Karen's Blog ~ The Woodstock Inn ~ Catskill's Bed and Breakfast

If you are coming to Woodstock this weekend you’ll have a hard time trying to decide where to go??  Let’s see the Hudson Valley Green Festical at the Mills Mansion in Staatsburg, NY…just a short drive from Woodstock.  Great music lined up!  I believe you can check it out on facebook…check on our page!   

Catskill Mountain Eco-Heritage Festival at the Ashokan Center  www.ashokancenter.org check the website for a full schedule!  It looks like a great one…wish I didn’t have to work!

Tom Pacheco…one of Woodstock’s greats will be playing at the Empire Railway Museum on Sunday 5th at 7:30.  If you haven’t seen Tom…make it point.   He is not only a brilliant songwriter & musician…but a great person!   The final show at Belleayre will be Saturday 4th featuring Aaron Neville and his brothers… www.belleayre.com

On another note…I wind up the summer season missing my dear niece Olivia who once again spent a good part of the summer with her aunt in Woodstock.  All of you who got to meet her…you know how special she is and I miss her terribly—as do Willy, Zelda, Gomez, Linus, Lucy & Josey!  It was great reconnecting with old friends…The Berkowitz gang…my favorite family (see above!)  My dear, dear friends Sherrie & Ed who light up my summer when they drive into the parking lot!  We exchange books read, films viewed…sharing and laughing…I loved “Kinky Boots!”  Let’s not forget the art.. thank you from the bottom of my heart dear Sherrie.   The Gonzales women…so great to have you both back this summer!  My dear friend Linda… need I say more.    And I cannot forget the staff here…those of us you see running around like maniacs…and those of us you may not see who keep the engine running just a few blocks over..Amy, Rachel and of course the owner ..Tom!  The Woodstock Inn is my favorite place…and yours??

peace,

Karen

This weekend in Woodstock catch our annual fireworks on Saturday 8/21 dusk.  Also the annual Volunteer’s Picnic at Andy Lee Field during the day.

On Saturday 3:30-5:30 you can catch Michael Lang signing his book “The Road to Woodstock” at our local treasure the Golden Notebook.  www.goldennotebook.com

For evening entertainment check out www.bearsvilletheater.com for music on Friday 8/20 it is George Porter Jr. with special guest Rennie Cantine.  On Saturday its the Reggae Fest at the theater or if you are lucky enough to have tickets to the Ramble www.levonhelm.com

This weekend at the Colony Cafe www.colonycafe.com catch the Woodstock Guitar Festival on Friday and Joe Beesmer & Uncle Funk on Sat. 8/21 show starts at 10PM after the fireworks!

peace,

Karen

While running in the woods the other day with the kids and Ollie…we noticed a hint of fall–just a few leaves changing color…and a slightly altered scent in the air!  It’s still hot…but my favorite season is just around the corner…book now for glorious leaf peeping…they go fast!

But…back to the present.  This weekend catch the Phoenicia Voice Festival.  You can view their schedule online at www.phoeniciavoicefest.com.

peace,

Karen

If you missed last weekend in Woodstock…well, you missed a perfect one.  I won’t go on and on…Tracy Bonham at the Bearsville theater…free Shakespeare in the park…perfect weather….  My sisters brought Ollie back to work so we made a weekend of it along with our good friend Linda. 

This week you will find me at the Farmer’s market on Wednesday…you should try and find yourself there too!!  I had the best falafel wrap ever! 

Jackie Greene hits the stage at the Bearsville theater this Tuesday 8/10 –a real midweek treat! www.bearsvilletheater.com

Wednesday night is open mic at the Harmony Cafe.

This coming weekend do not miss the reunion of one of my favorite bands…Generous Thief…catch them live on Saturday night 8/14 at The Colony Cafe.  www.colonycafe.com. 

peace,

Karen

Jane Fonda in town filming “Peace, Love & Misunderstanding!”  Check out her blog to learn a bit more about the filming here this week in Woodtstock…heck, drive on up and spend the night!  http://janefonda.com/category/my-blog 

We had a slight break yesterday morning from the humidity and heat.   I got up to run with the puppies and it actually felt cool out!  But as the day wore on the temp and humidity seemed to climb…we’re back to steamy days in the Catskills…but hey..we just jump in the stream…and you?  I just can’t believe we are in the latter part of July…this summer is flying by for me!  So  much left to do!  If you have never been to one of our county fairs…make it this year!  My sister and the twins have been coming up in August and going to the Dutchess County Fair with me for 13? years…it is an annual tradition and we love it.  Coming up soon is the Ulster County Fair at the fairgrounds in New Paltz.  Those dates are Tues. 8/3-Sun. 8/8.   www.ulstercountyfair.com for schedule.  The Dutchess County Fair is later in August..both are worth the trip! 

peace,

Karen

It is steamy here in the Catskills…and I am eternally grateful that I live on the Millstream!!  It surely comes in handy to cool down with Willy & Zelda after our morning trot up the hill.  The gardens are in full bloom and I am reminded daily by all my guests that I do live in paradise!  We got some much needed rain…but could use some more..hopefully later this afternoon.  This weekend I am headed to a friends party…a rare weekend night out ..can’t wait!!0

If your headed up to the area this weekend check out tonight at the Harmony in Woodstock …David Kraii  or the Ashokan Center in Olivebridge …David Bromberg…or New World Home Cooking where you can grab some fabulous food and then hear the Five Points Band.  At the Bearsville theater Sat. 7/17 catch local greats..Big Sister.

In the near future…get your tickets now for Appalachian Voices at the Bearsville Theater  Thursday 7/29  www.bearsvilletheater.com   I have had the pleasure of meeting and hearing the music of Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore…you should too!  Check out their websites…  www.bensollee.com & www.danielmartinmoore.com .

Pete Seeger also at the Bearsville Theater on Sunday, 8/8 singing & signing! 

Weekend musts…include a tour of the nearby Woodstock Farm Sanctuary..open now every weekend.  Also don’t miss Opus 40…open weekends as well. 

peace,

Karen

But I won’t say why…read the newspaper!

OK…I know the sun is lovely but we need some rain!!  Tonight I dance! Ha!  If you need to escape the heat of the city…while it may be hot here in the Catskills…you can sit by the babbling brook or dip your feet in to stay cool.  Come on up this weekend..2 last minute cancellations..one in the cottage and one in a standard! 

peace,

Karen

P.S.   Olivia is back for the summer…hooray!!!  Olliemort!

We are having absolutely gorgeous weather here in the Catskills…and there’s no end in sight!   While I am booked this weekend starting on Monday I have a few rooms left during the week..come on up and enjoy this glorious weather…go for a hike in the Catskill park and all your troubles will melt away…at least for a few hours!  I do it every week with my “kids.” 

Great music as always at the Bearsville Theater www.bearsvilletheater.com and the Colony  www.colonycafe.com .  

peace,

Karen

This was the question posed to me last week from some very cool guests from TN..  well  about 15 years…I responded.  We laughed.  We looked around my little  paradise  here and agreed–I am very lucky!   It is important to be reminded of this especially when I am in the heat & heart of summer and running around like a chicken…it made me pause..and reminded me to be grateful!

This weekend the Bearsville Theater has some great music lined up for the 4th July!  Check out their website www.bearsvilletheater.com .  At the Colony Cafe you can catch the New Paltz band The Deadbeats on Friday 7/2 and on Sat. 3rd don’t miss the Creative Music Studio Orchestra!  Fireworks will be in Saugerties this weekend. 

peace,

Karen

Thanks to all of our guests who valiantly helped rescue the gorgeous Northern Flicker we found injured on the property.  Sidney was a gorgeous bird and although we tried desparately to save him he died on Monday morning…in the garden.  We buried him near our two cats…Lucy and Franny.  It was a great weekend and I truly believe that all the people who were suppose to be here…were here!  Thanks to Gaby, Dick, Linda, Jeep, Heather …and everyone!

peace,

Karen