Catskills’ Wellington Hotel Named to 2025 Endangered List + This Week’s Top Events

Hey there! if you’ve been here long enough, you probably remember I used to write little notes, say hi, or share fly fishing adventures. Each week with Catskill Crew is a bit different, I never know what stories I’ll share. But it’s my birthday week and I like to shake things up. So with that being said, the little notes are making a come back, even if it’s just to say hi. - Michael

BIRD SONGS

I wouldn’t consider myself a bird watcher — or is the term birder? I don’t have the handy guides or the binoculars - but I do have the Merlin Bird ID app. It’s completely free, built by the good folks over at Cornell, and super simple to use.

My favorite part is that the app lets you know if the bird you hear or see is common, uncommon, or rare for the area. Yesterday, I identified 32 birds, but only one uncommon. Here are a few of my favorite neighbors I heard — and an interesting fact.

• Barred Owl (Strix varia) A large woodland owl and quite the homebody of the deep woods, it picks a forest and sticks with it — occasionally popping out in daylight if the clouds roll in.

• Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) This one skips parenting altogether, laying eggs in other birds' nests and letting them raise the chicks (dangggg).

• Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) Its tongue wraps all the way around its skull (like hummingbirds) and despite the name, it’s the red cap you’ll notice, not the belly.

• American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) A true summer bird, it waits for thistles to bloom before nesting — then lines its cozy little home with the good fluff.

• Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) It drills neat sap wells into trees, creating a sugar bar that hummingbirds, bats, and bugs all stop by to sip from.

Maybe I’m a birder after all… Nevertheless, check out Merlin and let me know if you find any rare birds in the area.

ENDANGERED

The Wellington Hotel in Pine Hill, NY, has just been named one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation — a national spotlight on a once-grand Catskills resort that’s just hanging on.

Built in 1882 and originally known as the Ulster House Hotel, the Wellington is one of the last of its kind: a sprawling, wood-frame hotel from the golden era of Catskills tourism. At its peak, the hamlet of Pine Hill had fourteen hotels — today, only one remains.

After decades of weather, disrepair, and structural decline, its foundation is now dangerously unstable. But a local group of residents has stepped in, determined to save the building, and breathe new life into it. You can learn more and support the effort by making a donation here.

A QUESTION

I recently started digging into local and state grants for Catskill Crew — and quickly realized I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. So I thought, why not tap into the wisdom of the Crew?

If you have experience with grant sourcing or writing in the Catskills or New York State, I’d love to connect. Tips, tricks, or even just a nudge in the right direction would mean a lot. Reach out and say hi!

THE BULLETIN

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to 28,000 friends?

OH-BOY! MARKET returns to Andes on July 5th & 6th with 70+ incredible independent makers, small-batch goods, and the big summer energy we're all ready for! Come for the goods! Stay for the good times! Snag your tickets.

Omega Institute located right in Rhinebeck is a place to reset your perspective, recharge your energy, and renew your connection to what matters most. Guided by world-class teachers and nearly 50 years of expertise, Omega creates the perfect environment for you to discover clarity, connection, and purpose. Browse their 2025 programming.

Weiss Ferments is now Leavened, a dedicated sourdough bakery. The name is new, but the heart of the bread hasn’t changed. Rye remains the backbone of every loaf — a grain that thrives in NY’s climate and grounds each bake in a sense of time, place, and purpose. Head to Leavened to learn more, and check them out at the Windham, Phoenicia, and Wayward Lane Farmers' Markets!

THE REPORT

Adopt Pets starting off with Scooby a mysterious fella that little is known about, Crescent a short haired tuxedo, and Rapunzel the rabbit.

House of the week has quite the history and quite the price tag 

Sunrise 5:39 AM
Sunset 8:10 PM
Fire Danger [Low]
Air Quality [Moderate]
Moon Phase [Waning Gibbous]
Moon & Antares will have a close encounter (aka conjunction) at 11:12pm on May 13th

Want a Featured Event with a poster? Reach out. 
Want to add an event? Use this link.

An old-fashioned fish fry that supports the conservation efforts of Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, all proceeds go directly toward protecting and restoring coldwater fisheries. Get a tix

TUESDAY 13TH

Phoenicia Playhouse, Phoenicia - Industry Film Night from 5-9pm see ya there 

Colony, Woodstock - Major Mayhem Karaoke at 6:30pm have fun

Salt Box, Kingston - Queer Kingston hangs from 6pm onwards deets

Tubby's, Kingston - Chess Night from 5-7pm checkmate 

WEDNESDAY 14TH

Woodstock Farm, Woodstock - The seasonal Farm Festival kicks off in Mountainview Lot from 3-7pm buy local

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Live music from Paper Castles, The Riverboat Gamblers, and Strawberry Runners from 8-10:30pm check it out 

The Pines, Mount Tremper - Music Night with Hen in the Foxhouse from 7-9pm smash burgers

Colony, Woodstock - Soul Patrol in the Ballroom at 7pm get down

The Rosendale Theatre, Rosendale - Music Fan Series: One to One – John and Yoko at 7pm get a tix

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Burn, Karma, Burn: An Improvisational Session for Musicians & Artists at 7:30pm more info

Hurleyville Arts Centre, Hurleyville - May Sip & Craft: Embroider a Jute bag at 6pm have fun

THURSDAY 15TH

Tubby's, Kingston - Bark Culture, Blue Lake, and Ezra Feinberg from 7-11pm have a good ol’ time

Lost Book Shop, Delhi - Book Discussion: Bluebird, Bluebird from 6-7:30pm read more books

Hummingbird, Catskill - Needle Felting Workshop from 6-7:30pm make something

Kirkside Park, Roxbury - Pop Up Outdoor Neon Art Gallery from 7-9pm cris is a fellow crew member

FRIDAY 16TH

Return Brewing, Catskill - Return Brewing Outpost Grand Opening, opens at 1pm and ribbon cutting at 4:30pm cheers to that

Ashokan Center, Olivebridge - Old Time Rollick 2025 cool cool cool

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - Hamilton Leithauser: This Side of the Island Tour with Johanna Samuels at 7pm get your tickets

Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown - Fire Pit Friday’s from 6-10pm cheers

Park Theatre, Hudson - Comedy Night from 7-10pm laughing is medicine

Riedlbauer's Resort, Round Top - Accordion Weekend at 9pm sweet

Print House, Fleishmanns - Live music with Adam Ippolitto & The Elderly Brothers at 8pm enjoy yourselves

SATURDAY 17TH

The Dale, Mountain Dale - Zodiac Dance Party — Taurus Dance Time from 10pm-2am taurus szn

Well Nice Wine Bar, Rosendale - Collab and special ramp menu with Middleborough Pizza from 4:30-9:30pm nom nom my friends

Assembly, Kingston - Hudson Valley Burlesque Bash from 7-11pm check it out

Cannonball Factory, Hudson - Spring Weekend Pop-Up Market from 11am-5pm (5/18 as well) shop local

Athens Cultural Center, Athens - 6th Annual Sleepy Hollow Lake Classic Car Show from 11am-3pm pedal to the metal

Opus 40, Saugerties - Community Day good times

Jane St. Art Center, Saugerties - Opening reception of a new exhibit by Lindsey Wolkowicz, folds and faults from 4-6pm details

White Feather Farm, Saugerties - Little Seedlings: Soil Painting from 11am-2pm have fun

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - Jerry’s Middle Finger at 7pm tix

Catskill Center, Shokan - Invasive Species Pull: Kindness to Critters With Habitat Restoration from 9am-12pm dig it

M.A.C. Grounds, Fleischmanns - Mountain Athletic Club playing 1895 rules baseball from 2-5pm

Livingston Manor - Flower Day going all day long spring time

Historic Brunel Park and Sculpture Garden, Boiceville - Art-Nature-Music Fest fom 3-7pm details

DVAA, Narrowsburg - Opening Reception for Bobby Abate and Sherry Rossini at 3pm check it out

Morton Memorial Library, Pine Hill - Rain Gardens and Biodiversity from 3-4pm details

Neversink Fire Department, Neversink - Memorial Horseshoe Tournament from 9am on right on

Sugar Maples Art Center, Maplecrest - Opening Reception of Fruition from 12-3pm (until May 24) info

SUNDAY 18TH

Ashokan Center, Olivebridge - Spring Explorations Mushroom Ecology Hike 2025 forage

Mountain Top Arboretum, Tannersville - Spring Guided Walk with Wild Hudson Valley from 10-11:30am details and Spring Forest Bathing with Beth Rennig from 1-2:30pm more info

Athens Cultural Center, Athens - Bluegrass Slow Jam from 2-4pm dig it

MONDAY 19TH

Rough Draft, Kingston - Night School: A Rough Draft Reading Series from 6-7:30pm have fun

Scramble Answer: Neversink