SOMETHING NEW

Good day from the Catskills. The temps are climbing (for now), the ice dams are melting, and the clocks are turning back in 20 days. Hope you enjoy the edition and I’ll see ya out there.

Birthing season for black bears has arrived. In dens scattered across the Catskill Mountains, our population of these native bears (Ursus americanus) have been quietly growing.

Shining a light into the dark dens, we illuminate a remarkable biological process happening in our own backyards.

For several months after last summer’s mating season, the sow’s fertilized eggs developed into blastocysts, tiny clusters of cells that paused development, waiting for the right moment. Through autumn, the sow packed on fat from acorns, beechnuts, and berries (ideally nothing acquired through dumpster-diving). By late fall, her body determined whether she had enough reserves, and only then did the blastocysts implant.

She denned up beneath a fallen tree, inside a hollow log, under a rock ledge, or tucked into a cavity dug into a hillside and lined with leaves. These dens are not elaborate; they’re simple, insulated refuges chosen for concealment, dryness, and protection from our harsh winter winds.

Once inside the den, her heart rate dropped to around 8 or 9 beats per minute. She breathed only once every 45 seconds. She stopped eating. She stopped drinking.

After about 60 to 70 days, her cubs arrived — blind, ears sealed, each weighing less than a pound. At this very moment, she nurses them in the darkness, on milk that can reach 25 percent fat, producing ~11 kilograms over 12 weeks. Her body recycles its own metabolic waste to preserve muscle, and she consumes the cubs’ waste to reclaim much-needed water and nitrogen. Everything circulates. Nothing leaves the den.

By March, she’ll emerge weighing a third less than when she entered, and her cubs will step into a world they’ve never seen before. They’ll stay with her for about 16 to 18 months, learning how to survive and whose bird feeders to pillage, before setting out on their own as yearlings. Then, the cycle will begin once more.

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.

We did it. We blew past our goal and closed out the Farm Friends Fundraiser at 146% — raising $1,685 dollars for Woodstock Farm Sanctuary.

Not only have we sponsored Penny the Cow, Leroy the Pig, and Tuesday the Goat, we are also sponsoring… Activate the timpani drum roll please… River the Sheep, Tiny the Turkey, and Peppermint the Chicken.

Incredible stuff. Nice work folks. Stay tuned for our first volunteer day on the farm.

After all the good times with the Dinner Clubs, I’ve been tinkering with a new idea — one that is focused more on the brain than the belly.

Introducing: Social Studies

We’d partner up with a local professor, gather at a fine local establishment for a drink and a bite, then settle in while the professor gives a short lecture on topics ranging from history, to nature, and beyond. We learn new things, meet new people, and get out into the real world where we belong.

If you want it, I’ll start reaching out to professors and get the wheels in motion.

The Winter Quarterlies continue to ship out and are making their way to your mailboxes. One tree planted per letter. Get your snail mail.

P.S. I’ll see all the quarterly holders at the seasonal gathering.

STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES AT THE PROVISIONS SHOP OPEN 24/7

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

UNSCRAMBLE: KINGSTON

PROPERTY: I’d like that barrel sauna

PETS: San San the dog, Annabelle the cat, and Snowmilk + Gravy the guinea pigs

SKY: The New Moon has arrived and so begins another 29.5 day cycle

SIGHTINGS: Rough-Legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)

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

The Hereafter, Hudson – Pasta Workshop at 4pm carb bulking

The Local, Saugerties – Mardi Gras at 7pm details

Tubby’s, Kingston – Live tunes with Marissa Nadler and Maria BC at 7pm enjoy

The Andes Hotel – Fat Tuesday at 4pm come celebrate

Unicorn Bar, Kingston – Lunar New Year "Stuff Dumpies" at 7:30pm plump n juicy

Colony, Woodstock – Brad Cole & Bossa Blue at 7pm critically acclaimed

Kingston Library, Kingston – Kingston Meet Yourself at 6pm housing initiatives

Okun Theater, Delhi – Catskills Energy Future film screening at 7pm i need to see this

Lost Book Shop, Delhi – Book Discussion at 6pm have fun

Happy Valley, Beacon – Comedy Show at 7pm whose line is it anyways

Assembly, Kingston – Tusk: Tribute To Fleetwood Mac at 8pm save me a place

Modern Roots Acupuncture, Saugerties – Yin Yang Theory Discussion at 6:30pm balance

Avalon, Catskill – Drone Rodeo with J.Ashdown & John Thayer at 8pm tix

Unicorn Bar, Kingston – Draglesque Kickback at 8pm get yer tickets

Roscoe Library – Learn About Hamlets at 4pm love it

City Winery, Montgomery – Wrestling Heavyweight Title Match at 7pm wow

Catskill Brewery, Livingston Manor – Bingo Night at 5pm

Keegan Ales, Kingston – Live music (and beers) at 8pm

Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock – Tyler Ramsey & Carl Broemel (of My Morning Jacket) at 8pm tickies

Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown – Line Dancing at 7pm

Local, Saugerties – Elisapie at 8pm Nunavik

Laugh It Up Comedy Club, Poughkeepsie – Matt Friend Live check the schedule

Outpost BBQ, Kerhonkson – Mardis Gras BBQ and tunes at 6pm

Fuller Building, Kingston – The 2026 Great Jello Jamboree at 5pm this is absolutely fascinating

Park Theater, Hudson – Johnny Society with The Siblings at 8pm tickets

Mountain Top Arboretum, Tannersville – Winter Tree ID at 1pm learn about trees

O+ Exchange, Kingston – Klezmer Night at 7:30pm tickets

Slopes, Tannersville – Winter Fundraiser at 4pm aprés

Shamrock House, East Durham – 50s Night at 5:30pm have fun

Bearpen Mountain Sports, Prattsville – Sledding Social and happy hour at 4:30pm (p.s. adults only)

Woodstock School of Art – “This is America” with Marielena Ferrer at 2pm details

Shadowland, Ellenville – Standup Comedy at 8pm tix

Salt Box, Kingston – Birthday Party happy bday

Skate Time, Accord – Roll & Connect at 5pm murals

Dietz Stadium, Kingston – Sojourner Truth Life Walk at 11am 7th annual

Greenhouse, Kingston – The Right Of The People: An Author Talk With Osita Nwanevu at 3pm rsvp

Bushel Collective, Delhi – Salsa Night at 3pm details

Left Bank Ciders, Catskill – 5th Annual Left Bank Seed Swap at 1pm

Kaaterskill Market, Catskill – Basketry Workshop: Cattail & Willow Hen at 10am craft

Thomas Cole National Historic Site, Catskill – New Year Gathering passes

Night School, Athens – Bluegrass Slow Jam at 6pm

Athens Cultural Center – Collage Accordion Book at 1pm tix

Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook – A Tree Told Me Kids & Kin Pop-Up at 11am kiddos

Happy Valley, Beacon – Board Games And Beer at 6pm