Having heard enthusiastic reports from friends who’ve walked or biked the Ashokan Rail Trail since the October 18 opening of the West Hurley trailhead, I was curious to get a look at the western section, which opened on Thanksgiving Day. I live in Phoenicia, so the trailhead on Route 28A near Boiceville is only eight minutes away.
On the first two weekends of December, Phoenicia puts together the series of family-friendly holiday events that the hamlet has enjoyed annually for years, including parties, tree-lighting, theater, and caroling.
“I’m known for dresses and partywear,” says Tiny Stainker, fanning out the skirt of a velvet dress in her boutique, Lily’s, next to the Woodstock Village Green. She also sells streetwear, winter hats and scarves, nightgowns, kids’ clothing, cards, chocolate, and an eclectic mix of other items. Most of what she sells is designed by artists she has connected with in her 25 years of running a shop in Woodstock.
The proprietors of the Herwood Inn seem to have thought of everything. Bed platforms flush with the floor, so nothing can roll underneath, including dust. A curated vinyl collection and record player in each of the four bedrooms. Readily available yoga mats and blocks. The Herwood, which opened this September in Woodstock, has been designed and equipped with meticulous attention to detail.
When the Shandaken Short-Term Rental (STR) Committee met on November 11, they discussed such issues as how to define STRs in the town code and what measures might be included in a new law requiring STR owners to obtain a license for operation.
Shandaken candidates and residents have a long wait ahead of them until absentee ballots are counted to determine the outcome of both the Ulster County legislator race for District 22 and the contests for town supervisor and council members.
Another close election result in Ulster County.
Heat pumps can keep a home warm and cool, run on electricity and are extremely efficient. As such, they have been embraced by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
Kathy Nolan, a Democrat, is running for reelection after a term as Ulster County legislator for District 22, which includes the towns of Shandaken, Olive, Denning, and Hardenbergh. She is being challenged by John Parete, who lost the seat to Nolan in 2017, after serving six terms. Parete, also a Democrat, has received the Republican party endorsement but failed in an attempt to defeat Nolan in the Democratic primary earlier this year. Parete has not said which party he would caucus with should he win.
The Shandaken Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) voted unanimously to uphold zoning enforcement officer Howie McGowan’s decision to reject resident Sanjay Rawal’s application to erect a 35-foot statue of deceased spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy on his property in Woodland Valley.
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