CREW CAPS, LOCAL GUIDE & COCKTAILS

Welcome back to another edition of good ol’ Catskill Crew. Got a lot in here from new crew caps to local guides to a heap of happenings (a bit quieter after the holiday weekend). Hope you enjoy and I’ll see ya out there.

The limited run of Camo Trout Caps have landed and I’m truly excited to share them with you. There were only 100 made and only 100 will ever exist. It’s more fun that way.

The hat is a Richardson 112 (one of the best you can get in my humble opinion). The velcro patch doubles as a fly holder when you’re traveling light on the river and the Realtree camo will keep you hidden from whatever — or whoever — you’re trying to evade.

My wonderful mother is in town visiting, and she’s bravely volunteered to help me box up every order. So if you want one, now’s the time, and we’ll get them packed up and shipped out to you.

P.S. I’ll be adding a fly to each one - so whether you fly fish or not, you’ll be ready!

If you’ve been waiting for more games to come back in stock, I got some good news for you. Catskill-opoly is back. The puzzles will be a few more months. But they will return, eventually, and probably briefly. There are more screen-less Catskill adventures in the works. Stay tuned.

If you’ve been waiting for Catskill Crew games to return, I got some good news for you. Catskill-opoly is back! So, if you haven’t snagged one of your own yet, or want to plan in advance for the holidays, you can get one now. Nothing beats trash talking your opponents as you battle for control over the coveted Kaaterskill Falls.

The puzzles will return eventually, and I’m cooking up more screen-less Catskill adventures to come. Stay tuned.

The seasonal tides are shifting and the first leaves are turning, at least where I am. Cool nights and that first whiff of woodsmoke have me rethinking my beverage selections — the weather usually dictates these types of decisions. This week, it’s a Fall Old Fashioned, and it’s pretty darn good. Add extra bitters if that’s your thing, it’s certainly mine.

Recipe
2 oz bourbon, 1 oz fresh local apple cider, ¼ oz also local maple syrup, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters (or more, if you’re like me).

How to make it
It’s very straightforward. Add everything to a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a fresh cube. Garnish (I don’t) with an apple slice or cinnamon stick.

CONTRIBUTOR: UPSTATE CURIOUS

Delaware County and the Western Catskills are prettttyyyy. Rolling hills, bucolic farmland, the West Branch of the Delaware River, and many lovely historic towns to explore. Our team’s three DelCo agents - Hillary Kolos, Gio Lucciola, and Nigel Hall - helped me put together our favorite places to stop when you’re hungry, thirsty, or want to support a local business aka mini shopping spree.

EATING

Andes: Café Mutsi is a Nordic-inspired café and wine bar with some of the best pastries I’ve ever had (hello, cardamom buns aka “pulla”!). The Andes Hotel offers farm-to-table bar fare (think smoked trout dip, falafel gyro, mozz sticks), plus karaoke, live music, and a very committed Dolly Parton–themed bathroom. Wayside Cider is a taproom known for their acclaimed ciders in two refurbished barns – and also serve up other other NY-made drinks, great food, and Cabaret nights.

Delhi: Hollow serves stellar coffee, pastries, and small plates – and Hillary’s also a fan of their “speakeasy vibes bar/restaurant in the back for dinner”. I don’t hate that they offer delicious Anzac cookies that count as breakfast cause, well, they’re oats. EIGHTYMain makes all their pasta in-house and hosts winter popups with ramen, fried chicken, and other cozy favorites. At Blue Bee Café, the portions are actually ginormous - I get the sesame noodles and plan for lots of leftovers.

SHOPPING

Andes: Hawk + Hive is one of my favorite stops with great art (and more affordable prints) that takes advantage of the many creatives in the area, while the large Estro showroom offers vintage furniture with mid-century/Scandi flair. Diamond Hollow Books is a Klein-blue dream inside a historic building.

Delhi: Tay’s Tea (third-generation Iranian tea maker Nini also sells organic clothing and skincare), This and That supplies mostly-vintage treasures carefully curated by Matt Marchese (who’s also about to use his extensive culinary experience in his new venture in Pony’s, a restaurant set to open fall 2025), The Lost Bookshop (indie must-stop), Lucky Dragon (art supplies + classes), and Rabbit Boy Vintage (upcycled kitsch). For the opposite of kitsch, Stone and Sawyer’s showroom features their impeccably crafted ceramic lamps with wood accents. Delhi’s year-round farmers’ market is the place to stock up on local veggies, pies, maple syrup, and more.

LISTING

We hustled this week so that you Catskill Crew folks would be the first to hear about this very special new Coming Soon listing that I'm obsessed with. It's right between Andes and Delhi in Bovina so we could not have planned things better for this newsletter (although we didn't plan it - but we sure did get lucky!)

Megan Brenn-White, Associate Broker and Head of the Upstate Curious Team at Compass

Meadowlark Festival — A three-day music festival September 12-14th at Stone Ridge Orchard that benefits Hudson Valley farmers — features Sunflower Bean, Haley Heynderickx, Cut Worms, River Whyless, Willi Carlisle, and more. The stage is a 1940s travel trailer situated under a centuries-old oak tree on a heritage apple orchard. For a limited time use discount code CATSKILLCREW for 15% off tickets. Click here to learn more and get tickets.

Something Exciting for Catskill Crew Photographers Check out the inaugural Photo Retreat in the Woods, a four-day creative immersion at AutoCamp in Saugerties. They have set up a robust schedule of photoshoots with models, excursions, classroom sessions and reviews led by a specialized faculty of photo legends like Sean Kernan and locals like NYT travel photographer Sara Fox. You'll learn book design and Adobe Light Room too!  They sold out the onsite accommodations, but have a limited set of discounted tickets for Catskill Crew readers who are local. Use code CREWSAVE100 to save $100. Learn more at RetreatIntheWoods

Looking to kick up a little excitement during leaf peeping season? The Footy Fest at American Legion Field in Delhi, NY, on Saturday, October 11, unites the NY state soccer community for a day filled with 7v7 footy. All skill levels and spectators are welcome. Must be 18+ to register. Catskill Crew subscribers who use the code FFCATCREW20 receive 20% off registration. The Footy Fest!

SUNRISE 6:25 AM
SUNSET 7:29 PM
FIRE DANGER Low
AIR QUALITY Good
MOON Waxing Gibbous

PROPERTY: Bramley Mountain Chalet

PETS: This week we have a sweet pup named Cog, a cat named Chorus, and Maurice the Goffin Cockatoo.

SKY: There will be a total lunar eclipse taking place on September 7th, unfortunately it happens during the day, so the Catskills won’t have a chance to see a Blood Moon.

SIGHTINGS: There was a report of a RARE Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) spotted in Ulster County.

Want to add an event? Use this link.

Tubby's, Kingston - DJ Night with Georgia and Ira from Yo La Tengo at 7pm boom

Salt Box, Kingston - Queer Kingston hangs at 6pm have fun

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Open Mic Night at 7pm

Mountain Top Arboretum, Tannersville - Yoga for Gardening with Pamela Martin at 3:15pm down doggy

The Rosendale Theatre,  Rosendale - WTF Wednesday: Battle Royale at 7:30pm movie night

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Queer Trivia at 7:30pm

Camp Kingston, Kingston - Monthly Happy Hour with Upstate Color at 6pm sip sip

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - REPRISE: Recreating Iconic Phish Shows at 7pm tickets

Keegan Ales, Kingston - Open Mic Comedy Night at 7:30pm

Rough Draft, Kingston - Trivia at 6pm

Tubby's, Kingston - Live performances by Tear Dungeon and Negative Raxxx at 7pm take a look

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Queer Line Dancing at 7:30pm line dancing is a big thing now huh

Catskill Center, Mt. Tremper - Full Moon Family Night at 7:30pm good stuff

Catskill Fly Fishing Museum, Livingston Manor - 2025 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering at 9:30am tight lines

Rhinecellar, Rhinebeck - Local Artist Show & DJ Night at 7pm details

The Print House, Fleischmanns - Ted Leo Live at 7pm sold out but more tickets may be available at the door

Mountain Top Arboretum, Tannersville - Story Walk in the Woodland at 10am kiddos

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - The Big Star Quintet at 7pm (until Sept 6) nice

Keegan Ales, Kingston - Beers and live music with Girls Wish and Cellmate at 9pm deets

Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown - Live music featuring Beadle Brothers at 6pm more info

Momoglobal Flowers Farm, Jeffersonville - 5th Shinrinyoku (森林浴）Forest Bathing outdoor concert and Japanese Market from 3-9pm interest is piqued

Friends of the Upper Delaware, Hancock - Riverfest with activities, kids’ crafts, live music, exhibitors and more from 10am-2pm good stuff

Return Brewing, Hudson - Floral pop-up from 2-6pm details followed by a Mario Kart tournament from 6-9pm lets-a-go

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel - Blink 182 at 7pm dang they are still around

Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock - Midnight Ramble ft. The Union at 8pm tickets

Roost Arts Hudson Valley, New Paltz - Beth Bischoff Solo Show: Opening Reception at 2pm beautiful work

Scribner's Catskill Lodge, Hunter - Fellow’s Makers’ Market from 11am-2pm

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Live music with Earthlings presenting Space Jam at 9pm dig in

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Act Up Drag Show at 8pm

Red Owl Collective, Kingston - Red Owl Flea at 9am-4pm excellent

The Department of Things, Kingston - Clay Play a Pottery Workshop at 1pm more of this please

West Kill Supply, Kingston - The Full Moon Honky-Tonk at 12pm drink brookies

Rough Draft, Kingston - The Moto Social Hudson Valley at 9am cool beans

The Smoke Joint, Livingston Manor - Fifth Annual Clambake and Folk Fest from 12-7pm glorious

Kleinert/James Center for the Arts, Woodstock - Art Songs with Sylvia Bullett at 3pm details

Wiltwyck Golf, Kingston - Unhinged Speed Dating & Pool Social at 12pm go meet someone

Beattie Powers Place, Catskill - Tribute Concert for Tom Bellino at 2pm followed by a jam sesh

White Feather Farm, Saugerties - Kundalini Yoga, Meditation, and Gong Immersion at 10am an antidote

🦗