Hiking Diamond Notch

Off Route 214, in Lanesville

Onteora Lake and trail

In West Hurley, along Route 28 (just before the Hobo Deli area), there is a New York State DEC site, Onteora Lake: aside from the lake, there is a hiking trail.

October 18 pictures of CPOA grounds

Finally, later on Saturday the 16th, Jerry Ciacciera managed  to start, and move, his truck:

The Phoenicia Times

As Janis Chron wrote in her email of Friday 15 October, a column appeared in the New York Times edition of  Wednesday 13 October, written by Peter Applebome, about the demise of the Phoenicia Times (and of the Olive Press).


There’s often something appropriately operatic about a newspaper’s farewell, but as far as group hugs go, it would be hard to beat the one that accompanied the final edition last week of The Phoenicia Times, with its memorable slogan, “Covering the Town of Shandaken, Wild Heart of the Catskills’ High Peaks.” 

There were farewell columns by the food columnist, the hiking columnist, the farming columnist and most of the paper’s regular voices. There were heartfelt farewells from readers (“Loss does not describe it. I see it as creating a very bleak vacuum”). And there was a quite lovely front-page obituary, with its reference to long-dead Catskill papers: The Hancock True Flag, The Pine Hill Sentinel, The Star of Delaware.

“When newspapers die, there’s no headstone to mark their passing. But I’d like to imagine that somewhere in the Catskill Mountains, in a clearing on a hillside ringed with a crumbling stone wall, there’s a little plot where mourning readers can pay their respects.”

What was most interesting about the tribute was its provenance. It began as a post on a relatively new Catskill Web site, The Watershed Post, and it was written by the site’s editor, Lissa Harris.

Tanbark Trail, Phoenicia

Behind the Phoenicia Post Office, inside of the Phoenicia Park, in the back, there is an access to the Tanbark Trail. A group of volunteers have carved out a mountain-side trail that is somewhat over 2 miles long, something strenuous at intervals, and a fun hike with some incredible views. We were there on a beautiful autumn day. Some of our views:

A young hiker with, Inchie, a friend on his hand.

A view from the Phoenicia Overlook.

Route 28, headed east from Phoenicia.

Far off in the distance, the Shawangunk Mountains.

October 10 & 11 pictures of CPOA grounds

Additional October 1 flood pictures

Lee Wecker and John Boudreau sent along pictures of the flood damage, including this near-miss to their house:

The Ostrander Bridge collapsed into Stoney Clove Creek, alas.

DELUGE!

Story in the Daily Freeman reporting on the flood; includes photos and videos.

Flood Damage Reporting for FEMA

The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County sent along this posting.

October 1 flood - Chichester photos

Amy and Len Lerner sent these photos along:

(above) Looking down from the Stoney Clove Lane Bridge.

Stoney Clove Creek seen from the Lerner estate.

Remains of the Ostrander Bridge leading from Route 214 to the community house.

Our intrepid reporter on the job.

October 1 flood article

This e-article in the Kingston Daily Freeman includes photos and videos on the flooding in Phoenicia and damage to Route 214.

Rt. 23A study reveals development strategy

This article appeared in the Green County Daily Mail. A two-year long look at how to best prepare the Route 23A corridor through the Town of Hunter for future development was unveiled at a workshop for community and public officials at Hunter Mt.’s Kaatskill Mountain Club.