Above: Who says moms always have to be nice? The Kindred Spirits Steakhouse and Pub in Palenville is serving up a Naughty Mother’s Day Brunch featuring ribald songstress Lex Grey from 11am to 4pm on Sunday, May 12.
Whether it's affection or guilt that motivates you, odds are you're looking to spend quality time with Mom this weekend. Julia Ward Howe founded Mother’s Day on this continent in 1870, calling out for an international celebration of peace and motherhood. Before that, there was "Mothering Sunday" in England -- working class folk were given a day off to go see Mom, and they also took a day off from Lent. We may have largely lost the knack of matriarchy and Goddess worship, but if you’re looking for a way to celebrate yo’ mama, the Catskills have plenty of options lined up.
Here's our county-by-county guide to 2013 Mother's Day events in the Catskills.
DELAWARE COUNTY
The Annual Mother’s Day Wildflower Hike to Kelly Hollow is a four-mile ramble sponsored by the Catskill Mountain Club You’ll enjoy sparkling streams and an active beaver pond, and have a chance to experience spring ephemerals like violets and jack-in-the-pulpit. Participants will gather at the Old Schoolhouse 2.2 miles west of Margaretville at 10:30 on Sunday. There’s a limit of 20 people- call Howard Raab at 845.586.3112 for reservations.
Also in Margaretville, prep Mom for a season of gardening at gardenFest, a Main Street extravaganza of gardeners, food vendors, petting zoos, live music, and all things flowering and green on Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
Mother’s Day Jazz Brunch with Lindsey Webster and an awesome menu will be served up at the Andes Hotel in Andes between noon and 3pm.
At Catskills Escape in Franklin, Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday includes a Mandarin Souffle lovingly crafted of local eggs, organic citrus, and butter, and your table will be resplendent with a seasonal bouquet.
The Roxbury Arts Group has a very special treat lined up for Mother’s Day Eve. On Saturday night, the First Lady of Woodstock, folk-rock stunner Melanie, will perform with her son Beau Jarred Schekeryk in Roxbury.
At Tay Home in Andes, the mother-daughter chef team of Mary Elizabeth (mother) and Chef Nicole Roarke (daughter) will share recipes and stories from their cookbook "Cooking Across America" from 10am to 6pm on Sunday. Tastings and demos will abound.
GREENE COUNTY
At Gavin’s Country Inn in East Durham, your Mother’s Day weekend will begin with chocolate covered strawberries and escalate from there. There’s a craft fair, Mom gets a complimentary massage, and there are plenty of activities for kids -- up to three of whom can stay and eat for free.
The Kindred Spirits Steakhouse and Pub in Palenville is serving up a Naughty Mother’s Day Brunch featuring ribald songstress Lex Grey from 11am to 4pm on Sunday. Reservations are suggested.
OTSEGO COUNTY
At the J.L. Popp Butterfly Conservatory in Oneonta, moms get in for free this Sunday. Enjoy wandering amidst 150 species of critters, including loads of free-ranging butterflies and tropical birds, and hundreds of tropical plants in their 3,000 square foot conservatory and arboretum.
Alpine Roofing in Unadilla is accepting applications for its Mother's Day Roof Giveaway until Sunday. You have to send your application in by mail, and the contest is open to homeowners in Delaware, Chenango, and Otsego counties. Send your family's story and photos of the roof to Alpine Roofing Inc. PO Box 397 Unadilla, NY, 13849.
SCHOHARIE COUNTY
Give mom the British royal treatment with a Mother's Day Victorian Tea at Wellington's Herbs and Spices in Schoharie on Sunday. Savory sandwiches and deserts will be served at 11:30am in a tearoom overlooking the gardens.
SULLIVAN COUNTY
There’s a special Mother’s Day dinner menu being served at Mr. Willy’s Restaurant in Monticello on Sunday. Call for reservations at any of three seatings, 845.794.0888.
You can feast your ears and tummy at Sunday Lunch with the Jazz Cats at the Dancing Cat Saloon and Catskill Distilling Company in Bethel. Enjoy Barry Scheinfeld on guitar, Don Miller on bass, and chef Jay Weinstein on lunch.
ULSTER COUNTY
Plant a tree with mom at the Black Creek Preserve in Esopus on Sunday. Stop by between 10am and 1pm, dressed for gardening; Scenic Hudson will provide the tools, trees and Technu.
At Honor’s Haven Resort in Ellenville, enjoy the weekend-long 3rd Annual Tulip Festival & Mother’s Day Celebration. Besides handcrafted gifts, live entertainment all day and a Mother’s Day lunch, they’ve got a dandy array of spa and recreational facilities to enjoy, and kids under six can come along for free.
The Ulster County YWCA will be presenting the first annual Mother’s Day 5K Run/Walk in Uptown Kingston on Saturday morning at the Academy Green. Bring the kiddies for the under-10 Mini Miler at 9:30am.
Brunch will be served up in mouthwatering style at the Hickory BBQ Smokehouse on Route 28 in Kingston on Sunday, with a side of jazz from Unicorn to go with your fried oyster po’ boys and cheesy grits.
At Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, you and mom can feast on “international and domestic cheeses, galantines and pates, an array of smoked and cured seafood, signature salads, carved-to-order meats” and more at a Mother’s Day Grand Buffet Luncheon at the legendary sky-castle on Sunday.
Diamond Mills Hotel and Tavern in Saugerties is promising a Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet “fit for a queen” in the Grand Ballroom overlooking the Esopus Falls on Sunday. Dig Boutique and some antiquing afterwards, perhaps?
The Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room in Big Indian is serving an Endless Mother's Day Brunch Buffet on Sunday from 11am to 3pm. Perfect for stuffing the kids so full of food that they fall asleep and give Mom some precious siesta time.
And finally, there is something truly unusual going on in Rosendale on Sunday. (Okay, we know this isn’t news in and of itself.) The Century House Historical Society has developed a tradition of having its museum’s season opening on Mother’s Day. This year, history-minded moms can enjoy “Atomic Rosendale: From Mushrooms to Mushroom Clouds,” an exhibit highlighting the uses of Rosendale’s caves during the Cold War era, from 1 till 4. The Rosendale Community Association Brass Band will be providing the tunes.
