MOUNTAIN LOVE LETTERS

Welcome back. It’s 31° here in the Catskills and after what we’ve been through — that feels like summer. Tons of valentines day goodness in here, so enjoy this edition and I’ll see ya out there.

Based on popular demand - the next Catskill Crew Dinner Club is locked in for New Paltz on February 26th at 6:30 PM.

Mark your calendars, take the quiz, get matched with 5 other Crew Members, and come out to meet some new friends.

CONTRIBUTED BY IVY MACKEY

The frozen earth beneath us is teeming with resilient beings. In these frigid February temperatures, winds, and snowfalls, I have been staving off the missing of my bug friends by researching where they are resting and what form they are suspended in for winter survival. The woolly bear caterpillar is a familiar bug that I first befriended as a child, but only recently have I come to learn about the incredible biochemical magic that carries them through the winter.

The woolly bear begins this process in the fall to prepare for winter and emerge in the spring. These brown and black-banded caterpillar’s hairs, called setae, are not their primary source of winter insulation, but rather protect from potential parasitoid insects that might lay eggs in them while the woolly bear is experiencing winter dormancy. The real source of their winter survival is cellular diffusion: they eject the water from the interior cells of their body and fill them with glycerol compounds (alcohol) to prevent the formation of ice crystals in the cells.

These compounds lower their body’s freezing point, buying them time to freeze in a more controlled way: first their heart stops beating, then their gut freezes, then their version of blood (hemolymph), and finally the rest of their body. Woolly bears can survive in this state at temperatures up to -90∘F - this cold winter we’re experiencing is no match for their remarkable Arctic adaptation! They are existing in this incredible suspended state at this very moment - beneath the piles of snow tucked away under rocks and logs, waiting for the ice to melt, sun to warm, and days to lengthen for their spring emergence.

Though we are knee-deep in this winter already, the woolly bear inspires me to ask myself the question: what systems serve me in the warm months but can be powered down through the winter to protect my wellbeing? What might I expel from my cells for the winter and what might I welcome in to survive the short cold days while hunkered down in my own version of a fallen log?

Love is in the air here in the Catskills. But this year, you can forget the chocolates and the flowers. Instead, I designed you some top-tier love letters to send over the mountains and through the woods to your special people. Hop to it. I’m confident they’ll be well received.

In less than a week we have raised enough funds to sponsor Penny the Cow and Leroy the Pig. We are only a few dollars shy of hitting the goal and sponsoring our third and final Farm Friend: Tuesday the Goat. Now let’s push-push-push.

100% of funds go directly toward Woodstock Farm Sanctuary. Donate and get us over the finish line.

The Winter Quarterlies continue to ship out and are making their way to your mailboxes. If you want one, you can get it here.

STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES AT THE PROVISIONS SHOP OPEN 24/7 ALSO THERE ARE A FEW TIMBER RATTLER TOTES LEFT

Keep print alive with the Crew Quarterly, a seasonal snail mail club. I’ll plant a tree for each letter sent. Winter Edition Shipping Now

WANT TO PARTNER WITH CATSKILL CREW? REACH OUT AND LET’S SEE IF IT’S A GOOD FIT.

Last week’s Scramble: TUFTED TITMOUSE

PROPERTY: A-Frame

PETS: Roxy the dog, Snow White the cat, and Lauren the goat.

SKY: It’s fairly quiet up in the heavens but stargazers armed with a telescope won’t want to miss lo — one of Jupiter’s Galilean moons — transiting across the planet’s face starting at 12:06 AM on Feb 12th. And yes indeed, these are named after Galileo Galilei who discovered them in 1610.

SIGHTINGS: Brown Creeper Certhia americana

Your contributions go directly toward keeping Catskill Crew alive and well so we can have more fun and build a stronger community. I appreciate any and all support my friends! - Michael

ADD AN EVENT

FEATURE AN EVENT

Rough Draft, Kingston – The Usual Suspects Book Club at 6pm more books

The Doctorow Center, Hunter – V Season: Six Degrees Of Separation By John Guare at 7pm getchya tickets

Arrowood, Accord – The Gift Of Seed at 6pm garden prep

Avalon Lounge, Catskill – Upstairs Wednesdays: Performance by Malerie Day at 7pm

Tubby's, Kingston – Facs and Open Head at 7pm tix

Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook – Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind at 6pm movie night

West Kill Supply, Kingston – Trivia at 6:30pm

Brunette, Kingston – Galentine’s with DJs at 6pm

Unicorn Bar, Kingston – Queer Comedy Open Mic deets

Assembly, Kingston – Performance by Melt at 8pm get tickets

Print House, Fleischmanns – Galentine's Flower Night at 7pm roses

The Doctorow Center for the Arts, Hunter – V Season: The Shape Of Things By Neil Labute see schedules

City Winery, Montgomery – Heartbreak Hoedown at 7pm details

Common Good, Ellenville – Don't Lego My Heart legos are still cool

Love, Velma, Ellenville – Lover's Lounge Featuring Dj Catsilk at 7pm tickets

Sloop Brewing, East Fishkill – LGBTQ+ Unhinged Speed Dating & Mixer at 6pm have fun

Dear Native Grapes, Walton – Valentine's Day Dinner at 6pm cool beans

Foxfire Mountain House, Mount Tremper – Valentine’s Weekend industry sours

Citiot, Catskill – One Year Anniversary at 7pm congrats pim

Shipwrecked Cafe, Coxsackie – Spanish Wine For Beginners at 6pm fun

Slopes, Tannersville – Cupid At The Summit at 8pm more info

Tinker Street Tavern, Woodstock – Music with Alex Castle at 9pm

Storybrook Hollow, Cairo – Once Upon A Dream: Valentine's Day Dinner at 6pm see schedule

The Parlor, Narrowsburg – Love, Lust, & Other Bad Decisions at 7:30pm burlesque

Tuthilltown Spirits, Gardiner – RYE Lovers Meetup at 1pm booze and breads

Krause Recital Hall DVAA, Narrowsburg – Songs Of Love & Outrage at 2pm check it out

Old Foundation, Kenoza Lake – Foundation of Funk Love Boat at 10pm funky

Cone Zero, Catskill – Sculpt Your Date: Ceramics at 6:30pm make stuff

Thomas Cole National Historic Site, Catskill – Valentine’s Day Museum Date at 11am get your passes

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock – The Weight Band at 8pm explore

Catskill Art Space, Livingston Manor – Artists Talk and Opening Reception with Richard Barlow, Lisa Crafts, Ellen Driscoll at 3pm take a look

Catskill Brewery, Livingston Manor – Valentine’s Day Party with Live Music by Mike Brown at 12pm kissing booth

Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown – Adult Prom at 7pm enjoy

Park Theater, Hudson – Freak Show Rodeo Presents: Freaks, Friends & Lovers at 8pm tickets

Return Brewing, Hudson – Speed Dating Ages 40+ at 7pm enjoy

Van Dusens, Lexington – Victor Jones: The Construct Tour 2026 at 7pm get tickets

West Kortright Center, East Meredith – Jake Xerxes Fussell with Dougie Poole Live at 7pm tickets

Taylor and Ace, Roscoe – In The Shadow Of Love: Valentines Party at 6pm goths

Ashokan Center, Olivebridge – Hot Chocolate Fest 2026 at 10am details

Keegan Ales, Kingston – Burlesque Bingo Brunch at 11am cheers

Athens Cultural Center – Art Class: Messy Flowers at 1pm check it out

Divine Flow Boutique, East Durham – Valentine's Day Sound Bath at 11am reset

Basilica Hudson – Film with live score and visuals at 6:30pm very cool

Lil' Deb's Oasis, Hudson – Speed Mingling at 7pm ooooo