman48

It’s made possible by a meticulous approach to the inspired chemistry that is fine baking. “It takes many gluten-free ingredients to recreate the structure of gluten,” Lynn told Down to Earth Markets in 2016. “And everyone here is passionate about finding the right mix.” Daughter Amanda, now a partner, is one

of the primary recipe developers and the force behind the Kingston shop. “We have become a valuable and trusted resource for local gluten-free customers,” she says. “We also work with Enzo’s Restaurant in Kingston, providing them with gluten-free dinner rolls, burger buns, and pizza crusts for their rapidly growing gluten-free customer base.”

foodies by storm. Reviewers on Yelp share tips on the best time to show up at their favorite farmers markets to score some no-sugar blueberry tarts, carrot pineapple muffins, or a loaf of organic multigrain spelt bread. Carefully chosen staff work hard to please these repeat customers at up to 60 markets a week in peak season. In keeping with Meredith’s commitment to local communities, leftover

Balance that with the company’s dedication to fresh and local and you begin to understand why this bakery has taken New York City

baked goods are donated to local churches, food pantries, and shelters at the end of the day.

Lucky for us in the Hudson Valley, we can stop by Meredith’s on Route 28 in Kingston to pick up some fresh-baked goodies to bring home, a slice of quiche for the road, and even a cup of coffee. Don’t forget to grab some all-natural doggie treats on your way out.

meredith’s bread

meredithsbread.com 415 Route 28, Kingston, 845-331-4318

Woodfired Pizza & Entrees

Upscale Steak & Seafood

Authentic Mexican Cuisine

845-688-5370 brios.net

845-688-9800 thephoeniciansteakhouse.com

845-688-5259 alamocantina.com

We Deliver Catering to the Entire Hudson Valley and Catskills

1923 Ulster Ave, Lake Katrine • 845-382-2211 angelaspizzarestaurant.com

Holiday Party Catering In House & Out

743 Route 28, Kingston

Open 7 days for Lunch & Dinner

845-338-2424

hickoryrestaurant.com

Serving New Paltz for 48 years

A SLICE OF ITALY ITALIAN CUISINE Pizza, Pasta, Salads, Hot and Cold Subs, Full Bar and More CATERING AVAILABLE

845-336-7115

1316 Ulster Ave. Kingston

www.asliceofitaly7115.com

• Outdoor Dining on Front and Back Patios • Spacious Indoor Dining or Take-Out Ordering • We go above and beyond Covid regulations. • Hundreds of Craft Beers, Full Bar and Wine List • Billiard Hall with Ping Pong and Games Our menu includes locally grown seasonal items along with seafood, steak, and comfort food offerings with many vegan/gluten-free options. Online ordering available. Live music on weekends.

4 South Chestnut Street, New Paltz 845-255-8636 • bacchusnewpaltz.com

• New York Style Pizzas • Made to order Italian Heros • Authentic Italian Dishes

786 Main Street, Poughkeepsie 845-471-4110

SPECIALS: 6 Kinds of Tacos • Tequilas • Margaritas

EAT. DRINK.CHILL.

9 Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie • 845-243-2222 • hurricanewings.com 52

One block up from the Hudson River in the quaint peaceful town of Athens.

7 ON SECOND STREET, ATHENS 838-945-0702 SECONDSRESTAURANT.COM Live Live Live Music! Music! Live Music! Music!

Full Full Full Service Service Full Service Service Bar BarBarBar

Patio Patio Patio dining Patio dining dining in dining inseason! in season! season! in season!

Tuesday: BURGERS & BEER NIGHT

Weekend Weekend Weekend Weekend Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast WING NIGHT 8 8differant differant 8 differant 8 differant kinds kinds kinds ofkinds of of Wednesday: of Egg's Egg's Egg's Benedict! Egg's Benedict! Benedict! Benedict!4th Thursday: TRIVIA NIGHT

Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wing Wing Wing &Wing && & Pasta Pasta Pasta Night! Pasta Night! Night! Night!

Friday: PASTA NIGHT Sunday Breakfast with10 kinds of Eggs Benedict! Outdoor Dining & Events. Live Music! Private Events. Full Service Bar. GREAT FOOD. GREAT MUSIC. GOOD TIMES. Open Year Round At The Stone Dock Golf Course.

Open Open Open Open year year year Round year Round Round Round atatThe at The at The Stone The Stone Stone Stone Dock Dock Dock Dock Golf Golf Golf Course Golf Course Course Course 1212Stone 12 Stone 12 Stone Stone Dock Dock Dock Dock Rd. Rd. Rd. Rd. 845-687-2699 845-687-2699 845-687-2699 845-687-2699 High High High High Falls Falls Falls NY Falls NY NY NY www.highfallscafe.com www.highfallscafe.com www.highfallscafe.com www.highfallscafe.com

Jar'd Wine Pub

Water Street Market, New Paltz 845-255-8466 Covered, dog friendly porch. Sunset views. Open daily.

craft beer & cocktails. eclectic wine. tapas. 53

Eat. Drink.

j a r ’ d w i n e p u b , n e w pa l t z by anne pyburn craig

p h o to s b y r a c h e l c o l l e t

hen we catch up with There-

market’s event coordinator. “It was

sa Fall, owner of Jar’d Wine

touch and go during the pandem-

Pub, she is lugging a wagon full of

ic, but we just trimmed down a bit

wine. But being Theresa, she keeps

and made it work. We’re lucky to

right on lugging while launching

have an incredibly loyal staff and

into a spirited discussion of the lat-

customer base, and it feels like

est doings at her sweet, chic jewel

we’re over the hump.”

EAT. DRINK.

Visitors will find inspired craft cocktails, a creative wine list with biodynamic, natural, vegan, and organic choices, and yummy snacks—but most of all, they’ll find an experience.

box of a bar and the spectacular view from Water Street Market.

Visitors will find inspired craft cocktails, a creative wine list with

“Almost 10 years, and we’ve sur-

biodynamic, natural, vegan, and

vived on a wing and a prayer,” says

organic

Theresa, whose hospitality chops

snacks—but most of all, they’ll find

inspired Water Street Market

an experience. Jar’d is compact,

owner Harry Lipstein to suggest

comfy, and pretty, and the ambi-

that she open her own place after

ance encourages any group of

he saw what she could do as the

random customers to join in the

and

yummy

visitvortex.com

choices,

conversation, whether it’s philosophical, sports-minded, or old-timers sharing New Paltz know-how with newbies. “We’re known as a place where the locals meet the tourists, and I absolutely love that,” says Fall. “I love networking and putting people with good ideas together, and Jar’d is a constant source of ideas and connections. It’s a genuine melting pot, and it just seems to make people really happy; they have a good time, and that means everything.”

Owner Theresa Fall’s hospitality chops inspired Water Street Market owner Harry Lipstein to suggest that she open her own place after he saw what she could do as the market’s event coordinator. Those warm, welcoming vibes and the soothing Gunks views, especially spectacular at sunset, will also be found at The Parish, where Theresa is also a co-owner. The menu is eclectic, with an emphasis on flavors from New Orleans; you can enjoy a plate of gator bites tossed in Cajun spices or a bowl of traditional gumbo as a starter before your blackened catfish, while your vegan pal feasts on a superb black bean burger. 56

“We’re known as a place where the locals meet the tourists, and I absolutely love that.”—Jar’d owner Theresa Fall It’s become a “thing” to finish off a couple of hours of

At Jar’d, they very soon feel right at home—a testament

take the tour. And I now have confidence that these

exploring the Market with a drink at Jar’d and then a

to the core of goodness within the constantly shifting

aren’t people who’ll just throw up any old thing, and I’m

dinner at The Parish (also located in Water Street Mar-

reality of this bustling, intelligent place. There’s new de-

excited for them and for us—it will change the neigh-

ket), and visitors will be enchanted with the entire ex-

velopment afoot, and Theresa is embracing it.

borhood, from our perspective here at the Market, in

perience. “I love it when tourists come in and ask about

a positive way. That said, it’s important that people pay

good hikes or what not to miss out on,” says Theresa.

“They’re talking about a boutique hotel down here to

“And I’m meeting a lot of newbies who came up during

replace a warehouse. I wasn’t for it at first, but then

attention and require due diligence from developers.”

the pandemic—there’s always been a steady trickle, but

I met with the owners—they’re the same people who

Drop in for a glass and a nibble and the absolute latest,

the pandemic brought quite the wave.”

created Woodstock Way, and they invited me to come

or while away the time talking art, music, books, and 57

Drink Well

JAR’D COCKTAIL RECIPES

S o u r C h e r ry S p r i t z

Bubbles

• 1 ounce tart cherry juice

• 2 ounces mezcal

• 3/4 ounce of fresh lime

• 1/2 ounce organic agave

• 2 ounces vodka

• 1/2 ounce fresh lime

Shake over ice. Strain into a Collins glass with ice and top with seltzer and a Luxardo cherry.

Shake over ice. strain and pour into coupe glass. Top with cava or prosecco.

Bee’s Knees

life, or just drink your fill

summer. “But it feels like

of Gunk-gazing. “I don’t

we’re back in the normal

quite know what’s com-

New Paltz flow, and peo-

ing with the cold weath-

ple are just thrilled and

L av e n d e r G i m l e t

er—does anyone ever?”

grateful to get out and

• 2 ounces Freeland Spirits gin

said Theresa late last

about.”

(female run and operated distillery) • 1 ounce homemade lavender simple syrup

ja r ’ d w i n e p u b

10 Main Street, Suite 305 Water Street Market, New Paltz 845-255-8466, jardwinepub.com

• 1 ounce fresh lime juice

and

Smoke

• 2 ounces of Barhill Gin or Freeland Spirits Bourbon (The Gold Rush) • 1 ounce local honey and lavender syrup • 1 ounce fresh lemon juice

Shake over ice. Strain into a coupe glass

Shake and strain into a coupe glass.

and top with a lavender flower.

Top with a lavender flower.

restaurant | bistro | bar

a place for gathering and good food.

PLANTS • MARKET • CAFE • BEER • CIDER

whether a quiet dinner for two or a large family get-together, our staff is dedicated to creating a personalized experience served in a warm and inviting environment.

Water Street Market:10 Main Street, New Paltz

in-house dining | takeout | holidays | events

845-255-2444 • grazerynewpaltz.com

terrapinrestaurant.com 845-876-3330 rt. 9, rhinebeck

• Rustic American Style Cuisine

• Overnight Accommodations

• Locally Sourced Ingredients

• Catering Available

• Inside & Outside Dining

•Take-Out Available

Check our website for the most current menu and dining hours

farmhouse cuisine · killer cocktails · nightly bonfire 8373 State Route 28, Big Indian, NY (845) 254-6500 www.peekamooserestaurant.com

5819 MAIN STREET, TANNERSVILLE • 518-589-5445 • JESSIESHARVESTHOUSE.COM

restaurants • catering • mobile food truck

Poke bowls, sushi rolls, vegan options, desserts, and more in the beautiful Stockade district of Uptown Kingston. japanese noodle bowls, southeast asian street-food, and other asian specialties. y u m y u m n o o d l e b a r .c o m

310 Wall Street, Kingston

845-514-2801 FirstCapitalPokeBar.com 60

• curbside & delivery service woodstock • 4 rock city rd • 845-679-7992 • 7 days a week kingston • 275 fair st • 845-338-1400 • online ordering red hook • 7496 south broadway • 845-835-6383

BREAKFAST BRUNCH LUNCH

A Culinary Experience Like No Other. FLAVORS FROM REGIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD USING FRESH LOCAL INGREDIENTS.

DINNER

17 TINKER ST WOODSTOCK NY 845.679.5763

FALAFEL, SABICH, SALADS & MORE

OPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH • INDOOR/OUTDOOR SEATING • TAKE OUT • GLUTEN FREE

Chef Zach Berger PRIVATE CHEF AND CATERER 54 East Market St. Rhinebeck 845-876-2324 abasfalafel.com

Email: chefzachberger@gmail.com

Instagram: @food_master_flex 61

• shop our gift boutique • therapeutic massage • organic skincare and waxing • gift certificates

73 crown st. kingston, new york birchkingston.com 845-331-7139

Escape the city and experience a winter Shangri-la just two hours from New York City. Create Your Own Getaway HIKING • SNOWSHOEING SKIING (20 MINS FROM HUNTER SKI RESORT) MEDITATION • SOUND BATHS PRIVATE YOGA • BONFIRE • SAUNAS

Handmade & Natural • Bath & Body Products • Soap Making Classes • Events

DEWA SPA TREATMENTS

WWW.MENLA.US | 845.688.6897 SPONSORED BY TIBET HOUSE US, THE DALAI LAMA’S TIBETAN CULTURAL CENTER IN AMERICA

263 Main Street Beacon • nourishnaturalsoap.com @nourishnaturalsoapco

HEALTH

Health / Wellness

the season of healing

visitvortex.com

by anne pyburn craig

It’s a lot easier to stay active and engaged in the spring, summer, and fall. But once the leaves have hit the ground and the mercury’s dropped, there’s a natural impulse to hunker down with a great playlist or streaming experience and some good eats and drinks, and simply hibernate. We’re with you on this—mostly. It’s hard to overstate the joys of hygge on a chill winter’s evening or stormy day. That said, like fine food and drink, a certain degree of moderation is key. Cocooning

can certainly serve as part of your self-care, but it works best in combination with complementary tactics. So we’ve come up with a handful of good suggestions to tide you over through the shorter days and longer nights and bring you into springtime with a healthy glow. If you’re not a fan of the whole New Year’s Resolution concept, just try these ideas out and see if the way they make you feel doesn’t have you voluntarily coming back for more.

Cocooning can certainly serve as part of your self-care, but it works best in combination with complementary tactics. 64

1. S kin L ove

2. T urning I nward

Dry indoor air and chilly breezes can do a number on skin—the largest organ of the human body and our primary line of defense against harsh weather, dehydration, and bacteria. Your skin loves you. Love it back! It’s the perfect time of year to find expert guidance and the right products that will help maintain great skin condition. If you’ve never tried a good facial or all-over treatment, you’ll be amazed at how good it feels.

Ancient wisdom says that this is the season to turn inward. Delve into your thoughts with journaling; pick up a pad of paper and some watercolors or pencils and try your hand at capturing what’s out the window or in your dreams. There are a great many meditation tips and guides and videos available; try some out to get started on a practice that will help you sort this crazy world. Or check around at spas and yoga centers to find a group to delve with. 65

3. H ands -O n

4. F loat A way

Aches and pains can be more noticeable when we slow down a bit. Take yours to a practitioner of healing touch for some TLC. Massage, Reiki, and acupuncture have all grown in popularity in spite of mainstream Western medicine’s reluctance to give them any cred. Beyond legitimately soothing those sore spots, expert hands-on healing will leave you glowing with free-flowing internal energy.

This is a twofer: Flotation sessions are noted for helping relieve both mind and body aches, easing your muscles and sore back while providing the perfect venue for inner exploration. When you float, you’re basically removing all the external stressors and stimuli at once, for an experience that leaves you fresh all over.

5. S unshine

6. M ove I t

Fresh air and sunshine! All of our grandmas were absolutely right about this, and in winter, you need to grab it when you can. Find a sunny corner out of the wind for a couple of outdoor chairs and a table. Take walks and rediscover the magic of falling snow. And even if you’re a hibernator by nature, take a look at our suggestions for outdoor fun in winter; there are some lower-impact ideas that might just help you overwhelm the objections of your inner couch potato.

Find a yoga or exercise routine that feels so good you’ll never want to give it up. There are endless possibilities—sample a few genres with online videos, then find the local, real-life folks who are having fun doing it at the fitness center, the yoga studio or in nature. Not only will it boost your mood, it will strengthen your body.

845-303-4752 call/text

krumville.com

The Country Inn

a cozy boutique inn and restaurant

Providing Mental Health Treatment to Children, Teens and Adults Therapists Specializing in Play, Maternal Mental Health, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression & More Appointments Available In-Person and by Telehealth Please contact Intake Coordinator for Consultations and Scheduling (845) 243-7899 / contactme@risinglotuscounseling.org / www.risinglotuscounseling.org

A FAMILY BUSINESS OFFERING ORGANIC HERB-BASED PRODUCTS HANDMADE ON-SITE. VISIT US FOR: • medicinal herbs and culinary herb blends • tea blends • soaps, salves, balms, and infused oils • bath soaks, scrubs, and clay masks • handcrafted candles, jewelry, notecards and charms

424 Main St, Catskill, NY 12414 518-719-0018 stingingnettle.ny@gmail.com stingingnettleny.com 68

A Private Sanctuary for your Escape to Paradise in the Mountains.

The Property consists of 3 double occupancy rooms all with their own bath. Our rooms are vacant for at least 72 hours between occupancy.

DINING ROOM NOW OPEN Friday, Saturday and Sunday (or take-out)

Call or text Diane and Pete at 845-303-4752 for reservations.

1380 County Road 2, Olivebridge, NY | 845-657-8956 | krumville.com

ATTRACTING ARTISTS, DREAMERS, MUSICIANS, SEEKERS AND BOOTLEGGERS SINCE 1787

In perfect harmony with its environment and storied past, situated beside a waterfall and rushing brook, just steps from town center. Woodstock Way – the Catskill’s newest contemporary hotel.

Drop By, Tune In, Turn Off.

10 Waterfall Way, Woodstock • 845-684-5911 • woodstockway.com 69

We’re Open! In-Person. Virtual. On-Demand. Get Unlimited Access for $79/mo

Connect to your authentic wisdom and get certified to teach yoga! Spring Yoga Teacher Training now enrolling

wholeskyyoga.com • STONE RIDGE, NY • 845-706-3668

WHAT IS FLOATATION THERAPY? Floatation therapy is a luxurious escape from the constant stress of life’s daily pressures and a natural way to heal the body and mind. 800 pounds of epsom salt dissolved into a tub of skin temperature water creates a zero gravity experience, releasing both body and mind. Light proof and sound proof, this peaceful space frees you of gravity, noise, and other distractions. Your body and mind achieve calmness, entering into a theta brain wave state resulting in a profound state of relaxation. Floatation therapy allows your body and mind to enter into its deepest state of relaxation.

email: MFSquad@mountainfloatspa.com instagram: @mountain_float_spa facebook: @mountainfloatspa

215 Main Street, New Paltz | 845-256-9800 | mountainfloatspa.com 70

WELLNESS Wellness

m o u n ta i n f l o at s pa , n e w pa l t z p h o to s b y r a c h e l c o l l e t

visitvortex.com

by anne pyburn craig

If you haven’t tried flotation yet, what are you waiting for? Evidence of the benefits of this particular way of pampering yourself has been building for years. Float tanks are proven to relieve stress, anxiety, and depression; reduce the chronic fatigue of insomnia or jet lag; accelerate learning; improve focus and creativity; and enhance your meditation practice. As if that weren’t enticing enough, floating relieves chronic pain of all kinds, including aches resulting from fibromyalgia, arthritis, and tendonitis. People suffering from all-over inflammation or general back and neck pain swear by the relief they gain from a float experience. Mountain Float Spa, first founded by Joey and Grace La Penna in 2014 as the first flotation spa in the area, has changed hands and is now

Athletes, students, veterans, artists, and folks of all descriptions have been finding pain relief and life enhancement at Mountain Float for years, and the cool features make it a perfect place to give flotation a try. 72

“Floating is pretty much good for whatever you want it to help with. It’s hard to imagine until you do it; it’s like floating on a cloud.” -Olivia Rodas the passion project of siblings Olivia and Brandon Rey Rodas, who grew up across the river in

and that I had customer service experience,” says Olivia. “I went and tried it for myself and just fell

Hopewell Junction. “My brother’s in the real estate business, and last July, he was looking for ways to relax,” says Olivia. “He asked a broker he knew, and the guy started raving about the flotation experience, so Rey was like, ‘Okay, I’ll give it a try,’ and he was blown away. He got talking to Joey, told him he should open these places everywhere.”

completely in love. So then we had a plan.”

It just so happened that the La Pennas were looking to move on and seeking good leadership for Mountain Float. “So Rey came to me, knowing how much I love spas and health and wellness,

Olivia had worked in restaurants and done some office work, “which just wasn’t for me—I like being around people,” she says. “And I’m big into self-care; I do my own nails and eyelashes, and I’ve always been fascinated by spas. I went to spas in New Jersey every chance I got, and always left thinking how I’d love to do something like that one day, to offer wellness to people.” Since opening the doors to Mountain Float in October 2021,

she’s relished the ability to offer something this inarguably cool. “Floating is pretty much good for whatever you want it to help with,” she says. “It’s hard to imagine until you do it; it’s like floating on a cloud. You’ve got skin-temperature water and 800 pounds of Epsom salts providing buoyancy; after five or 10 minutes, you don’t know where your body stops and the water starts. The last time you may have experienced this was in the womb.” The Rodas family took some time for renovation, putting their own stamp on what Olivia says was already an excellent business. “We ripped out the carpets and completely redid one of the float rooms, and we’re working on the other one, and we redid the massage room,” says Olivia. “We’re making it a holistic wellness spa, offering massage therapy, Reiki, and acupuncture; the mantra is ‘Reset, restore, renew.’ Reiki is wonderful for resetting your energy—it grounds you with the earth. Mas-

“After five or 10 minutes [of floating], you don’t know where your body stops and the water starts. The last time you may have experienced this was in the womb.” -Olivia Rodas 74 74

sage and acupuncture are restorative. And floating renews your mind. So we’re offering custom R&R—Restore and Renew—packages, where you can pair a float with your choice of a complementary treatment.” For flotation sessions alone, prices range from $75 for 60 minutes to $90 for 90 minutes. Discounts are available for various combinations of treatments. Athletes, students, veterans, artists, and folks of all descriptions have been finding pain relief and life enhancement at Mountain Float for years, and the cool features beloved by customers make it a perfect place to give flotation a try. “Some people are intimidated by the idea at first, but it’s very customizable—you can control the music and light, you can have a ‘float halo’ that offers extra head and neck support, or you can choose to go full-on sensory deprivation for deep meditation: a beta brain wave state between sleeping and waking that’s pretty crazy,” Olivia explains. “We thoroughly ex-

plain how everything works and walk you through it so you feel comfy—of course, if you really don’t like it, you can always just get out, but that’s rare. On your second try, most people find it even easier to slip into a float, and by the third time, you’re a pro.” Besides Olivia and Rey, you’ll find a family here—a third sibling is also a co-owner, and Olivia’s best friend Lauren and mom Denise are also on the Mountain Float team. “We have a nice, warm, family feeling here,” says Olivia. “And it feels like such a wonderful thing to be able to provide—genuine relief from a wide variety of problems, the chance to do a true, deep reset for your body and mind. Do come by and give it a shot. You’ll thank yourself for it.”

M o u n ta i n F l oat S pa 215 Main Street, New Paltz 845-256-9800 mountainfloatspa.com

THIS IS LIVING... SENIOR LIVING friday cocktail hours • interactive music and dance class semi-weekly shopping trips • strength & balance class arts and crafts classes • lunches at local restaurants yoga for seniors • in-house bocci & shuffleboard courts golf putting green • trips to museums • concerts in the park

MVM Brochure Mech 12.16.07 MVM Brochure Mech 12.16.07

12/17/07 12/17/07

11:56 AM 11:56 AM

Page 1 Page 1

Spectacular senior living with first-class amenities paired with compassionate and skilled health care.

397 WILBUR AVENUE, KINGSTON, NEW YORK 12401 O N Y O U R O W N. N E V E R A L O N E .

• FAX: 845.331.1255 397 12401 O N WILBUR Y O U R OAVENUE, W N. N E VKINGSTON, ETEL: R A L 845.331.1254 O N E . NEW YORK • FAX: MOUNTAINVALLEYMANOR.COM 845.331.1255 TEL:NEW 845.331.1254 397 WILBUR AVENUE, KINGSTON, YORK 12401

TEL: 845.331.1254

•

MOUNTAINVALLEYMANOR.COM FAX: 845.331.1255

MOUNTAINVALLEYMANOR.COM

Pools, Spas & Patio Furniture 1606 Ulster Avenue, Lake Katrine (Next to Adams) • 336-8080

One Light...Changes Everything. One Light...Changes EEverything. hi Custom Inground Pool Installations Large Selection of Patio Furniture Salt Water Spas Free Pool and Spa Water Analysis

www.aquajetpools.com Family owned and operated for over 30 years

MarbletownAnimalHospital.com 3056 Route 213 East Stone Ridge, NY, 12484

845- 687-7800 Now offering daytime urgent care. Call for more info. MarbletownAnimalHospital.com

s h o p p i n g lo c a l ly i s a g i f t to e v e ryo n e by anne pyburn craig

‘Tis the season of gifting and celebration. Lucky you, Hudson Valley visitor or resident, with such a glittering array of choices! Whatever you want, you can find it here; lots of amazing things are made right here by world-class creatives, and our shopkeepers make an art of the presentation. You’ll also find gorgeous creatively and ethically sourced items from all ‘round the globe.

someplace nice. Even if shopping’s not normally your thing, you’re likely to find yourself having a blast, with shops prettied up for the season and folks wishing each other well.

Many of our merchants upped their

It’s also a great way to combine having fun and doing good. Buying from the indies brings four times the local economic benefit of money spent in a bigbox chain, although you’ll have to forego the boredom and frustration one gets for

online game during Covid, and you’ll find you can even shop local at a lot of these places from the comfort of your couch. But do treat yourself to a retail expedition, now that it’s an option again. Celebrate the return of downtown. Meet makers, sellers, and fellow seekers, share a smile, browse, grab a bite

free in those. When you shop locally in the Hudson Valley, supporting our indie makers and shopkeepers, you’re giving a gift to everyone, helping to keep our towns, villages, and byways vibrant, fascinating, and prosperous, helping keep the safety net strong and the arts alive. Shopping local is love in action.

SHOP LOCALLY clothing and footwear

Himalayan Arts

The Hudson Valley’s clothiers offer something for every taste, from haute couture to Carhartt. Some clever clothes originate right here; many others are hand-selected for you by fashion-forward curators who know their way around the racks from New York City to Morocco and everywhere in between Silks? Cotton? Buttery vegan leather? Tailored or easygoing? It’s all here.

Kenco

Next Boutique

Salix Intimates

visitvortex.com

Hamilton & Adams Handmade & More Himalayan Arts Kenco Outfitters Moose Crossing Next Boutique Potter Brothers The Nest Egg Salix Intimates Tibetan Arts & Crafts

j e w e l ry

Gleaming metals, sparkling gems, one-of-a-kind designs, time-honored traditional looks, and vintage pieces; whatever your tastes and dreams, there’s a Hudson Valley jeweler who’ll be happy to help. Adel Chefridi Dreaming Goddess Facets of Earth Handmade & More Himalayan Arts Hudson Valley Goldsmith

Next Boutique Hummingbird Jewelers J Bliss Studios Schneider’s Jewelers Tender Land Home Tibetan Arts & Crafts

Facets Of Earth

Hudson Valley Goldsmith

b e au t y / w e l l n e s s

Beauty begins with wellness, wellness radiates beauty. Our region has a wealth of people who’ve chosen to devote their lives to making all that happen. Birch Body Care Stinging Nettle Apothecary Emerson Resort & Spa Rising Lotus Menla Wellness Rx Mohonk Mountain House Whole Sky Yoga Mountain Float Spa Zephyr Float Nourish Natural Soap Co. 80

Adel Chefridi

Hummingbird Jewelers

deliciousness

Prepared foods make a lovely gift, whether it’s to be wrapped up and opened or handed to the host with the mostest for immediate enjoyment. Sweet, savory, or spicy, decadent or so nutritious you can almost feel yourself grow stronger, the finest creations are provided by our artisanal foodie folks from right here at home and around the world.

Adam’s Fairacre Farms Blue Mountain Bistro to Go Cheese Louise Chef Zach Berger Citiot EJ Bonbons Grazery High Falls Coop Hudson Valley Chocolates Kelder’s Farm Meredith’s Bread Mill & Main

Mother Earth’s Storehouse The Nest Egg Olsen & Co. Oliver Kita Chocolates Peter’s Market Saunderskill Farm Market Stone Ridge Orchard Sunflower Market Tetta’s Market Wallkill View Farm

Moose Crossing

home goods and furnishings

You’ve probably noticed that you’re surrounded by artists in these parts. Some paint or sculpt or throw pots, others love creating the perfect piece of reclaimed wood furniture or batiking the perfect bedspread. Gourmet kitchen goodies? The perfect plump pillow? Even if you’re shopping just for gifts this time, make note of the discoveries that you absolutely must have in your own nest. Bare Furniture Four Seasons Sunrooms Herzog’s H. Houst & Son Handmade & More Home Goods of Margaretville Kingston Consignments Moose Crossing The Nest Egg Rug Shop Tender Land Home Victoria Gardens Williams Lumber & Home 82

Handmade & More

Bare Furniture

Fireside Warmth

h o m e i m p rov e m e n t

This is the place to find the perfect, best-inclass tool for the handyperson in your life. And if you know somebody who’s planning a project, they’ll be ecstatic when they receive a gift certificate to one of our fabulous, family-run home improvement stores, where they’ll find expert guidance and a superior selection. A&M Hardware Aqua Jet Pools & Spa Augustine Nursery & Landscaping Cabinet Designers Different Strokes Fireside Warmth Four Seasons Sunrooms Herzog’s H. Houst & Son Rice Plumbing SAP Exteriors The Mad Hatter Chimney Sweep Williams Lumber & Home

Four Seasons Sunrooms

Woodstock Way

s tay s

Know someone who needs a break? How about a couple of nights somewhere special? Our lodging-places run the gamut: you can find elegant, casual, or casually elegant, give someone a break in a centuries-old piece of living history or a sleek postmodern suite, in sedate tranquility or with a dance party downstairs....It’s all handy in these gorgeous hills and river towns. 1850 House Best Western Plus Country Inn Emerson Resort & Spa Graham & Co. Hotel Dylan Jessie’s Harvest House Menla Mohonk Mountain House Whistlewood Farm Woodstock Way Hotel

1850 House Hotel Dylan

experience

Give someone you love a great time: theater tickets, flotation sessions, spa days, museum passes, or a class in something they’ve always wanted to learn, whether it’s pottery, astrology, or hang gliding. The Art Effect Catskill Recreation Center Colony Woodstock Chef Zach Berger Delaware County Tourism Historic Huguenot Street Kelder’s Farm Locust Grove Brewery Menla Mohonk Mountain House Mohonk Preserve Plattekill Mountain Stone Ridge Orchard Sullivan County Tourism Ulster County Tourism Your Car, Our Driver

Colony Woodstock

The Art Effect

wine and spirits

The beverage revolution just keeps getting tastier. Wineries, cideries, breweries, and distilleries get into the spirit of the season; consider combining a tasting with your shopping and discovering something wonderful and new to gift to a friend or bring to a gathering. Want imports? We’ve got fabulous bottle shops that bring in the world.

Tuthilltown Distillery

Bluebird Wine & Spirits Ester Wine & Spirits Miron Wine & Spirits Stone Ridge Orchard Stone Ridge Wine & Spirits Stoutridge Distillery & Winery Tuthilltown Distillery Union Grove Distillery

Bluebird Wine

r e s tau r a n t s

Goodness, the possibilities. Elegantly elevated? Book of 10 pizza certificates? Whatever kind of culinary adventure would make your loved one feel most pampered and sated, there’s a Hudson Valley restaurant cooking it well and serving it up with love. Aroma Thyme Bistro A Slice of Italy Aba’s Falafel Angela’s Pizza Arkville Bread & Breakfast Asia Restaurant Bacchus Blue Mountain Bistro to Go Brios Pizza Cafe Marguerite Cafe Mio Citiot Colony Woodstock Country Inn First Capital Poke Bar Grazery Hickory BBQ High Falls Cafe Woodnotes Grill at Emerson Resort & Spa

Hoffman House Restaurant Hurricane Grill & Wings Jar’d Jessie’s Harvest House Main Course Mill & Main Ole Savannah Ollie’s Pizza Olsen & Co. Oriole 9 Peekamoose Restaurant Runa Bistro Seconds Sportman’s Alamo Cantina The Parish The Phoenician Terrapin Tetta’s Market & Pizzeria Tony’s Pizza Pit Yum Yum Noodle Bar 87

CHBO Drums

Vincetore’s Piano

s p e c i a lt y g i f t s

The people you love aren’t like anyone else in the world, and neither are the inspired entrepreneurs who’ve created these stores. You will see things you never knew existed and others you’ve only heard of, encounter potions and books full of wisdom, fun toys, and tools for making art and music. Adam’s Fairacre Farms Herzog’s Bare Furniture CHBO Drums Cheese Louise Chicory Naturalist Citiot David Dewitt Paintings Dreaming Goddess EJ Bonbons Facets of Earth Grazery H. Houst & Son Hamilton & Adams Handmade & More High Falls Coop Hill Valley Candles Himalayan Arts Home Goods of Margaretville Hops Petunia Hudson Valley Chocolates J Bliss Studios Kaete Britton Shaw Gallery 88

Kenco Outfitters Kingston Consignments Kingston Plaza Miniature Works Moose Crossing Mother Earth’s Storehouse The Nest Egg Nourish Natural Soap Company Olsen & Co. Petal Creek Farm Pink Water Gallery Phoenicia Soap Company Potter Brothers Salix Intimates Saunderskill Farm Market Stone Window Gallery Sunflower Market Tender Land Home Tibetan Arts & Crafts Victoria Gardens Vincetore’s Piano Wildflowers Florist Williams Lumber & Home

Handcrafts, Jewelry, & Clothing for 45+ years.

Let Us Be Your Happy Place!

6 North Front Street, New Paltz 845-255-6277 handmadeandmore.com

Sign-Up T day fo r Mipuleltoip Mult Clale ss DiscC ola unsts s!

ART CLASSES FOR AGES 4 - ADULT

Learn More at TheArtEffect.org 89

CHBO CHBO DRUMS DRUMS

Local and European. Co-working and coffee-sipping. Fresh buys and vintage finds. Our shop can’t make up its mind ...and we dig that.

404 Main Street, Catskill, NY 12414 info@nycitiot.com insta: @nycitiot 90

• NEW & USED DRUMS •& NEW & USED DRUMS PERCUSSION & PERCUSSION • REPAIRS • REPAIRS • LESSONS • VIRTUAL LESSONS • CYMBAL VAULT • CYMBAL VAULT

GET YOUR GROOVE ON! GET YOUR GROOVE ON!

11WATER WATER STREET, NY 11 STREET, NEWNEW PALTZ,PALTZ, NY 917-217-3107 CHBODRUMS.COM 917-217-3107 CHBODRUMS.COM

Candles make great gifts! Especially when they are handmade in our store and include beautiful (and free!) gift wrapping. Group candle-making class available, too!

55 North Front Street, Kingston 845-706-8484 hillvalleycandles.com

7 Rock City Rd, Woodstock 845-679-2097 tibetanartsncrafts.com

Rent Upstate

monthly and short stays with tailored customer service

Full-Service Airbnb Property Management BOOK DIRECT AND SAVE 10%

@managethishome

Voted Best Jewelry Store Year After Year • Fine custom jewelry • • Expert repairs done on premises • 71 A Main Street, New Paltz • 845-255-5872 226 Main Street, Beacon • 845-440-7894 HudsonValleyGoldsmith.com 91

Stone Window Gallery Brinton P. Baker

17 Main Street / PO Box 239 Accord, NY 12404 845-626-4932 facebook/stonewindowgallery ig @stonewindowgallery

for

Rustic Elegance

Mountain Living

Offering Custom Upholstered, Twig, and Shaker Furniture, Antler Chandeliers, Woolrich Clothing, Pendleton Blankets, Lamps, Linens and Wall Decor

Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday 10am-5pm

Rt. 28, Shokan, NY 845-657-9792 www.rustic-cabin.com

KAETE BRITTIN SHAW GALLERY functional • sculptural porcelain kaetebrittinshaw.com • 845-687-7828 • kaete@hvi.net 1415 Rt. 213, High Falls, NY 12440

Genuine and Fine Quality Handmade Tibetan Rugs, Furniture, Jewelry, Art, Clothing Water Street Market #408 10 Main St. New Paltz 845.256.1940 himalayanartsnp.com

From a picture, let me capture a moment in your life…

1209 State Route 213 High Falls • 845-417-1693 bnminiatureworks.com @bnminiatureworks

Petal Creek Farm

Flower Farm & Design Studio Seed to Centerpiece Event Styling Tablescapes CSA’s

Milan, New York

petalcreek.com

@petalcreekflowers 93

A nature shop & learning space for all ages at the Rondout

25 Broadway Kingston, NY Find us online ChicoryNaturalist.com

66 NORTH FRONT STREET (corner of Crown )

845 - 48 1- 5759

MEET THE OWNER

Meet the Owner

hops petunia, kingston

Walk into Hops Petunia Floral on the Strand in Kingston and breathe in an orchestra of scent. Then take a look around, because you have never been in a flower shop quite like this one before. “We want to be your local florist, your favorite gift shop that has just the right thing,” says founder Kelli Galloway.

p h o to s b y r a c h e l c o l l e t

“And we do it all. We offer delivery of local arrangements and bouquets, do weddings and events, and provide flowers for small businesses and hotels. We also do specialty events like dinners and gatherings. We love to create a space for people to enjoy and celebrate.”

visitvortex.com

by anne pyburn craig

“We want to be your local florist, your favorite gift shop that has just the right thing.” – Kelli Galloway Growing up in the little town of Riverview, just south of Detroit, Galloway worked after-school jobs at flower shops while dreaming of the future: living the creative life in the big city. “For a while I thought about interior design, but I discovered graphic design in college and that was it,” she says. She began as a package designer for Hallmark in Kansas City, MO, and then hired on as an art director in New York City, where colleagues praised her “unique, vibrant, on-target solutions” and insightful aesthetics. In 2013, feeling a bit frayed by the corporate grind, Galloway headed to Seattle for a threeday workshop with a floral designer she admired. Right away, she felt the creative floodgates opening afresh. “They gave us these little notebooks and I wrote on the first page ‘This class will change your life,’” she says. “I don’t know how I knew, but I did, that very second. I returned home a new person, inspired by the women I met, by the landscape, by the

peacefulness flowers brought me. A year later, I quit my job and started freelancing as a floral designer.” Another big piece of her life clicked into place when, after 10 years of urban living, she was drawn to the Rosendale Cafe for a concert. It was her first trip to the Hudson Valley, “We went to see a band play and just fell in love,” she says. “We had a house there a year later.” She delved wholeheartedly into all things floral and found that her carefully honed design sensibility could be exuberantly expressed with blossoms. “I trained by freelancing with all my favorite designers, doing anything they needed. I worked for free for them when they taught classes so I could learn and absorb new ways. That year gave me a lot of experience with different designers, clients, and events. It gave me the boost I needed to jump in on my own.”

She’d been running a small Hops Petunia Floral shop in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, for a year when upstate opportunity knocked. “Chatting over dinner with our friends

shop and our flowers to provide a cozy escape,” says Galloway. “A place that makes you feel better, gives you a hug, and then helps you create that space at home or

from Kingston Wine Company, they mentioned they’d seen this space on Broadway. I couldn’t pass it up; the Rondout is such a special part of Kingston. I’ve always loved it. It also looks and feels a lot like my home in Michigan, so it’s just a really great location.”

at a loved one’s home with objects and blooms.”

Visitors to the shop will find an ambiance as lovely and refreshing as the lush blooms themselves. “I want our

A great deal goes into each custom arrangement from Hops Petunia Floral. “I would say we really focus on color and telling a story that is nuanced and special,” says Galloway. “Every arrangement is thoughtful and different. Each week we hand-pick flowers from local farms and wholesalers. We don’t have standing

“I try to offer items that make your home smell or feel warm, welcoming, cozy, and inviting. We want your home or the gift you’re giving to feel personally chosen by us for you.” – Kelli Galloway

“Chatting over dinner with our friends, they mentioned they’d seen this space on Broadway. I couldn’t pass it up; the Rondout is such a special part of Kingston.” – Kelli Galloway orders [with vendors]; it’s all based on seasonality and what looks good. I think our shop is very special. It offers really interesting, thoughtful goods, handmade and/or sourced from my resonant places, Japan and Michigan. I try to offer items that make your home smell or feel warm, welcoming, cozy, and inviting. We want your home or the gift you’re giving to feel personally chosen by us for you, with your gift-giving needs in mind. We want the pieces to feel like keepsake items, functional and pretty.” A tradition born as a pandemic pivot is still gladdening hearts: Porch Bouquets. “They are a special price of $35. You get a lot of blooms for that price, and it’s only available on Fridays, with free delivery! It’s such a great way to say hi, congrat-

ulations, I love you, thank you…you name it! Needless to say, these have been a hit, and we continue to offer them still.” Galloway’s got the best of both worlds, welcoming customers to her favorite Kingston neighborhood while finding ample opportunities to stay on the cutting edge of her field. “I enjoy collaborating and working with all the amazing designers, sharing our love of flowers, squealing when we all see that perfect bloom, sharing our stories,” she says. “I also love being in the studio alone, music playing, hot coffee, making something weird. I love that space and creative outlet. I also really enjoy having a retail space, I love curating and presenting my version of what a store is to me…I also love the outcalls. My day-to-day is bananas;

I might be in the city styling a photo shoot, at a wedding designing a ceremony arbor, or doing a walk-through for a future event. This job requires me to wear many hats and changes wildly from week to week. I’m the catch-all for all things. It’s fun, and it’s a lot.”

do next,” she says. “I look at other spaces, thinking about expanding or opening a second location, maybe a small chain eventually. I really want more space to produce more products, I’d love to move my flower studio and make my shop bigger. More retail is the focus at the moment, but we shall see what happens!”

Sharing her love of blooms and beauty with the world has drawn in a circle she loves. “I cherish my clientele; they are all truly special. Knowing people come back to us over and over for beauty warms my soul. Our clients are creative, they are appreciative of our hard work, they come in to say hi or show us a picture of the flowers they got and how it makes the space so happy. I think we have a really happy space here that breeds more happiness. I feel lucky for that.”

But no matter what the future holds, Hops Petunia Floral won’t lose focus on its reason for being: Flowers make people happy. “I find a lot of inspiration in nature,” says Galloway. “Every time you get that one special flower that is tinted differently or curled perfectly, it’s a joy to witness. Even when I was a graphic designer, I found a lot of inspiration in nature. No one does color like Mother Nature. I’m in awe of it every day.”

Since opening Hops Petunia Floral, Galloway has learned as she went along. With the business flourishing like a well-nourished rosebush, she’s playing with the idea of going bigger. “I’m always dreaming and thinking about what I can

1 West Strand, Kingston 845-481-4292 hopspetunia.com

H ops Petunia

a d a m sfa r m s.co m

100

POUGHKEEPSIE Route 44 845-454-4330

KINGSTON Route 9W 845-336-6300

NEWBURGH Route 300 845-569-0303

WAPPINGER Route 9 845-632-9955

Since

1978

2017

100% Organic Produce

Always Warm, Fresh and Delicious

Bulk Items Vitamins & Supplements Bakery Body Care Products

Experience Our Award Winning Café & Deli with Our Homemade Soups

Holiday Gift Cards are Available 300 KINGS MALL CT • KINGSTON • 845-336-5541 | 249 MAIN STREET • SAUGERTIES • 845-264-9614 | MOTHEREARTHSTOREHOUSE.COM 101

34 Wallkill Avenue, Wallkill (914) 589-8108 hudsonvalleychocolates.com

Artisanal chocolate in the heart of Woodstock, New York

The perfect gift for your special occasion

Bonbons Bonbons &Confections &Confections Photo: Forged in the North

EJ Bonbons & Confections 2 Old Forge Road, Woodstock ejchocolates.com 102

MEET THE OWNER

Meet The Owner

hudson valley chocolates

visitvortex.com

by anne pyburn craig

103

Hudson Valley Chocolates offers all sorts of confections, from chocolate assortments and truffles to caramel chocolate apples, chocolate pretzels, and marshmallow pops, all handmade right here.

Looking for sweets for a sweetie? Did you know that right here in the hamlet of Wallkill, a French-American chocolatier is handcrafting gourmet delicacies? Hudson Valley Chocolates offers all sorts of confections, from chocolate assortments and truffles to caramel chocolate apples, chocolate pretzels, and marshmallow pops, all handmade right here from the finest ingredients. “Her chocolates are absolute works of art!” writes a happy connoisseur on Facebook. “I LOVE good chocolate. My first experience eating superb, quality chocolate was when a friend brought me some chocolate from France. Bernachon. EXQUISITE. I’ve never tasted anything to compare to it until I had chocolate from Hudson Valley Chocolate!” 104

There are many flavors of chocolate bars available in dark, milk, and white varieties; and caramels handmade from Hudson Valley cream.

There are many flavors of choc-

ing it and, at 17, she became the

olate bars available in dark,

first and youngest apprentice

milk, and white varieties; and

to renowned French chocolat-

caramels handmade from Hud-

ier Henri Le Roux, moving on

son Valley cream. There are be-

to work for the Blanes patis-

spoke assortments, fruit-dipped

serie-chocolaterie in Avignon.

chocolate and Hot Chocolate Bombs, holiday and wedding

Moving to New York in 2000,

favors—a mouthwatering variety

Stephanie worked as a pastry

of offerings to melt the heart of

chef for the Relais et Chateau

any chocolate lover, anytime.

Guide-rated Castle at Tarrytown. The Hudson Valley restau-

Founder Stephanie Glaisek, like

rant world welcomed her, and

most all of us, first became ac-

she found herself a manager by

quainted with the wonders of

2004, but her passion contin-

chocolate when she felt it melt-

ued to beckon, and she made

ing on her tongue. Her passion

chocolate gifts for family and

led to a fascination with creat-

friends.

You can guess what happened next.

And you, dear reader, can be the most

Word got around, people clamored for

popular kid at the holiday party, fami-

more, and Stephanie realized she had

ly gathering, or anywhere else you’re

a full-time job all cut out for her. She

heading. Call ahead and order up some-

knew how the dream should go: simple,

thing bespoke, or just stop in and see

elegant deliciousness in elegant, un-

the in-stock favorites; either way, this is

derstated packages (unless, of course,

chocolate that stands out.

a customer wanted something fancier), no artificial ingredients or preserva-

“This special lady makes the best choco-

tives, ever.

lates,” writes another Facebook fan. “No matter what is going on in life she’s got

As Creative Director and Chief Pro-

just the right deliciousness to melt away

duction Officer for Hudson Valley

any troubles. Her smile becomes a mirror

Chocolates, Stephanie is now living her

for your own. No matter the holiday or

dream every day all day long. Her two

occasion, she has the best assortment of

children adore their positions as Chief

goodness to share with someone else. It’s

Tasting Officers, and also help there in

the ultimate ripple effect of feel-good en-

lots more ways.

ergy that makes the world a better place.”

H u d s o n V a l l e y C h o c o l at e s 34 Wallkill Avenue, Wallkill 914-589-8108 hudsonvalleychocolates.com 106

Oliver Kita artisan ChOCOlate

New Orleans Style Menu With Locally Sourced Ingredients • Sunset Views • Craft Cocktails, Beer and Wine • Live music every Thursday!

Outdoor seating with the best view in town! theparishrestaurant . com

845.255.4205

water street market, new paltz

FARM TO TABLE Catering For All Occasions Open 8:30 - 4:30pm Closed Mon & Tues

845-255-4949 2356 RT 44/55, Gardiner www.miogardiner.com

Corporate and Personal Gifts Sun-Mon 11-3 | Tues Closed | Wed-Sat 11-5

NEW LOCATION: 608 Route 28, Kingston, NY Order Online: Oliverkita.com Call 914-388-7233 107

PETER’S MARKET

under new ownership 845-210-4661 petersmarket.business.site 7700 State Route 209, Napanoch, NY 12458

ROCK HILL TRADING POST

845-796-3060 tradingpostmarket.com 214 Rock Hill Dr, Rock Hill, NY 12775 OPEN HOURS: 7:30AM - 8:00PM 108

HIGH FALLS

FOOD CO-OP • Local & International Cheeses • Organic Coffee • Fresh Soups • Smoked Fish & Caviar • Fine Olive Oils & Balsamic Vinegars • All Natural & Nitrate Free Salamis & Sausages • Chocolate • Gifts AND MORE!

940 Rt. 28, Kingston • 845-853-8207

Fruits & Vegetables • Winter squash • apples • Cider bakery • apple Cider donuts • Fresh breWed CoFFee salads • sandWiChes • soups • groCeries giFts loCal honey & Maple syrup • koMbuCha on tap OPEN DAILY • Closed Mondays 845-626-CORN (2676) • www.saunderskill.com

Thank you for supporting our family farm. Have a wonderful winter season, we will see you in the Spring!

5100 Rte. 209 • Accord, NY 12404

109

Shop Locally

kenco: being outdoors by anne pyburn craig

110

Looking for the perfect gift for somebody who loves playing outside? At Kenco, our local family-run work and play outfitters, you’ll find top-of-the-line and cutting-edge equipment for kayaking and boating, camping and hiking, archery, snowboarding, and fly fishing, curated with

And if you’re looking to try out some winter sports yourself, Kenco’s got the clothes and gear to make sure your experience is marvelous and not miserable.

knowledgeable, friendly customer service from people who love to play outdoors themselves.

warm outdoor work clothes by popular demand and establishing their first retail space on

The Kennedy family began selling workwear and industrial safety gear in 1982, adding rugged,

SHOP LOCALLY and play clothes and fine-quality backpacks, boots and kayaks, there are things you might not expect and won’t find just anywhere. Need a life preserver for the dog? An Under Armour “Armoured and Ready” ensemble for the newborn? Traction footgear for a winter hiker? Fly-tying supplies to keep the angler

Now located off Route 28 just outside Kingston, the store is a wonderland of toys and clothes for everyone. Alongside the work

in your life amused until trout season opens? Disc golf gear? You’ll find it all at Kenco, along with comfy lounge wear, slippers, elix-

“Humans were meant to be outdoors. There are so many simple and fun things you can do out there. I love to work with positive, enthusiastic customers who are excited about outdoor activities.” – Bill Kennedy, Kenco

visitvortex.com

Rock City Road in Woodstock four years later. They soon realized that it wasn’t just workers who needed gear that worked; so they expanded into clothing, footwear, and equipment for backwoods adventure, casual Catskills living, and everything in between.

111

irs, and aromatherapy goodies to ease you into a well-earned evening’s relaxation. It’s all about 40 years of giving the hard workers and players of the Catskills what they want—all sorts of things—and what they

deserve—the very best. “We try to stay current on all of the gear trends in the outdoor market,” says Bill Kennedy. “What’s obsolete? What’s the newest, hottest product? What colors are ‘in’? But the information we get from our customers is much more valuable:

The store is a wonderland of outdoor toys and clothes for everyone. Alongside the work and play clothes and fine-quality backpacks, boots and kayaks, there are things you might not expect and won’t find just anywhere.

What colors and products do they want? Do they wish we sold a new sport that we don’t carry?” Along the way, Kenco’s added an indoor archery range and Fly Fishing 101 classes, making the store even more of a one-stop

112

shop for outdoor expertise as well as the right stuff. Kenco’s warm, laid-back welcome and friendly sales staff, outdoor enthusiasts themselves, can help you sort out exactly what you’re

after; of course, they’ve got gift cards if you want to let your loved one have the fun of choosing. And some things absolutely can’t miss: What kid wouldn’t love to find a classic sled with brakes or a snow tube under the tree? What explorer can live without an Adirondack Waterfall Guide? “Humans were meant to be outdoors,” says Kennedy. “There are so many simple and fun things you can do out there. I love to work with positive, enthusiastic customers who are excited about outdoor activities. We want to be here for years to come, so we try to base decisions on how we can grow and still make our oldest customer feel like they’re visiting old friends.”

kenco Kenco’s warm, laid-back welcome and friendly sales staff, outdoor enthusiasts themselves, can help you sort out exactly what you’re after.

1000 Hurley Mountain Road Kingston, NY 845-340-0552 atkenco.com

113

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO ENJOY AN OUTDOOR WINTER!

$1O OFF your next purchase of $30 or more! RULES:This coupon must be surrendered at time of purchase. One offer per household, per day. May not be combined with any other offers or discounts, or applied to the purchase of gift cards. Not valid on previous purchases. Some other exceptions may apply. Expires Dec 24, 2022

Winter Sports Gear. Footwear. Hats, scarves. Mens & Womens Outdoor, Casual and Work Clothing. Indoor Archery Range! Now offering Custom Embroidery and Screen Printing.

1000 Hurley Mountain Road, Kingston, NY 12401 845-340-0552 Check out our website: www.atkenco.com 114

GARDEN CENTER: Christmas Trees, Poinsettias, Wreaths, Kissing Balls, FARM FRESH: Home Grown & Local Vegetables, NY Cheese, Maple Syrup, Honey, and many other Specialty Foods! BAKERY: Apple Cider Donuts, Fresh Baked Pies, Breads, Muffins & More! Place your Holiday orders! CHRISTMAS SHOWROOM: Collectable Santas, Ornaments, Tree Toppers, Home Decor, and Unique Gifts Open 7 days a week 9am-6:30pm 845-255-8050 15 Route 299 West New Paltz, NY www.WallkillViewFarmMarket.com Like us on Facebook! Follow us on instagram @wallkillviewfarm Follow us on Pinterest @wallkillview

Wishing you a happy, healthy winter season.

See you in the spring!

• Hudson Valley Farmhouse Hard Cider • Sustainably Grown Fruits • Wood-Fired Pizza • Holiday Pies • Christmas Trees • Holiday Parties

3012 Route 213, Stone Ridge 845-687-2587 stoneridgeorchard.com

YOUR LOCAL COUNTRY STORE SINCE 1952

5755 Route 209, Kerhonkson, NY 845-626-7137 KeldersFarm.com

OPEN DAILY • 845-657-2338 • TETTASMARKET.COM 115

116

Our New Holiday Selections

• LAFONN Jewelry • ANIA HAIE Contemporary Sterling Silver • ELLE Fashion Jewelry • Diamond Jewelry & Lab Diamonds • Holiday Gifts

117

America’s Oldest Family Owned Yamaha Piano Dealer Celebrating 75 years of service to the Hudson Valley music community OPEN Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-1pm Appointments Recommended

748 Main Street, Poughkeepsie • 845-452-4990 • vincitorepiano.com 118

MEET THE OWNER

Meet The Owner

by anne pyburn craig

p h o to s b y r a c h e l c o l l e t

visitvortex.com

hummingbird jewelers, rhinebeck

119

Looking for a truly sparkling gift? Find your way to Hummingbird Jewelers in Rhinebeck, where you’ll find works from over 75 designers from all over the world along with bespoke custom pieces, antique jewelry repair, and a full line of services from a master goldsmith, a gemologist, and a watchmaker. Too busy to shop, but have an idea of what you wish you could find? Send Hummingbird an email and they’ll help you find the perfect piece remotely. So how did the Hudson Valley end up with the jewelry store we so clearly need and deserve? The story starts in the early 1970s, when a young Bruce Lubman realized he didn’t want to be a lawyer. It wasn’t that he’d found law school unin-

spiring in itself. “I was part of the first-ever class of environmental lawyers at GW Law,” says Lubman. “There were twelve of us, and we had a brilliant, inspired professor who assigned each of us a chapter of the textbook to write, because at the time, there was no book.” It turned out the kind of job he wanted didn’t exist yet, either. There were corporations looking to get around laws that were yet unwritten and there was the Conservation Foundation, “funded by the Ford Foundation and run by conservative suits, so anything controversial ended up buried in the deepest corner of the file cabinet.” Knowing that it wasn’t the life he was after, and not wanting to live in his native New

You’ll find works from over 75 designers from all over the world along with bespoke custom pieces, antique jewelry repair, and a full line of services from a master goldsmith, a gemologist, and a watchmaker. 120

“We have beautiful things from Germany, Italy, Greece, Brazil, Turkey—it’s much more diverse but the quality is still the same, and we’ve kept the focus on designermade pieces and custom work.” – Bruce Lubman. Jersey, Lubman hit the road and found himself in Tucson, AZ, learning to make silver jewelry and loving it. Eventually, he loaded some samples into his VW to take back East, but the VW “broke down every 500 miles, and each time I had to sell jewelry to fix it, so I ended up back at my dad’s with no jewelry left.” The silver lining there was Peggy. They’d first dated when she was a high school sophomore and he a college freshman; the spark rekindled. “And we both would have done just about anything to get out of Jersey,” says Lubman. “So her cousin had built a little shack in Woodstock and needed someone to live there while he went on an 800-mile canoe trip—they couldn’t rent the place because it didn’t have indoor plumbing—and we said yes immediately.”

The cousin’s wife turned out to have a fascinating grandfather, Canadian abstract painter and jewelry-maker Rolph Scarlett, and the Lubmans were soon spending every spare minute at his studio in Shady. The artist had taken refuge there when bursitis made large canvases impossible. “So he started using the skills he’d learned in jewelry-making as a boy and making his non-objective pieces in metal, extraordinarily beautiful, geometric, very sculptural pieces,” Lubman says. “We sat with him almost every day for about a year and a half; he taught us how to draw, about balance and harmony.” The Lubmans were planning to head to Costa Rica next, but a friend’s dad had a friend, a New York City art dealer, who was looking for a caretaker couple at his Rhinebeck place, a horse farm built by one of Dutchess 121

Hummingbird was originally hatched in 1978, with master metalsmith Bruce Anderson taking over as jeweler while Bruce Lubman studied gemology and appraising.

County’s original Nine Partners Quaker settlers. This spot had indoor plumbing, and the young couple began making and offering their custom wares at Earthworks, Rhinebeck’s first craft gallery. They had a captive audience, Lubman recalls; there was a health retreat, the Pawling Health Manor, occupying what is now the Belvedere Mansion B&B a few hundred yards from their studio, and “all these women would come up from Long Island and New Jersey to fast, then walk down to our place to grab a cup of coffee and a cigarette.” When the couple learned they were expecting their oldest, Lubman’s dad tried to woo him back to New Jersey with the offer of an “Adult Job” at his pharmaceutical company. They actually considered it, but fate intervened just in time. “I was about to start the job when a woman we’d known at the farm called and told us there was a storefront open, which hadn’t 122

happened in the village for 25 years. ‘Besides,’ she said, ‘I just bought three display cases for you at an auction. So you have to come back.’” The Lubmans had grown to love the town, which even back in the ’70s hosted a top-flight craft fair but had little in the way of galleries. Thus was Hummingbird originally hatched in 1978, with master metalsmith Bruce Anderson taking over as jeweler while Lubman studied gemology and appraising. The name was inspired by a Henry Miller novelette, “Stand Still Like the Hummingbird,” combined with the fact that Webster’s defines the word “a tiny, jewel-like bird.” The store did indeed flit about a bit to various locations before finding its current home, and the Lubmans expanded their horizons, sourcing fresh treasures from around the globe. “We have beautiful things from Germany,

Italy, Greece, Brazil, Turkey—it’s much more diverse but the quality is still the same, and we’ve kept the focus on designer-made pieces and custom work,” says Lubman.

have been coming to him for nearly 40 years, and the loveliness of Rhinebeck, then and now. Daughter Jamie joined the business back in 2011, after some adventures in the downstate fashion world; she’s now manager.

He loves repurposing antique pieces “so that they can actually be worn and enjoyed. And often we

“We have more competition than ever, but we’re

can craft something new and the leftover parts will cover the cost of making the new item, which is a real win/win.” He loves the customers, some of whom

busier than ever—we could use a brilliant new helper in here on the sales floor,” Lubman says. “Rhinebeck was like Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale for

grownups during the pandemic, with all the restaurants coming outdoors and live music on every corner, and a lot of the people have stayed, so traffic’s great. Who knows what the future holds? But it’s surely been an interesting ride.”

Hummingbird Jewelers 23A E Market Street, Rhinebeck 845-876-4585, hummingbirdjewelers.com 123

PAINT IT

STAIN IT

HIGH QUALITY

JEWELRY AND

DESIGNER APPAREL

DISTINCT ACCESSORIES

MAKE IT YOURS

UNFINISHED FURNITURE & CUSTOM MADE FURNITURE

30% OFF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE

YOUR STYLE.YOUR COLOR.YOUR WAY

Bare Furniture WWW.BAREFURNITURENY.COM 17 WEST STRAND, KINGSTON • 845-331-4537 • NEXTBOUTIQUE.COM

124

LIVING & DINING SEATING & OCCASIONAL OFFICE & ENTERTAINMENT BEDROOM & HOME ACCENTS

[845] 626.0061

125

lunch 10 Plattekill Ave, New Paltz, NY

• •

dinner 845 419 5007

•

runanewpaltz.com

Make your special weekend extraordinary with a private tasting experience

VisitVortex_RUNA_4.25x2.75.indd 1

Historic Rondout

11/4/19 12:22 PM

Waterfront Dining

It’s always warm inside. Comfort Food with a Modern Twist OleSavannah.com | 845-331-4283 100 Rondout Landing, Kingston, New York

126

Make reservations on the website or via the QR code

www.Stoutridge.com

MEET THE OWNERS

Meet the Owners

s to u t r i d g e d i s t i l l e ry

w i n e ry

p h o to s b y r a c h e l c o l l e t

visitvortex.com

by anne pyburn craig

127 127

The winery and tasting room opened to the public in 2006, and Stoutridge has been producing award-winning natural wines since then. In 2017, they added a distillery producing fine brandy, absinthe, and whiskey.

Marlboro, NY was wine country before the U.S. was a country at all. “Benmarl is the oldest vineyard in America, and we’re not far behind,” says Kim Wagner, who founded Stoutridge with her husband Steve Osborn in 2000. “This land was cultivated in the 1700s; we’ve found evidence there were vineyards.” Tucked away on a quiet lane in the hills, the farmhouse was built in the mid-1800s, and what’s now Stoutridge was part of an 80-acre fruit farm. In 1902, the land was sold to Vincenzo Marino, who produced wine there until Prohibition. “After Prohibition, the land was seized by the Feds—we were the southernmost part of Legs Diamond’s territory, and all

128

the farmers brought their jugs here,” Wagner says. “It’s a very secluded spot.” Secluded it still is, and when Wagner and Osborn discovered it, they knew it was the place to craft their world. Osborn is winemaker and master distiller, while Wagner handles the red tape; hospitality in the tasting room, and guest services in general, are shared. From the first, the couple—both chemists by training—knew they wanted to do things a little differently. “It’s ironic,” says Wagner, “that two chemists would decide to make wine using the least possible chemistry. But it’s because we know.” Stoutridge wines are low-intervention.

“We work with competition bartenders and ask them what they can’t find but wish they had.” – Stoutridge Co-owner Kim Wagner “We just add yeast and wait,” says Wagner. “No sulfites or other chemicals. We can’t ship our wines, because commercial wine needs to be stabilized to 170 degrees to survive in the back of a delivery truck. They’re terrific wines, very food-friendly, but you have to come to our tasting room to get them.”

It’s certainly worth the trip. The winery and tasting room opened to the public in 2006, and Stoutridge has been producing award-winning natural wines since then. In 2017, they added a distillery producing fine brandy, absinthe, and whiskey; just this year, they returned from the 2022 Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits Competition with gold medals in every category they

make and a double gold for their Vincent Grappa. Adding the distillery, says Wagner, has ripened their always-robust collaboration with local farms. “We buy up the fruit that might not look right for the market and transform it into European-style brandies,” she says. “It’s a win/win. We just bring a bin to the packing house and

129

“After Prohibition, the land was seized by the Feds—we were the southernmost part of Legs Diamond’s territory, and all the farmers brought their jugs here. It’s a very secluded spot.” – Stoutridge Co-owner Kim Wagner

130

leave it there for the rejects, meaning the farmer can make some money on fruit that would otherwise go to waste. There might be six different varieties in there.”

ley; the whiskey is aged in Hudson Valley-grown oak barrels from Quercus Cooperage. So these really are all-local products, and the results are delicious.”

Local sourcing and sustainable production methods are what Stoutridge is all about. The low-intervention route is challenging, but Wagner says the view from the high road is lovely, along with the flavor. “Our spirits are traditional, and they taste like better versions of things you can buy at the store,” she says. “Our grain is all local too, and 90 percent of it is from the Hudson Val-

The low-intervention gravity-flow methods used at Stoutridge wouldn’t sustain a commercial winery, although Wagner’s not about to put down larger-scale operations. “They have to do things the way they do to survive,” she says. “It’s because it’s just the two of us that we can be so flexible—we’re free to create and innovate. And we’d always rather make a smaller batch of something

truly fine than a larger batch that tastes the same as the mainstream commercial product.” Classic distillery creations include Incognito Brandy, Absinthe Prelude, and Southern Ulster Single Malt. “Our flexibility in creating small batches has gotten our absinthe an international reputation,” Wagner says. “It’s fascinating to learn about; absinthe has this racy reputation, but it was actually first developed in Switzerland; it was a way to dose herbal medicine. And if you look at the ingredients, it’s got a lot of herbs in common with Ayurvedic chakra medicine—it was a way to calm your stomach and relax after dinner.” She’s endlessly fascinated by the learning that comes with each interpretation of a classic. “We take traditions and improve on them by focusing on quality,” Wagner says. “And we’re also working with inno-

vative liqueurs and potable bitters. The Fernet, a bitter mint, is flying off the shelves. And did you know, cherry brandy is a critical component in cheese fondue? We only found out when the chefs started showing up. And I never realized how many Eastern Europeans live here until we launched our Slivovitz—apparently it’s a tradition at every wedding.” The discoveries just keep coming with no end in sight. “We just keep creating,” says Wagner. “We work with competition bartenders and ask them what they can’t find but wish they had. Steve got ahold of an 18th-century French recipe book and worked really hard to translate it and weed out any toxic or endangered ingredients; we discovered mastic that way.” With over 70 products available, there’s loads to discover at Stoutridge. You’re welcome to stop

131

“We just add yeast and wait,” says Wagner.

“No sulfites or other chemicals.” by the tasting room whenever they’re open (Thursday through Sunday, 11 am-6 pm, and by appointment.) You can also make a reservation for a focused tasting with master vintner and distiller Osborn and get an in-depth education on your favorite bevvies—or find a new favorite. “You can schedule a private tasting based around wine, absinthe, mastic, or whiskey, whatever you want to focus on,” says Wagner. “We’ll spend an hour walking you through the whole process, and then you pick a fine product directly from the hands of the maker. And do stop by whenever you’re in the area; we’re open year-round, and there’s always something interesting to try.”

S to u t r i d g e V i n e ya r d 10 Ann Kaley Lane, Marlboro 845-236-7620 stoutridge.com 132

COLD WEATHER, WARM HEARTS

STONE RIDGE WINE AND SPIRITS

Ask The Experts

Over 1000 Wines • Boutique Tequilas • Single Malt Scotches Small Batch Bourbons • Monthly Tastings • Wine Dinners Stone Ridge Towne Centre, 2853 Main Street Route 209, Stone Ridge 845-687-7125 StoneRidgeWineAndSpirits.com

Since 1960

The Hudson Valley’s Premiere Source for Wine & Spirits WINE AND SPIRIT TASTINGS Fri 4-7pm & Sat 1-4pm EVERY DAY DISCOUNTS for Seniors (62+) and Veterans! CASE DISCOUNTS On All Wine Enroll in our CUSTOMER REWARDS PROGRAM! 845-336-5155 Open Mon-Sat 9am-9pm Sun 12-6pm 15 Boices Lane on the corner of Rte. 9W, Kingston, NY

Whiskey as Bold as New York.

Book Your Table!

2020 Best of Hudson Valley® winner for Best Distillery Cocktail Bar, Tours, Tastings, Shop, Outdoor Seating 14 GRIST MILL LANE, GARDINER, NY | HUDSONWHISKEY.COM | (845) 419-2964

133

845.331.1921 esterwine.com

57 North Front St. Uptown Kingston

5 7 N O R T H OF F R OCRAFT N T S T R EDISTILLERIES E T , K I N G S T O N AND , N Y ORGANIC WINES. A THOUGHTFUL SELECTION

Open 7 days a week!

COUNTRY LIVING AT ITS FINEST

bhhshudsonvalley.com WHERE WILL HOME TAKE YOU?

WOODSTOCK 845.679.0006

134

KINGSTON 845.340.1920

NEW PALTZ 845.255.9400

STONE RIDGE 845.687.0232

GARDINER 845.399.5768

NEET THE OWNER Meet The Owner

ester: fine wine & spirits

visitvortex.com

by anne pyburn craig

135

Local lovers of fine drink should know about Ester Wine and Spirits, an Uptown Kingston destination where you’ll find a superb, inviting selection of natural and organic wines to explore and friendly guidance in discovering fresh favorites. Ester proprietor Robert Provenz takes great joy in finding you just the right bottle. “Often a customer will come in looking for a specific bottle they have had, often from a big winery that mass-produces a lot of wine,” says Provenz. “We take a lot of pride in being able to steer that person to try something new that is honestly made, from the same grape type and same region, but from a winery that no one ever heard of and maybe a few bucks more, but more often quite

Ester’s selections focus on wines produced by smallmicro wineries that work with organically grown fruit and do very little manipulation in their wine cellars. 136

a few bucks less. Kinda like going to an independent record shop to buy a U2 album and leaving with a War on Drugs album. If you have an open mind, it might work out, we hope.” Provenz grew up in North and South Brooklyn, working in hospitality and finding his way to wine. “In 2009, I got hired at a great restaurant and

wine bar in Fort Greene, Brooklyn called StoneHome,” he says, “and that began my journey into the world of wine and spirits. After work hours, I acquired some accredited course work, but really learned more at portfolio tastings and industry events. I switched from front-ofhouse restaurant work to wine retail shops; gaining experience with both

angles offered me the tools suited to run a successful wine and spirits program. But the opportunity to own my own business came as a surprise, even to me.” In 2014, tired of the city’s asphalt and subways, he headed north to put his learning into action. From the first memorable moment, it was

“We have a lot of fun on the job, but we’re very serious about providing every customer with an experience that leads to great feedback.” – Robert Provenz

137

“Our name is Ester, after my great Aunt Est[h]er who lived to 99 years old and was the saintliest lady I’ve ever known. We dropped the ‘h’ to give the name a double meaning, as a nod to the esters, the chemical compounds that distillers work with.”

138

a joy. “We opened to our first customer at 1:30pm on September 12th, 2014,” he recalls. “We sold a bottle of Espolòn Reposado [tequila]. Our name on the front door was and is Ester, named after my great Aunt Est[h]er who lived to 99 years old and was the saintliest lady I’ve ever known. We dropped the ‘h’ to give the name a double meaning, as a nod to the esters, the chemical compounds that distillers work with.”

sions on just our own personal likes and dislikes. Instead, we put our feet in the shoes of a consumer who is fairly new to wine and wants to learn all about the different typicities and terroirs. Within that parameter, I try my best to have a diverse price selection for that consumer to choose from. They can spend $12 per bottle or $35 and still put together a case that would express a rainbow of different styles and flavors.”

Ester’s wines are curated according to Provenz’s wide-ranging and exacting standards. “We strive to represent as wide a range of geographical wine-growing regions as we can,” he says. “We try not to make all of our deci-

Ester’s selections focus on wines produced by small-micro wineries that work with organically grown fruit and do very little manipulation in their wine cellars, Provenz says: “Think of it as a no-additive consumable, hence, ‘natural’ wine.”

Before Covid, the Ester family of wine lovers gathered for weekend events and tastings, which may have restarted by the time you read this; Provenz was looking to restart them last October. Running a Kingston shop is refreshing for the mass-transit refugee, who’s always found his bliss in bicycling, urban hiking, playing guitar, and enjoying the arts. “This is a great place to live and work,” he says. “There is no subway here! And the community of friends who also live, work, and hang out in this town is a magical thing that I’m grateful for every day. And just the thought of lunch from Dallas Hot Wieners with a bottle of late-harvest Riesling gets my feet out of bed. I love creative pairings.” Stop in the next time you need to restock, whether you’re hosting a special occasion or simply your own cellar; you’ll find that 10 percent off mixed or single cases (with the exception of champagnes) is standard business practice, and you’ll love the vibes as much as the vino. “We have a lot of fun on the job. We play good tunes and joke around, maybe too much,” says Provenz. “But we’re very serious

about providing every customer with an experience that leads to great feedback. So far, so good. That’s something I’ve worked hard at and put a lot of thought into over the years.” That hard work hasn’t gone unremarked. “Incredible selection of minimal intervention wines from all over the world as well as excellent spirits,” writes a satisfied Yelper. “The owner and staff are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful with picking out the perfect bottle for you! Don’t go to Kingston without stopping by Ester!” “The owner and his wife had maps with the wine regions and foods to complement the wines,” writes another. “It was fun learning about the wines and meeting new people in the area. I like going to businesses where I feel like I’m not just another face.”

Ester Wine & Spirits 57 North Front Street, Kingston 845-331-1921 esterwine.com

139

NOW IS THE TIME

Call for Pricing. Closed the month of February.

Wood, Coal, Gas & Oil Flues Cleaned Caps & Dampers Installed Masonry Repairs & Water Sealing Pre-Fab Chimney Installations

Stainless Steel Relining Specialists Fireplaces Cleaned and Repaired Internal Camera Real Estate Inspection Serving Ulster County Since 1978

THE MAD HATTER CHIMNEY SWEEP CO. Call Flynn O’Connor Stone Ridge, NY 845-687-4745 140

Emergency Well Pump Service Emergency Well Service Emergency WellPump Pump Service Plumbing Repairs & Installation Plumbing Installation Plumbing Repairs &Systems Installation Water Repairs Filtration Emergency Well&Pump Service WaterFiltration FiltrationSystems Systems Water Radiant Heat Flooring Plumbing Repairs & Installation Radiant HeatFlooring Flooring Radiant Heat Oil & Gas Heating Systems-Installation & Service GasHeating Heating Systems-Installation Service OilOil&&&Gas Systems-Installation &&Installation Service Water Filtration Systems Septic Drain Field Installation/Sump Pump Emergency Well Pump Service Septic& &Drain Drain FieldInstallation/Sump Installation/Sump Pump Installation Installation Septic Field Pump Radiant Heat&Flooring Plumbing Repairs Installation Licensed Master Plumber #136 Fully Insured Water Filtration Systems Licensed Master Plumber #136 ••• Fully Fully Insured Oil & Gas Heating Systems-Installation & Service Licensed Master Plumber #136 Insured riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com •Flooring riceplumbingandheating.com Radiant Heat riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com • riceplumbingandheating.com riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com • riceplumbingandheating.com Septic Field Installation/Sump Pump Installation Oil && Drain Gas Heating Systems-Installation & Service Septic & Drain Field Installation/Sump Pump Installation

Licensed Plumber#136 #136• •Fully FullyInsured Insured Licensed Master Master Plumber

riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com ••riceplumbingandheating.com riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com riceplumbingandheating.com

E Pl

STONE RIDGE INSURANCE AGENCY serving all of your insurance needs

• Auto Insurance • Homeowners Insurance • Business Insurance & More

3669 MAIN ST. STONE RIDGE 845-687-2828 STONERIDGEINSURANCE.NET

Fireside Warmth Inc. A full service hearth shop. OFFERING THE HIGHEST QUALITY: WOOD, GAS, COAL & PELLET STOVES INSERTS AND FIREPLACES INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

At home with a Jøtul connoisseur

Visit our complete showroom with display models as well as accessories for all your hearth needs. Our expert staff, unmatched selection and reasonable prices have helped Fireside Warmth Inc. earn our reputation for convenience, quality and value.

845-331-5656 901 State Route 28, Kingston, NY www.firesidewarmthonline.com 141

Visit and be Inspired: Make Your Own Holiday Wreath! Call or visit online to make a reservation: victoriagardens.biz Holiday wreaths, houseplants, gifts, cards ornaments, and more. WOOD PELLETS

1 Cottekill Rd & Rt 213

RO S E N DA L E , NY

(845) 658-9007

www.victoriagardens.biz

YOUR HOMETOWN HARDWARE STORE WINDOW & SCREEN REPAIR • CLASS CUTTING • KEY MAKING WOOD PELLETS • SOIL, MULCH, AND GRAVEL • PATIO STONE AND BLOCKS • SHADE CUTTING • CUSTOM PAINT MATCHING PROPANE REFILLS • DELIVERY AVAILABLE

A & M HARDWARE Mon-Sat 7:30-6 Sun 8:30-4 5000 Route 209, Accord, NY 845-626-2788 amhardware.doitbest.com

142

December 2

kingston snowflake festival by anne pyburn craig

Conjure the sparkling spirits of the season with the fine folk of Uptown Kingston as they celebrate the Snowflake Festival, lighting up the historic, always-pretty Stockade with carolers, dancers, horse-drawn carriage rides, a fire torch juggler, ice sculpture carvings, and much more. The free festival will take place Friday, December 2, from 6-8 pm. Santa is coming, of course, arriving with Mrs. Claus on an antique fire engine to light the community tree at the

corner of Wall and North Front streets; once that important job is done, the North Pole couple will be socializing on the Senate House grounds with youngsters of all ages. The elves of the Kingston Uptown Business Association have organized new bikes for dozens of the kids who entered their 2022 raffle, and the presentations will be happening at the Main Stage, along with live performances. Shops will be open and decked in their holiday finest, offering brows143

“We feature diverse entertainment and are supported by a wide range of individuals and local groups; it magically showcases Uptown.” – Julie Jordan, marketing director of Herzog’s Home Center and KUBA board member

ers tasty treats and warm beverages. Presenting sponsors are Kingston legacy businesses with deep community roots: Mainetti & Mainetti, PC, offering award-winning legal counsel since 1972, and Ulster Savings Bank, chartered in 1851. “Funded by numerous local sponsors, the Kingston Uptown Business Association (KUBA) annually produces this event as part of their overall mission,” says Julie Jordan, marketing director of Herzog’s Home Center and a KUBA board member. “Putting this festival together is extremely rewarding. We feature diverse entertainment and are supported by a wide range of individu-

als and local groups; it magically showcases Uptown. This event highlights our neighborhood, builds community, and forms new relationships. We are especially grateful for the increased numbers of volunteers who have stepped up and pledged their time and resources to help with its success.” Holiday shopping and revelry in this magical Hudson Valley doesn’t get any better than this; come check out Uptown, wander and savor, and let this creative crew fill you with the Yuletide spirit. Free parking will be available in the city’s municipal lots, the courthouse lot, Dietz Stadium, and Kingston Plaza.

snowflake festival, uptown kingston friday, december 2, 6-8pm 144

145

S.A.P. Exteriors, Inc. S.A.P.exteriors

Different Strokes PAINTING COMPANY

Joshua rodrIguez- Fully Insured InterIor/exterIor • resIdentIal/CommerCIal 845-389-5121 differentstrokespainting845@gmail.com 146

SAPmetalmasters.com

845-687-2542

S.A.P.exteriors

SAPmetalmasters.com 845-687-2542

All phases of exterior construction services from roofing, siding and windows to decks, porches and seamless gutter systems. Specializing in custom formed STANDING SEAM METAL ROOFING. Commercial and residential applications. Fully insured with 18 years’ experience. Quality Craftsmanship. Exceptional Service. Fully Guaranteed. Free Estimates.

460 Cottekill Road, Stone Ridge, NY 12484

845-901-9080

BEGINS NOV 25 Turn off your headlights and follow the magical glow of the 1.7 mile holiday light show at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. For more fun things to do visit: SullivanCatskills.com

Tickets at BethelWoodsCenter.org SullivanCatskills.com 1.800.882.CATS

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ® I LOVE NEW YORK is a registered trademark and service mark of the New York State Department of Economic Development; used with permission.

Hit the slopes of Belleayre Mountain, sample the culinary delights of area tastemakers, find your holiday spirit on Huguenot Street, or cozy up with your main squeeze in a luxurious mountain resort. Discover the winter warmth of Ulster County, NY. ® NYSDED

SEEK FOR YOURSELF COZY UP TO THE CATSKILLS visitulstercountyny.com