In the Catskills, we do have partridges -- not to mention pear trees.
But here at the WP, we thought we'd put a more local spin on a favorite carol. While we're at it, we'd like to wish a very Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas to our readers across the Catskills and beyond, and a big thank-you to all the local small businesses that have supported the Watershed Post's news efforts this year by advertising with us. Twelve of them are featured below.
As the last days of the holiday season wrap up, we hope you'll shop local, and support the small businesses that are the heart and soul of all our Main Streets.
On the first day of Christmas, the Catskills gave to me: An expert on forestry
Jim Waters, executive director of the Catskill Forest Association. Joining the CFA as a member helps to support their efforts to promote good forest stewardship across the Catskills, and gets you access to top-notch advice on forestry and land management from folks like Jim. Photo from CFA website.
On the first day of Christmas, the Catskills gave to me
An expert on forestry
Two tasty tarts
Visions of sugarplums: Italian sugar plum tarts in two scrumptious sizes from Two Old Tarts in Bovina. Photo from Two Old Tarts' Facebook wall.
On the second day of Christmas, the Catskills gave to me
Two tasty tarts
And an expert on forestry
Three still lifes
Three of artist Judith Lamb's astounding still life oil paintings. For best effect, view in their natural habitat at the Chace-Randall Gallery in Andes, where curator Zoe Randall is currently exhibiting paintings by Lamb and others among the gallery's permanently exhibiting artists. From top left: Potted Oxalis with Mannequin Hand, Hanging Artichokes On A String, Red Cabbage In A Basket.
On the third day of Christmas, the Catskills gave to me
Three still lifes
Two tasty tarts
And an expert on forestry
Four crackling logs
A Tulikivi Octagon soapstone fireplace, custom-installed by the expert heatmasters at Mountain Flame in Arkville.
On the fourth day of Christmas, the Catskills gave to me
Four crackling logs
Three still lifes
Two tasty tarts
And an expert on forestry
Five handmade rings
Jeweler Caitlyn Davey of discomedusa designs sells her matrix hollow ball rings and other "industrial tribal" pieces to the world via the online craft marketplace Etsy, but she makes them right here in Delaware County. Visit her Etsy shop for more of her unique handmade wares.
On the fifth day of Christmas, the Catskills gave to me
Five handmade rings
Four crackling logs
Three still lifes
Two tasty tarts
And an expert on forestry
Six singers grooving
In 2011, local Catskill Mountain folksinger Story Laurie released her first children's album, Groovin' In The Garden, available from Amazon or on the counter of a local store near you. Pumpkins not included.
On the sixth day of Christmas, the Catskills gave to me
Six singers grooving
Five handmade rings
Four crackling logs
Three still lifes
Two tasty tarts
And an expert on forestry
Seven skiers swooshing
Satisfied customers at Plattekill, a little family-run ski center in Roxbury that boasts some of the most devoted fans around. The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is currently advertising a variety of "Stay and Play" ski deals that include local lodging. Photo from Plattekill's Facebook wall.
On the seventh day of Christmas, the Catskills gave to me
Seven skiers swooshing
Six singers grooving
Five handmade rings
Four crackling logs
Three still lifes
Two tasty tarts
And an expert on forestry
Eight mirrors gleaming
A closeup of the swoonworthy Amadeus's Bride suite at The Roxbury, a groovy-luxe palace of a motel that has become a Catskills legend over the last few years. If you're an HGTV watcher, you may catch a glimpse of them on an upcoming show -- but The Roxbury really must be seen in person to be believed.
On the eighth day of Christmas, the Catskills gave to me
Eight mirrors gleaming
Seven skiers swooshing
Six singers grooving
Five handmade rings
Four crackling logs
Three still lifes
Two tasty tarts
And an expert on forestry
Nine teas a-brewing
Gypsy-in-residence Nini Ordoubadi attends to every detail of Tay Home in Andes, from the lovingly curated housewares to the precise mixture of aromatic ingredients in every tin of her hand-blended Tay Tea. Come for the tea, stay for the scintillating conversation.
On the ninth day of Christmas, the Catskills gave to me
Nine teas a-brewing
Eight mirrors gleaming
Seven skiers swooshing
Six singers grooving
Five handmade rings
Four crackling logs
Three still lifes
Two tasty tarts
And an expert on forestry
Ten taps a-pouring
The Andes Hotel cares about beer, and it shows: Their selection of brews on tap changes often, and usually includes the wares of up-and-coming local brewers as well as craft beers from around the world. And if a Genny is more your speed, they've got you covered. Photo by Patricia Woznick.
On the tenth day of Christmas, the Catskills gave to me
Ten taps a-pouring
Nine teas a-brewing
Eight mirrors gleaming
Seven skiers swooshing
Six singers grooving
Five handmade rings
Four crackling logs
Three still lifes
Two tasty tarts
And an expert on forestry
Eleven eight-tracks playing
Punk rocker Bucks Burnett, the collector behind the Eight Track Museum's main branch in Dallas, and its new outpost (as of this fall) on Roxbury's Main Street. The Roxbury version of the museum is housed in the Orphic Gallery, which is devoted to music-related works of art. Photo by Robert Greeson.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, the Catskills gave to me
Eleven eight-tracks playing
Ten taps a-pouring
Nine teas a-brewing
Eight mirrors gleaming
Seven skiers swooshing
Six singers grooving
Five handmade rings
Four crackling logs
Three still lifes
Two tasty tarts
And an expert on forestry
Twelve local eggies
For a little market and cafe in Livingston Manor, Main Street Farm packs a lot of fresh local goodness into a small space: vegetables and meats from Neversink Farm, milk and cheese from Tonjes Dairy, smoked eel and trout from the Delaware Delicacies Smoke House, and, of course, these incredible edible eggs.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, the Catskills gave to me
Twelve local eggies
Eleven eight-tracks playing
Ten taps a-pouring
Nine teas a-brewing
Eight mirrors gleaming
Seven skiers swooshing
Six singers grooving
Five handmade rings
Four crackling logs
Three still lifes
Two tasty tarts
And an expert on forestry
