World-Class Jazz @ the KJ

With quite the array of entertainment from which to choose last night in Woodstock, I went with Grammy-winner Roswell Rudd and his quartet at the Kleinert/James Center for the Arts. Mr. Rudd, trombonist extraordinaire, was in fine form, as were Ken Filiano on bass and Lafayette Harris on piano. Filling in for Sunny Kim, vocalist, was a very gifted Heather (couldn't quite catch her last name, but I'm sure we'll be hearing much more from her). My favorite tune of the evening was "Funky Little Sweet Thing," dedicated to Heather's son, August, who will celebrate his first birthday on 8/18.

If you missed the performance but would like to catch up with the artists, including producer Verna Gillis, check out the Roswell Rudd website.

Wild Thing at the Fair

Yesterday's annual Woodstock Library Fair, celebrating 100 years of the Woodstock Library, had much to offer attendees of all ages . . . books, of course—new and old, plus crafts, plants, a white elephant and vintage clothes tent, hat making, dress-up, face painting, live music, assorted games, and plenty of gourmet food and drink.

A special emphasis at this year's fair was placed on the young set, beginning with a parade and maypole festivities. And later, an unexpected appearance by Wild Thing.

In Search of a Watery Eden

The Millstream swimming hole in Woodstock (photo by Danny Ghitis)

If you missed this article in The New York Times, here's the link.

"Swimming holes have always held a sort of mythical quality. Everyone seems to have heard of that one sweet secret location through a friend of a friend: the still pool of crystal water hidden at the end of a winding path, untainted by tourists, inviting a skinny dip."

Woodstock offers several wonderful swimming holes in which to enjoy the sultry days of summer.