October 2025 Guide: With a Special Section on the Village of Windham

IN THIS ISSUE

FALLFORART.ORG ANNOUNCES HUDSON VALLEY ARTISTS ARE COMING TO YOU

WENDY’S LEGACY: Paying it Forward at the Main Street Community Center

MAUDE ADAMS THEATER HUB PRESENTS NEIL SIMON’S BAREFOOT IN THE PARK

AQUILA THEATRE COMPANY BRINGS A CLASSIC MYSTERY TO THE ORPHEUM IN TANNERSVILLE THIS JANUARY by Sarah

Beling

WELCOME TO WINDHAM, NEW YORK: The Northern Catskills’ Hidden Gem by Matt

Avitabile

WINDHAM CELEBRATES 31st ANNUAL AUTUMN AFFAIR

SUGAR MAPLES CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS FALL 2025 WEEKLY COURSES

VERBATIM TEXT SOUND EXPO

WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL 2025: Where Stories Take Root in the Catskills

CATSKILLS PAST: Revolution in the Catskills by T.M. Bradshaw

A SMART FUTURE FOR THE CATSKILLS: Can We Coexist with AI? by Greg Madden

THE GREAT OUTDOORS IN THE CATSKILLS by Jeff Senterman

A GREENE COUNTY GARDEN IN OCTOBER: Caterpillars by Margaret Donsbach Tomlinson

SNEAK PEEK: CATSKILL MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION 2026 PERFORMING ARTS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CATSKILL MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION 2025 PERFORMING ARTS SEASON

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

VOLUME 40, NUMBER 10 OCTOBER 2025

PUBLISHERS

Peter Finn, Chairman, Catskill Mountain Foundation

Sarah Finn, President, Catskill Mountain Foundation

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, CATSKILL MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION

Sarah Taft

ADVERTISING SALES

Barbara Cobb

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS

Matt Avitabile, Sarah Beling, Belleayre Mountain, T.M. Bradshaw, Briars & Brambles, FallforArt.org, Hanford Mills Museum, KathodeRay Media, The Knitting Room, Lisa Jaeger, Felix Lipov/shutterstock.com, Greg Madden, Maude Adams Theater Hub, mervas/shutterstock.com, Peter Mountain, New York State Sheep & Wool Festival, Anggalih Prasetya/shutterstock.com, Jeff Senterman, Shaw Country Realty, Margaret Donsbach Tomlinson, VIKVAD/shutterstock.com, Windham Arts Alliance, Windham Manor, Windham Mountain Club, Windstar Realty Group, WoodLab of Windham, Woodstock Film Festival and Colin D. Young/shutterstock.com.

ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE

Candy McKee

Kaitlyn Glidden

James Milton

PRINTING

Catskill Mountain Printing Services

DISTRIBUTION

Catskill Mountain Foundation

EDITORIAL DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: October 6

The Catskill Mountain Region Guide is published 12 times a year by the Catskill Mountain Foundation, Inc., Main Street, PO Box 924, Hunter, NY 12442. If you have events or programs that you would like to have covered, please send them by e-mail to tafts@catskillmtn.org. Please be sure to furnish a contact name and include your telephone number and e-mail address. To receive submission guidelines send a request to tafts@catskillmtn.org.

The liability of the publisher for any error for which it may be held legally responsible will not exceed the cost of space ordered or occupied by the error. The publisher assumes no liability for errors in key numbers. The publisher will not, in any event, be liable for loss of income or profits or any consequent damages.

The Catskill Mountain Region Guide office is located at 7971 Main Street, Hunter, NY 12442.

The magazine can be found on-line at www.catskillmtn.org by clicking on the “Magazine” button, or by going directly to issuu.com/catskillmtnregionguide

The Catskill Mountain Region Guide is distributed each month free of charge at tourist information offices, restaurants, lodgings, retailers and other businesses throughout Greene, Delaware and Ulster counties, and at the Empire State Plaza Visitor Center in Albany.

Home delivery of the Guide magazine is available, at an additional fee, to annual members of the Catskill Mountain Foundation at the $100 membership level or higher.

©2000 Catskill Mountain Foundation, Inc.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. The Catskill Mountain Region Guide is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. All photographic rights reside with the photographer.

Fall forArt.org Announces Hudson Valley Artists Are Coming to You

Fallforart.org, the popular Juried Art Show, Sale & Community Fundraiser presented by the Jewish Federation of Ulster County, returns for its 29th year, virtually! From 7:00 pm on Saturday, November 8 through 5:00 pm on Friday, November 14, visitors from across the region, and beyond, can explore and purchase a wide range of visual art by 31 acclaimed Hudson Valley artists.

This online celebration of the arts showcases high-quality, original works in ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed-media, painting, photography, pottery, and more, all from the comfort of your home. All artists offer complimentary shipping.

Featured Hudson Valley artists include: Steven Aaron (Photography, Valley Cottage), Jerilynn Babroff (Ceramics, Mt. Tremper), Lauren Baker (Acrylic, Ulster Park), Janet Baskerville (Jewelry, Montgomery), Sara Beames (Jewelry/Fused Glass, Kingston), Julia Fry (Ornaments/Cards, Glenville), Alexa Ginsberg (Textiles, Gardiner), Mary Anna Goetz (Oil, Woodstock), Pam Grafstein (Photography, Congers), Glenn Grubard (Mixed Media, Kingston), Lauren Horowitz (Textiles, Kingston), Helen Hosking (Jewelry/Sculpture, Hyde Park), Nicole Hughes (Wood, Pawling), Robin Kline (Ceramics, Peekskill), Linda Lavin (Alcohol Ink, Rhinebeck), Maureen Lohan-Bremer (Photography, Stone Ridge), Joel Mandelbaum (Photography, Kingston), Lucia Martell (Printmaking, Shady), Lissa Matthews (Jewelry, Kingston), Jim

McCann (Photography, Saugerties), Pamela Meyer (Jewelry, Kingston), Paul Mindell (Mixed Media, Accord), Terry Murray (Collage, Cornwall), Carol Pepper-Cooper (Mixed Media, Kingston), Bentley Potter (Photography, Kingston), Ronnie RosenbergFriedman (Jewelry, New Paltz), Veronica Russo (Mixed Media, New Paltz), Abbie Schiff (Ceramics, West Camp), JoAnn Wolfe (Watercolor, Poughkeepsie), Karen Whitman (Linoleum Block Print, Bearsville), Roni Wilder-Guidi (Watercolor, Woodstock).

A Show with Purpose

What sets Fallforart.org apart is its community impact. Proceeds support the Federation, the participating artists and benefit essential regional nonprofits including Angel Food East, Circle of Friends for the Dying, Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center, Jewish Family Services, MyKingstonKids.org, Oncology Support Program, People’s Place, and R.Y.A.N. House. Supporting these organizations aligns with the Jewish Federation’s mission of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world through acts of kindness and support.

Get Involved

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Join us in supporting art, artists, and the community. For more information, visit Fallforart.org.

Wendy’s Legacy: Paying it Forward at the Main Street Community Center

The Main Street Community Center is proud to present Wendy’s Legacy: Paying it Forward, a special art installation celebrating the life and impact of Wendy Filowitz, a beloved educator and passionate advocate for children.

This installation features a selection of artwork from Wendy’s personal collection, curated over a lifetime of dedication to the arts and her community. These pieces, generously donated by her family, will be displayed in the center, with all proceeds from their sale benefiting local children’s programs.

“We are honored to present Wendy’s curated collection in such a meaningful way,” said Sadhbh Lavery of the Main Street Community Center. “Wendy’s love for art and her commitment to enriching the lives of children are at the heart of this exhibit. By supporting this installation, we continue her mission to give every child the opportunity to thrive through creativity and education.”

The artworks selected for Wendy’s Legacy are designed to align with the themes of the center’s rotating exhibitions. As part

of this ongoing tribute, the Wendy’s Legacy wall will continue to feature art that complements the themes of future shows at the center.

The installation will be on display throughout the upcoming season, with all sales proceeds benefiting children’s programs at the Community Center. The community is invited to experience this unique collection, celebrate Wendy’s lasting impact, and support the next generation of young artists.

The Main Street Community Center also invites the public to its upcoming art show opening, The Elements, on Saturday, October 18 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The reception will include refreshments and a live performance by local musician Sevi Darling, creating a welcoming atmosphere to enjoy the work of regional artists.

The Main Street Community Center is located at 5494 State Route 23 in Windham. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, please call 518 734 4168 or visit mainstreetcenter.org.

Maude Adams Theater Hub Catskill Mountain Foundation presents Neil Simon’s

BAREFOOT IN THE PARK

What better way to spend a three-day weekend than leaf peeping during the day in the Great Northern Catskills, and taking in a live theater production of Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park when the sun sets?

Maude Adams Theater Hub brings the classic comedy of newlyweds crammed into a tiny Manhattan apartment with little furniture and a leaky roof—will their love stand the test of an intrusive neighbor, a nosey mother and a trip to Staten Island? Set in the mid-sixties, MATH’s production is redolent with all the great accoutrements of the decade, transporting the audience via sets, costumes, and music to a time when people married a bit before they really got to know each other’s quirks.

Starring as Corrie Bratter, the bride with big ideas of what happily ever after should look like, is Ashley Hill, most recently seen in Columbia County Player’s summer hit production of As You Like It, where she played Phoebe, a much more reluctant spouse. Ashley also brilliantly portrayed multiple parts in MATH’s July production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid

Suiting up as her law-career aspiring husband is Jacob Shipley, who also serves as MATH’s Associate Creative Director, and

directed the sell-out production of Sam Shephard’s True West last March, and then took a turn as Prince Eric in Disney’s The Little Mermaid this summer.

Katrina Lantz, beloved trouper to many a local theater, steps into the shoes of the ominously named “Mother,” and literally tears up the scenery with her impeccable comic timing. Her main foil, Victor Velasco, is played with enormous charm by Roger Dapiran, who is an associate producer of a The Voice Theater in Kingston. Rounding out the cast as “Telephone Man,” is the tirelessly talented regional theater stalwart, Gary Falk, who makes the very most of his two short scenes.

FOR TICKETS

There are three chances to catch this funny, brisk, and timeless play at the Doctorow Center for the Arts in Hunter, NY: Friday, October 10 at 7:00 pm; Saturday, October 11 at 7:00 pm; and Sunday, October 12 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $25 general admission, $20 seniors/students, $30 at the door. Visit catskillmtn.org for tickets today!

Aquila Theatre Company brings A Classic Mystery to the Orpheum in Tannersville this January

By Sarah Beling

Sherlock Holmes fans, grab your cape, pipe and magnifying glass, as the Aquila Theatre Company brings their brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle mystery, The Hound of the Baskervilles to the Orpheum Performing Arts Center in Tannersville on January 17 and 18. The world-renowned company, known for producing fresh interpretations of classical works across the United States, is led by longtime artistic director Desiree Sanchez Meineck, who first became involved with Aquila during her career as a Metropolitan Opera dancer. “I found out about the company through a colleague of mine at the Metropolitan Opera, Mira Kingsley, who was an actress and choreographer in the company,” says Sanchez Meineck. “She knew that I really wanted to start transitioning into theatre from dance and suggested I come along to one of the shows.” Sanchez Meineck quickly went from audience member to company member — in 2004, she started working with Aquila as a movement specialist, eventually moving to assistant directing — a process that she says provided her with a rich tapestry of classical theatre training. “Some of the former members of the company were from the UK, and had really excellent classical theater training. So through them I learned quite a lot,” adds Sanchez Meineck. After stepping up to direct Luigi Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Au-

thor, a production that Sanchez Meineck was proud to see “really well received across the country” — she became the company’s artistic director in 2012 “and has directed every show since.”

Sanchez Meineck’s Metropolitan Opera career also sowed the seeds for the company’s Catskill Mountain Foundation debut. “[Orpheum Dance Program] director Victoria Rinaldi called me and asked me for help with their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which is one of my favorite Shakespreare plays,” says Sanchez Meineck. “It turned out to be a really great collaboration, and she introduced me to the Catskill Mountain Foundation,” — which led to Aquila’s work both with CMF’s educational residency program as well as with with the Twelfth Night chamber orchestra ensemble on 2024’s production of scenes from Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus. “I love the ethos behind the Catskill Mountain Foundation,” says Sanchez Meineck, “where they support arts and innovation.”

In helming Aquila’s season over the past decade-plus, Sanchez Meineck tries to “choose titles that are both recognizable and beloved by many groups of people and that resonate with us at any given time,” she says. While Aquila is a classical theatre company, “we’re not trying to do restoration pieces,” says Sanchez Meineck — “we’re trying to make these pieces relevant to our world and

to what’s going on with us, and put a light on to what it is that makes them classic. I’ve also tried to diversify classics — I want to make the work accessible and relatable to as many people as possible, and use these very familiar titles to bring people together in an embodied presence,” she adds. “So much of our world is experienced through screens. Live theater is becoming one of the rare opportunities for people in our country, in our world, to actually share the same space — this is really an important time for theatre to remind people what it means to be human.”

The team at Aquila is already well-versed in working with Doyle’s work, having produced an adaptation of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sanchez Meineck in 2015, an exercise which she says gave her a deeper appreciation for the genre. “In reading many of the short stories and also adapting my own version, I understood, perhaps for the first time, why [Doyle’s stories] are so exciting,” she says. “There’s something about the strangeness and the unpredictability of these stories that is fascinating for viewers of various adaptations, whether through film or radio or theater — these stories remind you that people are really interesting and strange,” she adds. In directing The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sanchez Meineck says they plan to lean into the comedy of the piece. “Comedy is underestimated in terms of its cathartic ability, and it’s something that we have been known for,” says Sanchez Meineck. “While [The Hound of the Baskervilles] is known for being a mystery, we were inspired by

the 1978 movie with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore — which is from a bygone era, but nonetheless, a pretty hilarious rendition.” Aquila’s adaptation is penned by longtime collaborator and Aquila fan favorite James Lavender, “ a fantastic actor and one of the most prolific readers and performers of classical texts I’ve ever met,” says Sanchez Meineck. “Comedy is his forte, so it was the perfect project for him.”

In producing the touring The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sanchez Meineck looks forward to sharing the company’s work with audiences across the region and the country. “We had a two year hiatus after touring annually for over 30 years — so this is an important year for us to get back out there and bring theatre to America,” says Sanchez Meineck. Performing in the Catskills “feels like it would be a great opportunity to merge nature with theater,” she adds, “and perhaps build a theatre community up there. I know that there are other theatre organizations doing exactly the same thing, so I would love to contribute to that effort and see where that goes.” And for those attending The Hound of the Baskervilles this January, she hopes the mid-winter divertissement will be “a fun, funny and spooky great time at the theatre.”

There will be two performances of The Hound of the Baskervilles on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 4:00 pm. The Orpheum Performing Arts Center is located at 6050 Main Street, Tannersville, NY 12485. For tickets, please visit catskillmtn.org.

FORTE | PIANO FESTIVAL REFLECTIONS

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19 @ 2:00 PM

Streaming LIVE on Facebook and YouTube

This special edition of the International Fortepiano Salon turns its focus to Forte | Piano: Crafting Soundscapes, a landmark festival which took place at Cornell University’s Schwartz Center 5-10 August and was shaped by many of the same performers, scholars, and colleagues who have long been part of the Salon community. Together, they created a week overflowing with beauty, insight, and connection—through inspiring performances, thoughtful presentations, excellent scholarship, and, perhaps most meaningfully, conversations that continue to resonate. In this program, a short documentary-style film will revisit highlights of the Festival, while members of the core team join live to reflect on how the experience has shaped us as participants and how it may be shaping the culture of the fortepiano itself.

www.catskillmtn.org or www.internationalfortepianosalon.com

Welcome to WINDHAM, NEW YORK

The Northern Catskills’ Hidden Gem

By Matt Avitabile

Nestled at the Northeastern edge of the Catskill Mountains lies a charming historic town that serves as a nexus between nature, community and culture; a town with striking natural beauty, a ski and lifestyle resort, premier dining and shopping, and year-round outdoor recreation; all tucked in the beautiful backdrop of the Catskills.

Windham has long been known as a family-friendly winter vacation/skiing destination. But in recent years Windham has also developed into a thriving community with ample year-round amenities for vacationers, local residents and second home-owners. Windham is within easy driving distance from the Capital Region, Hudson Valley, and New York City’s metro region. The area’s breathtaking views and outdoor activities take on a special magic during autumn. As leaves turn day-glow yellow and red, Windham basks in nature’s ever changing glory. The village of Windham sits at the foot of Windham Mountain and is continually developing through the passion and diligence of dedicated community members.

Windham Chamber of Commerce Chair, Lisa Jaeger, observes that Windham is “changing for the better,” with much of the town “reinvigorated” in recent years. Jaeger cited the “plethora” of great restaurants, retailers and outdoor recreational activities like mountain-biking, golfing, skiing and hiking in this “very friendly community.”

Windham’s restaurants are second-to-none in the region, with some offering international cuisine unique to the area. The Windham Local cafe/restaurant is located on Main Street in the

center of the village. It’s a community hub and serves the area’s only Thai food and handmade Dim Sum alongside a full cafe menu. Owner, Dave Liatti, recognized the need for culinary diversity and brought in skilled chefs to craft authentic ethnic dishes. Dave also owns the Taphouse & Grille which has a lively nightlife, full bar and a pub menu with Japanese inspired favorites like Sushi Rolls, Poke Bowls, Asian pork and veggie buns seamlessly woven in.

Across the street from Taphouse you’ll find Main Street Market, a deli, butcher and grocer that pays homage to the traditions of old world Italy. Owner Chris Benanti hand-makes mozzarella and sauces weekly. His deli is stocked with classics like prosciutto, stuffed peppers, olives, and grape leaves. Seasonal fresh veggies sourced from local farms line the produce section and house-aged prime NY strip steak is available at the butcher counter.

Every thriving community needs a craft brewery. Recognizing this, Bob Mclynn recently opened Mountain King Brewery which is now producing fresh ales and lagers from a five-barrel on-premise brewhouse. The brewery also has a tasting room and many of the bars and restaurants in the area have their brews on draft.

Longstanding institutions also continue to anchor Windham’s dining scene. Brandywine, a family-owned Italian restaurant, has been welcoming guests for decades with traditional recipes and a warm, old-world atmosphere. The Catskill Mountain Country Store is equally beloved. In addition to hearty breakfasts and lunches, the store offers locally made goods, baked treats, and

an old-fashioned country market experience that appeals to visitors and locals alike.

With the recent ownership change at the Windham Mountain Club, and their focus on developing the mountain as a private resort exclusively for members, local business owners in the village have responded by expanding their offerings to best serve local residents and the general public.

Outdoor recreation and wellness activities are abundant in Windham. Christman’s Windham House is a golf course, inn and restaurant open to the public. It has 27 holes of golf and a newly renovated restaurant, just minutes from the center of town. The 9-hole “Valley Course” is a fun, walkable par-3 layout while their 18-hole “Mountain Course” offers challenging play for the seasoned pro, with breathtaking mountain views as a backdrop. The Windham Spa offers revitalizing massage and skincare treatment for personal health and wellness. It was opened by Antonia Schreiber, a native resident of the town. The facility is certifiedgreen and blends science, time-honored traditions and heartfelt hospitality. Other notable wellness centers include Windham Family Chiropractic, Anant Acupuncture and Skin Concepts. All are located in town and are open to the general public.

A favorite outdoor attraction for visitors of all ages is the Windham Path, a scenic walking and biking trail that winds through meadows and along streams with panoramic mountain views. Especially stunning in October, the Path provides an accessible way to experience the beauty of the Catskills in every season.

Windham also offers a wide range of lodging and event options, from historic inns to modern resorts. Windham Manor is a premier destination for weddings, set on a stunning 45-acre property with mountain views. Wylder Windham, a resort and corporate retreat destination on the Batavia Kill, blends luxury and comfort in a family-friendly setting. Other favorites include Albergo Allegria, a boutique inn known for its hospitality and gourmet breakfasts, and Union + Post, a stylish hotel that combines contemporary design with small-town charm.

Over the past few years, a range of retail shops have opened to service the growing community. Most recently, Gem Mercantile opened on Main Street in the heart of the village. Housed in a historic circa 1885 home, Gem Mercantile offers a broad selection of quality clothing, footwear, accessories, gifts and local hand-mades. Come on a Saturday morning and you’ll find the Windham Farmers Market laid out across the front and side lawn outside the store. The Windham Farmers Market, now in its seventh year, has local meat, cheese, produce, honey, maple syrup, fresh flowers, woodwork and other handcrafted items. The farmers market also features live music, from 10:00 am to noon. Other notable retail shops in town are Studio Minimale, Briars and Brambles, Gardenheir and Windham Mountain Outfitters.

Windham’s community-minded organizations play a crucial role in the vibrancy of the village and in maintaining its rich cultural history. Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts (SMCCA), a program of the Catskill Mountain Foundation (CMF),

is located in Maplecrest, a hamlet in the town of Windham. The Center is run by Director Kulvinder Kaur Dhew and Head of Ceramics, Bruce Dehnert, both internationally recognized artists. The Center is a year-round hub for artistic exploration, hosting creative events and workshops in ceramics, painting, drawing, and fiber arts. CMF significantly enhances the Mountaintop region for both residents and visitors by fostering arts-based economic development and providing cultural and educational opportunities. It hosts the Art Explorers program, which provides hands-on creative experiences for youth and offers scholarships to ensure accessibility. Additionally, the Center’s Speaker Series enriches the community by bringing in notable figures from various cultural fields, making it a cornerstone for learning and inspiration. The summer lectures are free and open to the public. SMCCA provides a space for creativity and contributes to the preservation and environmental heritage of the region by preserving historic buildings and promoting sustainable living. The Natural Agricultural Farm on the campus of SMCCA is open on Saturdays during the growing season and produces delicious, healthy produce for sale.

The Windham Arts Alliance is another vital contributor to the area’s creative landscape. Through exhibitions — often held at the Main Street Community Center — the Alliance showcases local artists and provides opportunities for community engagement with the arts year-round.

Windham’s place in art history stretches back to its earliest days. The area has been a favorite site for artists for over one hundred years; playing an important role in the development of the Hudson River School of painters. Thomas Cole, Frederic Church, and others made regular visits to the area to paint the pastoral mountain landscapes. SMCCA and Main Street Community Center have kept the tradition of artistic expression alive. To view and purchase fine art in the village, visit the Windham Fine Arts gallery on Main Street.

Much of Windham’s recent revitalization has been supported by the Windham Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering economic development, cultural programming, and environmental stewardship in the region. Through grants, community projects, and partnerships, the Foundation has played a key role in shaping the town’s ongoing growth and vitality.

Tying all that Windham has to offer together, from recreational activities, dining, shopping and the arts, is the Windham Visitor’s Guide, which can be accessed through the QR Code at the left. The Visitor’s Guide is a comprehensive map of Windham’s attractions and amenities. Check out the Guide for the many places to dine, shop, play and stay in Windham. Windham, NY welcomes you. Come visit the “Gem of the Catskills” — you’ll be happy you did!

WINDHAM CELEBRATES 31st ANNUAL

Autumn Affair

Main Street in Windham will once again come alive on October 11 and 12 as the Chamber of Commerce hosts its 31st Annual Autumn Affair—a two-day celebration of fall in the Catskills. From live music and family attractions to delicious food and unique shopping, this beloved tradition brings together neighbors, visitors, and friends for a festival that truly captures the spirit of the season.

The festival stage will feature top-notch performances, including local favorites Hillbilly Parade—who stole the show at our inaugural Summer Music Concert Series—and rising country-pop star Ryan Clark.

Families will discover endless activities throughout the festival grounds. Beloved wildlife expert Wes Laraway returns with his fascinating bird exhibits, while Hudson Valley Reptiles and the Vidbel Homestead Petting Zoo bring creatures of all kinds for hands-on encounters. The Windham Fire Department’s Toucha-Truck experience invites kids to climb aboard real fire engines, and the Catskill Mountain Country Store’s famous Spooky Haymaze will once again thrill visitors of all ages. Add in arts and crafts, balloon artists, tattoos, games, and even axe throwing, and you’ve got entertainment for kids and adults alike. New this year, festivalgoers can test their skills on a state-of-the-art golf simulator. The Windham’s Farmers Market will be open both days from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, featuring live music, local artisans, and vendors. The Market is on the grounds of Gem Mercantile, Main Street’s newest retail shop.

Food lovers will find plenty to savor along Main Street. Over 60 craft vendors will be offering seasonal treats and artisan goods, while local restaurants and pubs serve up delicious specials paired with live entertainment. Be sure not to miss Main Street Market’s

sumptuous sausage and pepper subs—a fan favorite every year. Visitors can also enjoy wine and spirits tastings at Windham Wine & Liquors. On Saturday, the Methodist Church hosts its popular Apple Fest, featuring famous apple fritters and an array of homemade baked goods for sale—a tradition that locals and visitors alike look forward to each year.

Exciting demonstrations will run throughout the weekend. Don’t miss the thrilling K-9 police dog presentations, or the Adaptive Sports Foundation’s inspiring skate park demo, showcasing adaptive equipment and highlighting the important work they do for athletes of all abilities.

This year’s Autumn Affair will also feature two fun competitions celebrating local talent and creativity. On Saturday, the Centre Church hosts a Baking Competition with prizes in multiple categories—sign up for a chance to claim local bragging rights. Meanwhile, the Coldwell Banker Village Green team invites you to join their Doggie Beauty Photo Contest. Stop by their booth, snap a photo with your four-legged friend, and enter to win. Voting will take place on social media, making this contest a howling good time.

With so much to see, taste, and experience, the 31st Annual Autumn Affair promises something for everyone. Whether you’re coming for the music, the food, the shopping, or simply the joy of celebrating fall with friends and family, Windham’s Main Street is the place to be this October.

Special thanks to Greene County Legislator Wayne Speenburgh Grant, the Windham Foundation, and Windham Mountain Club for their generous support making free community events like these possible.

Visit Windham

Windham Fine Arts

5380 Main Street

Windham, NY 12496

windhamfinearts.com

518 734 6850, director@ windhamfinearts.com

Windham Fine Arts (WFA) is a contemporary art gallery located in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, at the base of Windham Mountain Club. WFA represents more than 60 artists showcasing a diverse collection of original paintings, photography and sculptures. The gallery offers 3,000 square feet of curated artwork exhibiting inspired landscapes, abstracts, figurative works, Hudson River School style and more. Windham Fine Arts—24 years in business, a gem of artistic inspiration. Custom-designed artwork by appointment. Open Friday and Saturday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm on Sunday.

Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts

34 Big Hollow Road

Maplecrest, NY 12454

sugarmaples.org

A program of the Catskill Mountain Foundation, Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts offers short term adult workshop programming in ceramics, painting, drawing, fiber arts and weekly classes in ceramics and fiber arts during the summer season, as well as year-round short courses for adults and youth in ceramics, painting, and drawing. All classes are led by artists who are renowned and celebrated in their field. Join us for the Verbatim: A Text & Sound Expo on October 4. A performance festival featuring Hudson Valley and Catskills small presses and record labels. The market is accompanied by a schedule of performance across disciplines: poetry, avantgarde music, sound art, and hybrid text-sound experiments.

Briars & Brambles Books

Route 296 & South Street

Windham, NY 12496

briarsandbramblesbooks.com

518 750 8599

Briars and Brambles Books is your go-to Indie Bookstore in the heart of the Catskill Mountains. Briars & Brambles Books is a dream come true for owner & part-time Windham resident, Jen Schwartz. Jen has combined her love of books with her experience as a long-time library volunteer and past library board president to create an inviting, knowledgeable and professional atmosphere. The Briars & Brambles team understands that being a bookseller involves so much more than simply “selling books” and is committed to providing unparalleled personal attention.

DELI & MARKET

Main Street Market

5344 NY-23

Windham, NY 12496

518 734 4134

The oldest operating Italian deli, market, and butcher in the community, Main Street Market has been a purveyor of quality goods in the community for over 40 years. All your favorite Italian specialiaties are right here: fresh baked goods, meats, cheeses, grocery items, freshly made Italian heros, and fresh meat and fish. We cater!

Blue Mountain Excavation

Blue Stone and Mulch

1128 State Route 23

Ashland, NY 12407

518 734 5173

“Changing The Shape of The Earth” is what Blue Mountain Excavation does. We take pride in the work we do in the community we live in. Our mountain top is not just a destination, it is where for many generations our families have worked hard to create a community our families are proud to call home. Some services we offer are septicsystems, driveways, excavation for foundations, various drainage solutions, ponds, Boulder Scapes, land clearing, and retaining walls. Our trained team and extensive inventory of equipment enable us to complete your project in an efficient, timely, and professional manner. During our winter months, we are here with you. We offer snowplowing, snow removal, and our winter mix of sand & salt. We also have firewood available with pick-up or delivery options.

Blue Stone and Mulch is our sister company, selling bulk stone, mulch, sand, and wall block. Our topsoil is screened here in our yard. We offer many delivery options.

For more information, please call 518 734 5173 or visit us at 11287 State Route 23, Ashland, NY 12407.

WoodLab of Windham

At WoodLab of Windham, our business is more than craftsmanship—it’s a collaboration between nature, artistry, and the close-knit Catskills community. Known as the “Gem of the Catskills,” Windham is a place that values connection, creativity, and authenticity. That’s why our Windham location feels less like a storefront and more like an extension of the town itself—a place where creativity, tradition, and the mountain lifestyle converge.

The heart of our work lies in wood that already tells a story. We use hand-selected slabs from Costa Rica—sustainably sourced from naturally fallen trees; we never cut new ones. Each slab is unique, rich with character, and transformed into a live-edge table meant to be enjoyed for generations.

For a small mountain town, Windham has a big heartbeat. The rhythm shifts with the seasons: winter brings an influx of skiers and snowboarders, while spring, summer, and fall welcome hikers, golfers, and families to come to enjoy the outdoors. This steady flow of visitors keeps businesses like ours fresh and dynamic. At the same time, the year-round residents form a strong foundation—full of supportive neighbors who stop by to check in, and share pride in seeing the town thrive.

What makes Windham special as a business community is the balance between tradition and growth. Many businesses are family-owned and deeply rooted, yet the town embraces new ideas and newcomers. Business owners collaborate naturally, recommending each other, sharing resources, and working together to keep Windham vibrant for both residents and visitors.

For us, being part of this network is inspiring. It’s a reminder that when one business does well, the whole community benefits. Ultimately, having a business in Windham means being part of something bigger than yourself—a town that continues to grow without losing its heart.

FARM

Catskill Mountain Foundation’s

Natural Agriculture Farm

At Sugar Maples

34 Big Hollow Road

Maplecrest, NY 12454

The CMF operates a 4.5-acre farm following the Natural Agriculture method taught by the Japanese organization Shumei, the principle of which is to grow vegetables the way they would grow in Nature. No agricultural chemicals of any sort are used, and no manure or other soil additives are permitted. During growing season, visitors can purchase vegetables grown at the farm at a farmstand that operates every Saturday.

GARDEN

The Garden of Stone

5444 State Route 23

Windham, NY 12496

518 734 4730

Shop our eclectic selection of cast stone pieces for your garden and home. We hand-cast animal statuary, birdbaths, angels, gnomes and more. We offer fresh-cut flowers by the stem or bouquet and can help with your special event. Shop for houseplants and unusual items–vintage and new. Browsing is encouraged!

The Knitting Room

For May Elbaz Belschner and Zairi Malcolm of The Knitting Room, the community is at the heart of what makes Windham special. Local events, from farmers markets to festivals, bring people together and create a sense of belonging. Whether it’s exploring the outdoors, joining a cultural gathering, or coffee with friends, knitting and crocheting fits so well with the warmth of this community.

One of the things they cherish most is how the changing seasons give everyone a reason to celebrate a different hobby, craft or pastime. In the summer, when the mountains are drenched in green and gold, it is the perfect time to enjoy long afternoons hiking on the trails or traversing the expansive golf courses. Speaking of golf courses, we love the mini-golf course between the local movie theater and the creek. Play well, eat well, hang out, chill out. This is what summer is for!

By autumn, the hillsides transform into a breathtaking palette of reds, oranges, and golds, offering daily inspiration for knitters and artists alike. Our store doubles-down on the fall vibes, as the lively conversations trading tips and tricks for all our yarn projects fill our café!

Winter, though, holds its own special magic. The snow-covered mountains draw visitors for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing, while we find joy in the cozy atmosphere that comes with cold days knitting by the fire. May and Zairi love that Windham is bustling with activity during this season yet never loses its small-town warmth

For May and Zairi, Windham is more than just a backdrop for The Knitting Room—it’s a source of daily joy and inspiration, a place where nature, creativity, and community weave together seamlessly.

Windstar Realty Group

We have all heard the expression, “Home is where the heart is.” For Windstar Realty Group this could not be more true. Our decades long, multi-generational personal ties to Windham are what led us to call this vibrant community, where natural beauty and opportunity come together, home.

Windham is not just another small mountain town, it’s a lifestyle. Nestled in the Catskills, the town combines small-town warmth with year-round recreation. In the winter, the mountain draws skiers and snowboarders from across the region, while in the warmer months, hiking trails, golf courses, and scenic vistas bring in those seeking fresh air and adventure. This steady flow of visitors means there’s always new energy, new faces, and new possibilities.

Beyond the activities, Windham has a strong sense of community that’s rare to find. Neighbors look out for one another, local businesses support each other, and there’s a genuine pride in preserving the area’s character. As real estate professionals, we get to introduce newcomers not just to homes, but to a way of life that values connection and balance.

Professionally, Windham is an exciting market because it attracts a diverse mix of clients: second-home owners, vacation property investors, and families looking to settle in a peaceful environment. This variety keeps our work engaging and allows us to match people with properties that truly suit their dreams and goals, and help them close one chapter and open the next.

Ultimately, choosing Windham for Windstar Realty Group’s home has never felt like just business. It feels like being part of a community we care deeply about, while helping others create their own story in a place that continues to inspire us every day. Whether selling, buying, starting a new career, or perfecting your existing career, make Windstar Realty Group your home as well!

HARDWARE & LUMBER

Windham Hardware

5390 Main Street

Windham, NY 12496

518 734 4433

General hardware, housewares, plumbing, electrical supplies, window and screen repair, paint supplies, garden supplies, and keys made. Built as a Hardware store in 1887, Windham Hardware has been here for the residents of Windham, and those who come to visit, for over 120 years. Windham Hardware has been in the Lawrence family for 44 years, and we’re proud to be a part of this community.

LODGING

Windham Manor

1161 Co Rd 10

Windham, NY 12496

windhammanor.com

518 944 1448

Windham Manor is the premiere wedding and event venue in The Catskill Mountains. Our 45-acre property features The Manor House, a Victorian Estate with 12 beautiful guest suites. The property also boasts The Barn, a luxurious space which can hold 300+ guests for dinner, dancing, seminars, and other events, and two incredible outdoor ceremony spaces—The Lawn and The Enchanted Forest. Call us to set up a tour or schedule on our website!

Windham Foundation windhamfoundation.org info@windhamfoundation.org 518 734 9636

Our mission is to enhance and enrich our community by providing charitable grants for historical preservation, the arts, education, recreation, and initiatives deemed to make Windham an extraordinary place to live, work, and visit. Established in 2004, the Windham Foundation is run by an allvolunteer Board. Donations are tax deductible.

OUTDOOR RECREATION

Windham Mountain Club 19 Resort Drive

Windham, NY 12496 windhammountainclub.com 800 754 9463

Your all-season escape into Upstate New York’s premier wintersport, culinary, and memory-making destination for generations to come. Windham Mountain Club is an exclusive outdoor wonderland for the discerning set, find world-class skiing, golfing, dining, outdoor pursuits, and memory-making for generations to come. A restorative escape for more than 60 years, Windham Mountain Club has evolved to bring an elevated destination and exclusive year-round amenities and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

IMAGES OF THE NORTHERN CATSKILLS

By Francis X. Driscoll

My work is available for purchase at:

Tannersville Antiques & Artisans: 518 589 5600

Rustic Mountain Antiques: 518 589 1202

Smitty’s Nursery: 518 734 3489

Lisa

Jaeger

Associate Real Estate Broker, Coldwell Banker Village Green Realty

For nearly three decades, I’ve been guiding buyers and sellers throughout the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley. Real estate has been very good to me, and as a consistent top producer, I see my work as a way of giving back to the community I love.

Windham is my home, where my family of avid ski racers, golfers, and outdoor enthusiasts thrives. My deep roots inspire my passion for preserving the town’s heritage, supporting local businesses, protecting natural resources, and encouraging sustainable growth.

I am proud to serve as President of the Windham Chamber of Commerce and as a member of both the Town of Windham Planning Board and Zoning Policy Committee. Through these roles, I help strengthen community projects, recreational opportunities, and economic initiatives that benefit residents and visitors alike.

My philosophy is simple: treat others as you want to be treated. That approach has earned me a sterling reputation, a strong referral business, and the trust of clients who return to me time and again. Whether buying or selling, I am known as a trusted local resource with unmatched market knowledge.

Each day I wake up grateful to live surrounded by the natural beauty of the Catskills. Windham and the mountaintop communities are truly exceptional places to live or own a vacation home. People call me not only for real estate advice, but because they know I’m deeply connected and always in the know about what’s happening in the community. For more information about my work, visit www.francisxdriscoll.com

Francis X. Driscoll

Photography

Purchase his work at:

Tannersville Antiques & Artisans: 518 589 5600

Rustic Mountain Antiques: 518 589 1202

Smitty’s Nursery: 518 734 3489 francisxdriscoll.com 518 821 1339

A frequent contributor to the Guide magazine, Francis X. Driscoll is an award-winning nature photographer whose work involves total immersion in a setting so that he might capture that rare glimpse. His primary subject is the Catskill Forest Preserve.

RADIO STATION

WRIP 97.9FM

wripfm.com

Streaming at rip979.com

RIP 97.9 is the radio voice of the Mountaintop and Valley. Broadcasting 24/7 with the equivalent of 6,000 watts of power, we are the only radio station covering the entire region between the Hudson Valley and Oneonta. WRIP is independently owned and

operated. WRIP is heard on these FM frequencies: 97.9 in Windham & Hunter, 97.5 in Durham & Greenville, 103.7 in Catskill & Hudson, 104.5 in Stamford & Delaware County, and streaming worldwide at rip979.com.

REAL ESTATE

Brainard Ridge Realty

237 South Street

Windham, NY 12496

brainardridge.com 518 734 5333

Specializing in Windham Mountain and the surrounding area for over 35 years. Visit our web site at brainardridge.com for a variety of listings both on and off the mountain: Homes, Townhomes, Rentals and Land. Whatever your needs we are here for you. Call us today!

Briars & Brambles Books

Briars & Brambles Books celebrated its seventh anniversary this past July. My team and I recognize the unique role bookstores play in a community, in particularly a town as special as Windham. Although we are a retail business, we have created an atmosphere that is genuinely welcoming. Customers, whether first time visitors, or returning regulars, are greeted with a warm, authentic, “Let us know if there is anything we can help you with.” We carefully curate our selection of books and gifts so we can make knowledgeable, personal recommendations. Often, finding the “perfect” book or gift comes from having a conversation. It’s these interactions we value the most. In a world where communication mainly occurs through text or email, it’s energizing to engage in real conversation. We love when we establish ongoing relationships with our customers and treasure the fact we have become part of the larger community.

When I envisioned the store, my goal was to be the local bookstore. To me, being the “Local Bookstore” means actively participating in the community by being open seven days a week, hiring local people, showcasing local authors and artists, donating to local organizations and events, and collaborating with other small businesses. When you shop locally, you help us achieve those goals. Over the past seven years, we are thrilled that we have been able to help support local organizations including the VFW, Public School, Little League, and the Main Street Community Center. One of our favorite partnerships is with the Windham Arts Alliance, who we collaborate with to present the Story Book Walk along the Windham Path each season. Come see why we aren’t just a place, we are a destination, and why you may walk in as a stranger, but you may often leave as a friend.

Lisa Jaeger, Associate Broker

Coldwell Banker

Village Green Realty

5383 Main Street

Windham, NY 12496

windhamnewyorkskihomes.com

518 755 2573 (cell) 2017-2023 Coldwell Banker

International President’s Circle I have been a real estate broker listing and selling properties in the Greater Windham area for over 20 years! Windham is my home where I am raising my family of avid ski racers, golfers and outdoor lovers. I am very active in my community, serving as the Windham Chamber of Commerce President. I also serve on the Town Planning Board. I’m passionate about our town’s heritage and recreational opportunities. I am consistently a top producer because my philosophy is simple: treat others as you want to be treated.

Gallagher & Company

6 Mitchell Hollow Road

Windham, NY 12496

gallagherandcompany.com

518 734 3300

Gallagher & Company is a national professional real estate services firm, specializing in commercial and industrial real estate with an emphasis on New York State properties and luxury resort homes. Our Windham, New York office specializes in Sales and Rentals of residential and vacation properties. Gallagher and Company also manages the Quads condominium development comprising 67 units, and the Crystal Pond Townhomes development, a 97 unit planned development, both located in Windham.

Carol Shaw, Broker/Owner

Shaw Country Realty

5359 State Route 23

Windham, NY 12496

518 734 3500

I have been a real estate broker in the mountain top area for nearly four decades, representing buyers and sellers, as well as dealing with various types of properties such as homes, land, and country homes, rentals, indicates a broad expertise in the local real estate market. With our many years in the industry, Shaw Country Realty has built a strong network, deep understanding of the market trends, and a keen ability to match buyers with suitable properties and help sellers navigate successful transactions. If you have any specific questions about real estate feel free to ask!

Windstar Realty Group

5316 State Route 23

Windham, NY 12496

518 734 6600

85 Main Street

Stamford, NY 12167

607 442 4000

windstarrealty.com

Windstar Realty Group is a full-service Real Estate Agency serving the Greene, Columbia, Schoharie, Otsego, and Delaware County areas of NY. The Catskill region offers the perfect balance of adventure and serenity—you owe it to yourself to choose the best team in the area to represent your real estate needs! Whether you are buying or selling a home, property, or business in the Upstate NY area, Windstar Realty Group is the agency for you! We have the most well-rounded team in the region.

Windham Manor

Susan & Barry Smith, Owners

What stands out about Windham is how much the town has to offer in every season. That’s a big part of why we love having Windham Manor as part of this community. Some towns are only busy for a few months a year, but Windham always has something happening. For our business in the wedding industry, that means our couples and their guests always have a reason to explore, no matter when their event takes place. Guests don’t just enjoy the celebration, they get to make the most of a full weekend here, which adds so much to their overall experience.

In the colder months, the mountain is the heart of town, with skiers, snowboarders, and families filling the slopes. As the weather warms, hiking, biking, and walking trails open up, alongside golf courses, swimming, kayaking, and plenty of summer barbecues. Fall brings festivals and the kind of foliage that draws visitors from far and wide, making it one of the most popular times of year to have a wedding.

Beyond the outdoors, Windham offers a variety of experiences that make the town special. Dozens of unique restaurants serve every type of cuisine, while charming gift shops, a cozy bookstore, welcoming cafés, relaxing spas, and the friendliest locals create a true small-town charm. There’s always something new to discover.

Equally important is the community itself. Windham is filled with small businesses that support one another, neighbors who look out for each other, and people who are proud of their town. We’re grateful to have created a venue where people can celebrate life’s most important moments, and even more grateful that we get to do it in a place we’re proud to call home.

RESTAURANTS

Brandywine

11157 State Route 23

Windham, NY 12496

brandywinewindham.com

518 734 3838

For the past 35 years, this fullservice Italian restaurant has offered great food and impeccable service. Share wonderful memories with your loved ones as we fill your table with delicious Italian cuisine. Born and raised in Southern Italy, owner Louis Caracciolo mastered the art of Italian cookery, and passed it on to his son Joseph, who has continued that art and tradition as chef in the restaurant. We know the formula to capture the rich flavor of your favorite Italian dishes.

RETAIL

The Knitting Room

WINDHAM LOCATION

11111 State Route 23

Windham, NY 12496

518 768 1944

NEW LOCATION

6036 Main Street

Tannersville, NY 12485

theknittingroomny.com

The Knitting Room Windham is a cozy, community-focused yarn shop known for its quality fibers, welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff, engaging workshops, and helpful

knitting advice. A brand-new location has been added in Tannersville this summer, featuring an expanded selection of luxurious new yarn—ranging from wool blends to vibrant hand-dyed skeins. Both locations offer updated opening hours to better accommodate crafters: Windham is open Thursday through Sunday 12:00-5:00 pm, and Tannersville is open Thursday, Friday and Monday 12:00-5:00 pm and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekends.

ROOFING

L & G Roofing & Construction

6 Mitchell Hollow Road

Windham, NY 12496

windhamroofs.com 518 734 4488

Trust is the key when hiring a roofing contractor. At L&G Roofing and Construction, we strive to be a roofing contractor who has built the trust of our entire community. Our reputation is our most important asset, and we are proud to be one of the highest rated contractors around. When it comes time for your next roof, be sure to call to see all that we have to offer.

SHEDS

Mountain Sheds

11111 State Route 23 Windham, NY 12496 518 588 9353

At Mountain Sheds, hand crafted quality Mennonite craftmanship is guaranteed to meet your highest standards. Each of our cabins, utility sheds, mini barns, garages, firewood sheds, chicken coops, and animal shelters are built, using only the highest quality. Our Adventure Play sets include a 20 Year Warranty. We can offer you a rent-toown option, with no credit check. Stop in to see what we have in stock and discuss what we can do for you. Please call or text anytime 518 588 9353.

WINE & LIQUOR

Olivia’s Wine & Spirits 128 South Street Windham, NY 12496

oliviaswineandspirits.com 518 750 8026

Wine connoisseur Robert Giordano has traveled the world learning about wine, and brings his vast knowledge and passion for wines from all over the world to Windham. Olivia’s Wine & Spirits offers a diverse selection of wines at a variety

of competitive price points, as well as a variety of bourbons, whiskeys, and other liquors. Open every day.

Windham Wine & Liquors

5448 State Route 23

Windham, NY 12496

518 734 3474

Windham Wine & Liquors is the Mountaintop’s premier destination for the best offerings of wines and spirits since 2003. Our ever-expanding selction is sure to please every palate and price range. Let us help with your special event or gift. Visit us at the west end of town. Open every day of the year except Christmas Day.

WoodLab …

From Tree to Table

5316 State Route 23

Windham, NY 12496

woodlabslabs.com

518 734 5700

Our one-of-a-kind tables incorporate the unique characteristics of Parota and Monkey Pod slabs, imported from Costa Rica. Coveted for their exotic beauty, these rare, large species wood slabs are hand-selected, allowing us to create family heirloom dining and office tables.

Shaw Country Realty

Shaw Country Realty has proudly represented the beautiful mountaintop areas of Windham, Hunter, and the surrounding towns since 1985. For nearly four decades, we have built a reputation as a trusted local brokerage, offering expertise in residential sales, seasonal and long-term rentals, and commercial properties. Whether you’re searching for a primary residence, a second home, or an investment property, our deep knowledge of the region and its unique market trends allows us to guide you with confidence.

We understand that buying or selling a home is more than a transaction— it’s a life-changing experience. That’s why our team of dedicated associates works together to provide the highest level of service at every stage of the process. From your first showing to the closing table, we assist with every detail, including connecting clients with local lenders, home inspectors, attorneys, and other professionals who make the process seamless and stress-free.

Our strength lies in combining professional expertise with personal attention. Because we live and work in the community we serve, we offer valuable insight into neighborhoods, school systems, recreational opportunities, and lifestyle amenities. From slopeside properties at Windham and Hunter Mountains to country estates tucked along scenic backroads, we know the inventory and take pride in matching clients with homes that reflect their needs and aspirations.

At Shaw Country Realty, we believe real estate is about building relationships as much as it is about property. Our collaborative approach ensures clients benefit not just from one agent’s perspective, but from the collective knowledge of our entire team. Whether buying, selling, or renting, you can count on us to make your real estate goals a reality while welcoming you to a community we’re proud to call home.

Why Windham is the Catskills’ Best-Kept Secret

Text and photos courtesy of Windham Mountain Club

When New Yorkers dream of getting away from it all, they picture places like Windham: a classic Catskill Mountain town where small-town charm meets outdoor adventure. Whether it’s a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city’s pace, or a needed break from ordinary life, Windham has always offered a calm, peaceful retreat. Tucked away in the heart of Greene County, it’s where families have planted roots for generations and found their home away from home – a place where life moves at a slower pace, yet possibilities feel endless.

A Town with Deep Roots and Endless Views

Heading along Route 23, a glimpse of Windham Mountain Club appears for just a moment, then slips away until you arrive at the trestle bridge over the Batavia Kill. Drive through Windham’s Main Street and you’ll immediately understand why this place has captured hearts for over a century. The town maintains an authentic mountain village feel that’s become increasingly rare, with no chain stores cluttering the landscape, just locally owned businesses that have been serving the community for decades. You’re met with friendly faces as you have a stack of pancakes at the Windham Diner, greeted by regulars and staff alike at Lilly’s Steaks and Cocktails or The Taphouse Grille, and with multiple family-run establishments like Chicken Run, Albergo Allegria, Millrock, and many others, there’s a genuine warmth here that welcomes both longtime residents and newcomers alike.

From nearly every spot in the town, the views are nothing short of spectacular, with rolling mountain peaks and forests that

burst into brilliant reds and gold each fall, sharing this sense of being on top of the world. It’s no wonder Windham has long been known as the “Gem of the Catskills.”

Summer and Fall: Nature’s Playground

Before the first snowfall transforms Windham into a winter wonderland, the town shines as a four-season destination. Summer brings hiking and biking trails that wind through pristine forests, leading to hidden waterfalls and scenic overlooks where you can see for miles. The nearby Blackhead Range offers some of the most challenging and rewarding hikes in the Catskills, while a plethora of gentler trails accommodate families looking to introduce children to the joys of mountain exploration.

Local farms dot the surrounding countryside, many offering pick-your-own opportunities that have become treasured family traditions. There’s something deeply satisfying about filling baskets with fresh berries or crisp apples while breathing in clean mountain air. The farmers’ markets showcase the region’s agricultural bounty, from artisanal cheeses to fresh-pressed cider and sugary cider donuts that capture the essence of autumn in the mountains.

The peak foliage season draws visitors from all corners of the world. Here, you’ll find an abundance of quiet country roads, hidden meadows, and beautiful scenic drives. It’s during these classic autumn days that you truly understand why people fall in love with Windham and the Catskills.

Winter: For The Love of It

When snow falls, Windham reveals true liveliness. It’s a town that doesn’t just endure winter, it celebrates it.

At the heart of winter life is Windham Mountain Club, where the town’s outdoor culture comes alive. Unlike the crowded ski areas found elsewhere, Windham Mountain Club maintains an intimate community feel where regulars know each other by name and newcomers are welcomed into the fold. During the winters, the mountain is open to all for public skiing with daily lift tickets available beginning in October. The mountain’s commitment to uncrowded slopes means you can actually enjoy skiing without fighting for space or waiting in hours of lift lines, something that’s increasingly fleeting in today’s ski world.

The skiing here is truly excellent, with 1,600 vertical feet serviced by three high-speed chairlifts right out of the base area, and some of the most advanced snowmaking in the Northeast. What makes it special isn’t just the terrain, though there is something for everyone, with the gentle learning slopes of Wooly Bear and Wonderama, to challenging expert runs like Wolverine and Wedel that test even accomplished skiers. It’s the culture and warmth found here, from first arrival when you’re greeted with a smile by the mountain host team, to the authentic après scene where families gather around firepits on the patio. It’s in the renowned ski school that’s helped countless children and adults alike discover their love for the sport, and top-tier race programs that have produced Olympic-caliber athletes.

Local families often speak of the traditions that develop around mountain life: grabbing first chair on powder days, teach-

ing children to ski on the same slopes where they learned decades ago, and those magical winter evenings when the entire valley sparkles below.

Community and Character

What truly distinguishes Windham is its sense of community. Perhaps it’s the small-town scale, or the shared appreciation for mountain living, but people connect here in ways that scream comfort.

Local establishments reflect this community spirit. Golf clubs have been bringing people together for generations where conversation flows freely. Whether you are grabbing that burger from Jimmy O’s or that craft beer from Mountain King, it’s home. The town’s various festivals and events, from summer concerts at CD Lane Park to our traditional Autumn Affair or winter’s Festival of Lights create opportunities for neighbors to become friends.

Beyond the Mountain: A Lifestyle Choice

Living in or regularly visiting Windham means embracing a different pace of life. It’s where people rediscover what truly matters, where children learn to appreciate nature rather than just screen time, and where families create the kind of memories that last generations. The contrast with city life is grand: trading subway commutes for morning hikes, exchanging concrete vistas for mountain views, swapping the constant noise of urban life for the peaceful quiet that only comes from being surrounded by forest.

For those who discover Windham, it often becomes more than just a destination. It becomes a home for the soul, a place where the mountains truly do change your perspective.

FALL 2025 WEEKLY COURSES

To register for weekly classes please call 518-263-2030 or register online at catskillmtn.org

CERAMICS OPEN STUDIO

Saturdays 8:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Sundays 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Wednesdays 8:00am – 8:00pm

October 22 – December 17 (8 weeks)

Course Fee: $270

Lab Fee: $70 [includes 25 lbs. clay and firings, including participation in a soda firing]

Registration Fee: $40

Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts offers the best equipped studio in the Mountain Top region. If you’re a potter/sculptor working with clay, come enjoy working at your own pace on your ideas/visions. There will be bisque firings, cone 6 oxidation firings, and participation in one cone 10 soda firing at the conclusion of the course. This unique opportunity is for makers who have a knowledge of the ceramics processes with which they need to continue to develop their ‘voice.’ Additional clay is available for purchase.

WHEEL THROWING POTTERY

Sundays 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

October 26 - December 21 (8 weeks)

Course Fee: $270

Lab Fee: $60 [includes 25 lbs. clay and firing]

Registration Fee: $40

This exciting course is for folks who want to learn how to make pots on the potter’s wheel or would like a refresher for skills already learned. Students will be taught the A to Z about preparing clay and using tools that are unique to this fascinating process of creating functional pottery. Glazing and firing techniques will be covered. There will be demonstrations, heaps of individual attention, and lots of discussions about ceramics’ rich history. Join us here in the most beautiful ceramics studio in the Catskill region!

HAND BUILDING CERAMICS

Sundays. 2:00 pm – 5:00pm

October 26 – December 21 (8 weeks)

Course Fee: $270

Lab Fee: $60 [includes 25 lbs. clay and firings]

Registration Fee: $40

This dynamic and enjoyable course is intended for anyone who has the desire to build with clay those ‘things’ that their minds’ eye can imagine! Come join us in our sunny and well-equipped studio at the foot of Thomas Cole Mountain and put your hands to work. Basic techniques such as coil building, slab construction, scoring, and pinch forming will be taught. You don’t have to have any experience delving into this exciting world of creating sculptures, vessels, or any other form that crosses your mind. Applying engobes, underglazes, and glazes with be presented through demonstrations, exercises, with time to practice!

2D STUDIO

Sundays. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

October 26 – December 21 (8 weeks)

Course Fee: $270

Lab Fee: $30

Registration Fee: $40

Are you interested in learning/continuing to draw, paint & collage but don’t know where to start or would like to polish up your skills? If so, this 2D class is perfect for you! This 8-week course is designed for artists of all levels. Refine your techniques, skills and discover your unique style under the guidance of experienced instructors in a supportive learning environment. Explore fundamental techniques, expand your artistic vocabulary and develop your unique style. With a focus on individual growth, this class nurtures creativity and builds confidence. No prior experience is necessary.

VERBATIM TEXT SOUND EXPO

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 12-10PM

SUGAR MAPLES CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS

34 Big Hollow Road, Maplecrest, NY

Verbatim Text Sound Expo was conceived during the first year of the pandemic, with the intention of bringing together Hudson Valley small presses and record labels in an outdoor space to learn about each other’s work and trade books and tapes. Since then, it has grown into an annual day-long market and performance festival featuring local and regional small presses and record labels. The market is accompanied by a schedule of performance across disciplines: poetry, avant-garde music, sound art, and hybrid text-sound experiments. It is a gathering of poets, sound makers, fabulists, singers, and sprechstimmers, moving between & across domains of text and noise.

Verbatim is now in its 5th year and will be held this October 4 at Catskill Mountain Foundation at the beautiful Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts campus in the Northern Catskills.

Local food and drink purveyors will keep you all nourished, and WGXC 90.7 will broadcast live from the stage for those who can’t attend in person. Come to experience out-there literary and sound experiments emerging from the Hudson Valley, Catskills, Western MA, and Western NY.

VERBATIM 2025 PARTICIPANTS

[Performers]

-Notice Recordings: Shelley Hirsch & Hand Tammen

-Tripticks Tapes: Stella Silbert & Nat Baldwin

-Infrequent Seams: Joe McPhee, James Ilgenfritz, Anna Vitale

-Litmus Press: Tracie Morris

-LCollective:Teodora Stepancic, Assaf Gidron, Laura Cetilia, Mark Cetilia, Douglas Farrand

-cow:Music: Maeve Schallert

-Carbon Records: SQ (Joe Tunis & Marc Faris)

-Notice Recordings: Shahzad Ismaily, No Land, Oliver Ray

-Gold Bolus: Dave Ruder & Woody Leslie

-Pogus: Duo Denum (Al Margolis, Tom Law)

-Spiral Editions: Ryan Skrabalak and Sam Wenc

-Belladonna* Collaborative: Alexis Almeida and Ayaz Muratoglu

-1080 Press: Sahar Khraibani

-PS Hudson: Matthew Klane

-Dispersed Holdings

-Blue Bag Press: Ry Cook, Alyx Tanner, Death Rattled (Manny J. Perez)

-Pinsapo: Ball of Fire (Sparrow & Brigid Slattery)

-We Press: Most Serene Congress (Chris Funkhouser, David Hirmes, Leonard Nevarez)

-Hypothetical Books: Rachel Allen

[Presses]

Spiral Editions

Belladonna* Collaborative

1080 Press

PS Hudson

Dispersed Holdings

Blue Bag Press

Pinsapo

We Press

Litmus Press 18 Owls

Lanesville Press

After Hours

Arteidolia

Inpatient Press

Ugly Duckling Presse

[Labels]

Tripticks Tapes

Infrequent Seams

Notice Recordings

LCollective

cow: Music

Carbon Records

Gold Bolus

Pogus

Wave Farm

[Zine / Self-Publisher Table]

Lea Bertucci

Joshua Gruft (Paper Moon)

Manny J. Perez (Death Rattled)

Rachel Allen

WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL 2025

Where Stories Take Root in the Catskills

Each October, as the Catskills burst into a kaleidoscope of autumn color, another kind of vibrancy fills the towns of Woodstock, Kingston, Saugerties, and Rosendale: the energy of filmmakers, artists, and film lovers converging for the Woodstock Film Festival (WFF).

Now in its 26th year, WFF has earned its reputation as one of the premier independent film festivals in the country. Beloved for its blend of artistic excellence, intimate scale, and communitydriven spirit, the festival attracts filmmakers and audiences from around the world, while staying deeply rooted in the Hudson Valley’s unique cultural fabric.

This year’s festival takes place Wednesday, October 15 through Sunday, October 19, 2025, with a special kick-off event on Tuesday, October 14, and promises an extraordinary lineup of features, documentaries, panels, and special events. And perhaps no program better encapsulates the bold creativity and social rel-

evance of WFF than its shorts program, a showcase of innovation, diversity, and boundary-pushing storytelling.

THE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

Since its founding, WFF has fostered a genuine connection between filmmakers and audiences. There are lively Q&As where creators and viewers share in the magic of storytelling. Industry leaders from Oscar-winning directors to rising indie voices mingle freely with local film lovers at panel discussions and around town. Screenings take place across multiple venues from intimate art-house theaters to historic Hudson Valley stages, ensuring that each film is experienced not just as entertainment, but as part of a shared cultural dialogue. For attendees, the festival offers more than cinema: it’s a chance to experience the natural beauty, creative energy, and welcoming community that define the Catskills.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

WFF 2025 presents a diverse slate of narrative features, documentaries, and special events from international discoveries to stories made right here in the Hudson Valley. The lineup includes world premieres, regional debuts, and acclaimed films that exemplify the festival’s mission: to champion independent voices across drama, comedy, and nonfiction. The festival is thrilled to welcome notable guests including Amanda Seyfried, Mariska Hargitay, Brad Dourif, Mark Duplass, Tim Daly, Rory Culkin, Thomas Sadoski, Tim Blake Nelson, Amy Goodman, E. Jean Carroll, Laura Poitras and V (formerly Eve Ensler), among many others who will join to celebrate film, culture, and community in the Catskills.

NARRATIVE FEATURES

The Woodstock Film Festival’s centerpiece film is Jay Kelly from four-time Academy Award-nominated writer and director, Noah Baumbach. Noah’s newest film features famous movie actor Jay Kelly (George Clooney), who embarks on a journey of self discovery confronting both his past and present. Alongside his devoted manager Ron (Adam Sandler), they explore the intersection of life’s regrets and notable glories.

HIGHLIGHTS ALSO INCLUDE:

Blue Moon – In Richard Linklater’s newest film, on the evening of March 31, 1943, legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) confronts his shattered self-confidence in Sardi’s bar as his former collaborator Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott) celebrates the opening night of his ground-breaking hit Oklahoma!

Hedda - Transplanted to mid-century England, Candyman director Nia DaCosta’s bold reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s play features a magnetic lead performance from Tessa Thompson (Passing) in a fresh, feminist game of power.

Bugonia - Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the film stars Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, and Alicia Silverstone. The film features two conspiracy obsessed young men who kidnap a high-powered CEO of a major company, and are convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.

Hamnet - From Academy Award winning writer/director Chloé Zhao, Hamnet tells the powerful story of love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet

DOCUMENTARY HIGHLIGHTS

Ask E. Jean - E. Jean Carroll’s sharp wit meets steely resolve in this riveting portrait of the only woman to beat Donald Trump in court. Ivy Meeropol’s Ask E. Jean fuses outrage, humor, and resilience, charting Carroll’s transformation from advice columnist to fearless icon.

Steal This Story, Please! – In Tia Lessin and Carl Deal’s new documentary, the tenacious, brilliant and utterly charismatic host of Democracy Now!, Amy Goodman asks questions that no one else will ask and has us cheering for the survival of her brand of journalism, in a world where corporate media is becoming more powerful every day.

Man on the Run - From Academy Award-winning director Morgan Neville (20 Feet from Stardom), Man on the Run takes viewers on an intimate journey through Paul McCartney’s extraordinary life following the breakup of The Beatles and the formation of Wings with his wife, Linda.

Cover-up - Directed by Academy Award® and Golden Lion winner Laura Poitras and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Mark Obenhaus, Cover-Up is a political thriller that traces the explosive career of Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Seymour Hersh. The film is both a portrait of a relentless journalist and an indictment of institutional violence – revealing a cycle of impunity in the U.S. military and intelligence agencies.

Alongside these films, audiences can look forward to an array of premieres and screenings that span global and local stories, bold new narratives and timely documentaries, ensuring there is something for cinephiles, casual fans, and families alike.

SPOTLIGHT ON SHORTS

At the heart of WFF 2025 lies the shorts program, a dazzling collection of nearly 90 films that reflect the diversity and urgency of global storytelling today.

OSCAR®-QUALIFYING PRESTIGE

WFF is proud to be an Oscar®-qualifying festival in all three short film categories: Live Action, Animated, and Documentary. This coveted status means that films selected and awarded at Woodstock can go on to become eligible for Academy Award® consideration, a launchpad that has propelled filmmakers into wider recognition, distribution opportunities, and even careers in Hollywood.

THEMES THAT MATTER

The 2025 shorts slate spans genres, styles, and perspectives, tackling issues that resonate far beyond the screen. From LGBTQ+ identity and women’s voices to urgent conversations around global warming, the war in Ukraine, and social justice, the shorts program reflects both the personal and the political. With nearly 90 shorts across various themes and styles, the program is both a mirror of our times and a celebration of what’s possible when filmmakers embrace boldness in short form.

Animation takes center stage in multiple forms: hand-drawn artistry, stop-motion experimentation, rotoscoping, 2D and 3D techniques, and avant-garde hybrids. The result is a wide array of visual storytelling, showcasing how short films can distill big ideas into powerful, unforgettable experiences.

SHORTS HIGHLIGHTS TO WATCH FOR

Whale 52 - Animated by two-time Oscar nominee Bill Plympton and directed by Daniel Neiden, this short is about a third-grade student who’s selectively mute and a grieving 80-year-old school volunteer who discovers that some of the deepest conversations only require a single word.

Little Shrew (Snowflake) - A little shrew searches for Hope as she makes her way across a bombed-out city.

Snow Bear - When a lonely polar bear can’t find a friend … he makes one! Set in a rapidly changing world, Snow Bear tells the story of a polar bear in an unforgiving environment on his quest to find a friend.

PANELS THAT SPARK CONVERSATION

Beyond the screen, one of the hallmarks of the Woodstock Film Festival is its commitment to discourse. Each year, WFF’s panel discussions bring together filmmakers, industry leaders, and cultural figures for candid, thought-provoking conversations about the art, craft, and business of storytelling. They’re lively, intimate, and often unpredictable, giving audiences rare access to some of the most exciting voices working today.

2025 FESTIVAL PANEL HIGHLIGHTS

A Conversation with Mariska Hargitay - The Emmy and Golden Globe-winning star of Law & Order: SVU talks with critic and novelist Thelma Adams about her career and activist work, focusing on her latest film, My Mom Jayne

Love (and Work With) the Ones You’re With - Award-winning collaborators Mark Duplass and Katie Aselton discuss the joys and challenges of working together, moderated by renowned actress Amanda Seyfried.

A Conversation with David Amram - Legendary composer David Amram sits down with two-time Academy Award–winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, collaboration, and a lifetime of making music that continues to inspire generations.

A Conversation with Brad Dourif - Academy Award–nominated actor Brad Dourif, known for his unforgettable performances in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Blue Velvet, Deadwood, and as the voice of Chucky in the Child’s Play franchise, reflects on a career defined by daring choices. Moderated by filmmaker Larry Fessenden.

COMMUNITY & CULTURAL IMPACT

The Woodstock Film Festival is more than an event, it’s a cultural catalyst for the Hudson Valley. Each year, the festival fills local theaters, restaurants, and shops with thousands of visitors, creating an economic and artistic ripple effect that benefits the region year-round.

Local businesses collaborate with filmmakers, artists, and festival organizers, while hundreds of volunteers, many returning year after year, ensure that the event retains its grassroots, community-driven energy. For residents, WFF is a source of pride; for visitors, it’s a window into the Hudson Valley’s vibrant creative landscape.

The festival also provides invaluable opportunities for filmmakers. By attending, audiences are not only entertained, they are witnessing the future of cinema.

IN CLOSING

Whether you’re a dedicated cinephile, a lover of animation, or simply seeking an unforgettable cultural experience in the heart of the Catskills, the Woodstock Film Festival invites you to join the celebration. Come for the films, stay for the conversations, and leave with stories that stay with you long after the credits roll.

This October, the Woodstock Film Festival once again proves why it’s known as a festival with a heart, a gathering where bold ideas, powerful stories, and community spirit come together. With its Oscar-qualifying shorts program, world-class features, and intimate, inspiring atmosphere, WFF 2025 promises to be more than a festival. It’s an experience, one that celebrates the art of film while honoring the people and place that make it possible.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information, including schedules of screenings and other events, and to purchase tickets or passes, please visit woodstockfilmfestival.org.

Autumn at Belleayre Mountain

The signs were there, hiding in plain sight. Even in the heat of summer, it hung in the treetops, planning the announcement of its presence. It makes its first shy appearance, sticking out like a sore thumb: a rogue red leaf, floating amongst an otherwise infinite sea of green rolling up and over the Catskills, and on the mountainside of Belleayre in Highmount, New York. It almost serves as a herald, declaring the incoming arrival of fall. From there, it spreads further and further out — you notice those warm colors are no longer limited to a single leaf. It’s taking a whole branch — no, two … now the whole tree is lit up, and more are matching the same color! A certain kind of zest gets mixed into the fresh mountain air, and you just know: fall is here.

Even though the winters are the true crème de la crème of Belleayre, autumn is just about as perfect of a time to arrange a journey to the region’s highest peaks. The sweltering heat of midsummer fades away, replaced by much more comfortable daytime temperatures and cool evenings. It welcomes a vibrant mix of unique, colorful sights, sounds, and smells that are exclusive to this time of the year. Coasting through an ever-changing canopy, sweeping views will open up underneath you as you glide your way up on a Scenic Gondola Ride to the top of the highest skiable peak in the Catskills, just a short 2.5 hour drive from New York City. In

contrast to the air temperature, an outburst of warm colors coats all the peaks and valleys beneath you as far as you can see.

If you would rather take in the foliage and get the views at a slightly slower pace, you can take on a hiking adventure! Feel free to make the route entirely your own, with roughly eight total miles of trail to meander through and climb. Be totally engulfed in color and listen to the soft crunch of the leaves beneath your boots as you work your way through the wooded singletrack cross-country trails on the lower mountain, or watch the scenery and casts change gradually as you work your way up the alpine ski trails to an elevation of 3,429 feet above sea level. The true flagship experience will be to combine them both, enjoying the full gamut of foot-powered exploration. The stroll can be made into an interactive game for the kids, with a printable scavenger hunt and hiking bingo card that can be printed off the Belleayre website.

Weaving between the falling leaves, the occasional flying disc can be spotted soaring through the woods! Belleayre’s 18-hole disc golf course remains open through October 12, with a new layout that debuted last year. The reimagined course is much more friendly for beginners trying their hand at the game for the first time, while remaining a fun, technical challenge for the more experienced players.

Though the busy calendar of events at Belleayre has largely passed through, arguably the mountain’s biggest “off-season” event of the year is now within sight! The Annual Fall Festival returns to the Discovery Lodge for two weekends: October 4 & 5, and October 11 & 12. Timed perfectly when the leaves are at their fullest saturation, the Fall Festival is a giant celebration of the summer season that was, and the fantastic winter season that will be! The sounds of live music float through the crisp air all day long, with a smorgasbord of food, activities, and fun to keep all of the senses positively engaged. A warm, welcoming autumn atmosphere invites you to take in the inviting aura, as you browse your way through a unique lineup of creative items and gifts, crafted by local artisans who call this region their home. Friendly competition is on the ledger as well, when you test out your beer muscles with a stein-holding contest. A laugh-filed pie-eating contest will be an option as well, along with a corn hole setup. Belleayre’s annual pre-winter gathering as always is also planned with the little ones in mind! They get to experience the festival on their terms, with an assortment of fun games and activities throughout the entire weekend. From playing around and making new friends in the bounce house, to developing their artistic skills with some pumpkin decorating among other things, there is plenty to keep the young, wonder-filled eyes filled with joy.

Almost as important as the sights and sounds at the Fall Festival, taste and smell needs to be addressed, too! A small village of

food trucks will be present all four days, providing all the delectable sensations you crave from sweet, to savory, to smoky. Running alongside the entirety of the Fall Festival, Belleayre’s Brews & Views allows you to taste and sample dozens of locally brewed beers and ciders from the Catskills and Hudson Valley, poured into a commemorative glass to keep. The satisfying intersection of beautiful, unique scenery, serene outdoor settings, and upbeat attitudes of the annual Fall Festival make for an ideal sign-off for the summer season, as the eyes shift to a winter season ahead!

After the completion of the festival in mid-October, it certainly will seem things are borderline quiet at Belleayre. But that will simply be a surface level observation, as operations will be cranked into high gear in preparation for the incoming snow sliding season. Within a few short weeks of that last Scenic Gondola Ride, the finest award-winning snowmakers in New York will be standing at the ready, prepared to jump at a moment’s notice to fire up the first snow guns of the season: the official declaration of winter.

As the length of the dark, starry skies of night increase, it becomes easy to realize that one does not need to leave earth to experience a different world: it’s a short drive from the bustling city. As soon as you get off exit 19 of the New York State Thruway, the sparking, urban landscape blends into a fully natural immersion of autumn beauty. The Catskills invite you to experience a new universe of natural wonder, and Belleayre eagerly awaits your arrival! Visit belleayre.com to plan your trip today.

Woodsmen’s Festival at Hanford Mills Museum

Join Hanford Mills Museum on October 4 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for our annual Woodsmen’s Festival. The spotlight will be on the importance of trees and forests. Mabee Farm will be bringing a model Dutch barn, which visitors can participate in assembling throughout the day. Museum staff will demonstrate how Hanford Mills processes logs into finished products using water-powered machinery.

A number of exhibitors and vendors will join us for the day. The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club will highlight the “Leave No Trace” principles and provide information about hiking opportunities in the region. Representatives from the NY Power Authority’s Blenheim Gilboa visitor center will be on-site as well. Representatives from Hartwick College’s Baking Innovation Lab will be on-site to share information about regional biodiversity of food quality grain.

Some food items will be for sale as well, both for visitors to take home, or to enjoy on-site. Blue Merle Apiaries will be sharing information on honeybee hives and hierarchy and will have honey and comb-honey to sell. Brookside Maple and Farm is a fourth-generation farm that raises beef and produces maple products. They will have products available for sale. Union Grove

Distillery will offer tastings of their products that will also be available to buy. Helen’s Little Kitchen food truck will be vending breakfast and lunch.

In addition, Bob Allers will demonstrate the Cooper’s trade and Peter Blue will perform music as part of Woodsmen’s Festival.

For details or updates, go to hanfordmills.org, or check our social media channels.

About Hanford Mills Museum

Experience a story of innovation, ingenuity and entrepreneurship at a historic working mill site. Sheltered in a valley in the northwestern Catskills of New York, Hanford Mills Museum offers insights into the past and lessons about the relationships between people, the things they make, and the places they live. As one of only a handful of operating water-powered mills, the museum has earned a place on both the National and NYS Registers of Historic Places.

Hanford Mills is located at 51 County Highway 12 in East Meredith, at the intersection of Delaware County Routes 10 & 12, just 10 miles from Oneonta, and 15 miles from Delhi. For more information, visit hanfordmills.org or call 607 278 5744.

Autumn in the Catskills

ATTRACTIONS

Catskill Mountain Foundation Piano

Performance Museum

7971 Main Street

Hunter, NY 12442

For appointments, email weisbergp@catskillmtn.org

The home of the Steven E. Greenstein Piano Collection, a one-of-a-kind collection of historic pianos and musical artifacts. A destination unlike any other in the U.S., the Piano Performance Museum offers a unique glimpse into the development of pianos in Europe and America over the past four centuries. The collection includes early and modern keyboard instruments, including 200-year-old historic European pianos as well as American pianos built in the early 19th and 20th centuries.

Catskill Water Discovery Center

669 County Highway 38

Arkville, NY 12406

waterdiscoverycenter.org

Open by appointment: call 845 586 6622

The Water Discovery Center is an educational organization that tells the story, past and present, of the New York City water supply system—one of the most extraordinary municipal water systems in the world, one that promotes sound management of a working watershed, open to recreation, while protecting the precious natural resource of the Catskill Mountains. It tells the story of community sacrifice that came with the building of this water system; a story of the cultural heritage of the watershed communities; a story of the wondrous bounty that nature has bestowed on the Catskills and the care that must be taken to access, harvest, distribute, preserve and protect that bounty and fresh water everywhere.

• An easier, more interactive reading experience

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Hanford Mills Museum

51 County Highway 12 East Meredith, NY 13757

hanfordmills.org

607 278 5744

Join Hanford Mills Museum for our Woodsmen’s Festival on October 4 from 10 am-4 pm. Participate in raising a model Dutch Barn with Mabee Farm and see exhibits by local woodcrafters and foresters. Museum staff will demonstrate the processing of logs into finished products using our watered powered machines. Live music and coopering demonstrations will also be happening. Food will be available from Helen’s Little Kitchen. Check our website or social media channels for updates.

CAR DEALERSHIP

Thorpe’s GMC

5964 Main Street

Tannersville, NY 12485

thorpesgmcinc.com

518 589 7142

Thorpe’s unmatched service and diverse GMC inventory have set them apart as the preferred dealer in Tannersville. With a full-service team of sales and service professionals, visit them today to discover why they have the best reputation in the area. They offer one of the largest GMC inventories in New York, and their trained sales staff will help you every step of the way.

CATERING

Chef Deanna

1645 County Highway 6

Bovina Center, NY 13740

chefdeanna.com

Weddings and special event catering, with delivery available for larger events! Chef Deanna is on the cutting edge of the sustainable food. Surrounded by farmers and local food makers, Chef Deanna creates beautiful dishes using her Sicilian heritage and her love of everything sweet and savory.

Phoenix Web Collective

7947 Main Street

Hunter, NY 12442

phoenixwebcollective.com

518 628 5101

Local artist shop, makers’ space, and a free mart, where you can get gently used and vintage clothing, home goods, food, toys, books, music, movies, jewelry, electronics, and more for free or pay-what-you-can. We also host small events and workshops.

New York State Sheep & Wool Festival

October 18 & 19, 2025

Dutchess County Fairgrounds

6636 U.S. 9

Rhinebeck, NY 12572

sheepandwool.com

The Northeast’s thriving sheep industry is showcased and celebrated each year in this famous festival that draws a multitude of visitors from across the country to the lovely village of Rhinebeck. Vendors can be found throughout the property, selling fiber and finished crafts. Your day will include fiber artists and crafts galore, workshops, frisbee dogs, and a petting zoo.

Verbatim Text Sound Expo

October 4, 2025

Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts

34 Big Hollow Road

Maplecrest, NY 12354

catskillmtn.org

Verbatim Text Sound Expo was conceived during the first year of the pandemic, with the intention of bringing together Hudson Valley small presses and record labels in an outdoor space to learn about each other’s work and trade books and tapes. Since then, it has grown into an annual day-long market and performance festival featuring local and regional small presses and record labels. The market is accompanied by a schedule of performance across disciplines: poetry, avant-garde music, sound art, and hybrid text-sound experiments. It is a gathering of poets, sound makers, fabulists, singers, and sprechstimmers, moving between and across domains of text and noise.

FARMS & FARMERS MARKETS

Pure Catskills purecatskills.com

A regional, buy local campaign developed by the Watershed Agricultural Council to improve the economic viability of the local community, sustain the working landscapes of the Catskills and preserve water quality in the NYC Watershed Region. Pure Catskills works to promote hundreds of farm, forest and

local businesses throughout Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster Counties. Search their website for local products, or pick up a copy of the Guide to Pure Catskills Products!

FISH & SEAFOOD

Shawn’s Fresh Fish

5150 Route 28

Mount Tremper, NY 12457

On Instagram: @ShawnsFreshFish 845 702 2120

Located at the Migliorelli Farm Stand. We started our business in 2016. We carry a large selection of fresh fish and seafood. Also, try our fresh made soups, salads and locally smoked fish. Requests welcomed.

GARDENS & NURSERY

Augustine Nursery

9W & Van Kleecks Lane

Kingston, NY 12401

AugustineNursery.com

845 338 4936

We’ve been creating landscapes of distinction throughout the Hudson Valley since 1974. Augustine Nursery has grown to become one of the leading residential and commercial landscape design firms and the nursery of choice among high-end landscape architects, independent contractors and discerning homeowners. We offer a stunning selection of larger scale, estate-grade trees,

shrubs and plants. There are hundreds of varieties, ranging from the most popular to the new and emerging. We also offer a full menu of nursery services, from planning and design to installation and finish for greenscapes and hardscapes.

Gardens by Trista

The Plant Centre

4865 County Route 23C

Jewett, NY 12444

GardensByTrista.com

518 708 7202

We specialize in creating beautiful outdoor spaces with thoughtful, creative designs tailored to your landscape and gardening needs. Our services include: custom landscape design & installation; foundation plantings & perennial gardens; kitchen & herb gardens; and garden maintenance. The Plant Centre is now your ultimate plant destination in the heart of the Catskills! Once home to Kern’s Nursery, The Plant Centre proudly carries on the legacy of premium plants and expert gardening advice. We grow much of our selection right here, ensuring each plant thrives in our unique Catskill climate. From vibrant annuals and hardy vegetable starts to stunning shrubs and trees, we offer everything you need to create a thriving garden.

LIVE PERFORMANCES

Catskill Mountain Foundation

2025 Performing Arts Season

Doctorow Center for the Arts

7971 Main St.

Hunter, NY 12442

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

6050 Main St., Tannersville, NY 12485

catskillmtn.org

Ticket line: 518 263 2063

The October Performing Arts season kicks off on October 9 with a virtual presentation of “Forte | Piano Festival Reflections.” Streaming on Facebook and YouTube, this special edition of the International Fortepiano Salon turns its focus to a landmark festival that took place at Cornell University in August and was shaped by many of the same colleagues who have long been part of the Salon community. From October 10 through 12 at the Doctorow Center for the Arts, Maude Adams Theater Hub presents Barefoot in the Park, Neil Simon’s classic comedy of newlyweds crammed into a tiny Manhattan apartment. On Saturday, October 18, fortepianists Stephanie Schmidt and Robin Morace present the latest concert in the Piano Performance Museum’s Concerts & Conversations series. And on Saturday, October 25, Rennie Harris Puremovement presents Nuttin’ But a Word at the Orpheum Performing Arts Center. Presented in partnership with The Joyce Theater Foundation, Nuttin’ But a Word challenges the structural integrity of Campbell locking, house, hip-hop, and B-boying.

Abeni Estate & Omi Cabin

17 Heintz Road

Mount Tremper, NY 12457

abeniestate.com 929 266 7217

Experience the authentic Catskills! Our rustic, character-filled properties, Abeni Estate & Omi Cabin, are your perfect home base. Explore brilliant fall foliage or hit the ski slopes, then return to cozy comfort. Just mins from Woodstock, ski resorts, and a 5-min walk to The Pines. Your unforgettable getaway starts here. Book now at www.abeniestate.com

Greenville Arms

11135 State Route 32

Greenville, NY 12083

greenvillearms.com

518 966 5219

Originally built in 1889, our historically registered Inn is situated on six acres of gardens, lawns, and woodlands. The Queen Anne Revival-style main house, renovated Carriage House, and recently constructed Cottage building are host to 16 guest rooms open year-round to guests. Every guest room is uniquely decorated with a blend of antiques and modern amenities. A hot, cooked-to-order breakfast is included with each room.

Hampton Inn

1307 Ulster Avenue Kingston, NY 12401 Kingston.hamptoninn.com 845 382 2600

Additional location in New Paltz:

4 S. Putt Corners Road

New Paltz, NY 12561

Newpaltz.hamptoninn.com 845 255 4200

Our hotel is near I-87, with several restaurants within walking distance. Historic Downtown Waterfront and Uptown Kingston are both just four miles away with many local shops and dining options. Spend some family time at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, seven miles away. An hour drive or less from 3 popular ski mountains. Unwind in our indoor saltwater pool. Enjoy complimentary hot breakfast and free WiFi.

Muddy Brook Farm

4002 NY-30

Middleburgh, NY 12122 muddybrookfarmny.com 518 945 5436

Escape to Muddy Brook Farm - an 1820s farmhouse rental on Airbnb/VRBO in Middleburgh, NY. Stroll our working garden, mushroom farm, and browse the Muddy Market, stocked with fresh produce, baked goods, and locally made crafts. We host private dinners, local excursions, and curated weekend packages. Join our Harvest Festival on October 4 for food, crafts, pumpkin decorating, a campfire, s’mores, music and more! Whether you’re here for a day or a stay, MBF offers space to slow down and feel at home. Book Your Visit Today @muddybrookfarmny

MASSAGE

Illuminating Wellness/ Mountain Top Massage illuminatingwellness.care 518 718 4228

Transformative therapeutic massage practice combines elements of many of the healing arts such as Acupressure, Reflexology, Reiki, Chiropractic adjustment and many forms of massage. BioPhoton Light Therapy – Biontology is a European healing process that detoxes, neutralizes and resets the body so that healing begins. This practice finds the root cause of any symptom-producing malady and neutralizes it, raising the body’s immune system.

MOVIE THEATER

Catskill Mountain Foundation

Mountain Cinema

7971 Main Street

Hunter, NY 12442

catskillmtn.org 518 263 4702

Hollywood, foreign & independent films just a mile west of Hunter Mountain and a short drive from Windham. Shows running Friday through Sunday. Also available for rental.

Sunflower Market

75 Mill Hill Road

Woodstock, NY 12498

24 Garden Street

Rhinebeck, NY, 12572

sunflowernatural.com

845 679 5361 (Woodstock) • 845 876 2555 (Rhinebeck)

Sunflower is dedicated to providing products you can feel good about sharing with people you love. Prioritizing working with local farms, families, and business, we know where our food comes from. Sunflower is devoted to providing clean and sustainably sourced food, 100% organic produce and a selection of carefully curated items that fit all dietary needs.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Catskill Mountain Foundation

7971 Main Street

Hunter, NY 12442

catskillmtn.org

518 263 2000

Now in its 27th year, the Catskill Mountain Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization which offers a variety of programs and workshops centered on the arts. It owns and runs The Orpheum Performing Arts Center, The Doctorow Center for the Arts (which includes the Mountain Cinema, a performance space, and the Piano Performance Museum), Sugar Maples

Center for Creative Arts, a Natural Agriculture farm and the Guide Magazine. The Foundation has long term partnership programs with The Joyce Theater Foundation, Works & Process at the Guggenheim, the National Dance Institute and Catskill Mountain Shakespeare, and is also home to the Hunter International Music Festival, The Academy of Fortepiano Performance, the Orpheum Dance Program, and the Maude Adams Theater Hub.

OUTDOOR RECREATION

Belleayre Mountain

181 Galli Curci Road

Highmount, NY 12441

belleayre.com

845 254 5600

Even though the winters are the true crème de la crème of Belleayre, Autumn is just about as perfect of a time to arrange a journey to the region’s highest peaks. The sweltering heat of mid-summer fades away, replaced by much more comfortable daytime temperatures and cool evenings. It welcomes a vibrant mix of unique, colorful sights, sounds, and smells that is exclusive to this time of the year. Coasting through an ever-changing canopy, sweeping views will open up underneath you as you glide your way up on a Scenic Gondola Ride to the top of the highest skiable peak in the Catskills, just a short 2.5 hour drive from New York City. In contrast to the air temperature, an outburst of warm colors coats all the peaks and valleys beneath you as far as you can see.

Images of the Northern Catskills by Francis X. Driscoll francisxdriscoll.com

A frequent contributor to the Guide magazine, Francis X. Driscoll is an award-winning nature photographer whose work involves total immersion in a setting so that he might capture that rare glimpse. His primary subject is the Catskill Forest Preserve.

PLUMBING AND HEATING

Rice Plumbing and Heating

Accord:

riceplumbingandheating@gmail.com 845 626 5088

Boiceville: riceplumbingboiceville@gmail.com 845 657 7423

riceplumbingandheating.com

Whether you’re dealing with a leaky faucet, a clogged drain, or a plumbing emergency, we’ve got you covered. Our team of experienced and licensed plumbers, our commitment to quality craftsmanship, prompt service, and customer satisfaction sets us apart. From plumbing repairs and installations to maintenance and inspections, we take pride in using the latest industry techniques and high-quality materials to ensure reliable and long-lasting solutions for all your plumbing needs. We offer quick response times and strive to complete every job efficiently and effectively.

WIOX 91.3FM

MTC Cable Channel 20

WIOXRADIO.ORG on computers and smartphones

WIOX Community Radio—where public access meets public service to build public trust. WIOX programming is wildly diverse, live, local, and non-commercial, broadcasting from the Catskill Mountains, in the heart of the New York City Watershed. WIOX talk and music programs range from farming to brewing to cooking, forestry to healthcare, Rock to Pop, Bach and Goth, Blues, Folk, Country, Americana, Jazz and Salsa. WIOX: produced and supported—by you!

WRIP 97.9FM

wripfm.com

Streaming at rip979.com

The radio voice of the Mountaintop and Valley. Broadcasting 24/7 with the equivalent of 6,000 watts of power, we are the only radio station covering the entire region between the Hudson Valley and Oneonta. WRIP is independently owned and operated. WRIP is heard on these FM frequencies: 97.9 in Windham & Hunter, 97.5 in Durham & Greenville, 103.7 in Catskill & Hudson, 104.5 in Stamford & Delaware County, and streaming worldwide at rip979.com.

REGIONAL INFORMATION

Catskill Center for Conservation & Development

43355 Route 28

Arkville, NY 12406

catskillcenter.org

845 586 2611

Since 1969, the Catskill Center has led the effort to protect the more than 700,000 acres of the Catskill Park and Catskill Forest Preserve. Their mission is to protect and foster the environmental, cultural,and economic well-being of the Catskill Region.

Catskill Visitor’s Center

5096 State Route 28

Mt. Tremper, NY 12457

catskillsvisitorscenter.org

845 688 3369

Your gateway to Catskills, where you can learn about the vast outdoor recreational opportunities in the area as well as discover the cultural and natural history of the Region. The center features educational exhibits along with maps, books, gear, and gifts, as well a friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Greene County Economic Development Corporation

411 Main Street

Catskill, NY 12414

greenecountyedc.com

518 719 3290

Your gateway to establishing your business in Greene County. Their team connects entrepreneurs, developers, and corporate leadership with resources, municipalities, and investment incentives for job-creating businesses.

Ulster County Tourism VisitUlsterCountyNY.com

As autumn’s crisp air rolls in, Ulster County erupts with a vibrant mosaic of fiery reds, glowing oranges, and golden yellows—perfect conditions for two-wheeled explorations. If you’re craving an unforgettable weekend—or even multiday—pedal-powered adventure, fall in Ulster offers worldclass routes, scenic rail trails, rugged forest passages, and lakeside loops.

RESTAURANTS

Angela’s Pizza

1923 Ulster Avenue

Lake Katrine, NY 12401

angelaspizzarestaurant.com

845 382 2211

Angela’s is more than just pizza! Soups, salads, pastas, subs, wraps, Italian dinners, desserts … our pizza is awesome, too! Try our specialty pies or build your own! Eat in or take out, and delivery is available. Catering is also available! Download Angela’s mobile app for instant access to online ordering, Angela’s Loyalty Program, coupons, dining & catering menus, wing flavors and much more!

Barnwood Restaurant

14 Deer Lane

Catskill, NY 12414

barnwooddining.com 518 943 2200

Nominated for 9 Best of Greene County 2024 awards, Barnwood Restaurant proudly offers up a vast selection of home cooked American comfort cuisine, delicious brick oven pizza, and authentic BBQ options in a welcoming, rustic environment! Located only 5 minutes from Thruway exit 21 in beautiful Catskill NY, and open 7 days a week from 11 am to 8 pm.

Blue Mountain Bistro-To-Go

948 Route 28

Kingston, NY 12496

bluemountainbistro.com

845 340 9800

Open 7 days a week serving homecooked, healthy take-out food and baked goods, Blue Mountain Bistro-To-Go is dedicated to providing well balanced meals as quickly as we can without compromising quality or taste. It’s take out that tastes like dining out. Swing by for a quick bite or to take something back home when you don’t feel like cooking. Blue Mountain Bistro-To-Go is also an award-winning, full-service catering company that will bring our special touch to parties of all sizes. Good food and good service bring the good times to you. Why not let us do the cooking?

Gracie’s Luncheonette

969 Main Street Leeds, NY 12451 graciesny.com 518 943 9363

Diner-style burgers, fried chicken sandwich, loaded fries and donuts are our signature menu items. All of our breads, pastries and desserts are made fresh in house every day. We make all of our own condiments and even our own cheese. We buy whole beef from Josef Meiller’s farm in Pine Plains and grind our own special blend for our burgers and cut our own steaks. We also cure and smoke our own bacon, pastrami and other meats. Even the potatoes for our French fries are grown right in Catskill at Story’s Farm and hand-cut daily!

High Falls Cafe

2842 Route 209

North Marbletown, NY 12484

highfallscafe.com

845 687 2699

Family owned and chef operated since 2005. Scratch kitchen, our dishes are made to order using fresh ingredients. Daily specials. Live music and events weekly. Reservations are highly suggested. Open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday 11:30 pm to 5 pm, dinner 5 pm to 9 pm. Sunday breakfast 9 am to 1 pm and lunch 1 pm to 3:30 pm. Bar open later all nights and closes at bartenders discretion. Closed on Mondays. Check out our menus and event calendar at highfallscafe.com or like us on Facebook for daily updates at facebook.com/highfallscafe1

La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant & Bar

966 Main St. Fleischmanns, NY 12442

lacabanarestaurantny.com

845 254 4966

Family owned and operated, La Cabaña is rich in tradition and authenticity. Our dinners are prepared with the freshest ingredients available. You’ll find all of your favorites here: enchiladas, burritos, tacos, chimichangas, flautas, chile relleños, carne asada, nachos, quesadillas, flan, fried ice cream and churros. Vegetarian options are available.

Mama’s Boy Burgers

6067 Main Street

(at the traffic light)

Tannersville, NY 12485

Mamasboyburgers.com

518 589 6667

Established in 2015, Mama’s Boy Burgers was voted the “Best Burger Shack” in the Hudson Valley by Hudson Valley Magazine. We are all about fresh and local ingredients. Our burgers are made from local, black Angus beef from a farm 6 miles away. Our seasonal produce comes from Story Farms, our ice cream is made in the Hudson Valley. We also offer vegetarian and vegan options.

Pancho Villa’s

Mexican Restaurant

6037 Main Street

Tannersville, NY 12485

panchovillamex.com

518 589 5134

The Best Mexican Food this side of the Border! Pancho Villa’s is owned and operated by the Oscar and Patricia Azcue family. They have been proudly serving authentic Mexican food on Main Street in Tannersville since 1992. Rooted in tradition, their passion is sharing great food and good company. All of the traditional Mexican favorites are served here, from enchiladas and burritos to chimichangas and flautas...plus great margaritas and daiquiris! Open every day except Tuesday.

Ashokan Reservoir

Camp Catskill

6006 Main Street

Tannersville, NY 12485

campcatskill.co

518 303 6050

Your destination for sustainable gear & gifts, including clothing, footwear, backpacks, and hiking gear. Our mission is to help you feel good about what you buy, what you wear, and the gear you use (and reuse) in the wild. We work with brands that care about their impact on the planet and its people, and we donate 1% of our revenue to environmental nonprofits here in the Catskills.

Catskill Mountain

Foundation Gift Shop

6042 Main Street

Tannersville, NY 12485

518 589 7500

Operated by the Catskill Mountain Foundation and located next door to the Orpheum Performing Arts Center, our shop features a curated selection of home decor items and gifts from around the Region and around the world. Open Friday through Sunday and holiday Mondays from 11 am to 6 pm.

The Nest Egg

84 Main Street

Phoenicia, NY 12464

nesteggshop.com

845 688 5851

An old-fashioned country store in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, offering relaxed shopping and mountain hospitality. You’ll find lots of specialty and artisan crafted foods here, from local maple syrup, honey, jams, jellies and preserves, to nostalgic candies and gourmet chocolate, to gourmet peanut butter, and more! Your source for mountain clothing and souvenirs, including Minnetonka Moccasins, t-shirts & sweatshirts, local area books and hiking maps, candles, soaps, incense, jewelry, toys, puzzles, games and souvenirs. Our home-made delicious fudge is worth the trip!

The Emerson Spa 5340 Route 28

Mount Tremper, NY 12457

EmersonResort.com

845 688 2828

Welcome to a serene escape where nature, balance, and restoration come together. The award-winning Emerson Spa offers a thoughtful menu of therapeutic massages, rejuvenating facials, and restorative body treatments—all designed to help you reconnect and recharge. A standout among the Catskills, it’s a retreat like no other. Perfect for a solo self-care day, couples massage, or a group experience, The Emerson Spa invites you to slow down and truly unwind.

SUPPORT THE ARTS ON THE MOUNTAINTOP

New York State Sheep & Wool Festival

The New York State Sheep and Wool Festival, held annually in Rhinebeck, NY, is one of the premier events in the world of fiber arts, drawing thousands of attendees from all corners of the country. Scheduled for October 18 and 19 this year, this twoday festival is a vibrant celebration of all things wool and sheeprelated, offering a unique experience for enthusiasts, crafters, and families alike.

Nestled in the scenic Hudson Valley, the Dutchess County Fairgrounds is home to the Sheep and Wool Festival. The venue is well-suited to accommodate the festival’s diverse activities. The event, which began in 1980, has grown from a small local gathering into a significant annual celebration that attracts a broad audience. With a focus on showcasing the craft of wool and the versatility of sheep products, the festival is a must-visit for anyone interested in knitting, weaving, spinning, or any aspect of fiber arts.

One of the primary attractions of the festival is its extensive market, featuring over 200 vendors. These artisans and producers offer a wide array of products, from high-quality yarns and fibers to handmade tools and accessories. Attendees can find everything from luxurious alpaca and merino yarns to unique hand-dyed skeins and eco-friendly fibers. For many, the chance to shop directly from small producers and craftspersons is a highlight of the event, providing an opportunity to find one-of-a-kind materials and support local businesses.

In addition to the market, the festival is renowned for its comprehensive range of educational workshops and demonstrations. These sessions cover a broad spectrum of topics, catering to both beginners and experienced crafters. Workshops may include hands-on lessons in spinning, dyeing, weaving, and felting, as well as more specialized techniques like brioche knitting or lacework. For those interested in the historical and practical aspects of sheep

farming, there are also talks and demonstrations on topics such as sheep shearing and wool processing.

The festival’s schedule includes a variety of demonstrations and exhibitions that highlight traditional and contemporary fiber arts. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of spinning and weaving, learn about the different breeds of sheep and their wool characteristics, and see the intricate processes involved in turning raw fleece into beautiful finished products. The festival often features guest speakers and experts who share their knowledge and passion for wool and fiber arts.

A particularly cherished aspect of the festival is its competitive events. The festival hosts several contests, including sheepto-shawl competitions, fleece judging, and various craft competitions. These contests not only showcase the skills of participants but also highlight the quality and diversity of wool and fiber arts. The sheep-to-shawl competition, in particular, is a crowd favorite, where teams of spinners and weavers work together to transform raw fleece into a finished shawl within a set time frame.

The New York State Sheep and Wool Festival is designed to be a family-friendly event, offering activities for attendees of all ages. Children can enjoy interactive exhibits and hands-on activities that introduce them to the world of fiber arts. There are often kid-friendly craft stations where they can try their hand at simple spinning or weaving projects. Additionally, there are usually farm animals on display, including sheep, goats, and alpacas, which provide an educational and entertaining experience for young visitors.

Food and entertainment are also integral parts of the festival. The fairgrounds host a variety of food vendors offering everything from hearty meals to sweet treats. Attendees can enjoy local

specialties and comfort foods while taking a break from shopping and workshops. The festival often features live music and performances that add to the lively and festive atmosphere.

Beyond the individual activities and attractions, the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival serves as a gathering place for the fiber arts community. It’s an opportunity for enthusiasts to connect with like-minded individuals, share their experiences, and build relationships with others who share their passion. The festival fosters a sense of community among crafters, producers, and artists, creating a space where knowledge is exchanged, inspiration is sparked, and collaborations are formed.

The festival also has a strong educational component, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable and ethical practices in fiber arts. Many of the vendors and workshop leaders emphasize the value of supporting local and sustainable agriculture, and there are often discussions on topics such as organic farming, natural dyeing, and responsible sourcing.

The New York State Sheep and Wool Festival is much more than just an event; it’s a celebration of the art, craft, and culture of wool. With its extensive market, engaging workshops, competitive events, and family-friendly activities, it offers a rich and immersive experience for all who attend. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter, a curious beginner, or simply someone who enjoys the charm of rural festivals, the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck is an event that promises to inspire, educate, and entertain. As the festival continues to grow and evolve, it remains a testament to the enduring appeal of fiber arts and the vibrant community that surrounds them.

For more information and advance discount tickets, please go to dutchessfair.com.

Catskills Past

REVOLUTION IN THE CATSKILLS

By T.M. Bradshaw

After New Amsterdam became New York, the English continued a system started by the Dutch wherein enormous tracts of land were granted by decree to patroons as political rewards. One such tract was the Hardenbergh Patent, a million and a half acres comprising a significant portion of the Catskills. Following the Revolution, in an effort to clear the land and make it profitable, the patroons advertised for renters, people to settle in the territory. Revolutionary War veterans and Scottish and Irish immigrants responded, drawn perhaps by offers of the first seven years rent-free.

These tenants cleared forests, built homes and barns, raised crops and livestock, and paid the land taxes. They annually owed the landlord a specified number and kind of animals or bushels of a specific crop, along with a day’s labor using their own wagon, sled, or plow pulled by their own team of horses or oxen, or a stated cash equivalent. The landlords retained mineral, timber, and water rights, and authority over how the renter would utilize the land, including which crops would be planted. A few leases included the eventual right to purchase the land, but most did not. The renters found themselves paying for the land they worked many times over while having no security and nothing to pass on to their heirs.

An Anti-rent movement began in Albany County, where Stephen Van Rensselaer, the “good patroon,” didn’t pressure his tenants to pay during the 1830s, an especially hard decade. When he died in 1839 leaving $400,000 in debt, roughly the same amount owed in back rents, his heirs were more than willing to apply pressure to the tenants. The tenants doubted the legality of the Van Rensselaer claim to the title to the land and felt the terms of the leases had been deceptively presented. They demanded proof of ownership.

Warrants of distress—evictions and seizure of property orders—were issued, to be executed by sheriffs and their deputies. The farmers organized themselves into groups of resistance, disrupting the process in any way possible. They dressed in calico smocks and wore masks fashioned out of sheepskin or other animal hides. Tin dinner horns served to call these “Calico Indians” together to protect their neighbors when a sale was imminent. Livestock that was to be sold disappeared and could not be found, or if sold, were promptly shot; warrants were seized and burned; sometimes things went as far as tarring and feathering the sheriff.

The resistance movement spread to Rensselaer, Columbia, and Schoharie counties. By 1844 the Anti-Rent War reached Delaware County. One argument for never having to pay rent again was that the Revolutionary War should have dissolved all patents established by the Crown. Over sixty years earlier New York State had passed a law forbidding feudal estates; however the state constitution protected those already in existence.

But still some anti-renters tried to find solutions through the ballot box. They pledged support to the candidates, both Whig and Democrat, who seemed sympathetic to their cause. Others were committed to solving the problem themselves. Local organizations sprang up, both for political redress and for local action. Many of these groups combined the efforts of adjacent towns: Andes-Bovina Anti-Rent Association, Andes-Bovina-Delhi Association, KortrightStamford Anti-Rent Society, Middletown-Roxbury Anti-Rent Society, Stamford and Kortright Equal Rights Association. These towns leaned “down rent” while others, like Walton, Franklin, and Delhi were “up rent,” choosing to support the system legally in place. In “down rent” areas tenants began withholding rent payments even if they could afford to pay. These organizations recompensed farmers for animals that were shot when sold.

The Catskill Mountain Foundation, in partnership with Works & Process at the Guggenheim, presents

“…one of the great movers of modern dance”

—The New York Times

For nearly forty years, Parsons Dance has been devoted to bringing life-affirming performances and joy to audiences worldwide. Praised for its dancers who possess the athletic prowess and technical skill to help achieve this mission, the company will be in residency at the Catskill Mountain Foundation from November 2-9, while it works with choreographer Courtney “Balenciaga” Washington on creating a new piece co-commissioned by Parsons Dance and Works & Process at the Guggenheim. The audience will be treated to a preview of Washington’s full-company work followed by a Q & A with the choreographer, and it will also have the chance to experience some of the most cherished pieces from the Parsons repertory: Nascimento, Balance of Power, and Caught, along with Jamar Robert’s Juke, his critically acclaimed piece commissioned by Parsons Dance in 2024.

None of the efforts to secure a statutory solution succeeded. Then things started to boil over in September of 1844. A band of “Indians” interfered with a seizure order in Roxbury on the farm of Daniel Squires, a leader in the anti-rent movement, burning Sheriff Green More’s legal papers and treating Timothy Corbin, agent for the landlord, to a coat of tar and feathers. No one was arrested that day.

Enter Acting Undersheriff Osman N. Steele, a man who himself had been indicted for assault and battery on a woman in November of 1843. Steele was described by author Henry Christman as an “arrogant redheaded bully” and by author Munsell as “a man who magnified his office, bold, forward and officious.” Steele had made several attempts to arrest Squires and finally succeeded on February 11, 1845, in a raid on his home, in which Squires’ wife and mother reportedly were abused.

Then on March 10 Steele and a constable Charles Parker, returning from Greene County after serving papers there, encountered a band of down-renters and fled into Hunting’s Tavern, an establishment whose owners had up-rent sympathies. The “Indians” stormed the tavern, but were turned away by Mr. and Mrs. Hunting. Steele managed to send a desperate message to Sheriff More in Delhi, urgently requesting him to bring a large posse to rescue them from the hundred men surrounding the tavern. By the time More and the posse of over 150 men arrived in Andes, the inn was unguarded; the “Indians” had been warned.

On March 14 Steele took an eighty-man posse into Roxbury. Twelve men were unmasked and arrested in that day’s skirmish, including Silas Tompkins, the constable of the town of Middletown. The prisoners were loaded onto a wagon, bound hand and foot, with no straw or blankets to protect them from the cold. Steele stopped in Bloomville for a meal and a warm-up on the way to Delhi, boasting that he “had a lot of cattle out there in the wagon with their feet tied” so he guessed they “would not get away” while he got warm.

Groups of anti-renters gathered with the intent to storm the Delhi jail and rescue their compatriots, but they didn’t attack— their numbers were never sufficient to the task; the sheriff had summoned help from Walton and Franklin. Only four of the twelve were indicted. After the first three trials ended in guilty verdicts the fourth man, Ezekiel Kelley, changed his plea to guilty. The three were sentenced to two years in Sing Sing, the maximum sentence allowed under the new law forbidding being out in public while disguised; Kelley was fined $250 and dismissed. At an Anti-Renter’s Equal Rights Convention held in Andes on May 15, Samuel Gordon, who had served as counsel for the four, presented a series of resolutions on proper procedure for criminal trials, resolutions clearly inspired by those recent events. Gordon noted that “the punishment of no person should be enhanced from a fine to incarceration in a state prison for having dared to plead not guilty to an indictment.”

Then came the sale at Moses Earle’s farm. Since 1810 Earle had annually traveled to New York City to deliver his rent to

Charlotte Verplanck, but he also had come to believe the system was wrong. He vacillated on whether he would pay or not, and then decided against it. His six cows and eight hogs were appraised at $132.50, with the auction scheduled for July 29. No one bid that day. At the rescheduled sale on August 7, Sheriff More spotted six “calico Indians” near the Earle pastures and he ordered men in the crowd to help him arrest them for breaking the new disguise law. No one did. Many more “calico Indians,” hundreds of them, from Andes, Shavertown, Roxbury, Wolf Hollow, Cabin Hill, Bloomville, and Kortright, were in the woods. Osman Steele and Constable Edgerton were on their way to the auction site. One source says they were traveling from Delhi, another that they had stopped at Hunting Tavern for a meal and that they were warned not to go because Steele’s life was in danger. Supposedly that was when he announced he wasn’t worried, saying, “Lead can’t penetrate Steele.”

As the time for the auction neared, tempers flared and the “Indians” gathered around the livestock to be sold. As both sides jockeyed for position someone yelled, “Shoot the horses!” Edgerton’s horse was shot as he called for help to keep the peace and drew his pistol. One witness said the shooting lasted 8 to 10 seconds. Steele’s horse fell in one direction and Steele in the other, shot in the arm, chest, and bowels. Realizing the significance of a gut shot, he announced to the men who rushed to aid him, “I am a dead man.” He died later that evening.

No one knew who fired the fatal shot. Some Anti-renters fled to other parts of the country, others were hunted down, brought to trial and sent to prison. Two were sentenced to hang, but their sentences were commuted to life imprisonment. The movement did have victories at the ballot box, a patchwork of changes to the system occurring over the years.

Works consulted: Tin Horns and Calico, Henry Christman, Bicentennial Edition, Hope Farm Press, Cornwallville, NY, 1975. A Free Soil—A Free People: The Anti-Rent War in Delaware County, New York, Dorothy Kubik, Purple Mountain Press, Fleischmanns, NY, 1997

T. M. Bradshaw shares other thoughts on history at tmbradshawbooks.com.

A Smart Future for the Catskills: Can We Coexist with AI?

By Greg Madden

There is nothing artificial about our Catskills, but there sure is a lot of intelligence here, right? Like Yogi, many of us like to think we are smarter than the average bear, but when it comes to Artificial Intelligence (AI) are we? Some of us worry we just might have met our match, or even be outsmarted.

How do we know? Well, as a species, many of us routinely meander to our favorite coffee house (and there are a plethora of great bistros housed in the Catskills) or the local filling station for a cup of Joe, or a tea, that matches our mood.

There we taste, or engage, on many poignant issues of the day. At a local pub, or watering hole, the issues seem “louder” when it comes to artificial intelligence. The opinions are like eyebrows, everyone has them, and some are bushy and we’re talking Andy Rooney of 60 Minutes fame bushy here.

The Catskill Mountains have always been a place where emerging technology and nature have rubbed shoulders, sometimes gently, sometimes with friction. From the aqueducts that carried our water to New York City, to the chairlifts and snowmaking guns that turned our ridgelines into winter playgrounds, the region has a quiet tradition of adopting tools that fit our expansive landscape and charming temperament. AI is the next big tool and it has already arrived at your nearby trailhead.

Rumor has it that AI shines where there’s complexity, pattern, and plenty of data. Are our Catskills ready for this overwhelming information overload? It seems to me that many come here to ditch their mountains of data, trading up for the unburdening mountains. Less unencumbered. More relaxation.

The Catskills check these boxes in their own way. The region’s economy blends tourism, agriculture, arts, hospitality, conservation, and light manufacturing. So, do we really need AI and can we possibly escape it? I don’t think so.

Our topography is complex, weather is variable, and the population is widely dispersed, an equation that makes resource allocation tricky and expensive. AI systems excel at forecasting demand, optimizing logistics, and spotting subtle signals in messy data (like early signs of a damaging flood or an invasive species spreading across our watersheds).

Add in the region’s influx of remote work-from-home types and weekenders who bring both expectations and tech literacy, and you have the ingredients for a needed thoughtful, place-based AI rollout.

So, what will initially be noticed? Well, better day-trip or vacation planning for some. Trip planning assistants will get context-aware of not just “best hikes near Phoenicia,” but “a halfday waterfall loop with moderate elevation gain, low mud risk

this week, and a coffee stop that accommodates your kid’s peanut allergy.”

AI will cross-reference public trail conditions, microclimate forecasts, parking capacity sensors at busy trailheads, and your past preferences to build itineraries that balance safety, crowding, and serendipity. For leaf-peepers and waterfall chasers, that means fewer traffic jams at the same three overlooks and more discovery of second-tier gems that can handle the foot traffic.

With AI comes lots of other new terms and jargon such as “Augmented Reality” (the new AR). This will partner with AI in many ways, such as producing trail overlays on phones or lightweight eyeglasses that will show junction prompts, “leave no trace” reminders keyed to fragile areas, and real-time reroutes around blowdowns or seasonal closures.

AI models trained on local ecology can assist in identifying plants, mushrooms, and wildlife signs, but also whisper “hands off” when curiosity becomes interference. You’re here for the woods and nothing else.

Imagine your lodging and dining interests appearing as if someone/something was able to “read your mind.” Creepy right?

AI will help even the quaintest of inns predict when you’ll arrive, set room temperatures to your comfort, suggest dinner specials based on your dietary history, and even pre-stock a minifridge with the local cider and treats you loved during your last visit. Nice or annoying?

Restaurants will forecast ingredient demand to reduce waste. Ski areas will tune lift operations and snowmaking runs to actual skier distribution hour by hour, improving the experience while cutting energy use. Done well, this looks like personalized care, done poorly and it will look like extreme invasive surveillance. Clearly Big Brother lingers, slope side. 1984 thoughts abound!

For many visitors it may mirror their everyday lives, but how will our local neighbors and friends benefit from what’s coming? The Catskills have all too often experienced horrible flooding. AIenabled hydrological models, fed by stream gauges, soil moisture

sensors, radar, and historical data—can improve warnings from mere hours to several days, pinpointing block-by-block risk and helping highway crews prioritize culverts or temporary closures. Similar models will flag wildfire conditions in dry summers and help volunteer fire companies pre-position resources.

AI thrives on optimization, so we can have more with smaller budgets. For towns managing wastewater plants, snowplow routes, or road maintenance, “predictive maintenance” models can schedule repairs long before failures happen, saving both money and headaches. Broadband providers can use AI to balance loads across peaks (say, movie night streaming in the hamlets) and proactively detect service issues.

Rural transit companies could use AI dispatch to pool rides efficiently, linking commuters, school runs, medical visits, and tourism shuttles into a single, responsive network.

Agriculture and farming are a Catskills legacy, from dairy farms to apiaries to maple operations, AI tools can spot anomalies like heat stress in cattle, disease in crops, patterns of bear activity around hives and sap run scheduling.

We may all be able to benefit from AI in healthcare. Telemedicine with AI triage can reduce unnecessary trips to hospitals or urgent care in Kingston, Hudson or Albany. Language models will summarize medical histories, flag drug interactions, and surface probing questions. There may be more time for the doctor’s bedside manner, but will it be through a video screen and will the doctor be “live” or a medical avatar?

In the realm of schools and education, AI tutors will support students one-on-one in reading, writing, and math, while teachers use it to plan differentiated lessons. Crucially, districts must set careful boundaries and ensure pertinent content is aligned with local values and curricula, not generic ed-tech output.

Residents and visitors will rightly fear overcollection, data leaks, and creepy personalization. The solution seems to be “data minimization” (collect only what’s necessary), privacy by default (opt-in only), and clear local norms. Town boards, chambers of commerce, and park managers should publish data policies in plain language as to what’s collected, why, how long it’s kept, who can access it, and how to opt out.

Automation can make service feel sterile: remember the “Horn & Hardart” automats that closed in the early 1990’s? According to actress/singer Barbra Steisand, “people, who need people.” They’re the luckiest people in the world. We agree.

Nobody visits a rustic farmhouse inn for a chatbot experience. The antidote is to design AI as “assistive,” not “replacing.” Let the system handle repetitive tasks such as inventory counts, calendar juggling, allergen flagging, so humans can do what only humans can: tell stories, welcome guests, read the room in realtime, offer tips about that secret hidden swimming hole. Businesses that over-automate will feel hollow and those who successfully blend AI with hospitality will stand out.

The best way to diffuse both hype and fear is high-quality, local education. Fund “AI literacy” workshops at libraries and schools

that cover practical skills and ethical basics. Equip librarians and teachers with continuing education stipends to stay current. When the trusted institutions of a community understand a technology, the community steers it rather than being steered by it. Students will get more individualized attention, freeing teachers to teach; older residents access healthcare without long drives; seasonal workers find rides and rooms via fair, transparent matching tools.

Small businesses will run leaner but kinder, using AI to anticipate our needs while leaving the storytelling and gentler hospitality to humans. Artists and those who create can earn more, helped by AI for the paperwork and promotion, and protected by local provenance and fair-use norms.

For residents, the path forward is to demand policies that reflect local priorities, to push vendors toward transparency, and to learn enough to be an informed customer and citizen.

For visitors, it’s to choose services that respect privacy and place, to use guidance without outsourcing judgment, and to keep curiosity and humility front and center. For all of us, it’s to measure success not by how “advanced” our systems get, but by whether they make our communities more resilient, our landscapes healthier, and our lives a little more humane.

The Catskills have always been a refuge from the “noise.” AI can help us keep it that way, if we insist on a future where technology whispers, and the mountains still speak. AI is not a destiny; it’s a set of chisels and clamps.

AI is already humming in our phones, our cars, and increasingly in our local businesses. For residents and visitors alike, AI promises real benefits, while also raising real concerns. Understanding both sides is how our region can shape a future that feels authentically “Catskills,” a human-scaled, community-minded, and rooted in the land. It can be done and with strong leadership and knowledge of this tool, we will blossom and benefit.

We have many traditions and cultures here in the Catskills— will AI serve them all? The human experience is so warm and valuable. The character “Data” from Star Trek: The Next Generation was amazing, but that character was all information and no warm welcoming humanity to speak of?

So, as I write this piece, I wonder if AI will ever replace writers. Sadly, the answer is “yes,” but only when there are no humans left to read (and connect with) great magazines like the one in your hands.

Barbra Streisand was indeed right! We need people that make us stronger together, using quality tools that blend intelligence, both real and warm with the artificial process.

Greg Madden is a human learning AI along with freelance writer, public relations, branding and marketing specialist who practices ancient healing modalities like Tui-Na Medical Massage and BioPhoton LightTherapy right here in the Catskill Mountains. More at www.IlluminatingWellness.care

THE GREAT OUTDOORS IN THE CATSKILLS

By Jeff Senterman

As autumn colors spread across the Catskills, one small ritual signals my success each year: removing my watch at summer’s end and finding a tan line, unmistakable proof of countless hours spent soaking up the natural wonders of this special region. From hiking rugged trails to sharing a locally brewed beer in the afternoon sun, the Catskills refresh the mind, body, and soul in ways no other place can. I sometimes marvel that I have the privilege to live, work, and play in this extraordinary landscape.

Yet, the growth in visitors across the Catskills — reflected in thriving tourism, bustling trailheads, and busy main streets, calls us to action. While seeing more people fall in love with the region is exciting, it also brings new challenges: crowded roads and parking lots, wear on our trails, and the strain on fragile natural resources. As stewards, it’s our responsibility to ensure that everyone can continue to enjoy the Catskills’ beauty without compromising its vitality.

The Catskill Center is at the forefront, leading programs like the Catskill Stewards at popular sites such as Kaaterskill Falls, Peekamoose Blue Hole, the Devil’s Path, Platte Clove, Thorn Preserve, and the Catskill Park Fire Towers. Each week, our

team greets thousands of visitors, offering advice and promoting responsible recreation. The Catskills Visitor Center serves as a gateway for information, local recommendations, and community connections. Our advocacy work in Albany and through regional coalitions, champions increased support for the Catskill Park and drives collaborative initiatives protecting the land and its people.

Every effort is rooted in a commitment to sustainable enjoyment, welcoming newcomers while safeguarding the forests, streams, and communities that define the Catskills. Over the years, whether I’m on a trail or in a policy discussion, I see daily why these mountains matter: their power to nurture people, wildlife, and plantlife alike makes them priceless and irreplaceable.

This October, let’s all pledge to Leave No Trace. The seven Leave No Trace principles can be summed up simply: leave places as good or better than you found them. Stay on the trail, pack out all your trash (even orange peels!), respect natural features, and consider your impacts on both the environment and other visitors. It takes all of us to keep the Catskills clean, wild, and welcoming for generations to come.

Catskills Visitor Center & Catskill Park Trail Conditions

The Catskills Visitor Center in Mount Tremper is open daily from 9:30 am through 4:00 pm through November, offering expert advice, maps, gift shop with unique Catskills products, and hiking gear for purchase or rent. Connect with staff in person, at info@catskillcenter.org, or at 845 688 3369. Visitors can enjoy the Visitor Center’s exhibits, 1.5 miles of trails and the 80-foot Upper Esopus Fire Tower with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and Esopus Creek valley. Explore online at catskillsvisitorcenter.org, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @catskills.visitor.center.

Trail conditions in the Catskills are always changing. Before setting out, visit the Catskills Visitor Center’s Trail Conditions page at catskillstrailconditions.com for the latest updates on trails, campgrounds, and outdoor activities.

Catskills Lark in the Park 2025

From October 4 to October 13, join the Annual Lark in the Park, celebrating the Catskill Park’s anniversary with hiking, paddling, cycling, nature walks, cultural programs, and more. Activities are free, welcoming everyone to discover what makes the region unique. Learn more at catskillslark.org.

Catskills Adventure Challenge

Take the Catskills Adventure Challenge! Choose from eight signature hikes and complete six to earn your patch. Detailed guides are available at the Catskills Visitor Center or catskillsadventurechallenge. com.

Hike the Catskills with the Hiker Trash Husbands

For trail previews and adventure stories, check out the Hiker Trash Husbands on YouTube (youtube.com/thehikertrashhusbands) and hikertrashhusbands.com, where we share firsthand insights into hiking across the Catskills and beyond.

#RecreateResponsibly in the Catskills

Time in nature, and outdoor recreation has proven to be essential for all.

Especially during uncertain times, all of us, from seasoned outdoor enthusiasts, to families heading out to their local park for the first time, can turn to community and simple reminders about how to safely & responsibly recreate outdoors while caring for one another.

The Recreate Responsibly guidelines came together to offer a starting point for getting outside to keep yourself and others safe while working to maintain access to our beloved natural spaces.

Read on to learn the primary tips on how to responsibly recreate outdoors. Each edition of the guidelines have been developed by bringing together topline issues and experts to distill key concepts that when implemented, build a community of care in the outdoors.

Learn more at recreateresponsibly.org

Know Before you Go

Check the status of the place you want to visit for closures, fire restrictions, and weather.

Plan and Prepare

Reservations and permits may be required. Make sure you have the gear you need and a back-up plan

Build an Inclusive Outdoors

Be an active part of making the outdoors safe and welcoming for all identities and abilities.

Respect Others

There is space for everyone and countless outdoor activities. Be kind to all who use the outdoors and nature differently.

Leave No Trace

Respect the land, water, wildlife, & Native communities. Follow the seven Leave No Trace principles. Learn more at LeaveNoTrace.org

Make It Better

We all have a responsibility to sustain the places we love. Volunteer, donate, and advocate for the outdoors.

Catskill Center Applauds DEC’s Visitor Use Plan to Protect Formerly Trailless High Peaks

The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development applauds the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for taking bold steps to protect the Catskill Park’s most fragile high peaks by releasing a draft Visitor Use Management (VUM) Plan.

The plan, which focuses on the region’s formerly trailless summits, is the first of its kind in the Catskills and reflects years of scientific data collection and thoughtful analysis. By guiding hikers along sustainable, designated routes, the DEC aims to reduce ecological damage while ensuring continued public access to some of the most spectacular areas of the Catskill Mountains.

For decades, hikers seeking both challenge and solitude have shaped a web of unmarked paths across these trailless summits. The unintended result has been disturbances to sensitive high elevation forests, fragmented wildlife habitat, and irreplaceable natural resources placed at risk. The new plan directly addresses these impacts by channeling use toward resilient, well-designed routes that protect the long-term health of the ecosystem.

“We commend the DEC for creating a plan rooted in science and stewardship,” said Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center. “This is a significant step toward balancing the love people have for the Catskills with the urgent need to protect its most sensitive natural resources.”

Key Elements the Catskill Center Supports

Science-Based Protections: Sensitive resource zones identified by the New York Natural Heritage Program will help safeguard rare plants and habitats.

Sustainable Trail Design: DEC will mark preferred routes to the peaks, followed by detailed trail sustainability analyses and design plans.

Better Communication: Partnerships with popular digital mapping platforms—and local programs like the Catskills Visitor Center and Catskill Stewards—will ensure visitors receive accurate, consistent information about safe, sustainable routes.

Recommendations to Strengthen the Plan

While strongly supportive, the Catskill Center urged DEC to strengthen the draft plan with several key actions:

Move Quickly to Protect Vulnerable Peaks: Trails

to Rocky, South Doubletop, Halcott, Kaaterskill High Peak, Balsam Cap, and Friday Mountain should be marked no later than 2026.

Provide Parking and Infrastructure: New trailheads must include safe parking to reduce roadside impacts and strain on local communities.

Expand Visitor Education: Work closely with regional tourism agencies and stewardship programs to educate hikers about the new system and Leave No Trace principles.

Measure Local Impacts: Conduct an economic impact analysis to ensure local communities benefit from increased visitation while addressing added pressures on emergency services.

Emphasize Whole Park Management: Build on the recommendations of the Catskills Strategic Advisory Group to expand data collection, strengthen stewardship, and coordinate decisionmaking across agencies.

Protecting the Catskills for Future Generations

For more than 56 years, the Catskill Center has worked to protect the environmental, cultural, and economic well-being of the Catskills. With visitation steadily increasing, the stakes have never been higher. The Catskill Center believes that by implementing the Visitor Use Management Plan with urgency and care, the DEC can ensure that future generations will continue to experience the beauty and unique character of the Catskill High Peaks.

“The Catskills are beloved by millions, but love alone isn’t enough to protect them,” said Jeff Senterman. “We need smart planning, science-based action, and strong partnerships to ensure these mountains thrive for the next hundred years.”

Catskill Park Advisory Committee

Curious about how decisions are made for the Catskill Park? The Catskill Park Advisory Committee, chaired by the Catskill Center, meets quarterly to foster communication and collaboration among local governments and organizations. Public participation is welcome: email cccd@catskillcenter.org to join our mailing list or attend a meeting.

Give Back to the Catskills

Protecting the Catskill Park and all its treasures takes community support. By joining or donating to the Catskill Center, you help steward these lands, foster partnerships, and support cultural and educational programs. Become a member or donate online at www.catskillcenter.org/donate or mail a check to Catskill Center, PO Box 504, Arkville, NY 12406. Let’s keep the Catskills vibrant—now and for the future. See you on the trail!

Jeff Senterman is the Executive Director of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development in Arkville, NY, a member of the Board of Directors for the Catskill Watershed Corporation and the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce. Jeff graduated with a degree in Environmental Science from Lyndon State College and worked for many years as an Environmental Planner in New England before coming back to New York and the Catskills working in the nonprofit sector. To learn more about the work of the Catskill Center, visit catskillcenter.org.

A Greene County Garden in October: Caterpillars

By Margaret Donsbach Tomlinson

The caterpillars of black swallowtail butterflies (Papilio polyxenes) are as strikingly colored as the adult butterflies. Although golden alexanders (Zizia aurea), the native host plant they fed on before European settlers came to America, are no longer widespread, black swallowtails have adapted to laying their eggs on some of the plants in our vegetable and herb gardens. Carrots, parsley, dill and fennel are closely enough related to golden alexanders that black swallowtail caterpillars can thrive on their foliage. That’s why black swallowtails, with their deep black wings edged with blue and yellow spots (plus two small orange spots near the base), are among the butterflies we most often see fluttering through our gardens. You might even be privileged to see the caterpillars, with their black and white stripes and their bright gold spots, on your herbs or carrot plants.

It’s a different story with other once-common butterflies whose caterpillars have not proved so adaptable. Caterpillars of the endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) can feed only on the leaves of wild lupine (Lupinus perennis) which once grew abundantly on the sandy shores of the Hudson River. Conversion of most of this land to agriculture and building sites has drastically reduced the area where wild lupine can grow. The best place to see Karner blues now is at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, about ten miles northwest of Albany. That’s close enough to Greene County that if enough gardeners were to plant

wild lupine in our area and between here and Albany, we might be able to see Karner blues flit through our gardens again—they’re noted for being fast fliers. Just be careful not to plant other varieties of lupine—the Karner blues can be tricked into laying their eggs on other lupine species, but their caterpillars can’t survive on anything but true wild lupine.

Two other small, pale blue butterflies that resemble the Karner blue, the eastern tailed blue (Cupido comyntas) and the spring azure (Celastrina ladon), are still flying about Hudson Valley gardens. Eastern tailed blue caterpillars eat clover and vetch foliage, plants that often mingle with lawn grasses that are not treated with herbicides. Spring azure caterpillars feed on flowers rather than leaves, with a special preference for flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), which many gardeners plant because of its glamorous blossoms. They will also eat flowers of wild black cherry (Prunus serotina) and our native viburnums, especially blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium) and maple-leaf (Viburnum acerifolium). Include these in your garden, and some pretty blue butterflies may come to live there.

Margaret Donsbach Tomlinson enjoys gardening in Catskill. She also writes a weekly Substack series, The Generous Garden, online at mtomlinson.substack.com.

The MOUNTAIN CINEMA

GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE: THE MOVIE

Gabby and Grandma Gigi’s road trip takes an unexpected turn when Gabby’s prized dollhouse ends up with an eccentric cat lady. 10/3-10/5

SHOSHANA

A British police officer and a Jewish woman fall in love amidst the political turmoil of 1930s Tel Aviv. 10/3-10/5, 10/10-10/12

THE SMASHING MACHINE

The story of mixed-martial arts and UFC champion, Mark Kerr. 10/3-10/5, 10/10-10/12

TRON: ARES

A highly sophisticated Program, Ares, is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission. 10/10-10/2, 10/17-10-19

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER

When their evil enemy resurfaces after 16 years, a group of ex-revolutionaries reunite to rescue one of their own’s daughter.

OPENS 10/17

THE BALTIMORONS

A newly sober man’s Christmas Eve dental emergency leads to an unexpected romance with his older dentist as they explore Baltimore together. 10/17-10/19, 10/24-10/26

SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE

On the cusp of global superstardom, New Jersey rocker Bruce Springsteen struggles to reconcile the pressures of success with the ghosts of his past as he records the album Nebraska in the early 1980s. OPENS 10/24

2026 PERFORMING ARTS SEASON SNEAK PEEK

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2026

AT 7:00PM

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2026

AT 4:00 PM

AQUILA THEATRE

PRESENTS

THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

Orpheum Performing Arts Center, 6050 Main St., Tannersville

Aquila Theatre is proud to present a thrilling new production of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic mystery, The Hound of the Baskervilles. Set in the eerie, fog-shrouded moors of England, this spine-tingling tale follows the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion Dr. Watson as they investigate the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville, rumored to be the victim of a supernatural, ghostly hound. As they uncover chilling secrets and dark family histories, Holmes must use his razor-sharp intellect to solve a case where logic and superstition collide. True to Aquila’s renowned reputation for high-quality, innovative performances, this production will blend suspense, sharp wit, and dynamic storytelling, bringing Doyle’s classic detective tale to vivid life. With Aquila’s legendary style and precision in bringing complex narratives to the stage, audiences will be captivated by unexpected twists, high drama, humor, and the thrill of one of literature’s most celebrated mysteries. Don’t miss this unforgettable theatrical experience— where mystery, suspense, and Aquila’s trademark excellence are sure to leave you on the edge of your seat.

The excellent Aquila, an extraordinary, inventive and disciplined outfit.

—The New York Times

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2026 AT 7:00PM

MALPASO DANCE

Presented in partnership with The Joyce Theater Foundation.

Orpheum Performing Arts Center, 6050 Main St., Tannersville

Since its establishment in 2012, Malpaso Dance Company has become one of the most sought-after Cuban dance companies with a growing international profile. Emphasizing a collaborative creative process, Malpaso is committed to working with top international choreographers while also nurturing new voices in Cuban choreography. An Associate Company of Joyce Theater Productions, Malpaso — together with The Joyce— has commissioned original works from a number of prominent international choreographers, including Ron K. Brown, Aszure Barton, Emmy-award winning Sonya Tayeh, Robyn Mineko Williams and

celebrated b-girl Asherie. As a means of foregrounding Cuban choreographers, Malpaso recently has also premiered works by company member Daile Carrazana, bolstering the list of long-toured pieces by Artistic Director Osnel Delgado, which are often accompanied live by Grammy award-winning, CubanAmerican composer/pianist Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble. In 2026, Malpaso will premiere a new work by emerging Thai-American choreographer Keerati Jinakunwiphat and will become the first Cuban dance company to perform a work by Martha Graham.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2026 AT 7:00 PM

MILLION DOLLAR REUNION

THE GENESIS OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL: ELVIS, JERRY LEE LEWIS, JOHNNY

CASH & CARL PERKINS

Orpheum Performing Arts Center, 6050 Main St., Tannersville Produced by Broadway veteran Bobby Taylor, and featuring former cast members of the worldwide hit show Million Dollar Quartet, the MILLION DOLLAR REUNION takes the audience on a spirited journey to an earlier time, with dynamic performances of some of the greatest hits of Rock and Roll. No one can ever forget Jerry Lee Lewis’, “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Goin’ On”, Johnny Cash’s, “Folsom Prison Blues”, Carl Perkins’, “Blue Suede Shoes”, or Elvis Presley’s, “Good Rockin’ Tonight”. All of these hits, and many more, will remind the audience of a time when a musical revolution was occurring in America and soon the entire world. So, come join us, as we take a musical trip back in time, when the Blues, Country, and Gospel music had a baby, and they named it ROCK AND ROLL!

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2026 AT 7:00PM

COME HOME

THE CHASE BROCK EXPERIENCE

Direction and Choreography by Chase Brock

Presented in partnership with Works & Process at the Guggenheim Orpheum Performing Arts Center, 6050 Main St., Tannersville

Propelled by shanties and songs of the sea, North Carolina native Chase Brock steers the latest work for his New Yorkbased dance company directly toward the Port City. This footstomping evening of strapping and evocative dance conjures a crew of restless mariners hurling themselves through salt and spray toward first light.

The Catskill Mountain Foundation’s Piano Performance Museum presents

Concerts & Conversations

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 AT 2:00PM

STEPHANIE SCHMIDT AND ROBIN MORACE, FORTEPIANISTS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 AT 2:00PM 19TH CENTURY WOMEN COMPOSERS FROM LATIN AMERICA

While completing a piano performance M.M. in Lincoln, NE, Stephanie Schmidt discovered the artistic joys of performing on historical keyboards—and has continued to “look back” ever since. Robin Morace holds degrees in performance and composition from SUNY Fredonia, where he studied piano with Fr. Sean Duggan, and is a recent graduate of the doctoral program at UNC Greensboro, where he studied modern piano and historical keyboard instruments with Andrew Willis.

JULIAN JENSEN, FORTEPIANIST

Julian Jensen will perform a program featuring mid to late 19th century music by women composers from Latin America. Julian began conducting and piano lessons at an early age. Since those days, he has toured the world as an accomplished performer and passionate music teacher with the purpose to use music to improve the community and the world.

Piano Performance Museum, Doctorow Center for the Arts 7971 Main Street • Hunter, NY 12442

Tickets/Reservations at www.catskillmtn.org

There is a piano museum in Hunter with one of the largest collections of historical pianos in America.

Come see the history of this splendid instrument with original instruments from the days of Mozart to the modern era:

Clavichord • Harpsichord • Spinet • Melodion Fortepiano Grands and Squares Modern Piano Era

You can play them all.

Come book a group tour from 4 up to 25 people

Admission: $10/person For further info: weisbergp@catskillmtn.org

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

This is just a sampling of all of the events in the Catskills this October. To request that your event be included in future calendars, please email tafts@catskillmtn.org

Please call ahead or visit the website for each event to confirm details, including any admission costs.

ONGOING

Experiences at Frederick Farm Goat Sanctuary

Experience Adventure Hikes with the Herd, Hugs & Hikes with the Herd, and Art with Heart: Paint with Rescue Goats. By reservation only.

Location: Frederick Farm Goats, 12 Sholam Road, Napanoch

More Info: frederickfarmgoats.com

Delhi Farmers Market

An amazing line up of farmers, bakers, producers, herbalists, and craftspeople selling fresh bread, farm fresh cheeses, vegetables, jams, poultry and more.

Location: Courthouse square, Delhi

Hours: Every Wednesday, 9:00 am-2:00 pm

Woodstock Farm Festival

Woodstock’s other festival, celebrating local food, live music, and our rockin’ community.

Location: Mountainview Lot, Rock City Road, Woodstock

Hours: Every Wednesday, 3:00-7:00 pm

Hobart Farmers Market

Grab a quick bite to eat, pick up artisan cheese and crusty baguettes, shop for seasonal fruits and vegetables, local honey, and a variety of other homemade goods.

Location: 101 Maple Ave, Hobart

Hours: Every Friday, 4:00-7:00 pm

Kingston Farmers Market

A wide variety of produce, baked goods, alcohol, goodies and gift items.

Location: County Courthouse parking lot, 285 Wall St Kingston

Hours: Every Saturday through November 23, 9:00 am-1:00 pm

More Info: kingstonfarmersmarket.org

Pakatakan Farmers Market

A wide array of food vendors, farmers, producers, herbalists, and craftspeople in a charming barn setting.

Location: 46676 NY-30, Halcottsville

Hours: Every Saturday, 9:00 am-1:00 pm

Windham Farmers Market

Fresh local produce, meat, cheese, flowers, honey, and handcrafts.

Location: Outside Gem Mercantile, 5399 Main Street, Windham

Hours: Every Saturday, 9:00 am-1:00 pm

More Info: On Instagram @WindhamFarmersMarket

Greater Hancock Farmers Market & Craft Fair

The Greater Hancock Farmers’ Market & Craft Fair has an array of local vendors. There is often live music and a variety of attractions ranging each week.

Location: Hancock Town Square, 20 E Front St, Hancock

Hours: Every Saturday through October 4, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

Saugerties Farmers Market

Local produce, pasture-raised meats, artisanal cheeses, eggs, maple syrup, honey, wines and spirits, baked goods, jams and jellies, prepared foods, and more.

Location: Cahill School Parking Lot, 115 Main St., Saugerties

Hours: Every Saturday, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

More Info: saugertiesfarmersmarket

Franklin Farmers Market

Browse a diverse selection of locally made goods—from farm-fresh produce and homemade treats to unique handcrafted items.

Location: 25 Institute St, Franklin

Hours: Every Sunday through October 12, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

Phoenicia Farmers Market

Phoenicia Farmers Market is a volunteer-led movement to increase access to locally-grown foods. We bring together local farms, artisanal makers, full-time residents, and seasonal visitors to a weekly market to shop, learn, gather, and compost. EBT/SNAP Benefits are accepted.

Location: Main Street, Phoenicia

Hours: Every Sunday through October 27, noon-4:00 pm

More Info: phoeniciafarmersmarket.org

Online Meditation with Bushel

Meditation sessions that include guided meditation, group interaction, and support. New sitters and seasoned sitters are welcome.

Location: Join via Zoom

Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30-7:00 am

More Info & Zoom Link: bushelcollective.org/meditation-calendar/

Iyengar Yoga with Carolyn Christie

Iyengar yoga practice gives strength mobility to the body, stability to the mind. Open to all; class is for all levels. Fee payable to instructor.

Location: Bushel Collective, 106 Main St, Delhi

Time: Saturdays, 10:00-11:30 am

More Info: bushelcollective.org

Magic On Main—

An Intimate Parlor Experience

Join Magician Sean Doolan for a magic show in his private library located in a historic building on Main Street in Windham. Sean will weave his personal story of transitioning from a trial lawyer to a magician in interactive magical routines. In this parlor show, By reservation only, no walkins. Dates and times subject to change without notice, see website for updated calendar.

Location: 5428 NY Route 23 (Main Street), Windham

Dates & Times: Check website for most up-todate schedule

Tickets: $20/person

More Info: MagicOnMainWindham.com

THROUGH OCTOBER 4

Exhibition:

Return: Birds, Beasts and Other Beings

This show highlights the beauty and fantastical element of beasts and beings within nature, with an eye on their return to previously uninhabitable spaces. Irja Boden presents prints as well as a range of her large scale ceramic works, and Elin Menzies shows several of her paintings featuring wolves, as well as her cutout collages and sculpture.

Location: Roxbury Arts Group, 5025 Vega Mountain Road, Roxbury

More Info: roxburyartsgroup.org

2025 Woodstock Monoprint

Invitational Exhibition

A survey of monoprints by contemporary artists created in the Thompson Family Foundation/ Alan and Sandy Siegel Graphics and Works-onPaper Studio at the Woodstock School of Art.

Location: Woodstock School of Art, 2470 Route 212, Woodstock

Gallery Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00 am-3:00 pm

More Info: woodstockschoolofart.org

CATSKILL MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION

TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH THE ARTS

THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS & SUPPORTERS!

Catskill Mountain Foundation is supported in part by New York State Council on the Arts, the Greene County Cultural Fund administered by the Greene County Legislature, The Jarvis and Constance Doctorow Family Foundation, The Royce Family Foundation, The Samuel and Esther Doctorow Fund, The Orville and Ethel Slutzky Family Foundation, Platte Clove Bruderhof Community, Bank of Greene County Charitable Foundation, The Greene County Youth Bureau, Marshall & Sterling Insurance, All Souls’ Church, Stewarts Shops, Windham Foundation, and by private donations.

7971 Main Street, Village of Hunter 518 263 2001 • www.catskillmtn.org

THROUGH OCTOBER 5

Becoming Dr. Ruth

Mark St. Germain’s play is filled with the humor, honesty, and life-affirming spirit of Karola Ruth Siegel, the girl who became “Dr. Ruth,” America’s most famous sex therapist. Everyone knows Dr. Ruth Westheimer from her career as a pioneering radio and television sex therapist. Few, however, know the incredible journey that preceded it. From fleeing the Nazis in the Kindertransport and joining the Haganah in Jerusalem as a sniper, to her struggle to succeed as a single mother newly-arrived in America, her’s is a stunning tale of becoming Dr. Ruth. Location: Shadowland Stages, 98 Center Street, Ellenville

Times: Thursdays & Fridays @ 8:00 pm; Saturdays @ 2:00 & 8:00 pm; Sundays @ 2:00 pm More Info: shadowlandstages.org

THROUGH OCTOBER 10

Exhibition: This Must Be The Place

Approaching the end of summer, where is your favorite place, the one that makes you stop and savor the aha moment? Whether it is the city or the country that is your favorite place this show will stimulate your emotions and evoke a sense of love and place. Join Windham Arts Alliance at the Main Street Community Center for a stimulating new show This Must Be The Place.

Location: Main Street Community Center, 5494 Main Street, Windham

More Info: mainstreetcenter.org

THROUGH OCTOBER 13

Two Solo Exhibitions:

Robin S. Halpern and Hedi Kyle

Robin Halpern earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University. Following art school she became drawn to the interior world of the human psyche and has spent many years working as a psychotherapist while resuming life as a painter. The link between these two passions is derived from her particular lens depicting the interior world of emotion and mood. Hedi Kyle’s work focuses on the book as a three-dimensional object that still holds features of historical examples. She is drawn to lesser-known book forms that have come to light as a result of scrutinizing the holdings of libraries and being made aware of unusual findings by colleagues and curators.

Location: Longyear Gallery, 785 Main Street, Margaretville

Gallery Hours: Friday-Sunday and holiday Mondays from 12:00-5:00 pm

More Info: longyeargallery.org

Catskill Fall Foliage Adventure Train

Take a spectacular journey along the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad corridor and see the natural beauty of the Catskills from our railroad’s unique perspective aboard Ulster County’s only scenic train. All trains depart from Westbrook Station at Kingston Plaza and travel through the Hurley Flats and return. Fall rides are about an hour and fifteen minutes long and are approximately 8 miles round trip.

Location: Catskill Mountain Railroad, 55 Kingston Plaza Road, Kingston

Time: Fridays through Sundays

More Info: catskillmountainrailroad.com

THROUGH OCTOBER

25

Exhibition: Calico & Tin Horns: Reimagining the Anti-Rent War

Calico & Tin Horns brings together fifteen local artists responding to events that took place in the region in the mid-19th century, a populist uprising in which tenant farmers rebelled against the powerful patroonship system inherited from colonial rule. Dressed in “Calico Indian” disguises and sounding tin horns to warn one another, these farmers resisted unjust rents and feudal-style control by wealthy landlords through acts of civil disobedience, protest, and occasional violence.

Location: Hunting Tavern Museum, 288 Main Street, Andes

Time: Open Saturdays & by appointment More Info: andessociety.org

Exhibition: Teaching Artists Show

Staff and teaching artists of the Midtown Kingston Arts District will be showcasing their work to the public. Come support the artists who help make our thriving community! Participating artists include Lara Giordano, Alyssa Gougoutris, Ezra Heller, Judith Hoyt, Beth Humphrey, Larry Jackson, Tana Kellner, Maxine Leu, Dilara Miller, Amy Mottola, Coryn Nadeau, Chris O’Neal, Micah Fornari, Joseph Pine, Riss Principe, Lora Shelley, Pablo Shine, Cole Solis, Rakel Stammer, Jeremy Starpoli and Maria Taylor.

Location: D.R.A.W. Gallery, 22-24 Iwo Jima Lane, Kingston

More Info: drawkingston.org

Exhibition: Jennifer Hicks: Marking Time

Jennifer Hicks is a visual artist, performer, choreographer, and teacher. She has been a guest artist at Naropa University in the MFA Contemporary Performance Department for several years and North Western University in Louisiana, among other institutions. Jennifer has won several prestigious awards for her work. She was a member of the performance collective in Boston called Mobius Inc. and an original founding member of the former performance collective called Pan 9, also based in Boston.

Location: Jane St. Art Center, 11 Jane Street, Suite A, Saugerties

More Info: janestreetartcenter.com

THROUGH OCTOBER 26

Exhibition: Seasons of Greene VI

A collection of paintings depicting special properties protected by the Greene Land Trust, including properties not yet protected but worthy of protection. You are invited to behold the extraordinary artwork of acclaimed regional artists. As a fundraiser for the Greene Land Trust, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of all paintings goes to support the work of the Greene Land Trust—protecting these beautiful places forever.

Location: Athens Cultural Center, 24 2nd Street, Athens

More Info: athensculturalcenter.org

THROUGH OCTOBER

Sculpture Park at The Woodstock Spa

The 2025 outdoor biennial sculpture exhibition will be located at The Woodstock Spa on the rolling meadows and woodlands adjacent to the historic Byrdcliffe Colony. This year’s sculpture exhibition features work by Erika deVries, Stuart Farmery, Wendy Klemperer, Bernard Klevickas, Pascal Knapp, Alex Kveton, Ian Laughlin, Alison McNulty, Lowell Miller, Eileen M. Power, Gregory Steel, Suzy Sureck, and Stephen Whisler.

Location: 62 Ricks Road, Woodstock

More Info: woodstockguild.org

THROUGH NOVEMBER 1

Exhibition: Botanical Impressions

Featuring artwork by Bobbi Angell, David Schaengold, Kathleen Sweeney, Tracy Qiu, Carol Woodin and Mallory Zondag, this group exhibition offers different perspectives on the relationship between plants and humans. These works call on us to realize our essential relationship with plants and reinvigorate our understanding of our interconnectedness with the natural world.

Location: Headwaters Arts Center, 66 Main Street, Stamford

More Info: roxburyartsgroup.org

Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted Attractions

Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Attractions is a unique, immersive experience with a theme that changes each Halloween season. Headless Horseman continually evolves with unusual monsters, amazing illusions, stunning special fx, unique and original costumes, makeup, animations and frightening detail created by our sister company American Made Monster Studios.

Location: 778 Broadway, Route 9W, Ulster Park Days & Times: Fridays-Sundays in October

More Info: headlesshorseman.com

THROUGH NOVEMBER 2

Exhibition: Emily Cole: Ceramics, Flora & Contemporary Responses

A new exhibition placing the art of Emily Cole (1843-1913), daughter of Thomas Cole, into conversation with eight internationally-celebrated contemporary artists.

Location: Thomas Cole House, 218 Spring Street, Catskill

More Info: thomascole.org

THROUGH DECEMBER 13

“Flavors of Change: Food Stories from the Mid-Hudson Valley, 1680-1800,” an Exhibit Flavors of Change takes you on a bittersweet journey through the three culinary traditions that met in the 1600s and 1700s at Historic Huguenot Street. Explore how Indigenous Esopus people, newly arrived European settlers, and enslaved Africans sustained their lives and cultivated the land. Dig into the flavorful, unique ingredients that defined their worlds and reshaped the landscape for centuries to come. Learn about each culture’s rich relationships with food, and how growing, gathering, and cooking food is a powerful preserver of shared cultural memory.

Location: DuBois Fort Center, Historic Huguenot Street, 81 Huguenot Street, New Paltz

Time: Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00 am-4:00 pm

More Info: huguenotstreet.org

THROUGH DECEMBER

14

Exhibition:

On Trees: Georgia O’Keeffe and Thomas Cole

How Thomas Cole (1801-1848) depicted trees in the year of his transformational first visit to Catskill, NY in 1825 and how Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986) did so in her pivotal first visit to New Mexico in 1929. The exhibition features two, stunning, American landscape oil paintings that have never been displayed together before: “Hunters in a Landscape” by Thomas Cole (c. 1825), and “Dead Tree Bear Lake Taos” by Georgia O’Keeffe (1929). These paintings reflect how the anthropomorphic qualities of trees captured the attention and creativity of two iconic painters at the time of their first visits to the landscapes that would define their work – and have a lasting impact on American art. Additional paintings and drawings by Cole will augment the show’s exploration.

Location: Thomas Cole House, 218 Spring Street, Catskill

More Info: thomascole.org

THROUGH DECEMBER 31

Exhibition: Community Portrait Project At the Roxbury Arts Group’s 2024 Headwaters Music + Arts Festival, local photographer Mark Burnham kicked off the Community Portrait Project, taking photos of community members at the Headwaters Arts Center. This project now stands as an incredible insight into the faces and personalities of our local community.

Location: Virtual Gallery online at roxburyartsgroup.org

OCTOBER 1

Real Estate: A Celebration of Atlas Real Estate will be playing almost the entire album in its entirety (basically) and other lesser known tunes from the Atlas era. We’ll also be playing a selection of our greatest hits, because we know you love those too.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

OCTOBER 1-31

Mara Lehmann: Autumn in the Catskills

Applying her talents as a textile designer, artist

Mara Lehmann explores the interplay of subdued colors, forceful tones, and shifting autumn lights. Her work captures the subtle elegance of the season, evoking a sense of peace and tranquility. Windham Fine Arts welcomes you to discover Mara Lehmann’s artistry and celebrate the colors, textures, and beauty of the season. Location: Windham Fine Arts, 5380 Main Street, Windham

More Info: director@windhamfinearts.com, 518 734 6850, or windhamfinearts.com

OCTOBER 2

Sonny Rock’s Pro Jam #47

Be prepared for a who’s who of musicians playing together all night long, featuring the Sonny Rock House Band!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

OCTOBER 2-12

Red Like Fruit, by Hannah Moscovitch

The U.S. premiere of Hannah Moscovitch’s latest play is a searing, deeply introspective drama that explores trauma, memory, and the quiet, insidious ways in which women navigate violence in their lives. Lauren, a journalist in her early 40s, embarks on an investigation into a high-profile domestic violence case. As she interviews witnesses and survivors, her own suppressed experiences begin to resurface.

Location: Bridge Street Theater, 44 West Bridge Street, Catskill

Time: Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday at 2:00 pm

More Info: bridgest.org

OCTOBER 3

PlaidurDay in Windham

The Kickoff at 10 am at Albergo Allegria Inn, with free coffee if you’re wearing plaid, a value gift with an entrée, plus the Plaid Parade and group photo. Special tastings, treats & discounts at businesses throughout the day in Windham. Remember in order to take advantage of these special perks, you must proudly show or where some sort of Plaid related items, as well as make a purchase where applicable.

Location: Main Street, Windham Time: 10:00 am

More Info: On Facebook: Windham, NY: Annual PlaidurDay

First Fridays Athens

The Athens Cultural Center opens its doors to celebrate the rich tapestry of culture and creativity that defines our community.

Location: Athens Cultural Center, 24 Second Street, Athens

Time: 5:00-7:00 pm

More Info: friendsofathens.org

First Fridays Catskill

Local shops are open late, most until 8 pm, offering specials like sips & snacks, pop-ups, music, discounts, and FUN!

Location: Main Street & Bridge Street, Catskill

More Info: firstfridayscatskill.com

Walton First Fridays

Local shops in Walton stay open late with deals and events for the community to enjoy!

Location: Walton

More Info: instagram.com/waltonfirstfridays

Starry Starry Night

A magical evening showcasing the bounty of the Hudson Valley and highlighting Friends of the Walkway’s profound impact on our region. Guests will enjoy numerous food and drink stations featuring chef-crafted culinary creations expertly paired with local wines, beers, and spirits. Live music, art, and other captivating performances will create a dazzling, festival-like atmosphere before the Walkway’s glassenclosed elevator transports guests onto the World’s Longest Elevated Bridge for one-of-akind twilight views and a fireworks display.

Location: Walkway Over the Hudson Upper Landing Park, Poughkeepsie

Time: 6:00-10:00 pm

More Info: walkway.org

Jude Roberts Album Release Show w/ Jon B. Woodin

Local indie folk songwriter Jude Roberts celebrates his album release show w/ Jon B. Woodin!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock

Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

Makaya McCraven

The artist, who has been aptly called a “cultural synthesizer”, has a unique gift for collapsing space, destroying borders and blending past, present, and future into poly-textural arrangements of post-genre, jazz-rooted 21st century folk music. According to The New York Times, “McCraven has quietly become one of the best arguments for jazz’s vitality.”

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

OCTOBER 3-5

Northeast Blacksmiths Association’s Fall Hammer-In 2025

Learn the art of forging hot steel using traditional blacksmithing tools and skills.

Location: The Ashokan Center 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge

More Info: ashokancenter.org

New England Bladesmiths Guild: Ashokan Sword Seminar 2025

One of the oldest and most prestigious hammer-ins in America. You will learn history, design concepts, metallurgy, forging and finishing techniques, and heat treatment.

Location: The Ashokan Center 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge

More Info: ashokancenter.org

OCTOBER

4

Cross Mountain Crusher

The Catskill Recreation Center, in cooperation with Overlook Mountain Bikes and the Catskill Brewery, welcomes you to the Cross Mountain Crusher, a gravel/road ride for the serious cyclist. There are options for 55-mile, 61-mile, and 37-mile courses. This event is designed for those who wish to challenge their physical abilities to the maximum while enjoying beautiful back country roads in the Catskill Mountains.

Location: Catskill Recreation Center, 651 County Road 38, Arkville

Time: 8:30 am

More information: catskillrecreationcenter.org

Woodstock British Car Show Presents The 15th Annual British Car Show: A Fundraiser for the Iconic Woodstock Playhouse

Join more than 100 British car owners for a smashing display of classic, quirky, and lovable British classics. Food, awards, and much more! All proceeds from this event benefit the Woodstock Playhouse.

Location: Woodstock Playhouse, 103 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock

Time: 8:30 am-2:00 pm

More Info: woodstockbritishcarshow.com

Hike Kaaterskill Junction

Hike along the old, mostly level railroad bed, about 4 miles long, exploring the area around Kaaterskill Junction on State Route 214. You will be stepping back in time to the days when the Kaaterskill and Stony Clove Railroad came up to the Junction from Phoenicia and then split to the west on the Hunter Branch and headed east on the Tannersville Branch toward the Hotel Kaaterskill. To the east the hike will visit the remains of the Light Dam Bridge over the Schoharie Creek. A side excursion to the new Hunter Branch Rail Trail pedestrian bridge over a tributary of the Schoharie Creek will be added after returning to our start at the Junction site. Location: Meeting location will be provided upon registration.

Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm

To Register: Registration is required. For more information or to register, please email mthsdirector@mths.org or call 518 589 6657. More Info: mths.org

Volunteer Tree Planting at Mawignack

Join Greene Land Trust and Scenic Hudson as we continue our multi-year floodplain forest restoration project at the Mawignack Preserve. On October 4th, we’re planting 150 trees to help increase biodiversity at the preserve. Wear clothes you won’t mind getting dirty, including long pants, sturdy closed-toe shoes, and a hat. Also, bring gloves if you have them. We will provide all of the needed tools along with water and snacks. Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Meet in the parking lot at the Mawignack Preserve.

Location: Mawignack Preserve, 52 Snake Rd. Catskill

Time: 10:00 am-1:00 pm

More Info: greenelandtrust.org

Woodsmen’s Festival

Participate in raising a model Dutch Barn with Mabee Farm and see exhibits by local woodcrafters and foresters. Museum staff will demonstrate the processing of logs into finished products using our watered powered machines. Live music and coopering demonstrations will also be happening. Food will be available from Helen’s Little Kitchen. Check our website or social media channels for updates.

Location: Hanford Mills Museum, 51 County Highway 12, East Meredith Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm

More Info: hanfordmills.org

Fellow’s Makers’ Market

An outdoor market featuring an exciting lineup of Catskills-based makers, artists, and small businesses.

Location: The lawn across from Fellow, 7883 Main Street, Hunter

Time: 11:00 am-2:00 pm

More Info: fellowmountaincafe.com

“Pepacton: River and Reservoir” with Diane Galusha

In 1880, John Burroughs, paddling a hand-made boat, floated down a river that today provides millions of NYC residents with water. Diane Galusha will present a study in contrasts, sharing excerpts from Burroughs’ “Pepacton: A Summer Voyage,” and her own Liquid Assets: A History of New York City’s Water System

Location: John Burroughs Woodchuck Lodge, 1633 John Burroughs Memorial Road, Roxbury

Time: 11:00 am

More Info: jbwoodchucklodge.org

Poetry Potluck with Mermer Blakeslee

Please bring a poem or two (not food!) written by someone else, a poem you find moving or meaningful. Or come to listen. We will read our chosen poems out loud to each other. The themes will be tree, shrub, grass, flower, weather, water, wood, stone, dirt, sky, air, animal, matter, color, season, death, life… If the weather is cooperative, we’ll gather outdoors. Admission is FREE for members and a $10 donation for non-members. Registration is required.

Location: Mountain Top Arboretum Education Center, 4 Maude Adams Road, Tannersville

Time: 11:00 am-12:30 pm

More information: mtarboretum.org

Bringing Trees To Life: Student Exhibition

Celebration with Arm-of-the-Sea Theater

Join us in celebrating an exhibition of studentmade tree paintings inspired by the spotlight presentation On Trees while Arm-of-the-Sea presents RIPARIAN RHAPSODY, a puppet extravaganza which dives into Catskill ecology. Location: Thomas Cole House, 218 Spring Street, Catskill

Time: 12:00-3:00 pm

More Info: thomascole.org

The Pawsitively Purrfect BBQ

Along with a traditional BBQ, there will be pet inspired baskets of cheer, gifts and Halloween pet outfits! There will be a Sheet Raffle Table and a high end Sheet Auction table! Bring your well behaved pet with you and have a good time while helping the Greene County Animal Alliance build a much needed animal shelter in Greene County!

Location: The G & Spirits of Cairo Wine Plaza, 273 Main Street, Cairo

Time: 12:00-4:00 pm

More Info: greenecountyanimalalliance.org

Verbatim: A Text & Sound Expo

A day-long market and performance festival featuring local and regional small presses and record labels. The market is accompanied by a schedule of performance across disciplines: poetry, avant-garde music, sound art, and hybrid text-sound experiments. It is a gathering of poets, sound makers, fabulists, singers, and sprechstimmers, moving between & across domains of text and noise.

Location: Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts, 34 Big Hollow Road, Maplecrest Time: 12:00-10:00 pm

More Info: catskillmtn.org

Harvest Fest

Join us at Muddy Brook Farm for a cozy fall celebration filled with good food, drinks, music and seasonal fun for all ages. Celebrate the season with us as we gather the community for a festive farewell to fall. It’s the perfect way to enjoy crisp air, warm treats, and good company.

Location: Muddy Brook Farm, 4002 NY-30, Middleburgh

Time: 3:00-7:00 pm

More Info: muddybrookfarmny.com

“Repair(ations): Preserving African American Spaces,” presented by Scott Ruff African American experience arises among the structures of enslavement. Black knowledge and labor contributed to the design and construction of structures, both national and monumental, and local and vernacular. African Americans in the fields of architecture and design are examining the historical record, personal and community memory, and the physical landscape to answer the question – how does architecture convey the historical presence, aspirations, and expertise of African Americans?

Location: Elting Memorial Library, 93 Main Street New Paltz

Time: 4:00-5:00 pm

More Info: huguenotstreet.org

Cookbook Supper Club with Alexis de Boschnek

We’re celebrating Alexis de Boschnek’s newest cookbook Nights & Weekends with another edition of Cookbook Supper Club. Your ticket gets you a copy of the book. Choose a recipe, make it, bring it for a potluck feast with Alexis at Emily & Matt’s place in the village of Delhi.

Location: Delhi

Time: 6:00-8:00 pm

More Info/Tickets: thelostbookshop.com

The Marc Black Band’s Night to Remember

Make memories rocking out with The Marc Black Band and their Night to Remember.

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

Flying Cat Music Series:

Laurie MacAllister of Red Molly

In late 2024, Laurie MacAllister embarked on an exciting new chapter, launching a solo career with a sold-out performance at the legendary Club Passim. Two decades earlier, she cofounded the beloved Americana trio Red Molly, which released seven acclaimed albums and toured both the U.S. and internationally, including appearances at MerleFest, Cayamo, and Boston Symphony Hall.

Location: Phoenicia Playhouse, 10 Church Street, Phoenicia Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: phoeniciaplayhouse.com

Catskills Jazz Quartet

The Catskills Jazz Quartet—Evan Jagels, Joe Damone, Loren Daniels, and Rick Savage—will play the music of Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Charlie Parker.

Location: Pine Hill Community Center, 287 Main Street, Pine Hill Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: pinehillcommunitycenter.org

Rock Academy presents Best of Season

Rock Academy presents their Best of Season show, featuring songs from our Guitar Gods, AC/DC vs Chuck Berry, Rebel Rebel, and Stevie Nicks shows. Best of Season is a fundraiser for Rock Academy’s scholarship program, which gives the gift of Rock to kids who could not otherwise afford it.

Location: Woodstock Playhouse, 103 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: woodstockplayhouse.org

Windborne

Windborne returns to the Walton Theatre, offering an evening of bold harmonies, traditional songs, and vocal virtuosity that defies expectation.

Location: Walton Theatre, 30 Gardiner Street, Walton Time: 7:30 pm

More Info: musiconthedelaware.org

The Helm Family Midnight Ramble ft. Olivia Ellen Lloyd

The Helm Family Midnight Ramble is a musical tribute to the founding songbook of Rock and Roll. Born inside the hallowed walls of Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY, the Midnight Ramble has preserved and furthered Levon Helm’s legacy for nearly two decades, playing the iconic music of The Band, and Levon Helm. Heavily influenced by country, folk, and indie rock, Olivia Ellen Lloyd’s sound combines the traditional, rooted sounds of her West Virginia upbringing with the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants exhilaration of her current life. She is inspired by the electric heartbeat of New York City, the peaceful quiet of her small hometown and the rich moments of life on the road in between.

Location: Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: levonhelm.com

The Vampire Circus

Heralded as a mix of circus cabaret and theatre, The Vampire Circus is a mysterious, tantalizing, fun, dark, cutting-edge production guaranteed to amaze the senses. Enjoy a phenomenal night of live entertainment, based on the multidisciplinary skills of International performers showcasing theater, dance, and gymnastics. This amazing show pushes the physical boundaries of human performance and leaves audiences amazed, astounded, and astonished. Mortal spectators will experience horrific feats of Cirque acrobatics, comical audience interactions, contortionists, jugglers, acrobats, and clowns. Tantalizing sounds, and mesmerizing illusions catapult audiences into an emotional roller-coaster of fear and joy, laugher, and wonder.

Location: Ulster Performing Arts Center 601 Broadway, Kingston Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bardavon.org

OCTOBER 4 & 5

Handcrafted Octoberfest at Rhinebeck Now in its sixth year, this one-of-a-kind festival blends the best of Oktoberfest traditions with the charm of a juried craft show—perfect for art lovers, families, and everyone in between. Handcrafted Octoberfest is a two-day juried show that reimagines the traditional Oktoberfest through an artistic lens, celebrating the spirit of the season by highlighting all things handmade.

Location: Dutchess County Fairgrounds, 6636 U.S. 9, Rhinebeck

Times: Saturday 10:00 am-6:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 am-5:00 pm

More Info: quailhollow.com

OCTOBER 4-13

Catskills Lark in the Park

The Catskills Lark in the Park was founded in 2004 to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Catskill Park. The Lark is a series of events celebrating the Park with a full range of offerings across the region. Since its inception, the Lark has brought together thousands of people that have participated in hundreds of events, all aimed at enjoying the recreational assets of the Catskill Park and Catskill Region.

Location: Throughout Catskill Park: check website for full event listings.

More Info: catskillslark.org

OCTOBER 4 & 5

Vintage Base Ball: Cowtown Scramble

The Delaware County (NY) Vintage Base Ball Association offers players and fans alike an opportunity to experience baseball as it was played in the 19th century while connecting new generations to the rich tradition began here in 1825. “Vintage” base ball is a loose term for amateur baseball played by the various rules, customs, and equipment of the 1800’s to showcase the game as it evolved in its formative years.

Location: Creamery Field Vintage Base Ball Park, County Route 6, Bovina Center

Time: 12:00 pm

More information: delcovintagebaseball.org

OCTOBER 4-5 & OCTOBER 11-12

Belleayre Fall Festival and Brews & Views

A jam-packed weekend of fun-filled activities for the entire family! Sample tons of food & beverages, listen to live music, take in the sights with a fall foliage gondola ride, decorate a pumpkin, and more! Experience the best of fall at Brews & Views, where you can sample craft beers and cider from local breweries while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of live music, craft vendors, and delicious food—all against the stunning backdrop of the Catskill Mountains. Parking and admission to the festival grounds are free.

Location: Belleayre Mountain, 181 Galli Curci Road, Highmount

More Info: belleayre.com

Oktoberfest

Enjoy Scenic SkyRides with sweeping autumn views, shop crafts and delicious food from local vendors, dance to live music, and take part in family-friendly fun for 3 beautiful weekends. Don’t miss specialty events like Keg Rolling and Stein holding—crowd favorites that bring the spirit of Oktoberfest to life!

Location: Hunter Mountain, 64 Klein Avenue, Hunter

More Info: huntermtn.com

OCTOBER 4-25

Six Feet Under Huguenot Street: An (Educational) Tour of the Historic Burying Ground

Join us for a guided tour of our historic “Old Huguenot Burying Ground.” Visiting various gravestones stretching back to the earliest generations of European settlers in New Paltz, “Six Feet Under Huguenot Street” will explore the development of the community through the final resting places of its residents. Drawing from archival records, staff will share stories from colonial funeral practices to Victorian ideas surrounding death, while showcasing to guests the evolution of gravestones in New York and what they can tell us about the traditions of the European settlers along Huguenot Street. Appropriate for all ages. Please note due to the nature of this location—a historic burying ground, with uneven, unpaved ground and close clusters of gravestones—this tour may not be accessible for everyone. Registration required

Location: Historic Huguenot Street Old Burying Ground, 60 Huguenot Street, New Paltz

Time: Saturdays at 5:30 pm

More Info: huguenotstreet.org

OCTOBER 5

Catskill Dry Brook Ridge Marathon, Relay and Fiver

The Catskill Dry Brook Ridge Marathon courses are stunning, going through villages and by rural churches, cemeteries, farms, and woodlands. The Marathon Team Relay will consist of 4 running legs that can be done by 2, 3 or 4 runners on a team. The Fiver is flat, rolling and one moderate incline.

Location: Start at The Ark Bowl & BBQ, New York 28, Arkville

Time: 10:00 am

More Info: catskilldrybrookridgemarathon.com

Sunday Soundbath with Steph Thompson of Sacred Bloom

Steph Thompson is a certified Mindfulness Trainer and a graduate of the OpenCenter’s Integrative Sound & Music Institute Certificate Program. The Sacred Bloom Sound Bath practice she created uses the vibration and resonance of bells, bowls, drums, chimes, vocals and other percussion to open, center and calm the mind and to relax and restore the body. Lie back and enjoy this soothing sound journey with an eye mask and lavender essential oils.

Location: Opus 40, 356 George Sickle Road, Saugerties

Time: 10:30 am

More Info: opus40.org

Harvest Festival: Oktoberfest

100+ local farm, artisan and craft vendors, family art making, corn maze, hay wagon rides, live music, food trucks and more! Special Attractions: Stein Holding Competition, Cowboy Hat Decorating, Paint & Sip on Canvas. Music & Entertainment: Damian Ecco Band at 12:00 pm, Hudson Valley Reptiles at 2:00 pm

Location: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, 200 Hurd Rd, Bethel

Time: 11:00 am

More Info: bethelwoodscenter.org

Member Event: Mimosas & Hard Hats

Go behind the scenes of The Olana Partnership’s latest project to restore Frederic Church’s holistic vision for Olana.

Location: Outside Wagon House Education Center, Olana, 5720 Route 9G, Hudson Time: 11:00 am-12:00 pm

More Info: olana.org

Bronck Museum Heritage Craft Fair

Exhibit and sale of heritage crafts, horse drawn wagon, live music, raffle and auction, food truck. Admission free.

Location: Bronck House Museum, 90 County Route 42, Coxsackie

Time: 12:00-4:00 pm

More information: gchistory.org

Fall Guided Walk with Wild Hudson Valley Centuries ago, local Lunaapee communities made seasonal trips to the habitats where the land had the most to share. Join ethnoecologist Justin Wexler of Wild Hudson Valley for a seasonal walk to explore the outdoors and learn all about local native people and their relationship with the environment. These walks identify local flora and fauna and their uses in native culture while also explaining the species and the surrounding ecosystems through Hudson Valley native languages and folklore. Admission is FREE for members and a $10 donation for nonmembers. Registration is required.

Location: Mountain Top Arboretum Education Center, 4 Maude Adams Road, Tannersville Time: 1:00-2:30 pm

More information: mtarboretum.org

Fall Explorations:

Mushroom Ecology Hike 2025

Luke Sarrantonio delves into the ecology of mushrooms as we explore the Ashokan Center grounds.

Location: The Ashokan Center 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge Time: 2:00-4:00 pm

More Info: ashokancenter.org

Carolyn Wonderland w/ Cindy Cashdollar

Get blown away by the Texas blues roots and soulful tones of Carolyn Wonderland with Cindy Cashdollar!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

OCTOBER 6

Preventing the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species in the Catskills

Join the Catskill Center’s CRISP Aquatic Invasive Species Manager, Sarah Coney, at the Ethel B. Crawford Library in Monticello for an in-person meeting interactive session on Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)—the hidden threat to Catskills waters. Learn which species are making waves, why they matter, and most importantly, what YOU can do to help stop their spread.

Location: Ethel B. Crawford Library, 479 Broadway, Monticello

Time: 6:00-7:00 pm

More Info: catskillcenter.org

OCTOBER 6 & 20

Deep Listening sessions led by Rachel Condry Sonic meditations, deep listening pieces, a variety games, a gentle movement practice (listening through the body) a dream practice (24 hour listening) all work to expand our idea of listening and connects those who practice to themselves, to others and to the world around us. Join Deep Listening practitioner Rachel Condry to experience all that Deep Listening has to offer and become part of the world- wide Deep Listening community.

Location: Bushel Collective, 106 Main St, Delhi Time: 6:30-8:30 pm

More Info: bushelcollective.org

OCTOBER 8

Pickling in a Water Bath Canner

Please join Rebecca Polmateer, Master Food Preserver, as she teaches how to pickle vegetables and use a water bath canner. Participants will learn how to safely preserve their vegetable bounty via pickling and canning in a water bath canner. This will be a hands-on educational experience where participants will learn by doing and then leave with a jar of pickled vegetables, they helped preserve themselves. $20 fee; registration required.

Location: Extension Education Center, 479 Route 66, Hudson Time: 6:00-7:00 pm

More Info: ccecolumbiagreene.org

OCTOBER

9

Hike to Mount Tremper Fire Tower

Join one of our Catskill Stewards for our final steward-led fire tower hike of the season— a challenging 6 mile, out-and-back hike to the top of Mount Tremper. This is a challenging 6-mile round-trip hike with a steep, rocky ascent of nearly 2,000 feet from the Jessop Road trailhead. Along the way, enjoy the beauty of the forest, and at the summit, take in stunning 360-degree views from the top cab of the fire tower. Hike in with our Steward and return at your own pace. Please wear appropriate footwear and bring water. This event is FREE with a suggested donation of $10.00. Registration is required.

Location: Details about parking and meeting time will be provided once you’ve registered. Time: 10:00 am-12:00 pm More Info: catskillcenter.org

Annie in the Water

Experience a culture of passion and joy with Annie in the Water an Americana Indie Rock shaking up Colony!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez

Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez is a singer, composer, and music educator. Rooted in Jazz, R&B, Folk, and songwriter traditions, her work is known for its lyrical clarity and emotional vulnerability. Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

OCTOBER 10

Fall Birding Walk with Finn Parnell, Steward Coordinator

Join the Catskill Center’s Finn Parnell for a guided stroll through the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for bird enthusiasts. Discover a diverse array of birds while learning to use mobile apps for easy identification—don’t forget your binoculars! A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow. This event is FREE with a suggested donation of $10.00. Registration is required. Location: Details about parking and meeting time will be provided once you’ve registered. Time: 10:00 am-12:00 pm

More Info: catskillcenter.org

Curators’ Tour: Emily Cole: Ceramics, Flora & Contemporary Responses

Join a guided tour of the special exhibition Emily Cole: Ceramics, Flora & Contemporary Responses with curators Kate Menconeri, Thomas Cole Site Chief Curator, and Amanda Malmstrom, Thomas Cole Site Associate Curator. Location: Thomas Cole House, 218 Spring Street, Catskill Time: 11:00 am-12:00 pm

More Info: thomascole.org

Walkway Connections for Kids:

Using Patterns for Artwork

Young artists will use a black and white outline of the Walkway and its picturesque surroundings to fill in with various patterns at this fun and interactive art event led by Rose Gennaro. All Walkway Connections events are free to attend, no RSVP required.

Location: Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, 87 Haviland Road, Highland Time: 5:00-6:00 pm

More Info: walkway.org

Music of the Landscape: Ben Cosgrove in Concert

Join us for an evening of geographically inspired piano music with Ben Cosgrove, an award-winning composer/performer who writes instrumental music inspired by landscape, place, and environment. Described by the Boston Globe as “a sonic plein-air painter…[using] his piano as a paintbrush,” Ben Cosgrove has performed throughout the U.S., collaborated with groups ranging from rock bands to research scientists, contributed music to several radio and film projects, and held residencies and fellowships with institutions including NASA, the National Park Service, the National Forest Service, Harvard University, Middlebury College, the Schmidt Ocean Institute, and the Sitka Center for Art & Ecology.

Location: Bushel Collective, 106 Main St, Delhi Time: 5:30 pm

More Info: bushelcollective.org

Walkway at Night

Friends of the Walkway welcome you to enjoy amazing Hudson Valley views after dark from 212 feet above the Hudson River. With the moon hanging high in the sky and Poughkeepsie and Highland twinkling in the distance, there is nothing like a twilight evening on the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge.

Location: Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, 87 Haviland Road, Highland Time: 6:30 pm

More Info: walkway.org

Stephane Wrembel Trio w/ The Derek Bronston Trio

Get blown away by the electrifying fusion of jazz and rock featuring the Stephane Wrembel Trio with The Derek Bronston Trio!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

Dead On Live Performing the Music Of Grateful Dead

Grateful Dead tribute Dead On Live returns to Bearsville, celebrating 15 years of recreating the Dead’s iconic albums. DOL covers 30 years of the band’s extensive and diverse catalog as no other act has done before or since, performing all the instruments and lush vocal arrangements, note for note as released! Of course, there’s always plenty of good old, Dead-inspired jamming to be had in every show.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

OCTOBER 10 & 11

Hancock Harvest Festival & Tractor Parade

Two days of fun at the Hancock Town Square with a large vendor market, a tractor parade, food from the iconic Brooks BBQ, a scarecrow making contest, and live music are some of the things to look forward to!

Location: Hancock Town Square, 20 East Front Street, Hancock

Time: 9:00 am-4:00 pm

OCTOBER 10-12

Maude Adams Theater Hub presents Barefoot in the Park

Paul Bratter is a straight-as-an-arrow lawyer and Corie a free spirit always looking for the latest kick. Their new apartment is her most recent find—too expensive with bad plumbing and in need of a paint job. After a six-day honeymoon, they get a surprise visit from Corie’s loopy mother and decide to play matchmaker during a dinner with their neighbor-in-the-attic, Velasco, where everything that can go wrong does.

Location: Doctorow Center for the Arts, 7971 Main Street, Hunter

Time: Friday & Saturday at 7:00 pm, Sunday at 2:00 pm

More Info: catskillmtn.org

OCTOBER 10-26

Sweeney Todd:

The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Considered Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece, Sweeney Todd is an 8- time Tony Award-winning musical that transports audiences into the world of 19th-century London where vengeance, betrayal, and razor-sharp suspense are on the menu. After decades in exile, Sweeney Todd, a wronged barber, returns to London in pursuit of his brand of justice for the corrupt judge who destroyed his family and his life. Along the way, he teams up with the cunning Mrs. Lovett, a desperate owner of a failing pie shop. Soon, the two devise a diabolical plan to solve both their problems with the aid of a delectable and mysterious recipe. Hilarious and shocking, Sweeney Todd is a music lover’s musical and a unique theatrical experience.

Location: The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, 661 Route 308, Rhinebeck Days & Times: Friday & Saturday @ 8:00 pm; Sunday @ 3:00 pm.

More Info: CenterforPerformingArts.org

Proof

Winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for best play, Proof is an often-funny, surprising thriller that examines brilliance, illness and legacy. Catherine’s recent life has been spent taking care of her father, a mathemati-

cian whose genius bowed to madness in his final years. On the weekend of his funeral, she becomes undone by the visit of her estranged sister, the budding romance of a graduate student, and the mystery of what, exactly, did she inherit from her father?

Location: Shadowland Stages, 98 Center Street, Ellenville Times: Thursdays & Fridays @ 8:00 pm; Saturdays @ 2:00 & 8:00 pm; Sundays @ 2:00 pm

More Info: shadowlandstages.org

OCTOBER 10-NOVEMBER 2

Peace, Love & Pumpkins

We are excited for the return of our 5th annual Peace, Love & Pumpkins Festival, from October 10 to November 2, where we bring a cornucopia of family-friendly Halloween fun to our historic grounds this fall. During this walk-thru experience, guests will wind through the garden trails of beautiful Bethel Woods, highlighting thousands of unique hand-carved jack-o-lanterns and glowing displays of themed pumpkin art. Delight in displays featuring Woodstock festival icons, dinosaurs, mermaids, witches, and so much more! October 24 is reserved for Friday Night Friday, and October 31 is reserved for Halloween at Peace, Love & Pumpkins.

Location: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, 200 Hurd Rd, Bethel Days & Times: Wednesdays-Sundays through November 2, 6:30-10:00 pm (last entry at 9:00 pm).

More Info: bethelwoodscenter.org

OCTOBER 11

Second Saturday Trunk Sale

Shopping for a Cause! Presented by Cultivate Catskill: Come for the selling, shopping, and socializing!

Location: Greene County Water Street Parking Lot, situated behind the Greene County office building

Time: 9:00 am-1:00 pm

More information: cultivatecatskill.org

Second Saturdays: Sketching Trees With Museum Educators

In this workshop, participants will go out into the gardens and grounds to observe and sketch the trees at the historic site.

Location: Thomas Cole House, 218 Spring Street, Catskill

Time: 11:00 am-1:00 pm

More Info: thomascole.org

Walkway Connections: FDR’s Train Commute FDR often traveled between Washington and his home in Hyde Park. Find out about the trains he used and his connections to local places at this Walkway Connections event presented by William Harris. All Walkway Connections events are free to attend, no RSVP required.

Location: Walkway Over the Hudson East Gate Plaza, Poughkeepsie

Time: 2:00-3:00 pm

More Info: walkway.org

Hudson Valley Dance Festival

World-class dance and the artistic splendor of the Hudson Valley converge as Hudson Valley Dance Festival returns with a moving mix of dynamic performances. Hudson Valley Dance Festival will once again transform a charming 19th-century warehouse on the banks of the Hudson River into an intimate, elegant performance space. The festival will showcase an awe-inspiring lineup of works nurtured in and inspired by the region’s rich artistic spirit.

Location: Historic Catskill Point, 1 Main Street, Catskill

Time: Performances at 2:00 & 5:00 pm

More Info: dradance.org

Knitting Circle

On the second Saturday of every month, come hang out at Made X Hudson for Knitting Circle. Bring whatever you’re working on and join the fun in our beautiful shop, where we’ve got a wall of yarns and crafting supplies for you. For knitting help, whether you are a first-time knitter or more advanced, Cecilia from Nor’Easter Yarns is here for you.

Location: Made X Hudson, 391 Main Street , Catskill

Time: 2:00-5:00 pm

More Info: madexhudson.com

The Grange of Hudson Valley Fall Festival

Chaat dogs, burgers, sweet treats, and more. Beer, wine, cider, and fall slushies. Pumpkin painting for kids. Magicians and temporary tattoos. Live music. Best of all, admission is free! Location: The Grange, 2551 NY-385, Coxsackie Time: 4:00-8:00 pm

More Info: thegrangehudsonvalley.com

The Travelers and Excavations of Ancient Petra

Join Professor Pearce Paul Creasman for a discussion of the ancient travelers who helped bring the archaeological site of Petra to the contemporary world’s attention. $20 per person/$15 for members. Advanced registration required. Location: Frederic Church Center, Olana, 5720 Route 9G, Hudson

Time: 5:00-6:00 pm

More Info: olana.org

I Get Wild plays Talking Heads w/ special guest Thank God For Science

Honor the dynamic new wave legacy of The Talking Heads featuring I Get Wild with special guest Thank God For Science!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

1990s and 2000s Dance Party Part 2

with DJ Majic Juan and DJ Moe Sticky

Juanie Gold Production Presents 1990s and 2000s Party Part 2 with DJ Majic Juan and DJ Moe Sticky at the Bearsville Theater Lounge.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

OCTOBER 11 & 12

Maple Shade Hootenany

A rural party. A get together. A chance to celebrate. A hootenanny! Formerly known as the Taste of the Catskills, enjoy two days of music, workshops, local food, beer & cider tastings, a bounce house playground for kids, and a huge vendor market.

Location: Maple Shade Farm, 2066 County Route 18, Delhi

Time: 10:00 am-5:00 pm

More Info: mapleshadefarmny.com

Windham’s 31st Annual Autumn Affair

Celebrate the vibrant colors of fall in the Gem of the Catskills. This beloved Catskills tradition brings friends, neighbors, and visitors together for two days of live music, delicious food, unique shopping, and family fun. Main Street will come alive with more than 50 vendors offering local crafts, seasonal treats, and specialty foods, plus sidewalk sales from Windham’s Main Street businesses. Festival highlights include hay wagon rides, axe throwing, chainsaw carving demonstrations, and kid-friendly entertainment. Free parking is available at Windham Mountain Club and throughout town, and admission is free so bring the family, explore the festivities, and enjoy the beauty of autumn in the Great Northern Catskills.

Location: Main Street, Windham

Time: 10:00 am-5:00 pm

More Info: movingwindhamforward.com

Benmarl Winery’s October Harvest Grape Stomping Festival

Enjoy wine, beer and sangria while overlooking the fall foliage.

Location: Benmarl Winery, 156 Highland Avenue, Marlboro

Time: 11:00 am-8:00 pm

More Info: benmarl.com

OCTOBER 11-DECEMBER 13

Exhibition: In The Open Air: The Art Students League’s Woodstock School of Landscape Painting and Its Impact

Featuring approximately fifty paintings drawn mainly from local private collections and institutions. The exhibition is curated by historian of American art Dr. Bruce Weber, who has focused his attention over the course of the past several years on expanding and deepening knowledge of the historic Woodstock art colony. Panel discussion with Curator Bruce Weber, ASL, Instructors and Alumni on Saturday, November 8 at 2:00 pm. Gallery Talk w/ Curator Bruce Weber (Part 2) on Sunday, November 30 at 2:00 pm.

Location: Woodstock School of Art, 2470 Route 212, Woodstock

Opening Reception:

Saturday, October 11, 2:00-4:00 pm

Gallery Hours:

Monday-Saturday, 9:00 am-3:00 pm

More Info: woodstockschoolofart.org

OCTOBER 12

29th Annual Deposit Oktoberfest Street Fair

Bring the whole family and enjoy a day filled with free kids’ activities, delicious food, live music, and local street vendors. Adults can unwind in the lively beer tent, while kids enjoy games, crafts, and entertainment!

Location: Front Street, Deposit Time: 10:00 am-5:00 pm

Songwriters Circle

The Songwriter’s Circle is a musical collective open to songwriters of all levels and genres. The group’s mission is to cultivate creativity, exchange resources, offer constructive critique (if desired), workshop ideas, share new work, and promote collaboration in a focused, supportive environment. Participants are expected to be actively engaged in their songwriting practice.

Location: Bushel Collective, 106 Main St, Delhi Time: 11:00 am-12:30 pm

More Info: bushelcollective.org

Mushroom Walk with Chris Baker

Mushroom novices and old hands alike will enjoy this foray in the dreamy wooded acres surrounding the sculpture at Opus 40. This engaging experience is led by Chris Baker, a certified mushroom forager and founder of Chicory Naturalist in Kingston, NY. $30.

Location: Opus 40, 356 George Sickle Road, Saugerties

Time: 11:00 am-1:00 pm

More Info: opus40.org

Second Sundays | Cranston Dean

Cranston is a New Jersey native whose music draws from Americana, folk, jazz, country, blues, pop, and soul. He sees songwriting and performing as a way to translate and transform the human condition into beautiful works of art.

Location: West Kortright Center, 49 W Kortright Church Road, East Meredith

Time: 2:00 pm

More Info: westkc.org

Fiddlers!

Fiddlers! is a festival celebrating the Catskill’s long connections to a variety of fiddle traditions that combines fun, music, food, drink and community.

Location: Hilt Kelly Hall, Roxbury Arts Center, 5025 Vega Mountain Road, Roxbury

Opening Reception: 3:00-7:00 pm

More Info: roxburyartsgroup.org

OCTOBER 13

6th Annual Community Reading of Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle

Get ready to awaken your inner thespian and witness a beloved tale come to life! Join us for the 6th Annual Community Reading of Washington Irving’s timeless classic, Rip Van Winkle, at the historic 1913 Ulster & Delaware Train Station on the MTHS campus. Calling all storytellers! Here’s your chance to step into the shoes (or perhaps the slumbering boots) of iconic characters. This is a fantastic opportunity to flex your theatrical muscles in a fun, low-pressure environment. Embrace the colorful language and dramatic moments of Irving’s masterpiece – no memorization required! Spectators, prepare to be enchanted! Immerse yourselves in the charm and humor of Rip Van Winkle as it unfolds in the unique ambiance of the beautifully preserved train station. It’s a fan-favorite tradition for a reason – a delightful afternoon of community, literature, and a touch of old-world magic.

Location: MTHS Ulster & Delaware Train Station, 5132 Route 23A, Haines Falls

Time: 2:00 pm

More Info: mths.org

OCTOBER 15-19

26th Annual Woodstock Film Festival

Established in 2000, the Woodstock Film Festival (WFF) nurtures and supports emerging and established filmmakers, sharing their creative voices through an annual festival and yearround programming to promote culture, diversity, community, educational opportunities, and economic growth. The Woodstock Film Festival is an Academy Awards® qualifying festival in the categories of Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, and Documentary Short Film.

Location: Locations in Woodstock, Rosendale, Kingston and Saugerties

More Info: woodstockfilmfestival.org

OCTOBER 16

Third Thursday at Olana

At 3:00 pm: Join The Olana Partnership and Hudson Sloop Club to learn more about fishing, water ecology, and the plants and animals that call Olana’s lake home! FREE; this program meets at the Farm Complex at the Wagon House Education Center. At 5:00 pm: Enjoy the lively music of Brasskill, the Hudson Valley’s favorite party jazz band, against the backdrop of Olana’s breathtaking views. FREE; the performance takes place outside the Historic House. FREE shuttle to and from Olana.

Location: Olana, 5720 Route 9G, Hudson More Info: olana.org

Book Discussion:

The Fisherman, by John Langan

In upstate New York, in the woods around Woodstock, Dutchman’s Creek flows out of the Ashokan Reservoir. Steep-banked, fast-moving, it offers the promise of fine fishing, and of something more, a possibility too fantastic to be true. When Abe and Dan, two widowers who have found solace in each other’s company and a shared passion for fishing, hear rumors of the Creek, and what might be found there, the remedy to both their losses, they dismiss it as just another fish story.

Location: The Lost Bookshop, 120 Main Street, Delhi

Time: 6:00-7:30 pm

More Info: thelostbookshop.com

Shakedown Citi - Celebrating The Music of The Grateful Dead

Witness seasoned, full-time musicians / singerstorytellers / Grateful Dead nerds, Shakedown Citi pay tribute to the Grateful Dead!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

OCTOBER 17

A dynamic live percussion experience with “Mendings Of Time”

The connection between Jeff Tripoli and Sam Fishman led to the formation of the dynamic percussive duo “Mendings of Time”. Named after their debut release, “Mendings of Time” explores improvisation, meditation, and minimalism. It is the intention of Jeff and Sam to transport themselves (and their listeners) to a higher plane of existence.

Location: Bridge Street Theater, 44 West Bridge Street, Catskill Times: Performances at 10:30 am, 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm

More Info: bridgest.org

What’s Missing? Artist Walk with Ellen Harvey

A walk and conversation around her current installation in Olana’s artist-designed landscape and learn how she was inspired by the site’s mysterious “summer house.” $10 per person/$5 for members.

Location: Olana, 5720 Route 9G, Hudson Time: 5:00 pm

More Info: olana.org

Walkway Connections: MASS Design in Poughkeepsie

Join Christopher Kroner for a presentation on the Hudson Valley Design Lab, a design office initiative by MASS Design Group launched in 2017. Through community engagement, advocacy, and impactful projects, the Hudson Valley Design Lab explores how design can play a pivotal role in healing cities, revitalizing spaces, and fostering positive change in the region. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the intersection of design and community well-being.

Location: Walkway Over the Hudson East Gate Plaza, Poughkeepsie

Time: 5:00-6:00 pm

More Info: walkway.org

Hovvdy with Babehoven

Hovvdy’s fifth album is a self-titled statement piece. Underlining years of hyper-reflective, deeply-fan-beloved songwriting, the backand-forth 19-track sequence draws together swirling piano lines and vivid production under the cohesive vision of longtime friends Charlie Martin and Will Taylor. Pushing their determined lyricism into more vulnerable scenes, the record boldly broadens the scope of the Texas duo’s songwriting. The collection taps familial bonds, tested relationships, and what Will calls “lifelong imprints,” viewed at hindsight’s distance.

Location: Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: levonhelm.com

Modest Mouse

Having recently completed another successful run with Pixies and Cat Power, Modest Mouse continues to prove themselves to be one of the most consistent live acts today.

Location: Ulster Performing Arts Center 601 Broadway, Kingston Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bardavon.org

OCTOBER 17-19

Catskills Comedy Festival

The Catskills Comedy Festival returns to downtown Catskill with national, regional, and local performers! Enjoy stand-up, improv, sketch, workshops, music, art, panels, open mics, dance parties, and free events—fun for the whole family!

Location: Throughout Catskill

More Info: tccfest.org

OCTOBER 17-NOVEMBER 2

Little Shop of Horrors

Join us for the hilarious and heartwarming story of Seymour, a meek floral assistant, who stumbles upon a strange and bloodthirsty plant that changes his life — and his neighborhood — forever. With a talented local cast, unforgettable music, and dazzling stage effects, Little Shop of Horrors is a must-see event this season.

Location: Phoenicia Playhouse, 10 Church Street, Phoenicia

Time: Fridays & Saturdays @ 7:00 pm, Sundays @ 2:00 pm.

More Info: phoeniciaplayhouse.com

OCTOBER 17-NOVEMBER 16

Louise Kalin: “First Impressions, Second Thoughts” NEW VOICES: Jennifer Lord Rhodes, Jerry Gallo, GG Stanciewicz, Cena Pol Crane Plus Members’ Group Show

Louise Kalin’s art has been influenced by both environment and family, having grown up in the Catskills when dairy farms divided the valleys and slopes of the mountains into geometries of color including hayfields, pastures with cows, and two hundred years of architecture then moving with her family to Cape Cod when she was nine, She worked with her father, James Scribner Hopkins, who painted the Catskill Mountains and was a believer in pure color, and she and her brother, the late local artist and

Longyear member John Booth Hopkins, were taught drawing and multi-media by their mother, Pauline Lutz Hopkins.

Location: Longyear Gallery, 785 Main Street, Margaretville

Opening Reception: Saturday, October 18, 3:00-5:00 pm

Gallery Hours: Friday-Sunday and holiday Mondays from 11:00 am-4:00 pm

More Info: longyeargallery.org

OCTOBER

18

7th Catskill Conquest Covered Bridge Rally

The 7th Catskill Covered Bridge Rally is a hoot of a drive as we follow 13 creeks and rivers, and cross four Historic Covered Bridges. We visit a classic Catskills homestead with a small collection of vintage cars. We see two stoplights over the 133 mile tour, with return to Mount Tremper.

Location: Catskills Visitor Center, 5096 NY-28, Mt. Tremper

Time: Meet between 9:00-10:00 am

More Info: 1903autorun

Artmaking in the Afternoon

Participate in free, drop-in artmaking and learn more about Frederic Church’s artist-designed home and studio on the Hudson. This dropin artmaking program is open to all ages and skill levels; all materials provided. FREE. No advanced registration required.

Location: Wagon House Education Center, Olana, 5720 Route 9G, Hudson

Time: 1:00-4:00 pm

More Info: olana.org

Free Family Tour

Experience learning, looking closely, and conversation as a family during this series of special museum gallery program at Olana State Historic Site. Designed for families with children ages 3 and up. $15 adults; children under 12 are free. Advanced registration required.

Location: Sharp Family Gallery, Olana, 5720 Route 9G, Hudson

Time: 1:00-2:00 pm

More Info: olana.org

Concerts & Conversations:

Stephanie Schmidt & Robin Morace, pianists

While completing a piano performance M.M. in Lincoln, NE, Stephanie Schmidt discovered the artistic joys of performing on historical keyboards—and has continued to “look back” ever since. Though progressing towards a traditional piano D.M.A. at the UNC Greensboro, she spends a great deal of time practicing and

performing on old and interesting pianos from the mid-1700s to the mid-1800s. Robin Morace holds degrees in performance and composition from SUNY Fredonia, where he studied piano with Fr. Sean Duggan, and is a recent graduate of the doctoral program at UNC Greensboro, where he studied modern piano and historical keyboard instruments with Andrew Willis.

Location: Piano Performance Museum, Doctorow Center for the Arts, 7971 Main Street, Hunter

Time: 2:00 pm

More Info: catskillmtn.org

Evenings at Olana:

Ecology Walk & Piazza Toast

Join us for a rare opportunity to enjoy a guided evening landscape walk at Olana! $65/person.

Location: Frederic Church Center, Olana, 5720 Route 9G, Hudson

Time: 4:30-6:00 pm

More Info: olana.org

Fall Gala

It’s Opus 40 like you’ve never experienced it! Join us for a very special evening to celebrate the beauty of fall at Opus 40. Changing leaves peppered across Overlook Mountain create a stunning backdrop to Harvey Fite’s magnificent sculpture. A dazzling light show, delightful music, delicious food and cocktails plus smores under the stars & SO much more!

Location: Opus 40, 356 George Sickle Road, Saugerties

Time: 5:00-10:00 pm

More Info: opus40.org

The Pink Floyd Project

The Pink Floyd Project returns to perform Wish You Were Here in its entirety along and more of your favorites!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

The Mammals

An indie-roots band from New York’s Hudson Valley led by singer-songwriters Ruth Ungar and Mike Merenda. With their genre-blending mix of fiddle, banjo, guitar, organ, and drums, they’ve spent over two decades crafting socially conscious, emotionally rich folk-rock hailed as “some of the best songwriting of their generation” (LA Times). Whether playing international stages or hosting their semi-annual Catskills festival, The Hoot, The Mammals bring warmth, defiance, and harmony to every performance.

Location: West Kortright Center, 49 W Kortright Church Road, East Meredith Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: westkc.org

Amanda Shires

Since getting her start playing fiddle with the legendary Texas Playboys at the young age of 15, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Amanda Shires has brought her nuanced songwriting and boundless originality to a series of critically acclaimed solo albums, collaborated with the likes of John Prine and Justin Townes Earle, and earned the 2017 Emerging Artist of the Year prize from the Americana Music Association (AMA).

Location: Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: levonhelm.com

OCTOBER 18-DECEMBER 20

Exhibition: Holding Artemis

This show highlights the work of Jody Isaacson, delving deep into the forest and examining the interactions between humans in the wild. Her large printed works, ceramic pieces and installation work bring a perspective to the hunters and the hunted, the still moments in the forest, inspired by and embracing the ethos of Artemis.

Location: Roxbury Arts Group, 5025 Vega Mountain Road, Roxbury

Opening Reception: Sunday, October 19, 4:006:00 pm

More Info: roxburyartsgroup.org

OCTOBER 18-JANUARY 9, 2026

Exhibition: The Elements

A new exhibition featuring artists from the Windham Arts Alliance.

Location: Main Street Community Center, 5494 State Route 23, Windham

Opening Reception: Saturday, October 18, 3:00-5:00 pm

More Info: mainstreetcenter.org

OCTOBER 18 & 19

New York State Sheep & Wool Festival

The New York State Sheep and Wool Festival is much more than just an event; it’s a celebration of the art, craft, and culture of wool. With its extensive market, engaging workshops, competitive events, and family-friendly activities, it offers a rich and immersive experience for all who attend.

Location: Dutchess County Fairgrounds, 6636 Route 9, Rhinebeck

Time: Saturday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Sunday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm

More Info: sheepandwool.com

OCTOBER 19

4th Capital to Capital 5K

The Rotary Club of Kingston, NY is sponsoring its Fourth Capital to Capital 5K run/walk this fall to raise money and awareness for the Ulster County SPCA (UCSPCA)! The “Cap 2 Cap” is a hybrid 5K, which allows participants to join either virtually or in person.

Location: Starts at O&W Trailhead, Washington Avenue, Kingston Time: 9:00-11:00 am

More Info: kingstonnyrotary.org/page/captocap

Harvest Festival

Join us on campus for a Harvest Festival with brews, apple cider donuts, tarot card readings, artist and shop pop-ups, costumed trick-or treating in the house for kids, and more.

Location: Thomas Cole House, 218 Spring Street, Catskill

Time: 11:00 am-1:00 pm

More Info: thomascole.org

PFG Vendor’s Market

Explore a wide mix of fresh foods, baked goods, crafts from artisanal makers, antiques, and freshly roasted coffee, among other delights. Every third Sunday of the month through November. Location: 5419 State Route 28, Mt. Tremper Time: 10:00 am-3:00 pm

More Info: phoeniciafga.org/pfg-vendorsmarket

Fall Family Fun Fest

Enjoy activities for all ages including hayrides, cider-making, blacksmithing, pumpkin-decorating, live music, guided hikes, and tasty food!

Location: The Ashokan Center 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge

Time: 12:00-5:00 pm

More Info: ashokancenter.org

International Fortepiano Salon: Forte/Piano Festival Reflections

This special edition of the International Fortepiano Salon turns its focus to Forte | Piano: Crafting Soundscapes, a landmark festival which took place at Cornell University’s Schwartz Center in August and was shaped by many of the same performers, scholars, and colleagues who have long been part of the Salon community. Together, they created a week overflowing with beauty, insight, and connection—through inspiring performances, thoughtful presentations, excellent scholarship, and, perhaps most meaningfully, conversations that continue to resonate. In this program, a short documentarystyle film will revisit highlights of the Festival, while members of the core team join live to reflect on how the experience has shaped us as participants and how it may be shaping the culture of the fortepiano itself.

Location: Streaming online on Facebook and YouTube

Time: 2:00 pm

More Info: catskillmtn.org or internationalfortepianosalon.com

Walkway Connections for Kids: Halloween Happenings

This Walkway Connections program led by Mike Littier of New York State Parks will consist of a brief presentation illustrating the importance of bats and the role the play in our ecosystem. Participants will then be able to try pumpkin painting and building their own bat box to bring these wonderful creatures closer to their homes. Costumes are encouraged! All Walkway Connections events are free to attend, no RSVP required.

Location: Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, 87 Haviland Road, Highland Time: 2:00-3:00 pm

More Info: walkway.org

Asiya Korepanova, piano & Balourdet Quartet

Asiya Korepanova is a pianistic powerhouse hailed as a “tremendously gifted pianist who exhibits a singular affinity for Rachmaninoff’s Russian romantic idiom and possesses the blazing technique to fully realize his distinctive scores” (South Florida Classical Review). A herald of an enormous repertoire encompassing over 60 piano concertos and solo works ranging from the early Baroque period to music of living composers, Asiya is a quintessential completist. The Balourdet Quartet is a dynamic, awardwinning ensemble that takes creative risks on stage, producing both emotionally intense and intimate moments. Its unique closeness and unwavering sense of team trust earned it the 2021 Grand Prize at New York’s Concert Artists Guild Competition and Chamber Music America’s 2024 Cleveland Quartet Award.

Location: First Presbyterian Church 96 Main Street, Stamford Time: 3:00 pm

More Info: friendsmusic.org

“Italian Sunshine,” a concert of Italian baroque chamber music presented by Hudson Valley Baroque Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741). Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713). Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757). These are just a few of the great composers of the Italian Baroque – a period of dazzling inventiveness when the most influential, new musical ideas were exploding out of Italy to be developed later by Baroque- and Classical-era composers in Germany, France, England, and elsewhere. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy the joyful and powerful explosion of musical creativity that was the Italian Baroque! The performers will be Marc Molomot, tenor; Ruthanne Schempf, keyboard; Susan Seligman, cello; Joel Evans, oboe; Christiana Fortune Reader, violin; and Gregory Bynum, recorder.

Location: Historic Huguenot Street, 81 Huguenot Street, New Paltz

Time: 3:00 pm

More Info: huguenotstreet.org

Corey Purcell & Deirdre Lockman

Corey Purcell and Deirdre Lockman present a concert of traditional Irish and original tunes and songs, as members of the Irish-American trio Poor Man’s Gambit. Formed in 2015 and based in the Philadelphia area of Pennsylvania, USA, the group has released three albums, completed two international tours, and continued to gain recognition as a rising name in Irish-American music.

Location: Walton Theatre, 30 Gardiner Street, Walton

Time: 6:00 pm

More Info: musiconthedelaware.org

OCTOBER 21

Authentic Movement for Radical Connection

Authentic Movement is a physical practice developed by Mary Starks Whitehouse in the mid 20th century, integrating her studies in dance and Jungian psychology into a new embodied inquiry toward allowing “the unconscious to express itself in movement.” For a decade and a half this practice has been central to Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, lily gold. Sessions are 1.5 hours. Participants will be invited to move their bodies according to impulses that arise from within, at times while being witnessed and at others, in simultaneous exploration with the group. $0-20 pay what you can. Please RSVP for each session.

Location: Bushel Collective, 106 Main St, Delhi Time: 6:30 pm

More Info: bushelcollective.org

Mike Viola

Mike Viola is a producer, musician, songwriter and singer. Decades into his career his music continues to resonate with and inspire new generations of musicians and music lovers. Starting in 2019 Viola hit a prolific streak and released fan favorite records The American Egypt, Godmuffin, and Paul McCarthy, all recorded in his Los Angeles studio Barebones. His recent albums have garnered a whole new fan base and sold out shows around the US. His latest album, Rock Of Boston, was released in September of 2024.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

OCTOBER 22

Il Divo by Candlelight

For over 20 years, Il Divo has embodied the power of music, brotherhood, and artistic evolution. Since their debut in 2004, the iconic quartet, formed today with —Urs Bühler (tenor, Switzerland), Sébastien Izambard (tenor, France), David Miller (tenor, USA), and Steven LaBrie (baritone, USA)—have redefined classical crossover, captivating audiences worldwide with their breathtaking vocals and electrifying performances.

Location: Ulster Performing Arts Center 601 Broadway, Kingston

Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: bardavon.org

Joshua Radin

Joshua Radin emerged in 2004 as an empathetic, engaging, and often enthralling troubadour. Over the years, he’s tallied north of 1 billion streams, moved 1 million-plus albums worldwide, and scored a gold certification for the single “I’d Rather Be With You.” His music has appeared in over 200 films, television series, and commercials.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

OCTOBER 23

The Sloppy Boys

The Sloppy Boys are taking over Colony - the music will be loud, the drinks will be cold, and the energy will be off the charts!

Location: Colony, 22 Rock City Rd., Woodstock Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: colonywoodstock.com

Early Elton Trio Perform

The Great Mixed Bag Show

Early Elton Trio is a Tribute to the Elton John, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson trio tours of 1970 – 1972 featuring Jeff Kazee of Southside Johnny And The Asbury Jukes (piano, vocals), Rich Pagano of The Fab Faux (drums and vocals) and John Conte of Southside Johnny And The Asbury Jukes (bass and vocals). Early Elton Trio shows play to capacity audiences in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Virginia and DC.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

OCTOBER 24

Curator Tour: Winter Woes

Tour the Bronck Museum with Curator Shelby Mattice.

Location: Bronck House Museum, 90 County Route 42, Coxsackie

More information: gchistory.org

Fourth Fridays at Water Street Market

Join us monthly through October for an evening of community, conversation, and local flavors.

Location: Water Street Market, 10 Main Street, New Paltz

Time: 6:00-9:00 pm

More Info: waterstreetmarket.com

Friday Night Fright at Peace, Love & Pumpkins

Experience the haunted gardens of Bethel Woods like you’ve never seen them before! Our Peace Love and Pumpkins gets a spooky makeover as the ghosts and ghouls come out to roam the grounds. A dark, terrifying experience that will leave you trembling as you exit – if you can make it out alive, that is! This experience is not recommended for young children, as this is a scary attraction.

Location: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, 200 Hurd Rd, Bethel

Times: 6:30-11:00 pm (last entry at 10:00 pm)

More Info: bethelwoodscenter.org

Classical Arts Entertainment presents International Ballet Stars in Swan Lake Experience the world’s most in-demand ballet, Swan Lake. This full-scale production features Tchaikovsky’s legendary score and brings the masterpiece choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov to life. Be spellbound by the iconic variation of the Little Swans, Odile’s 32 fouettés, and the graceful movements of the talented ballet dancers. With over 200 custom scenery pieces adding grandeur and beauty, this production promises to be a spectacular visual treat.

Location: Ulster Performing Arts Center 601 Broadway, Kingston Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: bardavon.org

Craig Finn & The Band of Forgiveness

Craig Finn is a Minnesota-bred singer/songwriter based in New York City, best known as the singer of The Hold Steady. Finn spent the ’90’s leading Minneapolis indie band Lifter Puller, which released 3 albums and an EP. After relocating to New York, he joined with Lifter Puller member Tad Kubler to form The Hold Steady in 2003. The Hold Steady quickly achieved critical acclaim and a worldwide fanbase with their unique pairing of dense lyrical narratives with big rock guitars. The Hold Steady’s ninth album, The Price Of Progress, was released in March 2023, commemorating the band’s 20th Anniversary. Craig Finn released his 6th solo album Always Been in April. The album features musical performances by Adam Granduciel (The War On Drugs) and members of The War on Drugs, Kathleen Edwards, Sam Fender, and more.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

OCTOBER 24-26

Woodstock Story Festival

The acclaimed Woodstock Story Festival returns after a hiatus to celebrate story in all its forms, featuring three days of 15 diverse guest presenters. The festival brings a rich tapestry of stories from talented and masterful performers and artists. Diverse regional through international guest presenters showcase the power and impact of story. Audiences will experience close-up story encounters of every kind.

Location: Mountain View Studio, 20 Mountainview Avenue, Woodstock More information: woodstockstoryfestival.com

OCTOBER 25

Mindful Birding with Molly Adams of the Feminist Bird Club

Join Molly Adams, founder of the Feminist Bird Club and co-author of Birding for a Better World, for a mindful birding event where we’ll spend time observing and enjoying birds on the Opus 40 grounds. $30

Location: Opus 40, 356 George Sickle Road, Saugerties

Time: 10:15 am-12:15 pm

More Info: opus40.org

Guided Forest Bathing with Fru Molnar

Get outside and show yourself and the land some love through a special guided walk through Olana’s artist-designed landscape and views. $10 per person/$5 for members.

Location: Olana, 5720 Route 9G, Hudson

Time: 1:00-2:00 pm

More Info: olana.org

Tarot Readings

Tarot readings with Jenn Johnson-Hamer! She will be doing 15 minute discovery readings, to help with getting lost and finding your way.

Location: The Lost Bookshop, 120 Main Street, Delhi

Time: 3:00-5:00 pm

More Info: thelostbookshop.com

Rennie Harris Puremovement:

Nuttin’ But a Word

Nuttin’ But A Word challenges the structural integrity of Campbell locking, house, hip-hop, and B-boying. This suite of works challenges the Hip-hop puritans at every turn and reminds us that we will not evolve as a form without individuality, creativity, and innovation. Presented in partnership with The Joyce Theater Foundation. Location: Orpheum Performing Arts Center, 6050 Main Street, Tannersville

Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: catskillmtn.org

Blues Episode

Blues Episode features guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Reeves Gabrels (The Cure, David Bowie). This supremely accomplished trio also includes drummer Jonathan Kane (Swans, Kane Bros. Blues Band) and keyboardist Ross Rice (Human Radio, Isaac Hayes). Together they play a potent mix of blues and rock, keeping plenty of room for experimentation and improvisation. $10 suggested donation.

Location: Pine Hill Community Center, 287 Main Street, Pine Hill

Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: pinehillcommunitycenter.org

The Machine Performs Pink Floyd: Unplugged Join The Machine for an evening of acoustic Pink Floyd spanning your favorite radio hits and deep cuts you’ve always wanted to hear live! The Machine has forged a 30+ year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. The New York-based quartet performs a diverse mix of The Floyd’s extensive 16-album repertoire, complete with faithful renditions of popular hits as well as obscure gems. With stellar musicianship and passionate delivery, The Machine explores collective improvisation rivaling that of an early 1970’s Pink Floyd, while their use of expanded theatrical elements and elaborate stage displays and lighting continues The Floyd spirit of the 1980’s.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

Katie Pruitt: Time Wasn’t Wasted Tour

Katie Pruitt is living proof of music’s power to transform the way we experience the world. Soon after the arrival of her acclaimed debut Expectations—a 2020 LP on which she documented her journey in growing up queer in the Christian South—the Georgia-bred singer/ songwriter/guitarist heard from countless listeners that her songs had impacted their lives on an elemental level. With her sophomore album Mantras, the Nashville-based musician now looks inward to explore such matters as gender identity, self-compassion or the lack thereof, and the struggle for peace in times of chaos and uncertainty—ultimately arriving at a body of work that speaks to the strength in undoing harmful self-beliefs and fully living your truth.

Location: Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: levonhelm.com

OCTOBER

25 & 26

Halloween Craft Workshop & Scavenger Hunt Feel that chill in the air? The spookiest day of the year is around the corner, and Historic Huguenot Street’s popular “Halloween Craft Workshop and Scavenger Hunt” is back! Join us for a kid-friendly weekend, Saturday October 25 & Sunday, October 26 from 10am-4pm, full of fall crafts and spooky clues. Your child will complete three seasonal craft projects: paint a pumpkin, make their own monster mask, and create a hanging spider out of pipe cleaners and pony beads. Then, you can explore the grounds of our 10-acre historic site on a Halloween- themed scavenger hunt. Participants will take all crafts home, and enjoy candy and other allergy-safe treats! Costumes are welcome! $10 admission for all children. Activities are most appropriate for elementary aged children. Adult guardians are free of charge. Pre-registration is required for this event.

Location: Historic Huguenot Street, 81 Huguenot Street, New Paltz

Time: Register for a time slot at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm or 3:00 pm. More Info: huguenotstreet.org

OCTOBER 26

Fall Forest Bathing with Beth Rennig Leader Beth Rennig guides us on a 90-minute Forest Bathing experience helping to ease us into the presence and connection within nature. Engage your senses and embrace the simple magic and wholeness we can find in nature. Forest bathing is a year round activity, and quite doable with appropriate layering of outerwear for the conditions. This is an intentional walk through the forest, for those looking for a slow, mindful outdoor activity. Each person will be welcomed into a quiet, contemplative space. We will meditate and focus our intentions on connection through the forest. Those new to meditation and mindfulness are welcome. Join us and enjoy the peacefulness and the healing benefits available to us within the forest. Registration is $10 donation, and is required.

Location: Mountain Top Arboretum Education Center, 4 Maude Adams Road, Tannersville

Time: 11:00 am-12:30 pm

More information: mtarboretum.org

The Rock and Roll Playhouse plays Music of Fleetwood Mac + More for Kids!

The Rock and Roll Playhouse, a family concert series hosted at historic music venues across the country, allows kids to “move, play and sing while listening to works from the classic-rock canon” (NY Times). Performing songs created by the most iconic musicians in rock history, The Rock and Roll Playhouse band offers its core audience of families with children age ten and under games, movement, stories and an opportunity to rock out in an effort to educate children and explore their creativity. The Rock and Roll Playhouse is an early and often first introduction to a child’s lifelong journey with live music and rock and roll.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 12:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

Linda Montano: Laugh/Cry with the Chakras This workshop will consist of group sound, movement, and performative interactions based on Linda Mary Montano’s 14 YEARS OF LIVING ART, a Chakra Endurance. Please bring a blanket/ matt and if you wish, dress entirely in your favorite Chakra color.

Location: Kleinert/James Center for the Arts, 34 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 2:00-4:00 pm

More Info: woodstockguild.org

OCTOBER

28

WEBINAR – Botanical Exchanges: The Art of Emily Cole and Isabel Charlotte “Downie” Church

Join Allegra Davis and Amanda Malmstrom for a conversation on 19th-century flower painting with focus on the artwork of Emily Cole (1843–1913) and Isabel Charlotte “Downie” Church (1871–1935). This program is presented in collaboration with the Thomas Cole National Historic Site.

Location: Online via Zoom Time: 12:00-1:00 pm

More Info: olana.org

OCTOBER 30

Grateful Shred

After a meteoric rise from obscurity to a national touring band, Los Angeles-based Grateful Shred has made the most of its time in the spotlight. The lineup, featuring Dan Horne and Austin McCutchen alongside keyboardist Adam MacDougall woke the Grateful Dead cosmos with a unique laid-back harmony driven sound. The band literally went from playing the Shakedown Street vendor area prior to Dead and Company shows to touring the United States.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

OCTOBER 31

GA-20 and Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears Since 2018, GA-20 has been at the forefront of a traditional Blues revival. The dynamic throwback trio have long been disciples of the place where traditional Blues, Country and Rock ‘n’ Roll intersect. Through years of struggle and hard work, Black Joe Lewis has honed his mastery over gut bucket blues guitar and his true voice. It’s a vital and distinctly American voice that never anticipated the attention he wound up receiving, never went looking for it either.

Location: Bearsville Center, 277-297 Tinker Street, Woodstock

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: bearsvilletheater.com

Fruit Bats (Solo)

Baby Man, the new album by Fruit Bats, is like nothing else in Grammy-nominated songwriter Eric D. Johnson’s catalog. Little in the arc of his career—including Fruit Bats’ evolution from home recording project to rollicking roadshow, his solo output, and his work with Bonny Light Horseman—points the way to this album, in which his only accompaniment, aside from the occasional blush of synthesizer, is a guitar or piano. Save for producer Thom Monahan, reuniting with Johnson for the first time since Fruit Bats’ 2019 breakthrough Gold Past Life, it’s just Johnson in the room, meaning that when the turntable’s needle meets Baby Man’s groove, it’s just him and the listener, mutually in for a reckoning.

Location: Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock

Time: 8:00 pm

More Info: levonhelm.com

OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 2

Misery

Based on Stephen King’s iconic novel, MISERY is a chilling descent into a world fueled by dependency and obsession. After a near-fatal car crash, bestselling romance novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued by his self-proclaimed number-one fan, the uncanny Annie Wilkes. Annie promises to nurse Paul back to health on her idyllic and remote Colorado Farm, but it soon becomes terrifyingly clear: she has no intention of ever letting him go.

Location: The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, 661 Route 308, Rhinebeck Days & Times: Friday & Saturday @ 8:00 pm; Sunday @ 3:00 pm.

More Info: CenterforPerformingArts.org

OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 3

Draw Botanical 2025

Nature enthusiasts of ALL artistic skill levels, join Wendy Hollender, Lara Call Gastinger, Giacomina Ferrillo, and Jean Mackay for a special weekend retreat celebrating nature and botanical art. Develop your nature journaling techniques with fellow passionate creators in a friendly, informal learning environment.

Location: The Ashokan Center 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge More Info: ashokancenter.org

NOVEMBER 8

Concerts & Conversations:

Julian Jensen: Women Composers from 19th-century Latin America

Julian Jensen will perform a program featuring mid to late 19th century music by women composers from Latin America. Julian has toured the world as an accomplished performer and passionate music teacher with the purpose to use music to improve the community and the world.

Location: Piano Performance Museum, Doctorow Center for the Arts, 7971 Main Street, Hunter Time: 2:00 pm

More Info: catskillmtn.org

Parsons Dance

For nearly forty years, Parsons Dance has been devoted to bringing life-affirming performances and joy to audiences worldwide. The company will be in residency at the Catskill Mountain Foundation from November 2-9, while it works with choreographer Courtney “Balenciaga” Washington on creating a new piece cocommissioned by Parsons Dance and Works & Process at the Guggenheim. The audience will be treated to a preview of Washington’s full-company work followed by a Q & A with the choreographer, and it will also have the chance to experience some of the most cherished pieces from the Parsons repertory: Nascimento, Balance of Power, and Caught, along with Jamar Robert’s Juke. Presented in partnership with Works & Process at the Guggenheim.

Location: Orpheum Performing Arts Center, 6050 Main Street, Tannersville Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: catskillmtn.org

Fauré and Friends

Members of the choral ensemble Ars Choralis join the Windham Festival Chamber Orchestra for a beautiful and reflective evening, sharing music of some of the favorite composers of the family in whose memory the concert is sponsored, including:

Mozart: Ave Verum Corpus

Fauré: Cantique de Jean Racine (arranged by John Rutter)

Bach: Piano Concerto in D Major, BWV 1054

Verdi: String Quartet in E Minor (arranged by Arturo Toscanini) Robert Manno: Adagio for Strings

Music Director of the Maverick Concerts in Woodstock, Alexander Platt is honored to follow in the footsteps of Robert Manno as Conductor. This concert is sponsored by the Mapleside Fund in honor of Dr. John Farber.

PURCHASE TICKETS AT CATSKILLMTN.ORG

DOCTOROW CENTER FOR THE ARTS

7971 MAIN STREET HUNTER, NY 12442

ORPHEUM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 6050 MAIN STREET TANNERSVILLE, NY 12485

2025 PERFORMING ARTS SEASON

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11 AT 7:00PM

PRINCESS LOCKEROOO AND THE FABULOUS WAACK DANCERS WITH A DANCE BATTLE!

Presented in partnership with Works & Process at the Guggenheim.

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

Get moving in the New Year with Princess Lockerooo, hailed by The New York Times as the “Queen of Waacking”. Direct from performing on Dancing With the Stars: Soul Train Night, and following a sold out performance with Works & Process at Lincoln Center, Princess Lockerooo will share the history of Waacking, teach a mini lesson, and her company The Fabulous Waack Dancers will perform culminating in a dance battle, all before headlining the Guggenheim Rotunda as part of the Works & Process Underground Uptown Dance Festival. In the 1970s, a dance form called waacking was born in the Black gay underground clubs of Los Angeles. Inspired by old Hollywood films and distinguishable by its rotational arm movements, posing and emphasis on expressiveness, waacking entered the mainstream becoming a global dance phenomenon associated with Toni Basil, performed on “Soul Train” by dancer and pioneer waacker Tyrone Proctor, Princess Lockerooo’s teacher. It eventually was picked up by celebrities and even featured on tour with Diana Ross.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 AT 7:00PM

NELLA: A CONCERT INSPIRED BY ANDALUSIAN AND VENEZUELAN MUSICAL ROOTS

Doctorow Center for the Arts

Born in Venezuela, Nella rapidly rose to international fame thanks to her powerful voice and undeniable presence. Merging Venezuela’s folkloric roots, modern production element, and inspiration from Andalusia, Nella’s music echoes globally.

FEBRUARY

12-16 V-SEASON

Maude Adams Theater Hub Catskill Mountain Foundation

Doctorow Center for the Arts

FEBRUARY 12 & 15 AT 7:00PM

Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon

FEBRUARY 13 AT 7:00 PM & FEBRUARY 15 AT 2:00 PM

Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson, Apt. 2B by Kate Hamill

FEBRUARY 14 AT 7:00 PM & FEBRUARY 16 AT 2:00PM

Bell, Book and Candle by John Van Druten

V Season: What do a witch, two newlyweds, and a famous sleuth have in common? MATH’s 3rd Annual V Season: three plays that will transport you from your mid-winter blues and into small worlds of wonder.

INTERNATIONAL FORTEPIANO SALONS

ONLINE MUSIC AND IDEAS: COMING TO THE TABLE

Yi-heng Yang, Maria Rose & Patricia García-Gil Hosts

Streaming LIVE on Facebook and YouTube

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9 AT 2:00PM BLACK HISTORY MONTH: A PALACE OF LOVE AND POWER

Guest Artist: Jean-Bernard Cerin

SUNDAY, MARCH 9 AT 2:00PM WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: WOMEN IN SOUTH AMERICA

Guest Artist: Karin Cuéllar Rendón

SUNDAY, APRIL 27 AT 12:00PM MALCOLM BILSON

SUNDAY, MAY 18 AT 2:00PM ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH:

Guest Artist: Hilda Huang

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19 AT 2:00PM FORTE | PIANO FESTIVAL REFLECTIONS

This special edition of the International Fortepiano Salon turns its focus to Forte | Piano: Crafting Soundscapes, a landmark festival which took place at Cornell University’s Schwartz Center in Augustand was shaped by many of the same performers, scholars, and colleagues who have long been part of the Salon community. In this program, a short documentary-style film will revisit highlights of the Festival, while members of the core team join live to reflect on how the experience has shaped us as participants and how it may be shaping the culture of the fortepiano itself. At the heart of Forte | Piano was a theme that also lies at the core of the International Fortepiano Salon: bridging past and future by honoring historical keyboards while imagining the paths they open for us today. By reflecting together, we showcase a long-term collaboration and invite new voices into a growing, international community dedicated to the living culture of the fortepiano.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 AT 2:00PM THE CATSKILL MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION’S PIANO PERFORMANCE MUSEUM

After presenting many fortepianos and artists from around the world during the last 5 years, the International Fortepiano Salon is hosting its own home venue, the piano collection of the Piano Performance Museum at the Catskill Mountain Foundation in Hunter New York. Your hosts, Yi-heng Yang, Maria Rose, and Patricia Garcia Gil perform on five special instruments and will introduce the pianos in a short lecture. The program director, Pam Weisberg, and the piano technician, Richard Hester, will join us live to talk about the collection and all the activities taking place around it.

www.internationalfortepianosalon.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 AT 7:00PM

OPERA FAVORITES CELEBRATING GLIMMERGLASS FESTIVAL’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Presented in partnership with Glimmerglass Festival Doctorow Center for the Arts

The Glimmerglass Festival—a one-of-a-kind summer destination since 1975—blends innovative, world-class opera and musical theater with a relaxed atmosphere and a beautiful lakeside setting in Cooperstown, NY, less than two hours from Hunter. Experience the amazing voices of Glimmerglass Festival artists in concert with Artistic & General Director Rob Ainsley in a thrilling program of opera favorites, musical theater showstoppers, and highlights from the upcoming 50th Anniversary season.

SUNDAY, MARCH 2 AT 2:00PM

THE VANISHING ELEPHANT CAHOOTS THEATER

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

Opu, a young boy in Bengal, dreams of one day becoming an elephant trainer. When he befriends Janu, an Asian Elephant, their friendship is the first step on an adventure so huge, it spans decades and continents. On their separate paths they face many challenges – fearsome encounters, stormy seas and strange new worlds. Years in the future, Opu, now an old man, hears that world famous magician Harry Houdini will vanish an elephant, live on stage in New York City. Could it really be Janu, Opu’s old friend, so far from home? He too must bravely make the long journey into the unknown to find out.

Cahoots Theater: The Vanishing Elephant.

by Melissa Gordon

SATURDAY, MARCH 8 AT 2:00PM

CONCERTS & CONVERSATIONS

MUSIC FROM AMERICA’S GILDED AGE

ANTHONY BONAMICI, FORTEPIANIST

Piano Performance Museum

Doctorow Center for the Arts

Anthony Bonamici will perform a series of pieces by the American composer John Knowles Paine, who was the first music professor at Harvard University. In 1861, he was appointed Harvard’s first University organist and choirmaster. At the end of the episode “A Long Ladder” (S01E04) of the HBO television series The Gilded Age, in a scene set in New York in 1882, the Boston Symphony Orchestra is shown under the composer’s direction performing Paine’s Symphony No.2. Anthony will perform on the 1824 William Geib Square Piano, the 1829 Conrad Graf Concert Grand, and the 1842 John Broadwood Semi-Grand.

SATURDAY, MARCH 22 AT 7:00PM

BALLET HISPÁNICO’S PALANTE JUNIOR ENSEMBLE: A PERFORMANCE

MARCH 27, 28 & 29 AT 7:00PM

TRUE WEST, BY SAM SHEPARD

Maude Adams Theater Hub Catskill Mountain Foundation

The Apex Lounge at Scribner’s Lodge 13 Scribner Hollow Road, Hunter

True West tells the story of two estranged brothers, who reunite at their mother’s home just outside the California desert. The unlikely duo write a screenplay for a producer, and as they navigate their complicated past, conflicting personalities, and combined interests, the lines between reality and fiction begin to blur. This will be the inaugural production on a new, innovative circular stage: the Apex Lounge at the Rounds.

SATURDAY, MARCH 29 AT 7:00PM

PASSION FRUIT DANCE COMPANY: DIMENSIONS

Presented in partnership with Works & Process at the Guggenheim and American Dance Festival

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

For over five decades, Ballet Hispánico’s School of Dance has been a beacon of excellence in dance education, igniting the passion for movement in countless young artists. With a legacy spanning 54 years, the school stands as a testament to the transformative power of dance in shaping both individual lives and the broader artistic landscape. Through its dynamic curriculum meticulously crafted for the demands of today’s ever-evolving field, Ballet Hispánico’s School of Dance not only imparts technical prowess but also fosters creativity, resilience, and cultural appreciation.

Ballet Hispánico is honored to partner with the Catskill Mountain Foundation. The artists of the Junior Ensemble will be in residence for one week culminating in this exciting performance on the beautiful Orpheum stage, inspiring and entertaining audiences of all ages.

New York City-based Passion Fruit Dance Company brings their immersive street dance theater blend, putting into full effect the Orpheum’s recent technical upgrades. See the culmination of a technical residency for “Dimensions” prior to the work’s world premiere at American Dance Festival. Led by director and choreographer Tatiana Desardouin, don’t miss this multi-disciplinary experience featuring dance, live music, live painting, animation, body casting, and VJing, inspired by the photography of Lauriane Ogay.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 AT 2:00PM

THE SCATTERING, OR THE LIGHT, A PROJECT IN PROGRESS BY EMILY COATES

Presented in partnership with Works & Process at the Guggenheim

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

Spurred by George Balanchine’s brief yet pivotal 1933 touchdown in Hartford, CT, dancer and choreographer Emily Coates gathered artifacts of his lingering presence in archives throughout the region. Drawing on her background as a former member of New York City Ballet, and working in close collaboration with Ain Gordon (director-dramaturg), Derek Lucci (performer), Charles Burnham (violinist, composer), and Melvin Chen (pianist), Coates creates an alternative portrait of a choreographic legacy, by collaging far-flung remains: unanswered letters from his mother, lost ballets, 1950s publicity brochures, original muses, and more. Filled with hidden stories and quieted voices, The Scattering, or the light (working title) meditates on the spark that propels art into existence. The poignancy of Coates’ time at the Orpheum is underscored by Catskill Mountain Foundation board member in memoriam Jacques d’Amboise, a dance icon and New York City Ballet principal dancer who worked closely with George Balanchine, called Hunter home for seven decades, and whose legacy continues with the National Dance Institute’s annual summer program on the mountain top. Emily Coates’s new work will premiere at Works & Process at the Guggenheim in Fall 2025.

SATURDAY, MAY 3 AT 7:30PM PERICLES

Doctorow Center for the Arts

Catskill Mountain Shakespeare is excited to launch its second Catskills-wide Touring Production of Pericles in the spring of 2025! From March 24 to May 3, 2025, Catskill Mountain Shakespeare will tour to local middle schools, high schools, libraries, and other community venues throughout the Catskill Region. CMS is one of 40 recipients in the country of the prestigious Shakespeare in American Communities grant, a program of The National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Head to catskillmountainshakespeare.com for more information!

SATURDAY, MAY 10 AT 7:00PM AYODELE CASEL

RENOWNED TAP DANCER CASEL PERFORMS WITH POETS, DANCERS AND MUSICIANS

Presented in partnership with The Joyce Theater Foundation.

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

“Tap royalty” (The New York Times) Ayodele Casel continues to capture the exuberant and tenacious spirit of tap dance. Rooted in expressions of selfhood, culture, and legacy, Casel pushes tap forward while holding reverence for her predecessors and the African American roots of the form. This spring, Casel, her team of collaborators, poets, dancers, musicians, and director Torya Beard will be in residence with Catskill Mountain Foundation, and the group will present excerpts from works-in-process developed during their residency.

SATURDAY, MAY 17 AT 2:00PM ORPHEUM DANCE PROGRAM COMMUNITY BALLET CLASS ANNUAL RECITAL

Victoria Rinaldi

Orpheum Dance Program Director

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

The Orpheum Dance Program Community Ballet Class is a year-round program of ballet instruction for children of all ages which includes an annual student dance recital and participation in two ballets each year–A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Nutcracker. All performances take place at the Orpheum Performing Arts Center in Tannersville. The recital showcases the work of all students of Director, Victoria Rinaldi and can also include alumnae who have joined acclaimed ballet companies or who are studying dance at major universities. Ms. Rinaldi is a former ballerina with the New York Metropolitan Opera ballet corps.

RESIDENCY: MAY 28-JUNE 8

ACADEMY OF FORTEPIANO

PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL

Doctorow Center for the Arts academyfortepiano.org

An annual event celebrating the works of famed early composers performed on historical keyboards from the Piano Performance Museum.

Directors: Audrey Axinn, Maria Rose

MAY 28-30

WORKSHOP ON MAINTAINING HISTORICAL PIANOS, HARPSICHORDS, AND CLAVICHORDS

Directors: Masayuki Maki and Richard Hester

SATURDAY, MAY 31 AT 7:00 PM

FACULTY AND GUEST ARTIST CONCERT: THE INTIMATE PIANO

A concert of piano music by J.C. Bach, Haydn, Montgeroult, and Chopin featuring faculty and guest artists from the Academy of Fortepiano Performance. Performed on Period Pianos from the Piano Performance Museum Collection

SATURDAY, JUNE 7 AT 7:00 PM

STUDENT CONCERT

SATURDAY, MAY 17 AT 7:30PM AS ABOVE, SO BELOW

Maude Adams Theater Hub Catskill Mountain Foundation

Doctorow Center for the Arts

An extraordinary evening on the State of Grace. Conceived by Chris Cade, As Above, So Below is a multimedia meditation that includes a one-act play, Annie and Zoe, written by Betty Aberlin and featuring Jessica Gibbons and Elisabeth Henry, a solo performance by Astrid Conybeare and Sarah Mahoney, and a short film by Ed Cachianes.

SUNDAY, JUNE 29 AT 3:00PM

OMNY TAIKO

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

SECOND PERFORMANCE: FRIDAY, JULY 4

Windham Civic and Performing Arts Center, Windham

OMNY Taiko Drummers return to the mountaintop to again share their eagerly anticipated performances with the greater Catskill Mountain community. OMNY Taiko’s mission is to foster a culture of community and support through the art of Japanese taiko drumming to impact and connect our global society. The sound of the taiko drum is as pure and as fundamental as the heartbeat and has the power to connect ourselves with those around us and with the universe at large. As such, we seek to develop and share with the audience our abilities as taiko players—rhythm, movement, teamwork, and spirit—and to promote taiko drumming through performances in the New York area and beyond.

THURSDAY, JULY 3 AT 1:00 PM

SATURDAY, JULY 5 AT 1:00 & 6:00 PM

SUNDAY, JULY 6 AT 1:00 PM THE LITTLE MERMAID

Maude Adams Theater Hub Catskill Mountain Foundation

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

Join MATH under the sea over the 4th of July weekend as they tell the beloved tale (pun intended) of a girl who yearns to see the world. Community actors of all ages come together to create magic through acting, puppetry, and plenty of whimsy and pluck.

JULY 12-13, 16-20, 24-27

ROMEO & JULIET

JULY 19-27

HORTON BY THE STREAM

All events take place at the Doctorow Center for the Arts Events are FREE, with a suggested donation of $20 hortonbythestream.org

SATURDAY, JULY 19 AT 7:00 PM FILM SCREENING: MY DINNER WITH ANDRE

Two old friends meet for dinner. Directed by Louis Malle.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JULY 19 & 20 AT 2:00 PM MY PIQUE-NIQUE WITH MAUDE, BY MAUDE MITCHELL

Inspired by My Dinner with Andre, this play is drawn from a series of conversations about love, grieving, and theater.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JULY 26 & 27 AT 2:00 PM THE OLD FRIENDS, BY HORTON FOOTE

A play about buried jealousies and loves that are rekindled when a hometown beauty returns to Harrison in 1965.

Outdoors & under the tent behind the Big Red Barn

For more information: catskillmountainshakespeare.com

In the heart of summer, two young lovers collide in a world divided by ancient hatred—and dare to imagine a future no one else can see. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Catskills, outdoors and under the tent, our production fuses the wild beauty of nature with exhilarating stage combat, stunning design, and epic romance.

SUNDAY, JULY 13 AT 12:00 PM

CATSKILL MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION

ANNUAL BENEFIT: MOVEMENT IN BLOOM, FEATURING DANCERS FROM THE NEW YORK CITY BALLET

Presented in partnership with Works & Process at the Guggenheim Orpheum Performing Arts Center

Star dancers from the New York City Ballet return to the mountaintop for a new annual tradition. The performance is under the Direction of New York City Ballet Principal Adrian Danchig-Waring.

SATURDAY, JULY 26 AT 7:00 PM FILM SCREENING: OLD FRIENDS

A documentary film by Peter Odabashian about trauma, depression, falling in love, getting older, and finding happiness.

JULY 31-AUGUST 10

HUNTER INTERNATIONAL

MUSIC FESTIVAL

Except where noted, all events take place at the Doctorow Center for the Arts huntermusicfestival.com

A unique, immersive, ten-day music festival with solo and chamber music performances.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3 AT 7:00 PM MUSIC SALON Red Barn

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 & 6 AT 7:00 PM YOUNG ARTISTS CONCERT SERIES

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 AT 2:30 PM CHAMBER MUSIC STUDENT CONCERT

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 AT 7:00 PM

ECHOES OF NATIONS: NATIONALISM IN 19TH-CENTURY MUSIC

Works by Sibelius, Smetana, and Dvořák by faculty and guest artists of the Hunter International Music Festival.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9 AT 7:00 PM

GUEST ARTIST CONCERT: PARKER QUARTET

Praised by the Washington Post for “exceptional virtuosity (and) imaginative interpretation,” the Grammy Award-winning Parker Quartet has distinguished itself as one of the preeminent ensembles of its generation.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 AT 2:00 & 7:00PM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3 AT 2:00PM

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Orpheum Dance Program

Victoria Rinaldi, Director

Featuring dancers from Joffrey Ballet School New York, Aquila Theatre and Orpheum Dance Program Student Dancers

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

This unique production, conceived by former Metropolitan Opera ballerina Victoria Rinaldi, in partnership with the Joffrey Ballet School New York and Aquila Theatre transports the audience to an enchanted wood to witness what hilarity unfolds, when fairies meddle with the love lives of mortals.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 AT 2:00PM

CONCERTS & CONVERSATIONS

CAREFULLY CULTIVATED PERSONAE:

VIENNA & PARIS: WOMEN AT THE KEYBOARD, 1740-1875

PATRICIA GARCIA GIL, FORTEPIANIST

Piano Performance Museum

Doctorow Center for the Arts

This program brings together four composers who navigated restrictive musical worlds by carefully curating not only their artistic identities but also their personal public images. Working in Vienna and Paris across two generations, Marianna Martines, Clara Wieck Schumann, Hélène de Nervo de Montgeroult, and Louise Dumont Farrenc built lives in music that challenged the limits of what women could achieve—and what they could be seen to desire.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 AT 7:00PM FEVER PITCH: GROUNDBREAKING SYMPHONIES BY MOZART AND HAYDN

TWELFTH NIGHT ENSEMBLE WITH YI-HENG YANG, FORTEPIANIST

Doctorow Center for the Arts

With the French Revolution around the corner, music was experiencing its own upheaval, driven by the relentless energy and creative power of Mozart and Haydn. On August 23, the sensational period orchestra Twelfth Night and leading fortepiano Yi-heng Yang continue their collaboration, and return to the Doctorow Center to perform grand symphonies by two renegades who reshaped the trajectory of Classical music.

RETREAT: SEPTEMBER 8-14

PERFORMANCE:

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 AT 7:00 PM MUSIC OASIS

LED BY GREG DAYTON AND MARLON SAUNDERS

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

The Music Oasis presents a very special evening celebrating songwriting spanning folk, blues, soul, and jazz. Featuring cofounders Greg Dayton and Marlon Saunders, with special guests Professor Louie and Miss Marie and Anson Jones, along with new music and performances from their students spending the weeklong creative workshop and retreat in Hunter.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 AT 7:00PM

THE MOSS ENSEMBLE: CONTINUING A LEGACY OF BRINGING HUMANITY AND MUSIC TOGETHER

Darcy Dunn - Mezzo-Soprano

Marshall Coid - Countertenor, Violin, Composer

Elizabeth Rodgers - Piano

Mary Wooten - Cello, Piano, Composer

Doctorow Center for the Arts

Please join this quartet of world-class performers for an evening of adventurous and beautiful music. This year’s concert marks Moss’s third appearance at the CMF and features new pieces by living composers, works from varied musical periods, and includes favorites from past concerts as well. The ensemble will offer stories that help illuminate the music—all of which we hope will excite and move you.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 AT 3:00PM

ORPHEE MUSIQUE SALON

An invitation-only event at a private home in Elka Park

Created in France, the Orphée Musique Association offers practical training and performing opportunities to young musicians who are entering a professional career. Once a year, they hold a very special event both in Paris and in New York: “7 days 7 concerts”, during which a chosen artist will play seven days in a row, in seven different places; all different programs.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10 & 11 AT 7:00 PM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12 AT 2:00 PM

BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, BY NEIL SIMON

Maude Adams Theater Hub Catskill Mountain Founda tion Doctorow Center for the Arts

Paul Bratter is a straight-as-an-arrow lawyer and Corie a free spirit always looking for the latest kick. Their new apartment is her most recent find—too expensive with bad plumbing and in need of a paint job. After a six-day honeymoon, they get a surprise visit from Corie’s loopy mother and decide to play matchmaker during a dinner with their neighbor-in-the-attic, Velasco, where everything that can go wrong does.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 AT 2:00PM

CONCERTS & CONVERSATIONS

STEPHANIE SCHMIDT AND ROBIN MORACE, FORTEPIANISTS

Piano Performance Museum Doctorow Center for the Arts

While completing a piano performance M.M. in Lincoln, NE, Stephanie Schmidt discovered the artistic joys of performing on historical keyboards—and has continued to “look back” ever since. Though progressing towards a traditional piano D.M.A. at the UNC Greensboro, she spends a great deal of time practicing and performing on old and interesting pianos from the mid-1700s to the mid-1800s. Robin Morace holds degrees in performance and composition from SUNY Fredonia, where he studied piano with Fr. Sean Duggan, and is a recent graduate of the doctoral program at UNC Greensboro, where he studied modern piano and historical keyboard instruments with Andrew Willis.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 AT 7:00PM

RENNIE HARRIS PUREMOVEMENT: NUTTIN’ BUT A WORD BY RENNIE HARRIS

Presented in partnership with The Joyce Theater Foundation. Orpheum Performing Arts Center

This suite of works challenges the structural integrity of Campbell locking, house, hip-hop, and B-boying. Now that we are a global hip-hop nation, we seem to have become hip-hop/street dance zealots. This purist attitude has stagnated the natural progression of street dance. Hip-hop/street dance is progressive by design. Nuttin’ But A Word challenges the Hip-hop puritans at every turn and reminds us that we will not evolve as a form without individuality, creativity, and innovation.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 AT 2:00PM CONCERTS & CONVERSATIONS

19TH CENTURY WOMEN COMPOSERS

FROM LATIN AMERICA

JULIAN JENSEN, FORTEPIANIST

Piano Performance Museum

Doctorow Center for the Arts

Julian Jensen will perform a program featuring mid to late 19th century music by women composers from Latin America. Julian has toured the world as an accomplished performer and passionate music teacher with the purpose to use music to improve the community and the world.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 AT 7:00 PM PARSONS DANCE

Presented in partnership with Works & Process at the Guggenheim

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

For nearly forty years, Parsons Dance has been devoted to bringing life-affirming performances and joy to audiences worldwide. The company will be in residency at the Catskill Mountain Foundation from November 2-9, while it works with choreographer Courtney “Balenciaga” Washington on creating a new piece co-commissioned by Parsons Dance and Works & Process at the Guggenheim. The audience will be treated to a preview of Washington’s full-company work followed by a Q & A with the choreographer, and it will also have the chance to experience some of the most cherished pieces from the Parsons repertory: Nascimento, Balance of Power, and Caught, along with Jamar Robert’s Juke

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15 AT 7:00PM

HEADLINERS AND ONE LINERS: SONGS & STORIES OF THE CATSKILLS RESORTS

Doctorow Center for the Arts

On May 21, 2005, the Catskill Mountain Foundation launched The Mountaintop Celebration of Song, a series of musical revues created for the CMF, with a production of Headliners and One-Liners: Songs & Stories of the Catskills Resorts. The CMF is bringing Headliners back, to be performed by its original creative team of Julia Mendelsohn, Mark Singer and Darcy Dunn, joined by

two electrifying performers, Emma Green and Mychal Leverage. Headliners is a nostalgic tribute to the heyday of the Borscht Belt resorts of New York’s Catskill Mountains, and to the great entertainers that performed there. The show has the stories and the laughs—and the glorious music of Richard Rogers, Burt Bacharach, Cole Porter, Kurt Weill, Harold Arlen and many others—that made the Borscht Belt era so extraordinary.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29 AT 7:00PM

WINDHAM FESTIVAL CHAMBER

ORCHESTRA: FAURE AND FRIENDS

ALEXANDER PLATT, MUSIC DIRECTOR

SPECIAL GUEST, ROBERT MANNO

Sponsored by the Mapleside Fund in honor of Dr. John Farber. Orpheum Performing Arts Center

Members of the choral ensemble Ars Choralis join the Windham Festival Chamber Orchestra for a beautiful and reflective evening, sharing music of some of the favorite composers of the family in whose memory the concert is sponsored. Music Director of the Maverick Concerts in Woodstock, Alexander Platt is honored to follow in the footsteps of Robert Manno as Conductor. Windham Festival Chamber Orchestra was formed in 2000 by conductor Robert Manno and has performed at the Windham Civic Center, the Doctorow Center for the Arts and the Orpheum Performing Arts Center. The orchestra is comprised of the finest musicians from the New York area and includes current and former members of some of the world’s most esteemed orchestras and ensembles.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 AT 2:00 & 7:00PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 AT 2:00PM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 AT 2:00 & 7:00PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 AT 2:00PM

THE NUTCRACKER

Orpheum Dance Program

Victoria Rinaldi, Director

Featuring dancers from Joffrey Ballet School New York, Ballet Hispánico Student Dancers, and Orpheum Dance Program Student Dancers

Orpheum Performing Arts Center

The CMF Nutcracker, now in its tenth year, has become a holiday favorite of residents of the surrounding Catskills and Hudson Valley. Featuring ballet stars of the future, this spectacular production has become one of the finest Nutcrackers in upstate New York. This year, Orpheum Dance Program Director, former Met Opera ballerina Victoria Rinaldi, will partner with the Joffrey Ballet School New York and Ballet Hispánico who will provide corps de ballet dancers and dancers for star roles.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19

(RAIN/SNOW DATE: DECEMBER 20)

HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR

Maude Adams Theater Hub Catskill Mountain Foundation

Doctorow Center for the Arts

This December, the community gathers once more to sing, read, and share in the seasonal spirit for the 3rd Annual Holiday Spectacular. All are welcome to be a part of the performance, and tickets are free!

Nutcracker The

Saturday, December 6, 2:00 & 7:00 pm

Sunday, December 7, 2:00 pm

Saturday, December 13, 2:00 & 7:00 pm

Sunday, December 14, 2:00 pm

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