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

It certainly feels like summer these past couple of days!  Folks have been swimming in the ol’Millstream–and I know a couple of dogs that have checked it out as well!  If you haven’t taken advantage of my 20% email for April–this would be the week to do it! 

This Friday, May 1st don’t miss the Gala 4th Anniversary Bluegrass Clubhouse celebration at the Bearsville Theater www.bearsvilletheater.com.  Show starts at 9PM.   On Saturday, the 2nd you can catch local favorites Mike & Ruthy opening for Nickel Creek’s Sara Watkins at the same venue.  At the Kleinert/James Center on Saturday Chris Smither will be performing www.woodstockguild.org .  Such great music this weekend–it is difficult to choose!

The Inn is looking gorgeous and ready for the season–I am so fortunate to live here and enjoy it everyday—what a view!  The Catskills are so gorgeous and to witness the change season to season is something really special.

peace,

karen

Earth day–celebrate!  Right now there is an amazing thunderstorm—I love it.  Mother Nature is letting us know…..take care of me NOW! 

Happy Earth day all–and to all a good night!

peace,

karen

No blues here in Woodstock this Monday…the daffodils are up, forcythia is blooming–spring has sprung and I am psyched!  We had an amazing weekend here–with blue skies–everyone out on the grounds enjoying the sound of the stream–some fishing in the stream–just a picture perfect weekend.  This weekend promises more of the same! 

For music this week and weekend catch Red Molly at the Kleinert/James Center on 4/25 right up the street.  At the Bearsville Theater on 4/24  there is an allstar Woodstock musician line-up for fellow musician Ted Orr who must undergo major eye surgery.  Performers include; John Sebastian, Jack DeJohnette & David Sancious, Stony Clove Lane, Gilles Malkine, and many more.  The music will knock you out and you will be supporting a great cause.

peace,

karen

Tom just wrote me an email reminding me that Wednesday, 4/15 is the 17th anniversary of the Woodstock Inn under his ownership!  We all have Tom Bullard to thank for saving this amazing piece of property seventeen years ago and creating a bit of paradise here in Woodstock.  I have heard rumors that when Tom bought the Inn things were less than fab  shall we say!  Shag carpets, no garden, etc….  ( I guess shag rugs were in for a while my family had a multi colored one in the basement–ha!)   Thanks to him you all have a lovely place to stay—and we have an AWESOME place to work!   I think I will celebrate by staying in a fancy room tonight (16) and then have breakfast in the AM by the stream. 

Plenty to do this week and weekend in Woodstock.  Thursday night bluegrass at the Bearsville Theater is one of my favorite shows to catch.  There is a Ramble at Levon Helm’s on Saturday.  If you don’t have tickets to that–don’t despair there is an amazing singer/songwriter by the name of Sean Rowe playing at the Muddy Cup in Saugerties on Saturday.  Check him out! www.seanrowe.net  and check out www.muddycup.com/saugerties.

peace,

karen

Off for the next two days and I plan on hiking as much as I can with the “kids”  I love this time of year in the woods—the smells, the sounds–everything seems to be waking –including me!  I will be off to Revolution Hall, Troy NY to see the North Mississippi Allstars (www.nmallstars.com )tomorrow evening.  We had the absolute pleasure of having members of the Black Crowes stay with us for some time in February.  As I noted in another entry, I went to their incredible concert at Levon Helm’s studio.  Luther Dickinson, one of the Crowes guitar players and founder of the North Mississippi Allstars, blew our  minds so we got tickets to see him tomorrow night– can’t wait!

There is an incredible show at the Fletcher Gallery in town (www.fletchergallery.com ).  Check out their online view of the show of Georgina Klitgaard–or better yet, come on up to Woodstock during April and see the show for yourself.  If you come midweek–mention this blog and I will give you an art lover’s discount.

peace,

karen

I love April especially here in Woodstock.  It may not be the “prettiest” month–but the start of spring–real spring after the long winter renews my spirit!  John and I have already heard the peepers–a sure sign of spring.  The lawn is green, the stream is rushing from melted snow and rain and I can go running without so many layers! 

This is a great week to come on up to the area–a lot of great music is happening mid week in the area.  On Tuesday you can catch the darlings of the Catskill Mountains–The  Felice Brothers at the Bardavon (www.bardavon.org).   This Thursday you can catch Sacred Origin at Woodstock’s own Colony Cafe on Rock City Road  (www.colonycafe.com ).  Sacred Origin features John Medeski of Medeski, Martin & Wood and Tisziji Munoz.  Not to be missed!  And on Saturday at the Colony catch one of Woodstock’s most prolific artists–Justin Love performing with his band.

For something really different—and possibly conscious raising–try a private spiritual reading at the wonderful bookstore–well, more than a bookstore–Mirabai.   Check out their website for other upcoming workshops and events (www.mirabai.com). 

peace,

karen

Wow, as I write this the April showers here in Woodstock are really coming down!  The stream is high and ripe for swimming.  The Inn has been entirely booked by the Newtown High School, Elmhurst (Queens) for 30+ students who are here with teachers to learn about peace, love, music, crafts, country living…and all that Jazz!   I will say I was a bit apprehensive about having 30+ teenagers here—but after meeting them–and watching them from the sidelines–I am relieved.  This is a truly interesting bunch of kids—and I am honored that they chose to stay here with us.  One of their teachers is a guest of mine and she cooked up this incredible, educational weekend for them with trips to the Woodstock Museum and Crafts People (www.craftspeople.us) .  Each kid had to raise $ to finance their trip.  They seem really excited and psyched to be here!  I wish I had such cool teachers when I was in HS  (many, many years ago!) 

Next weekend there are a couple of cool book signings sponsored by our own Golden Notebook (www.goldennotebook.com).  Jeffrey Masson will be signing When Elephants Weep & Dogs Never Lie About Love on Friday, 4/10 7:30 PM at the Kleinert/James Art Center in Woodstock.  Also on Sat. 4/11 at 5PM Jane Brody will be signing  Jane Brody’s Guide to the Great Beyond:  Practical Primer to Help You and Your Loved Ones Prepare Medically, Legally, and Emotionally for the End –SUPPORT INDIE BOOKSTORES EVERYWHERE!  

peace,

karen