Scarecrows to return
The scarecrows will return to Woodstock’s Comeau property once again October 5. It’s time again for the Woodstock Land Conservancy’s (WLC) annual Scarecrow Fest.
“Scarecrow Fest is our way of celebrating nature’s beauty during this special season while also thanking Woodstock and the surrounding communities for their support throughout the year,” WLC executive director Andy Mossey said in a statement.
The festival includes live music, arts and crafts, a local vendor market, pumpkin painting and yard games. Bunny’s Banh Mi and Bina’s Cafe will be selling food and kilocalorie organizations will be on hand to get people engaged.
The highlight is the scarecrow-making workshops and a contest where attendees can vote for their favorite scarecrow. Music from Tim Kapeluck, Sharon Klein, Elly Wininger and Doug Yoel will be featured on the Shakespeare lawn. The event runs from noon to 4 p.m.
There is no admission charge, but WLC asks for a $10 donation per adult.
Sponsors include Bearsville Center, Black-Eyed Suzie’s Upstate, Bread Alone Bakery, Drs. Viglielmo Biological Dentistry, Houst Hardware, Michael DeWan Appraisal & Associates and RXR Sports.
— Nick Henderson
Emerson Resort & Spa and Ulster County Soil & Water announce grand opening of Brookside Wander protected environment
Emerson Resort & Spa and Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative invite the public to attend the ribbon cutting of their completed joint project, “Brookside Wander,” a native planted stream buffer and educational garden, on Friday, October 4, 2 p.m., at the Emerson Resort & Spa.
Emerson Resort & Spa has partnered with the Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative (CSBI), a program administered through the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program and its partners, the Ulster County Soil & Water Conservation District and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, with funding from the NYC Department of Environmental protection to create Brookside Wander, established to demonstrate the importance of restoring native plants in riparian zones along waterways and to serve as a model for similar restorations throughout the Ashokan Watershed.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the completion of this project with the public“ said Posie Strenz, creative projects coordinator at the Emerson. “We invite everyone to join us at Brookside Wander for the ribbon cutting and a brief presentation to learn about its purpose from Bobby Taylor, the acting stream project manager with Ulster County Soil & Water Conservation District and Tim Koch, the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program stream education leader with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County.”
Brookside Wander is an example of how restoration of degraded streamside areas into native plant communities can help to reduce flooding and erosion while supporting improved water quality and a diverse, healthy ecosystem.
Additionally, on Friday, November 1 at 6 pm., Taylor will give a more detailed presentation about the importance of combating invasive species and restoring riparian areas and their ecosystem benefits with strategically placed native plantings. This presentation will be free to the public as part of the Emerson Resort & Spa’s annual community week presentations and events.
Brookside Wander is located at the southeast end of The Shops at Emerson near the Shops parking lot, located at 5340 Route 28 in Mt. Tremper. For additional information, visit https://emersonresort.com/experiences/#!/e/grand-opening-and-ribbon-cutting-of-brookside-wander-october-4-2pm-cdec3004.
Woodstock Library vote October 10
Four incumbents plus a write-in candidate are running for five seats in the October 10 Woodstock Library election where voters will also decide on a $766,957 budget. Running to retain their seats are trustees Karen Chesley, Leslie Gerber, Howard Kagan and Chloe Leader. Catherine Johnston is a write-in candidate.
The budget represents a 5.39 percent increase from the current year. The $662,232 tax levy is $30,133, or 4.77 percent, which is above the tax cap. The board passed a resolution to override the cap.
Some budget lines were increased to expand services in the new building at 10 Dixon Avenue in Bearsville, including more library materials in adult and children’s collections, the increased cost of building contracts for a larger facility, more funding for adult and children’s programs and program supplies, new office equipment, and computer software and high-speed fiber-optic Internet access.
A new adult-program assistant position will be added in July 2025 for the new building.
Also included in the budget are rent payments of $4000 per month starting in February payable to Bearsville Center owner Lizzie Vann, who bought the 5 Library Lane building. The library must rent the building back from Vann until it is moved into 10 Dixon Avenue.
Voting is October 10 from noon to 9 p.m. at 5 Library Lane. Absentee ballot applications and additional information can be found at woodstock.org/2025-vote.
— Nick Henderson
Water quality a Woodstock issue
A group of Woodstock citizen-activists will present their own forum on water quality October 9. They were dissatisfied with their inability to have a two-way dialogue at the town-hosted event in July.
Woodstockers United for Change’s October 9 forum will address questions about the forever chemical PFOS, which has been found in the municipal water supply. The group will explore ways to get the town government to be more responsive and proactive on the issue.
A presentation prior to the start of the event will honor a community member contributing to positive change to the town.
The forum will be held October 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mescal Hornbeck Community Center, 56 Rock City Road.
“This is a serious issue, one that’s ripe for misinformation and underestimation. It needs to be addressed independently, thoroughly, factually and openly, and we hope to see you there,” the group said in a press release.
— Nick Henderson
Woodstock Film Fest seeks volunteers
The 25th annual Woodstock Film Festival is looking for volunteers. Take part in contemporary storytelling in the Hudson Valley, a place where old and new cultures, stories and myths intersect — while making new connections, life-long friendships and dipping a toe into the fabulous film community.
We’re looking for volunteers in many departments: photography, transportation, press, art, tech, operations, the awards show and more. All volunteers will be offered a film-screening-voucher per shift to view the films!
Join them on Tuesday, October 15 through Sunday, October 20 in Woodstock, Kingston, Saugerties and Rosendale. For more information and to sign up, visit https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/.
Join the family! 
