VOTE: APPROVED

Come on in and welcome back. There is a lot in here for you to explore. Saturday is slammed with events and I hope you can join me on Sunday for The Good Times for a Good Cause event! Let’s get into it and I’ll see ya out there.

The votes are in and with 98% approval the motion has passed. I’ve put together a farmers market schedule for all of us.

It’s short and sweet — no bells, no whistles, just the info you need. I added it to the website and will link it in the newsletter each week. If you see something off, let me know. If a market is missing, just reach out. I’ll keep improving it as time goes on.

Huge shoutout to my friends Alex and James, owners of Rae’s in Margaretville, for the helping hand. If you haven’t been there yet, you should go, the schnitzel clocks in at 13/10 stars.

I’m not sure if you have plans on Sunday, September 21st from 1-5pm but you should come out to the Good Times for a Good Cause event happening at The Starlite Motel in Kerhonkson. 100% of tickets sales go directly toward supporting the Rondout Valley Food Pantry.

Your ticket gets you a complimentary beverage by the legends from The Catskills Cocktail Club (who are also donating their tips to the cause as well) and there will be food, music, and fun.

So come hang out with some friends, meet some neighbors and have a good time for a good cause. Kids and dogs welcome. Hope to see you there. Details and tickets available below.

The first edition of the Catskill Crew Quarterly is coming along nicely. This will not be a zine nor a physical version of the newsletter. It’s an adventure. Each season an envelope mailed to your door, overflowing with writings, guides, stickers, recipes, tickets to Crew gatherings, and whatever else I can cook up. I just finished making the wax seal (could’t help myself) and I hope to share more in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

CONTRIBUTOR

I think that summer and fall upstate are great times for a crisp white on the deck and winter calls for a red in front of the wood stove. And even if you’re not a wine drinker, visiting the region’s vineyards is fun for pretty much anyone - the ones we love have special settings, good food, and plenty of NA options.

Like many small farms, local vineyards have gotten creative with events - and almost all are dog and kid friendly. That means more reasons all year (ok, especially in summer) to check their social pages  before you go. Live music, food pop-ups, sip-n-paint, pilates, Wassail celebrations, special dinners - you name it. Most also have wine clubs with discounts and special invites.

Here are some of our team’s favorites:

dear native grapes (Walton; Delaware County)
From Erica (with a strong second vote from Hillary!): “This is one of those magical Catskills spots that feels equal parts hangout and hidden gem. Deanna and Alfie are reviving wild, nearly forgotten American grapes and turning them into natural wines that are as juicy and vibrant as the space itself. It’s cozy, a little quirky, and exactly the kind of place that makes the Western Catskills feel like home.”

Whitecliff Vineyard (Gardiner and Hudson; Ulster and Columbia Counties)
I love bringing people to the tasting room in Gardiner for the amazing views and fun tastings. We always buy cases of their Table Rock Red to drink at home - and they make great gifts with those beautiful labels showing the Gunks. Leigh is also a fan of the one in Hudson!

Fjord Vineyard (Milton; Ulster County)
Bree and Diana basically never stop talking about how much they love the “spectacular setting that feels like the rolling hills of Italy” that’s perfect for spending time with friends and family. They’re also big fans of the lovely owners and the “amazing” Albariño. (Erica’s mom stole her bottle and agreed that it is delicious.)

Millbrook Vineyards & Winery (Millbrook; Dutchess County)
Anthony loves the setting and vibe here: “It feels like the perfect place to spend an evening with our friends, kids, and even dogs. Our go-to wines are the rich, smooth Cabernet Franc and the crisp, refreshing Riesling on a hot summer day.” Hot tip: Friday Night Food Trucks with live music.

Hudson Chatham Winery (Ghent; Columbia County)
John sold me with this: “Hudson Chatham Winery has some of the best wine I’ve had on the East Coast. The owners Steven and Justin are so warm and inviting, seem to remember everyone who comes through the door, and make a fantastic grazing board to go with their stellar wines. We always go for a glass and end up leaving with a belly full of delicious bites and a few bottles to take home.”

Other wine-y spots we love: Bashakill Vineyard in Wurtsboro, Brunette Wine Bar in Kingston, Rose Hill Farm in Red Hook, Well Nice Wine Bar in Rosendale, Oda Wine Garden in Margaretville (I’m obsessed with their Balkan platter), Bar Bene in Hudson, Milea Estate Vineyard in Staatsburg, and City Winery in Montgomery.

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

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to 39,000 friends?

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the Catskills with Catskill-opoly. Buying and trading iconic locations while outsmarting your competition. Free shipping and I write a little note in each box because it’s better that way. Put the screens down and have some fun.

The 21st Annual Margaretville Cauliflower Festival is taking over town all weekend long. There is kick-off party, tractors rolling down Main Street, a cauliflower queen, vintage cars, kids’ games, live music, and yes — lots and lots of cauliflower on the menu (from tastings to brunch) learn more here.

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum hosts Catch & Conserve: A Night at the Museum. September 27th from 5:30—9:30pm. Get a ticket or grab an entire table — and be part of an evening that supports protecting the waters that make the Catskills so special tickets.

SUNRISE 6:39 AM
SUNSET 7:05 PM
FIRE DANGER Moderate
AIR QUALITY Good
MOON Waning Crescent

PROPERTY: c. 1775 The Old Toll House

PETS: I’d like to introduce you to Anthony Bourdain the dog, Lizzie the cat and Charlie the Potbellied Pig.

SKY: If you get out early on September 19th you will see the Moon and Regulus have a close encounter (aka a conjunction). Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo, often called the “heart of the lion.” It’s actually a multiple star system about 79 light-years away.

SIGHTINGS: There were rare sightings of a Trumpeter Swan, a Dickcissel, and a Blue Grosbeak.

QUESTION: What are you looking forward to the most this fall?

PHOTOGRAPH: Last of the River Flowers, Dark Sky and Snake Pond

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Tubby's, Kingston - Chess Night (all skill levels welcome) at 6pm

Salt Box, Kingston - Queer Kingston hangs at 6:30pm

Rough Draft, Kingston - Night School Reading Series at 6pm read more books

Tinker Street Cinema, Woodstock - Spinal Tap II: The End Continues at 7pm popcorn

Tinker Street Tavern, Woodstock - Live tunes with The Exotic Mundanes at 8pm

Chleo, Kingston - Viewing Party at 7:30pm go chef

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - StretchMetal presents: Drone Rodeo ft. Saapato and Ruth Mascelli at 8pm take a look

The Pines, Mt. Tremper - Music Night with The Steve Almaas Selection at 7pm smash burgs

Tubby's, Kingston - Dummy, Empath and New Orthodox at 7pm show details

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Fever Pitch: music, movement, and radical imagination for climate justice at 7pm check it out

Orpheum Theater, Saugerties - The 46ers Film, celebrating the Adirondack High Peaks and the hikers who climb them at 7pm sweet

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - “The Rise And Fall Of The Clash: Redux” Film Screening at 7pm tickets

The Rosendale Theatre, Rosendale - Live Theatre: Our Suburb at 7:30pm until (Sept 21) schedule and tickets

RMV Cellars, West Park - Hudsy Mashup Networking Event at 5pm go make some friends

Reed Street Historic District, Coxsackie - Downtown Coxsackie Block Party at 5pm get out there

Basilica Hudson, Hudson - Basilica Soundscape 2025 all weekend long

Colony, Woodstock - Jenna Nicholls Album Release Show at 7pm tix

Roost Arts Hudson Valley, New Paltz - Love is the Message Concert Series at 6pm raising money for a good cause

Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock - Nick Hexum with Water Tower at 8pm tickets

Skate Time, Accord - September Adult Skate at 8pm nice

The Local, Saugerties - Sufi Music from Pakistan : The Saami Brothers featuring Ustad Naseeruddin Saami at 8pm details

Ulster County - Ulster Literacy Association Day, participating shops will be donating 10% of sales to adult literacy programs learn more and go get a book

Catskill Visitor Center, Mt. Tremper - Protecting Pollinators in our Gardens at 10am long live the pollinators

Rewind Kingston, Kingston - The Annual Heart of Midtown Festival is a day dedicated to community, music, and mental health awareness lots of goodness 

Ravenwood, Kerhonkson - Punch Needling Workshop at 11am for kids and 3pm for the grownups learn more

Dutchman's Landing Park, Catskill - In Flight's Cornhole for a Cause at 12pm more of this please

Catskill Mountain Foundation, Hunter - The Moss Ensemble at 7pm that’s a good name

Jane St. Art Center, Saugerties - Opening reception of Jen Hicks art exhibit 4-6pm info

Arrowood Farms, Accord - Woodsist Festival (until Sept 21) tickets

Hudson Hall, Hudson - múm 2025 North American Tour at 7pm iceland

Delaware Valley Opera, Lake Huntington - American folk singer and songwriter Joe Crookston performing at 7pm have fun

The Willows at Brandow Point, Athens - Forest Bathing Walk at 10am get outside

Owls Hoot Barn, Coxsackie - Nashville Comes to Owls Hoot Barn at 6pm tix

Riedlbauer's Resort, Round Top - Oktoberfest 2.0 at 7pm prost

Hudson River Skywalk, Catskill - Skywalk Arts Festival & Rip Van Winkle Bridge 90th Anniversary Celebration at 9am sweet

Coxsackie Riverside Park, Coxsackie - Riverside Festival at 11am have fun

Phoenicia Playhouse, Phoenicia - Flying Cat Music: Julian Taylor at 7pm take a look

The Department of Things, Kingston - Art Show with Ryan Carl at 12pm cool

Camp Kingston, Kingston - Pluto’s: The Afterparty at 9pm details

Hi-Way Drive-In Theater, Coxsackie - Rewind Market with vendors and tunes 10am-4pm info

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - Kevin Farley (Standup Comedy) at 7pm tix

The Outside Institute, Barryville - Open House at 11am more info

The Lost Bookshop, Delhi - Grannycakes Competition at 3pm love it

Oliver’s, Mt. Tremper - Hideaway Comedy Presents: An Evening with Casey Balsham at 7:30pm enjoy

Night School, Athens - Stirred, Up! Live Music Series at 6pm have fun

Klocke Estate, Claverack - Harvest Celebration tickets

Matagiri, Mount Tremper - Group silent meditation at 6pm clear the mind a bit

Tubby's, Kingston - 7 Year Anniversary at 7pm details