It’s a flirtation of wild asters and jewelweed and bawdy goldenrod. The sky is as blue as the Madonna’s robe and the sun is hot, but wake up early the next morning, and dew has dampened that tablecloth you left on the patio table. The cicadas still thrum in late afternoon, but you notice the songbirds are silent. Silent and gone.
If you’ve been walking, hiking, maybe even raking in your backyard, chances are that you’ve taken in that fetid dead-animal aroma that appears to be wafting over the Hudson Valley. The cause? Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, better known as EHD, is a viral disease that is killing local white-tailed deer.
The Open Space Institute, in coordination with research scientist and Cub Scout representative Christopher Nadareski, recently released four rehabilitated peregrine falcons on OSI’s River-to-Ridge Trail in New Paltz.
Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said a move by the parent company of HealthAlliance could extend what was to be a temporary reduction in local mental-health treatment capacity brought on by a need for greater hospital capacity for Covid-19 to a permanent one.
Like a tribe of hippies living in a dome, hornets prefer a round home. And like flower children, they are peaceful. The hornets never hurt us.
No matter where you’re coming from, or where you’ve been, when you arrive the Hudson Valley, you’ve entered a scenic paradise.
Spring became summer and as case numbers bobbed along, vacation plans withered. But gardens sprung up, as more homeowners took to fixing their landscapes and outdoor spaces. The mindset became, “If we can’t fly away on vacation, how can we bring that getaway feeling to our home?” Front porches received a fresh coat of paint and a hanging basket or two, while backyard living rooms became an alfresco extension of the home, featuring hardscaped patios with comfortable seating made for socially distant conversation, plus cozy firepits, sleek wetbars, and more. Water features, like garden ponds, waterfalls, or even large-scale babbling brooks further established the summer oasis setting.
In the list of apples that I grow, notice that there was no mention of Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, Empire, or other varieties commonly seen on supermarket shelves and at farmers’ markets. These varieties have the combination of productivity, ability to ship and store well, and eye-appeal demanded by commercial markets. But a backyard apple variety can be chosen with only one consideration in mind — flavor! With over 5000 varieties of apples to choose from why not grow the best?
A planned bike lane on Henry W. DuBois Ave. would mainly serve out-of-towners passing through on the Empire State Trail and cause increased traffic, say critics. But supporters, including the town supervisor, say locals would be the main users. The plan would require widening the road and the removal of trees, which has also been a focus of opposition for property owners who feel encroached upon. Town officials say the trees would all be replaced.
When we reach the nights of August 11 and 12, we will see a meteor every two minutes or so, especially if we’re away from the lights of town. But there’s a secret sinister untold story behind these lovely shooting stars. It involves their origins.