Experience Woodstock

Experience Woodstock Recommends

2012-01-29T11:36:00.001-05:00

Looking for something really fun to do on Valentine's Day weekend? Try Bird-On-A-Cliff Theatre's mystery dinner show at the Holiday Inn in Kingston (just off the traffic circle).

BOAC is the wonderful theater company that brings Shakespeare to the Comeau in Woodstock every summer. They put on a great show, so come on out and enjoy yourselves on February 11. Seating is at 6:30 p.m. and reservations are recommended: call (845) 338-0400.

Present your Experience Woodstock Card for 10% savings off dinner and the show.

See you there!

Beautiful Day in Woodstock

2012-01-16T00:21:00.008-05:00

Here's a recent photo of Overlook Mountain, above Woodstock. Look at that snow! Come enjoy the skiing (x-country and Alpine), snowboarding and snowshoeing in the Catskills.

Check out the Experience Woodstock Card for special offers at nearby Hunter Mountain and Plattekill Mountain.

2012 EWCs

2012-01-07T10:45:00.003-05:00

The 2012 Experience Woodstock Card (EWC) is now available online and at eight locations in the Woodstock area:

Bearsville Theater, 291 Tinker Street, (845) 679-4406
The Golden Notebook, 29 Tinker Street, (845) 679-8000
Lily's Boutique, 24 Tinker Street, (845) 679-6470
Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, 40 Mill Hill Road, (845) 336-4444
River Rock Health Spa, 62 Ricks Road, (845) 679-7800
Rondout Savings Bank, 295-4 Route 375, West Hurley, (845) 679-2600
TD Bank, 68 Mill Hill Road, (845) 679-3862
Ulster Savings Bank, 60 Mill Hill Road, (845) 679-8434

Buy yours today for access to more than 100 offers at the Woodstock area's premier restaurants, shops, galleries, museums, spas, performance spaces and more. The card, at just $25, can be used on an unlimited basis now through December 31, 2012. It easily pays for itself within a day or two of use. Offers are updated every Thursday. Aim your smartphone/device at the QR code on the bottom left front of your card for an up-to-date listing of EWC offers. Enjoy the best of the Woodstock region for le$$!

Holiday Fun in Woodstock

2011-12-04T09:46:00.005-05:00

Mrs. Claus (aka Melody Newcombe) on 12/2/11

It's official: with the 30th annual Open House festivities on Friday evening (December 2 from 5 to 9 p.m.), Woodstock launched a season of holiday fun that will last throughout the winter.

You still have the month of December to use your 2011 Experience Woodstock Card (EWC) at close to 100 locations in the Woodstock area, and the 2012 card will be available at select locations on 1/1/2012. As always, check out the latest offers and EWC news at www.experiencewoodstockcard.com.

To purchase 2012 EWCs now and give them as holiday gifts, come out on Tuesday, December 6, to New World Home Cooking, beginning at 5 p.m. The 2012 EWCs will be available—along with a fabulous array of handcrafted goods—at the Ulster County Women's Network annual Holiday Gift Show. You'll find master craftspeople. fine artists, creators of natural beauty products, musicians and writers. Shop for gallery-quality gift items, holiday cards, pottery, jewelry, knitted clothing, hand-painted children's clothing, books, fused glass and much more . . . all at affordable prices.

New World Home Cooking is located at 1411 Route 212 in Saugerties (845-246-0900). For further details about the Holiday Gift Show, contact Melody Newcombe, mnewcombe@hvc.rr.com.

From all of us in Woodstock, happy holidays!

Music @ Woodstock

2011-10-17T09:26:00.001-04:00

If you missed it, here's a link to footage of Traum Day, which took place August 6th on the Woodstock Village Green. Sponsored by the Woodstock Chamber, it was a ceremony to honor the Traum brothers . . . Happy and Artie . . . and it included such musicians as Levon Helm, John Sebastian, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, as well as Happy.

The videographer is Cambiz A. Khosravi.

Woodstock Yarnbombing

2011-10-05T09:31:00.004-04:00

On Friday, September 30 to Saturday, October 1, Woodstock was yarnbombed by The Knitters of the Round Table. Check out Russell Richardson's video at http://vimeo.com/29981547.

Fall for Woodstock

2011-09-30T15:31:00.000-04:00

Fall has begun and there's plenty to do in Woodstock!

The 12th annual, fiercely independent Woodstock Film Festival took place from Wednesday, September 21 through Sunday, September 25. If you missed this year's fest, you can catch up on highlights and order merchandise at www.woodstockfilmfestival.com.

Tomorrow (October 1) is the launch of the 8th annual Lark in the Park—10 days of outdoor activities in the Woodstock and Catskill Park region. According to Steve Berg, president of the Catskill Mountain Club, “We’re excited to offer the [Lark] this year for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the almost insurmountable odds we faced to do anything at all in the wake of tropical storms Irene and Lee. The Lark has been running since the 100th anniversary of the Catskill Park in 2004.”

Berg continues, “This year, despite the flood damage, we are pleased to present 40+ events throughout the Park and neighboring counties. These activities appeal to adults and kids and range from fly-fishing instruction to hiking; backpacking advice and a lecture on walking in old Woodstock. We’re even planning to offer golf lessons! For a complete listing of the Lark’s events, which run through Columbus Day (Monday, October 10), click on www.catskillslark.org.

Woodstock + Bethel

2011-08-15T13:29:00.004-04:00

Picnicking @ Bethel

The second annual "Party Bus to Bethel" departed from Woodstock on Friday, August 12, promptly at 3 p.m. On the way to Bethel we enjoyed a DVD and complimentary sandwiches. Guests also shared wine and other treats. Once at Bethel, a number of us visited The Museum, while others were transported directly to the picnic area. Three tables were reserved there for our group. The concert gates opened at 6:30. Just after 8 p.m. Leon Russell took the stage in fine form. Next up . . . a great performance from the poet of the 60s generation: Bob Dylan, together with his band.

After the concert the party bus picked us up in the VIP circle, and we were whisked away, munching homemade chocolate chip cookies. The party bus is a fun, green way to experience Woodstock + Bethel.

The party bus @ Bethel

If you'd like to recapture the magic of the sixties and the 1969 festival, the party bus is one way to do it. But there are additional options. The Bethel Woods web site offers The Woodstock Daytripper as well as the Total Woodstock Experience Overnighter. Both begin in Bethel at The Museum, and travel on to Woodstock, where visitors can explore the roots of the famous '69 festival . . . at the Byrdcliffe Arts and Crafts Colony campus, the handcrafted Maverick Concert Hall, the Sound-Out meadow and much more.

Another way to enjoy Woodstock + Bethel is through the Experience Woodstock Card. Check out the top section labeled "Experience Woodstock Corridor." Offers include a special on admission to The Museum at Bethel Woods. That's also where we post "Party Bus to Bethel" news and related offers.

80th Annual Library Fair

2011-08-02T08:34:00.000-04:00

It's a great tradition in Woodstock. Locals wouldn't miss it and visitors are always thrilled they've discovered it: The Woodstock Library Fair.

It takes place annually on the last Saturday in July. This year's, the 80th, was especially grand. The weather was perfect and there was something for everyone: gourmet food, great books at amazing prices, wonderful music, a white elephant tent, crafts, plants, and plenty for the young at heart: face painting, hat making, games and much more. Oh yes, and a giant 80th birthday cake.

If you missed this year's, don't despair: the next one is Saturday, July 28, 2012.

Hat Making at the Library Fair

A Favorite Group: "Not the Beatles"

Lodging in Walkable Woodstock

2011-07-21T08:36:00.001-04:00

For those of you who have asked about lodging from which you can easily walk to the center of Woodstock—the Village Green—click here for a downloadable list. (It’s in PDF format.) This is just a list of suggestions . . . you may find more.

The Village Green is the place where you'll alight from the Adirondack Trailways buses that pass frequently through town. You don't need a car to enjoy a visit to Woodstock!

Village Green B&B . . . steps from the Green

Playhouse: One Singular Sensation

2011-07-02T07:59:00.004-04:00

Waiting for the new curtain to rise

The newly revamped Woodstock Playhouse opened on Thursday evening to great acclaim with a marvelous staging of A Chorus Line. “One” [Singular Sensation], the musical’s signature number, sums up the cast, the production and the new décor. With its first official summer stock season in 25 years, the Playhouse is back—and how! Be sure to experience it for yourself:

A Chorus Line plays through July 10 (present your Experience Woodstock Card to receive $2 off Gold seating tickets).

Anything Goes will be staged from July 15 through 24.

The season finishes up with Hair, from August 4 through 13.

You can order tickets online by clicking here. If you prefer to purchase tickets by phone or in person, the box office is open Wednesday through Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m., and Sunday matinee days from 12 noon through performance time. Telephone (845) 679-6900.

A CHORUS LINE: "One" [Singular Sensation]

Mowers Saturday Flea Market

2011-06-30T11:19:00.003-04:00

Mowers Saturday Flea market is a place to relax, shop, meet old friends, discover some great bargains and experience the beautiful seasons in upstate New York. For 34 years, this privately owned lot in the center of Woodstock has been transformed each weekend into an outdoor shopping venue. Vendors, who travel from far and wide to set up in Woodstock, offer a wide range of items for sale. Books, vintage jewelry, second hand household items, furniture, records, CD’s DVD’s, gemstones, antiques, glassware, Buddhas, incense, fresh organic produce, honey, maple syrup, tarot card readers, energy balancers . . . it’s all found at Mowers Saturday Flea market.

You may also find photographers and artists set up with their beautiful creations framed and ready for your home. If you are hungry, you can feast on the best “dirty water” hot dogs on Saturday or the most scrumptious classic hot dogs on Sunday. Wednesday in Woodstock is Farm Fest day and Mower’s field plays host to the food vendors and the music venue for the Woodstock Farm Festival. The fresh organic produce farmers are set up in Houst’s parking lot on Maple Lane. Hundreds of people stop by to support the farmers, enjoy a meal together and listen to music. They also shop at the Mowers vendors that are set up around the periphery of the farm market activities. For further information, check the information line at 845-679-6744.

~Janine Fallon Mower

Fun for the whole family!

Chamber Info Booth Now Open

2011-05-27T16:16:00.004-04:00

Rowan Smith-Spanier of the
Chamber Information Booth

The Woodstock Chamber information booth (10 Rock City Road, Woodstock, NY 12498) opened today for the summer season. Hours of operation, now through Columbus Day, will be Fridays, 12 noon through 6 p.m., and Saturdays/Sundays, 11 a.m. through 5 p.m.

Please drop by to meet the new manager of the booth, Ms. Rowan Smith-Spanier. Rowan is a Woodstock resident and May 13 graduate of Pratt Institute's upstate campus at Utica, where she studied painting. She is pleased to be the new face of Woodstock. "I feel it's very appropriate that an art student will be representing the Colony of the Arts to visitors this summer."

The booth is a wonderful resource for visitors and newcomers to the Woodstock area. Stop by for help with lodging, dining, shopping and activities for the whole family. The booth is one of a dozen places where visitors and residents can purchase the Experience Woodstock Card, which is a passport to 100 or so special offers at select Woodstock-area restaurants, spas, performance spaces, galleries, lodging, professional services and more.

Woodstock Branch Voted TD Bank’s Friendliest

2011-05-20T17:21:00.009-04:00

Nick Altomare, Woodstock Manager

TD Bank/Woodstock is located in a converted house at 68 Mill Hill Road. The store manager is Nick Altomare, a friendly and outgoing native of nearby Kingston. A graduate of SUNY Albany, he has been in banking for over ten years. About three years ago a friend suggested that he join TD Bank. He did so, and within six months he arrived here to manage the Woodstock branch.

This bank is the tenth largest financial services company in the nation, and has a triple “A” credit rating from Moody's. The local branch strives to position itself as a community-based bank. Nick is the president of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Arts, and the bank sponsors a slew of local initiatives including the Little League, the Woodstock Farm Festival, the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild’s Annual 5 x 7 show, the Woodstock Chamber’s Open House and the Experience Woodstock Card.

"Here Comes Summer," sculpture
by artist Ze'ev Willy Neumann

TD Bank styles itself as America’s Most Convenient Bank. It happens that the Woodstock branch is also one of the friendliest. In April their customers voted Woodstock the Number One branch in the company (of 1,250 stores from Maine to Florida), based on service provided by its employees.

One need not be a bank customer to obtain mortgages, home equity, car or personal loans. TD Bank tries to be sensitive to their customers’ needs in the Hudson Valley, so many of the lending decisions are made locally.

A fun fact: Woodstock is the only TD Bank branch that has a sculpture on its front lawn.

~ Weston Blelock

Woodstock's Sidewalk Sale

2011-05-14T13:49:00.005-04:00

Saturday and Sunday, May 14 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Woodstock's fabulous shops and boutiques are celebrating the arrival of spring with the twice-annual Sidewalk Sale. Select stores throughout the hamlet are placing racks of clothes on the street with markdowns of 30 to 75 percent. Don't miss out!

Norwegian Folk College Travels the Experience Woodstock Corridor

2011-04-06T13:01:00.016-04:00

The Norwegian students in Woodstock

In January the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce & Arts inaugurated the Experience Woodstock Corridor between Woodstock and Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. The Woodstock Festival of 1969 was conceived and was supposed to take place in Woodstock, NY—but due to space constraints, among other factors, was eventually sited in Bethel. The corridor has been established to honor the connection between the roots of Woodstock and the event itself.

At CPW (formerly Café Espresso)

On Bethel’s seasonal opening day of April 2nd, a tour bus of 37 students and instructors from a Norwegian folk college (folkehØgskoler) began their day at The Museum, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, and then travelled the Experience Woodstock Corridor to Woodstock. Here they were met and welcomed by Marcus Lindner of Journey Art, who is also a board member of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce & Arts.

At WBG with photo of Dylan

Lindner first took the visitors to the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild (WBG) building at 34 Tinker Street. He explained how the organization is the steward for the Byrdcliffe Art Colony. The Byrdcliffe campus is about a mile from the town center and was founded in 1902. This organization jumpstarted the artistic and creative tradition that survives to the present day. Next he took them across the street to the Center for Photography (CPW) at 59 Tinker Street. It was here, he explained, that one of the key musical hotbeds of the 1960s was located. The Café Espresso, as it was known then, was run by Bernard and Mary Lou Paturel. On weekends, many of the leading folk acts of the day played. They included performers like Tom Paxton, Patrick Sky, Phil Ochs, Happy Traum, John Herald and Rev. Gary Davis. Upstairs in a studio Bob Dylan wrote Another Side of Bob Dylan and Bringing It All Back Home.

The Norwegian visitors stayed in Woodstock for several hours before heading back out on the road . . .

~Weston Blelock

With thanks to Marcus Lindner for the photos

Woodstock Writers Fest: 3 Days of Peace & Books

2011-03-09T15:38:00.005-05:00

Window of WWF sponsor The Golden Notebook

All of Woodstock is gearing up for two great events in the opening week of April.

First up, the Woodstock Writers Workshops, from April 3 to 8. This your chance to work hands-on with New York Times bestseller Susan Richards (Chosen by a Horse), Edgar winner Larry Beinhart (Wag the Dog) and acclaimed memoirist Abigail Thomas (Safekeeping).

Then on Friday, April 8 through Sunday, April 10, Woodstock will celebrate the Woodstock Writers Fest, with such notables as Gail Godwin, Jon Katz, Holly George-Warren, Michael Lang, Nick Flynn, Marion Winik, Shalom Auslander, Colm Tóibín and the festival's executive director, Martha Frankel.

Come join us and meet your muse!

Love to Shop Woodstock!

2011-02-12T16:24:00.005-05:00

More than 100 shoppers who visited Woodstock today received a goodies and voucher bag valued at $150. Board members of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce & Arts handed the bags out to shoppers who presented receipts for purchases made in Woodstock this morning.

The bags included certificates, coupons, Valentine's cookies and assorted gifts representing a number of Woodstock's finest shops and services. The giveaway was so popular that the Chamber is already planning similar events. Stay tuned.

Thanks for shopping Woodstock and Happy Valentine's Day!

Woodstock Getaway

2011-02-08T12:30:00.007-05:00

Is it time to take a break from the winter blues? How about pampering yourself and that special someone? The Woodstock Chamber’s Experience Woodstock Card (EWC) may be your answer.

Woodstock, NY is two hours driving time from New York City. Just off Exit 20 at Saugerties, make a right onto Route 212. About seven miles due west you will arrive at the luxurious Harmony House Bed & Breakfast (pictured here in spring—it's just around the corner!). Hosts Jacquie Wolf and Eva Plumb are offering cardholders 10% off on a two-night minimum. Accommodations range from $165 to 195 per night. Included in the package are a four-course breakfast, wifi, free local calls and a fireplace in the guest parlor.

There are many special offers associated with the EWC. For Valentine's weekend you might want to consider a trip to River Rock Health Spa. Over the past four years this venue has been voted by readers of Hudson Valley Magazine to be one of the area's best day spas. It features a menu of different therapeutic modalities, ranging from Swedish massage to Raindrop Aromatherapy sessions to side-by-side massage.

Woodstock is known up and down the Hudson Valley for its fine galleries and shops. Many of them have placed special offers on the EWC, including Jarita's Florist, Life is Good, SweetHeart Gallery, Lotus Fine Art & Design and Fletcher Gallery. And there are wonderful offers from restaurants, entertainment venues and service providers that will further enhance your stay. Click here to see the complete listing of current offers. You can download/print a list for use before and during your visit. See you soon!

Experience Woodstock Corridor

2011-01-25T12:24:00.004-05:00

The Experience Woodstock Corridor, stretching from Woodstock's Village Green to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, is now open for business. Visitors to the Woodstock area are invited to sample the many restaurants, shops, galleries, spas and performance venues that Woodstock has to offer.

To complete their Woodstock experience, visitors are encouraged to enjoy The Museum at Bethel Woods, the performance stages, and the festivals of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Additional places of interest in Woodstock, Bethel, and points in between are being added to the program.

Powering the Corridor is the Experience Woodstock Card, now in its second year. The 2011 card, priced at $25, is good for unlimited usage throughout the calendar year. It can be purchased online or a nine locations in Woodstock (see listing at upper right).

2011 Experience Woodstock Card

2011-01-19T16:09:00.008-05:00

The Woodstock Chamber is committed to a leadership role in working with Woodstock-area businesses, arts organizations, and local/county/state government to foster cultural tourism to the area. Through comprehensive planning and development it is working to support the local economy and arts.

On January 1st the Chamber launched the 2011 Experience Woodstock Card (EWC). Close to 80 Woodstock-area businesses have made offers on the card so far. These special offers include 10% off luncheon entrees at Joshua's Cafe and the Country Kitchen of Woodstock, 15% off tickets at Woodstock Fringe and 10% off all Woodstock Apothecary brand supplements. For a complete listing, click here.

According to studies generated by Civic Economics, an economic-development consultancy with offices in Austin and Chicago, locally-spent dollars stay local and are recycled. Further, $68 out of $100 spent with local merchants stays within the community—as opposed to $43 of every $100 spent at chains or franchises. Another striking finding of their research: Independent businesses produce an average of 70% more local economic activity than chains on comparable revenue.

Visitors and residents are invited to purchase the Experience Woodstock Card for $25. It is good for unlimited usage throughout the 2011 calendar year. Here's your opportunity to truly experience Woodstock!

Santa's Arrival in Woodstock

2010-12-27T12:34:00.001-05:00

A little before 6 p.m. on Chrismas Eve, a wagon of musical elves drew up at Woodstock's Village Green, pulled by a bright red tractor.

Next to arrive was a sleigh drawn by several energetic reindeer, one of whom had a twinkling red nose. But Santa was not in the sleigh. Where could he be?

After an anxious wait on the part of the large crowd gathered at the Green, Santa finally appeared on the rooftop above One Tinker Street in Woodstock. Welcoming cheers burst forth to greet him.

We hope that you're enjoying the holidays, whereever you are. Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year. Like Santa, come visit us soon in Woodstock!

Experience Woodstock Hospitality

2010-12-05T13:49:00.004-05:00

On Friday, December 3, from 5 to 9 p.m., Woodstock celebrated the beginning of its fabulous winter “season of light” with the 29^th annual Open House. Festivities included a bonfire, hot cider, wine and cheese tastings, free treats, caroling, free concerts, Frosty the Snowman, face painting by Mrs. Claus, a free mini-shuttle from one end of town to the other, and much, much more. Woodstock’s many shops and galleries decorated their windows and opened their doors to welcome visitors from near and far. Happy holidays!

Experience Woodstock Hiking

2010-11-15T11:16:00.010-05:00

Courtesy of Phoenicia Times

There are plenty of wonderful hikes in and around Woodstock. A terrific new one is located just to the west of Woodstock Township in Phoenicia. Known as The Tanbark Trail, it references an era when many of the hemlocks in the Woodstock area were felled for their bark, which was the prime ingredient used in the process of tanning leather. Newly completed by the Tremper Mountain Firetower Committee, the trail begins on the east side of Phoenicia Park, just off St. Ursula Place in

Phoenicia

, NY, 12464.

The hike is just over two miles. It includes marvelous outlooks, rock formations, and numerous placards providing the history of the area (bluestone quarrying along with tanning) and identifying the surrounding Catskill Mountains.

Trail placard with a view of Phoenicia village above it

Woodstock’s Jack-o’-Lanterns

2010-10-31T07:51:00.006-04:00

One of Woodstock’s great traditions occurs each October at Sunfrost Farms. Always a source for magnificent pumpkins, Sunfrost sells as many as its grateful customers can use. The leftovers are carved into fabulous jack-o’-lanterns, lit up, and displayed for everyone to enjoy on Halloween.

Located at 217 Tinker Street (Route 212) and owned by the Ballister family, Sunfrost has been a purveyor of beautiful fruits and vegetables since it opened in 1969. The thing with the pumpkins has been going nearly that long—for about 39 years. Interviewed recently, Matthew Ballister says “it’s a great honor to be the keeper of the tradition.” Over the years so many things are lost, but he finds this “exciting, and it gives life meaning to keep this alive—because it is Woodstock.”

Party Bus to Crosby, Stills and Nash Concert

2010-09-05T09:22:00.009-04:00

On Tuesday, August 31, at 2:45 p.m., more than 50 lucky people climbed aboard Woodstock’s first ever (sold-out!) Party Bus to Bethel. This was the premiere in a series of joint ventures planned between the Woodstock Chamber and Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Those on the luxury Tonche Transit bus to Bethel were served delicious hors d’oeuvres catered by Ray Carucci, Chamber board member. The 90-minute ride also featured a DVD of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Fair, as well as food and drinks brought from home. Just before arriving at Bethel, concert-goers were officially greeted by Chamber president Joyce Beymer, who was aboard the luxury coach along with several other Chamber board members.

The party bus was met at Bethel Woods by Jodi Kane, Manager of Group Sales; Wade Lawrence, Director of The Museum; and Rosie Vergilio, Director of Marketing. Those with tickets for The Museum were ushered in, and others who preferred to picnic were directed to a lovely area with reserved tables. Soon it was time for the concert—with the legendary David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash. What fabulous performances by the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers! Those guys are not resting on their laurels. Were we dancing in the aisles? You bet!

Afterwards the Woodstockers strolled over to their bus and were given a priority exit from the Bethel grounds. Ray served up his tasty Life Is Good brownies on the trip home, and everyone enjoyed the hassle-free return to Woodstock. (The bus arrived back at least an hour before those traveling by car.) What a great experience! Turns out it is easy being green.

Stay tuned here for alerts about upcoming excursions being planned by the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce & Arts. For more, including info about bus trips from Bethel to Woodstock, contact getaway@woodstockchamber.com.

~Julia Blelock

Experience Peace

2010-08-24T11:45:00.000-04:00

Roughly two years ago, on the United Nations' International Peace Day, Woodstock residents welcomed a small beacon of hope into the center of town in the form of a peace pole. The well-recognized symbol, an eight-foot structure on the Woodstock Village Green in our case, features the saying, "May Peace Prevail on Earth," in over 100 languages on each of the four sides. Many people turned up for the unveiling, proving how important the monument is to keeping the message of peace alive everywhere. Sometimes, just having a place to pray or to share a moment of silence to consider the goings-on of the world is a helpful way to relieve stress and get away from the tension present in the world. Woodstock is not the first—or the last—place to have a peace pole.

Tens of thousands of peace poles can be found across the entire world, including very well-known places like the North Pole and Hiroshima, Japan. The main message that the peace pole conveys is simple: world peace. With each of us doing our part to honor the peace we do have, we are heading in the right direction. These poles are a small but significant part of the overall effort for a more peaceful planet.

~Danielle Barthel

Experience Woodstock Through Clothing

2010-08-16T08:19:00.002-04:00

If you come to Woodstock wanting to shop for women's clothing, then Woodstock Design should certainly entice you as it's one of the most stylish places to shop. The store has been open since 1981, and was founded by Robin Kramer. It boasts a wonderful selection of simple yet gorgeous clothing and shoes. Woodstock Design has up-to-the-minute fashions available; for example, Eileen Fisher's clothing line is currently featured for the fall season. There is also a summer sale going on right now, so stop by and see if you can find the perfect shirt, shoes, or skirt for any occasion.

Now if you're interested in the more authentic Woodstock attire, perhaps you should visit Woodstock Legends, a shop packed with tie-dyed, colorful clothing, photographs, and records from Woodstock itself. The store is vibrant with the feel of the sixties; when you walk through the door, you wend your way through a self-proclaimed "labyrinth" of memorabilia hanging from every nook and cranny. You could walk in every day and find something new and exciting, which is part of what makes the store so fascinating. Make sure to take a trip to this uniquely Woodstock store to find anything (and everything) related to the festival.

~Danielle Barthel

My Woodstock . . . and the Woodstock Nation

2010-08-12T14:22:00.001-04:00

I was born in Brooklyn in the last half of the 1950’s, too late to understand the 1969 Woodstock concert at the time. A few years later, when it began to make sense, I became a regular visitor, and now I bring my wife and 8 year old son along. I’ve been back to Brooklyn, but it isn’t there anymore (at least, not the way I remember it); on the other hand, Woodstock is as sweet today as it is in my memory.

This place has a special vibe that resonates in me. The smell of scented candles in the stores, the taste of stone ground pancakes eaten on a patio beside a brook that glitters between the leaf shade, the artistic and organic sensibility you find here, and the ubiquitous magical touches define cool in my book. Today, the town is more upscale—and less funky—but it’s still a sacred place to me, and it’s not like anywhere else, either. The historic concert took place somewhere else, but this is the center.

As a younger man, I ambled along Tinker Street on a crisp autumn day in the morning sun with the whole day ahead of me and my whole life, too. The chill was backing off and a few early risers like me were opening their shops, buying fresh bread, and sipping herbal teas with honey. I chatted with the woman who owns the candle shop while she lit the one that has burned every day since that August weekend. Like a candelabra cactus from a dream, it stands taller than me and drips fragrant colors, encasing the mementoes, trinkets, and shrines that have been added along the way to commemorate events and celebrate the lives of people who have passed. It is a time capsule, or a core sample, back into near history—my history.

The countryside is lush in summer. Just up from town on MacDaniel Road is the Magic Meadow, filled with flowers and light. From a trailhead that is at the base of Overlook Mountain and across from the Tibetan Buddhist temple, I’ve hiked up to the ruins of a mountain house that burned down first in 1875 and then again in 1923. The walk to the top is steep, but the view of the Hudson Valley is sublime. Back in town, the farmers’ market, tea shop, cafes, galleries, bookstores, and boutiques provide everything one might need, or wish for.

The cottage we always rent is on the millstream, and it’s an easy stroll into town. The stream has shallow pools populated with tiny fish you can pet if you are gentle and move slowly. Early each morning, a young couple bakes fresh pastries for the people who are staying in the cottages. Time slows down for me there.

Years ago, I was walking through the countryside as the trees’ long shadows became overwhelmed by dusk. I spied a young couple and their friend leaving an old country house and they were carrying chairs. Then, they brought out a card table, a pitcher of lemonade, and their instruments: two guitars and a flute. She wore a long summer dress that caught the breeze. The friends chatted in low tones, chuckling after a bird called out to them. I watched as they set up in the front yard with only yellow lamplight from the house to see by. I edged closer and listened to them play their music, wishing I lived there too. I stayed there a long time, listening. I am still wistful about that.

Woodstock is one of the things I miss about New York because it is a milestone on the one true path. I have veered, somewhat, from my own path as I acquired other commitments, and it is sometimes difficult to reconcile such things, but it is not so difficult to explain how the heart knows when it is home.

The ideals responsible for the 1969 concert’s success as a peaceful statement and joyful expression have their roots in the shadow of Overlook, a mountain sacred to the Iroquois, just west of the Hudson River in upstate New York. The spirit that transcends place but is present there in abundance is a touchstone for many of us and we know who we are—we are the Woodstock Nation.

~Danny Ramirez

Experience Woodstock Parking

2010-08-01T20:15:00.003-04:00

Parking in our little town can be a bit complicated if you've never visited before, so let me help by suggesting a few different places that you can look out for. The first parking lot that you will come to if you take the exit off Interstate 87 is in front of the H. Houst & Son garage. It is on the left-hand side of the street, right past the Bread Alone bakery, and parking is free. There are also handicapped spaces available.

Across from this parking lot, there is a larger lot where you can park for five dollars a day. If you take the right immediately after the Landau Grill, you will enter this municipal lot. If by chance you miss that right, continue straight until you see the intersection for Rock City Road, also on the right. There is a sign on the right to enter the lot.

Further along Rock City Road on the left, there is a large municipal lot where the parking is free. This is opposite the Colony Cafe (at 22 Rock City Road).

One last helpful parking lot is towards the west end of the main part of Woodstock, directly across from Woodstock Hardware, on Comeau Drive. There you will find parking along one side of the street, as well as a lot a little further along that lane. Parking there is also free. And there is parking along one side of Route 212, also known as Mill Hill Road and Tinker Street, which is free, though sometimes restrictions apply.

~Danielle Barthel

Photos by Christine Kelly

Peace, Love and Misunderstanding

2010-07-25T19:35:00.010-04:00

In the week of July 19, 2010, Woodstock became the location for the upcoming movie, Peace, Love and Misunderstanding, featuring Jane Fonda, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Catherine Keener, and Chase Crawford. According to IMDB, the Internet Movie Database, the plot of this movie centers on an upstanding lawyer, Keener, who takes her two children to Woodstock to meet their hippie grandmother, who is played by Fonda. It is directed by Bruce Beresford, who directed the well known Driving Miss Daisy back in 1989.

For the two days that the movie was filmed here, the whole town was abuzz. Locations such as Town Hall, the Village Green, and a house on Neher Street were used, and quite a few residents came out to watch the production. There was a casting call a few weeks ago, and many locals were used as extras. The production has moved elsewhere in the state for now, but it will be interesting to see how our little town is portrayed when the movie comes out in 2011.

~ Danielle Barthel

yum yum noodle bar

2010-07-20T14:46:00.005-04:00

Last night a lucky few got a first taste of yum yum noodle bar—Woodstock's newest restaurant, at 4 Rock City Road. We began with the strawberry mint lemonade. So refreshing. Then we treated ourselves to big, beautiful bowls of ginger noodles. Sensational! And the prices can't be beat. Yum yum's official opening is Thursday, July 22, at 6 pm, but the word on the street is that they'll be secretly open tonight (Tuesday), from 6 until 10 pm. Try it out for yourselves!

According to Erica, Luc and Nina, the restauranteurs, "Yum yum is a contemporary noodle bar dedicated to serving healthy and low-cost dishes, ranging from $3 to $10 per course. We'll supply noodles for every diet, including many gluten-free and vegan options. Yum yum will also provide an array of Asian street food made from locally sourced products." For a sneak peak at the menu, click here. The restaurant's usual hours will be Thursday through Monday, 4:30 to 10 pm. Call 845-679-7992 for more info.

~Julia Blelock

Experience Woodstock Through Art

2010-07-18T10:00:00.003-04:00

With its many galleries, Woodstock offers an incredible array of artists and their endeavors—presented for locals and visitors alike. For example, if you stop into SweetHeart Gallery right now, you will see that they are featuring beautiful jewelry created by Margaret Ellis. If you go into Fletcher Gallery, you might be interested in the fact that they are advertising for the Equestrian Art Exhibition and Auction for September. VARGA Gallery just celebrated its seven year anniversary in June, while showcasing the Visionary Art Collective, which supports Woodstock's artistic community.

There is a myriad of local artists featured at these galleries, and even in regular shops in Woodstock; photographer Elliott Landy's pictures of Bob Dylan hang proudly in more than one store. Woodstock is a leading community for the appreciation of art, and with so many places to encounter it, who wouldn't want to take an afternoon to discover what our town has to offer?

~Danielle Barthel

Experience Woodstock Through Food

2010-07-10T10:21:00.001-04:00

Oriole 9 is a delicious, wholesome restaurant run by Pierre-Luc Moeys and Nina Paturel in the heart of Woodstock. It is open every day, from 8:30 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon, and has a charming array of chairs and sofa seating available for customers. The menu boasts a wonderful compilation of organic breakfasts and lunches, which the owners also extend to a business in catering, a restaurant in Saugerties called Cafe with Love, and another soon-to-be-opened restaurant called Yum Yum Noodle Bar, which will also be in Woodstock. If you are interested in good food and nice atmosphere, please visit this wonderful addition to the Woodstock food scene.

To enjoy a pleasant lunch, dinner, or even brunch on Sunday, Violette is a fabulous place to stop. Opened in 2003 by Culinary Institute graduate Chef Daniel Rabiner, Violette is both a restaurant and a wine bar, and is a place run with the human palate in mind. Daniel and his mother Gladys, a French Culinary Institute graduate, work together to create interesting, flavorful food for their customers. The family run establishment is open every day except Wednesday, and is one of the first restaurants you will encounter on your way into Woodstock from the thruway. So if you've had a long day traveling to our town, treat yourself to a great dinner at a superb restaurant.

~Danielle Barthel

Woodstock's Summer Farm Festival

2010-06-27T08:29:00.004-04:00

Woodstock is a town that supports both the stores that line Main Street, and also the farms in the surrounding area. Through the aptly named Woodstock Farm Festival, local farms, nurseries, wineries, and more have a chance to set up tents to sell their fresh, organic produce every Wednesday during the summer, rain or shine. From around three until dark, more than twenty vendors congregate in the parking lot of Houst's hardware store at 6 Maple Lane, sharing with the public everything from bread to lettuce to jam to strawberries.

Beginning in late May and ending in late October, this festival is a growing phenomenon for the summer season, and it is open to everyone interested. The Farm Festival even sponsors activities for children and other special events, which are advertised on their website, woodstockfarmfestival.com. Please join our local growers and bakers any Wednesday to enjoy what they have to offer. After all, "If it's Wednesday, it's Woodstock!"

~Danielle Barthel

Another Side of Woodstock

2010-06-20T12:39:00.003-04:00

Before visiting Woodstock, you might be unaware that the town is set in one of the most beautiful places in the Hudson Valley. Known mostly for its concert-related history, Woodstock's natural beauty can come as a pleasant surprise to visitors. The town is surrounded by the Catskill Mountains; you can look up from Main Street and see them looming over the town, protective rather than ominous.

It's a wonderful sight to behold, even if you have lived in Woodstock your entire life. So if you're in the mood to traverse away from town, to walk your dog, wander by yourself, or perhaps watch the local soccer teams compete, you should check out the Comeau Property.

Off Comeau Drive, there are acres of land available for the public to picnic, peruse, photograph, or otherwise make use of the outdoors. It is a family- and dog-friendly place outside the busy sidewalks of Main Street, almost behind Woodstock, and is very quiet, calm, and lovely. That is, unless a soccer game is going on! The Woodstock Soccer Club has used the spacious fields for games for over twenty years, and they are quite popular during the season.

If you're interested in seeing something beyond Woodstock's wonderful stores and restaurants, take a walk to the Comeau Property, and see a side of Woodstock you may not have even known existed.

~Danielle Barthel

Second Saturdays: Walking Woodstock

2010-06-14T14:57:00.004-04:00

Walking Woodstock co-author Will Nixon (far right), leading a walk on the Comeau

Second Saturdays are an ongoing celebration of the arts in Woodstock, NY. They were founded by the Woodstock Arts Consortium (WAC), an eleven-member non-profit arts group, in 2005. Red balloons tied near doors on the designated days signal WAC events. If you come to town on a Second Saturday from May to December you can expect to find gallery openings, book signings and cultural happenings.

On June 12 the Historical Society of Woodstock, a WAC founding member, hosted a book event for Michael Perkins and Will Nixon, authors of Walking Woodstock: Jouneys into the Wild Heart of America's Most Famous Small Town. The event was held at the Eames House, 20 Comeau Drive in Woodstock, site of the Historical Society museum. The authors gave a talk, graciously signed books and afterwards led a walk around the Comeau property.

Walking Woodstock is filled with lore about the town and provides the casual visitor with some lively insights and tips on walks in the area. There are essays on hikes up Overlook Mountain, Mt. Guardian, Mink Hollow and many points in between.

~Weston Blelock

WHAT'S IN STORE WOODSTOCK: New at the Farm Fest!

2010-06-09T10:25:00.013-04:00

Check out the new What's In Store table at the Woodstock Farm Festival. It's your chance each Wednesday, 3 to 8 PM, to get a taste of the fabulous merchandise available at Woodstock's arty shops, galleries and boutiques. Sponsored by the Woodstock Chamber and organized by Life is Good shop owner Ray Carucci, WHAT'S IN STORE WOODSTOCK is another great way to experience the very best of Woodstock. See you there on Wednesdays!

~Julia Blelock

Above: Woodstock Chamber President, Joyce Beymer, trying on a new hat

The Woodstock Experience: Stores That Define the Town

2010-06-09T07:49:00.010-04:00

The town of Woodstock, New York houses a unique combination of new and old businesses. When visitors walk down the street, chances are very good that they will enter stores that have been introduced to the town within the past five years, as well as those which have existed since the festival that bears its namesake, or before!

Candlestock, a wonderful candle store in the center of town, is still run by the original owners, Barbara and Dennis Moss. The store has been around since 1970, and the gigantic candle “mountain” inside is one year older than that. This wax sculpture is truly a sight to behold, intriguing customers from around the world. It often prompts interested buyers to purchase some drip candles before they leave to start their own piece of art. Also unique to Candlestock is the line of one-of-a-kind candles created by Dennis solely for this store. Colorful and beautiful glowing pillars are forged by hand, each different than the one before. There are even candles with sayings on them, ranging in meaning from the Serenity Prayer to words of wisdom from past presidents. It becomes an adventure each time you pass through the carved wooden candles that flank the front of the door.

Woodstock Hardware, another interesting local business, is a store that has existed in town since 1953. For fifty-seven years, this store has been serving the hardware, electrical, building, and most recently, kitchen-related needs of Woodstock. The store has had several different owners since its original opening, but has remained on the same premises for over half a century. With more than 5,000 square feet of floor space, you will be hard pressed not to find what you need, while being helped by a service-oriented, obliging staff.

The newly introduced "Diane's Kitchen" section of Woodstock Hardware boasts thousands of pots, pans, utensils, aprons, and more! For the average baker, the experienced chef, children, or even visitors who find themselves needing something they may have forgotten before leaving home, this is a fantastic place to roam. Also, the convenience of this type of store cannot be overlooked. If you are staying in Woodstock, it is much easier to pop into town and quickly purchase a spatula for some freshly baked cookies instead of having to go the twenty minutes into Kingston to buy one, or to forgo baking altogether.

These and other Woodstock businesses add character and meaning to the unique atmosphere of the town. Whether old or new, these stores work together to create an interesting place for visitors and locals alike. The proof is in the continued success and happiness of this busy town.

~Danielle Barthel

The Woodstock Experience: Bliss Yoga

2010-06-07T07:45:00.003-04:00

Bliss Yoga has been in Woodstock since 2001, inviting all levels of interested participants to take part in an enticing array of classes and workshops.

Right off Route 212, Main Street in Woodstock, the center is focused on sustainability and a pure, natural way of life. Classes range from basic level to specific kinds of yoga, such as Kundalini and Ashtanga. Experienced instructors lead each class for an hour and a half, teaching, guiding, and shaping the lives of their students. The teachers are helpful and devoted to their classes, making Bliss a valuable asset to any student. The yoga center has been beneficial for the minds and bodies of countless residents and visitors to the Woodstock area for almost ten years. Workshops and retreats are two additional segments offered, made possible by the hard work of director Debi Medeski.

~Danielle Barthel

The Woodstock Experience: Featured Gallery

2010-06-01T07:06:00.004-04:00

Lotus Fine Art & Design is a family-owned gallery on Rock City Road, run by local artist Jamie Barthel and her husband, Doug. This gallery features photographs, paintings, sculptures, chandeliers and more, all created by artists in the Hudson Valley region. This gallery has been in Woodstock since 2005, making it a relatively new addition to the town’s bustling scene, but it proves its worth daily by displaying gorgeous art that everyone can appreciate. Currently, Lotus Fine Art has exhibits by well-known photographer Barry Feinstein, painter F.E. Green, and also, Jamie herself, with her astounding reverse hand-painted glass. Along with displaying beautiful art for the community, Lotus Fine Art also offers framing possibilities for special posters, photos, and other art.

~Danielle Barthel

Woodstock Chamber Welcomes You

2010-05-28T17:52:00.005-04:00

Shelli Lipton of the Woodstock Chamber

Happy Memorial Day weekend! Come visit us in Woodstock, where Shelli Lipton of the Woodstock Chamber is looking forward to meeting you and helping you have the best possible Woodstock experience. The Woodstock Chamber booth is now open for the summer season. Hours are Fridays, 12 to 6, and Saturdays and Sundays, 11 to 5. See you soon!

Dog-Friendly Lodging in Woodstock

2010-05-25T16:22:00.004-04:00

Photo at left: Taken at Waterfall House in Palenville, NY

Hey, it's nearly summer. What better time to visit Woodstock? We're looking forward to seeing your whole family—including the family dog! If you're able to stay for several days, here's a list of dog-friendly lodging in the Woodstock area. Others may also welcome your pooch, but we know that these will for sure:

1. Carriage House, 917-596-8533, steps from Woodstock’s town center (can walk to all shops, galleries)

2. Getaway on the Falls, 845-679-2568, 5 Waterfall Way, Woodstock; .2 miles from Woodstock town center

3. Morning Glory B&B, 845-679-3208, 141 Tinker Street, Woodstock; .9 miles from town center

4. The Gift, 917-596-8533, 1.8 miles from town center

5. Bed by the Stream, 845-246-2979, 9 George Sickle Road, Saugerties; 6.2 miles from town center

6. Emerson Resort & Spa, 845-688-2828, 146 Mt. Pleasant Road, Mt. Tremper; 10 miles from town center

7. Enchanted Manor of Woodstock, 845-679-9012, 23 Rowe Road, Kingston; 10 miles from town center

8. Waterfall House, 845-246-6666, 370 Malden Avenue, Palenville; 12 miles from town center

Enjoy your visit to Woodstock!

~Julia Blelock

Party @ Woodstock School of Art

2010-05-21T15:59:00.004-04:00

Everyone had a great time at the Woodstock Chamber party on May 13, graciously hosted by the Woodstock School of Art. Photos by John Kleinhans

Experience Woodstock Card: Printable Listing of Offers

2010-05-21T10:12:00.010-04:00

For those of you who've requested it, here is an updated listing of offers associated with the Experience Woodstock Card. This two-page document can be printed out on a single sheet (front and back; keep it green!) and carried around as you walk or bike through town, enjoying your Woodstock experience. Click here to download the PDF.

Check back here or to the Woodstock Chamber web site (http://www.woodstockchamber.com/) every Thursday for a revised listing.

~Julia Blelock

The Experience Woodstock Card

2010-05-19T17:33:00.005-04:00

What do a lunch at Oriole 9, a dinner at Joshua's Cafe, tickets to a Marc Black concert (at the Kleinert/James Arts Center on June 11), a soil test kit from H. Houst & Son, copies from Catskill Art and Office Supply, and kitty litter from Woofstock have in common? They are all purchases made by a single cardholder in just a few days with the new Experience Woodstock Card (EWC).

Available from the Woodstock Chamber to visitors and locals for just $25, the EWC provides a way to experience Woodstock in depth, with a festival of special offers. It's valid for unlimited use through the end of the year, enabling savings of money, time, gasoline and the environment. Close to 60 offers are currently listed on the Chamber web site: Link to http://www.woodstockchamber.com/ and click on the animated banner at the top of the page. New offers, including weekend performance specials, are posted every Thursday.

The card can be purchased online from the Woodstock Chamber web site or at any of these local businesses:

Coldwell Banker Village Green Realty, 11-13 Mill Hill Road
Life is Good, 62-A Tinker Street
Lotus Fine Art and Design, 33 Rock City Road
River Rock Health Spa, 62 Ricks Road
Rondout Savings Bank, 295-4 Route 375 (at Hurley Ridge Plaza)
TD Bank, 68 Mill Hill Road

It's also available at the Chamber booth, 10 Rock City Road, on weekends, and at the Woodstock Farm Festival every Wednesday afternoon beginning May 26 (behind Houst's on Maple Lane).

Purchase and enjoy the card yourself! Then share your experiences here (http://experiencewoodstock.blogspot.com/).

If you have questions about the card or the program, e-mail ewc@woodstockchamber.com or call 845-679-6234.

~Weston Blelock