We all know that nature is not always cute and benign. While direct clashes are not that common in our parts they do happen. So it was earlier this week when I arrived at the house. Upon opening the door I encountered knocked-over lamps, torn clothes, even a chair on its back. All over the floor and furniture were whiteish spots and splashes — some small, some quite big — which were clearly bird poop. Then I saw the door to the fire place open: and since we always close it before leaving it didn’t take a genius to conclude that the avian intruder entered the house via the chimney.
The startling thing was that the carnage was literally in every room, on both floors. As I cleaned, stripped beds and generally started putting things back together I kept thinking: is the bird still somewhere here and alive? Or dead? Unlikely it found a way out via the chimney again ... It all felt anxiously exciting and somewhat spooky. Fast forward a couple of hours, no bird found and the house more or less back to normal; and then it occurred to me to look into the basement, the only place I haven’t been yet. Sure enough, there it was: a beautiful, large hawk, lying next to the boiler, interestingly with no signs of any injury.
The coda is disappointing. I took it to the compost, planning to return a bit later to take a picture that I can send to someone better than me at birds. But when I came back I found not a trace. A coyote or some such chanced upon a meal and took it home (the chance the hawk woke up and flew away is remote I think). So I will never know who the visitor was ... maybe it’s enough to know that it was one of the faces of nature.
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Beaverkill Community Church Choir
Norris Chumley, Jane Stageberg, Patricia Adams,
Bob Jones, and Ed Cerny.
August 4, 2019.
Photo by Mary Hall.
2019 Friends Of The Beaverkill Community Annual Summer Meeting (and picnic)
129 Ragin Road
Date: SATURDAY AUGUST 24 Time: 1:00 - 4:00pm
This year’s event is being hosted by Joan and Carl Obecny - 129 Ragin Road in Beaverkill. The house is just under a mile up Ragin Road from the Covered Bridge, on the left.
The picnic is a pot-luck. Please bring your favorite summertime dish and/or beverage. As usual, we’ll have all the necessary plates, utensils, cups, etc.
Profile: Florence Good Contributed by Manor Ink, a youth driven,
community supported newspaper
established in 2012 and
based out of the Livingston Manor Free Library.
Hello Friends, Please come enjoy the garden on our Open Day Saturday, July 20th from 10:00-4:00. We’ve been working hard to get the place ready for you!
Here is the link for information and directions. You can buy tickets online or just come and sign in here. (All proceeds go the Garden Conservancy.) You can go to any or all of the three gardens in Delaware County chosen by the Conservancy.
June 2: Mary Hall, June 9: Mary Hall, June 16: Ed Cerny, June 23: Bob Jones, June 30: Mary Hall
July
July 7: Sally Cerny, July 14: Laurie Stuart, July 21: Children's Service, July 28: Al Sikes
August
August 4: Patricia Adams, August 11: Gary Jaskula, August 18: Boyd Johnson, August 25: Norris Chumley
September
September 1: Mary Hall
Maple Syrup Saga
Wednesday evening March 27
It just goes to show you, you never know what surprises are in store with you each sugar season. Whereas a few days ago, we thought we would fall short of our seasonal average by roughly 25%. However, with the excellent sapping conditions over the last few days and taking the time to clean the equipment we’re back making medium grad maple syrup and, in addition, we expect we’ll reach our seasonal average of about 35 gallons with 175 taps.
Considering the recent excellent sap flows (both clarity and volume) we decided to not to remove the bags/spiles yesterday extending the season for one additional day today. So, with the afternoon gather today, we’ll remove the 135 bags and spiles. Remember, Judy and I took down and removed 40 buckets and spiles on Tuesday. We cleaned the 40 buckets yesterday with hot water and bleach while we boiled to get a bit of a head start on the clean-up tasks.
Yesterday while Joan tended the evaporator (once fired up it can’t be left) with the help of Maureen (the “Machine”), Kevin, Judy (the faithful regular), Afrika and Heidi (the supervisors) we gathered another 80 gallons of clear as water sap. By the time we had boiled off that 80 gallons along with the 165 gathered the evening before we added another 5 gallons of delicious medium grade syrup to our total to date. A ratio of roughly 50 gallons of sap to one gallon of syrup. We are tired, but, as the old times say and my buddy, Jim always says, “make hay (syrup) while the Sun shines (sap flows)”!
With the anticipated warm temperatures we will definitely take down the remaining 140 bags and spiles with the final gather this afternoon. The sap ran into the night last night and we expect another decent run today. So, our plan is to gather as late in the day as possible, say around 5-5:30 pm to get every last drop of 2019 sap and have enough daylight to remove the spiles.
People skating on the Adams' pond in December. 2018.
Contributed by Bob Lee.
Photos Bob Lee.
Click to enlarge.
Hi Everyone, Soon we'll be gathering for our annual beloved Christmas Eve holiday sing-along at the Beaverkill Valley Community Church on Craigie Clair Rd. at 8pm and we'd love it if you would join us! Also, as always we are welcoming and encouraging singers to come up and sing with us in a special presentation of "Once in Royal David's City." If you or your children are interested, there will be an optional rehearsal at 3pm that day at the church and then another optional run through at 7:30pm (or even if you can get there by 7:45pm). Here is a beautiful Youtube of the song, including lyrics, in case you prefer to practice at home:
Please also forward this on to any and all friends and family that may enjoy being a part of the festivities. This is always such a wonderful evening and we really hope to see you there!
Best,
Ananda Adams
Nature Watch
Climate Change and Flyfishing
Weather / Stream Report
for Beaverkill
in 2018
contributed by Judy Van Put
posted October 27, 2018
The fishing season of 2018 has come and gone with a sizzle rather than a bang, as here on October 15, the last day of the regular trout fishing season in New York, we remembered having a most unusual year.
It’s surprising to see the conditions of nature at this writing: we still have not had a frost. The Harvest Moon at the end of September came on a cloudy night, and therefore didn’t produce any frost as a typical cold, clear night would have during that full moon. I can’t ever remember not having frost by October 15 – and we’re still enjoying begonias and a huge bed of nasturtiums in the garden blooming merrily. In addition, we’ve found that fly-fishing activity this time of year has also been affected; fishing at Hazel Bridge on the Willowemoc, which is usually topnotch in late September and October, has been flat. Generally the frosts of late September bring a hatch that encourages the trout to rise, and fishing is productive in that long pool below the bridge; we’ve often fished it up till Veteran’s Day with good luck.
HEADS UP! ………NO, HEADS DOWN!
Contributed by Patricia Adams, October 13, 2018
On my morning walk I cross the Covered Bridge and take the path that goes down the hill along the river. Hemlocks cover the bank there and underneath the trees is a carpet of stripped pinecones and pine nut seeds, left by red and grey squirrels. I’ve never seen them there but the evidence of major feeding is undeniable.
Our dog Lucy and I follow the path down along the river to a favorite stopping point where there is a nice variety of trees standing together; an oak, a maple, a sycamore, cherry, white pine and hemlock. We stop there so Lucy can have a swim and I scoop up a splash of Beaverkill water.
Hosts Julia and Mason Parker.
Photos John Wilkens.
Click to enlarge.
Guest speakers from the Zen Monestary in Turnwood,
the Dai Bosatsu Zendo, at the head of the table:
Juyo Dennis Giacomo (in gray jacket) and
Brian Smith (in black T-shirt).
Click to enlarge.
Juyo brought a flyer with him detailing his talk.
Click here to view the flyer in pdf format.
Memorial Day Friendraiser 2018
at Mimi and Simone McGurl's
Submitted by Simone June 5, 2018
Dear Friends -
It was wonderful to see so many of you at our first ever Memorial Day Friendraiser! (And to those who couldn’t come - you were missed!)
The start of the summer means something different to each of us - but what I believe we share, is the joy and delight of being in our beautiful region enjoying good food, laughter, friends and family.
If you are new to our community and haven’t signed up for the email list or officially joined friends of the Beaverkill, you can do so on our website. And as a reminder the $25 to join FOB goes to help us put on community events, take care of the church, bridge and other key landmarks, and protect the beautiful natural environment that makes the Beaverkill a place we love to live.
Till next time!
Patricia, Simone and Josh
MINUTES FOBC Board Meeting
April 28, 2018
Contributed by Josh Grier May 2, 2018
The Board of FOBC had their first meeting of the 2018 season this past Saturday, April 28. Attending were Ramsay Adams, Patricia Adams, Simone McGurl, Barbara Trelstad, Josh Grier and Jane Sokolow. We thought the Friends might be interested in plans ahead for this Spring and Summer:
1. Simone and Mimi will host a “Friends Raiser” get-together at their house on Saturday, May 26 from 4-6pm. This will be primarily a social event, however we will also have the annual meeting then - primarily to present and vote on the slate of new officers up for consideration. Invitations/announcements for this party will be handled by Simone and Jane - using our traditional methods (email and posting on the FOBC website) and a paperless post. Simone is considering setting up an Instagram account, as well.
2. If there is interest, two new committees will be established (Mary Hall and Bob Jones will continue to take care of the Beaverkill Church committee) :
a. A campsite committee, which will work with the NYSDEC (NY State Dept of Environmental Conservation) and OSI (Open Space Institute) — on ways to further enhance the campsite/picnic area by the beautifully restored covered bridge. DEC and OSI have funds to work on this area but need a local organization to partner with them. There are many ideas of things to do, but this will be discussed and decided by the new committee. Josh will sign and send back to DEC the “Volunteer Stewardship Application,” which should establish the FOBC as the official local contact for these projects.
b. An archives/heritage committee. Barbara has collected and organized what photos and “hard copy” items we have for FOBC and will continue to catalogue and preserve these items. If there is interest, we could start on a new series of interviews with people who have moved here since the ‘70s. Most of the interviews for our “Stories of Beaverkill” were about Beaverkill River Valley before the ‘70s.
3. The date for the summer picnic was set for Saturday, August 18, from 5pm on. Josh and Jane will work on establishing the locale and other details.
4. We look forward to having the new FOBC member directory completed soon, either in time for the May 26th party or the August 18th party.
Article about Bridge Restoration Story in the Conservationist magazine Contributed by Patricia Adams, April 22, 2018
Conservationist Once you go to the site, click 6 times to move to the right page.
"Ice jam" Below the Wrought Iron Bridge on the Beaverkill valley rd and the adjacent Field January 11. 2018 Photos from Mac Francis, posted January 20, 2018
These pictures were taken by Mac downstream from the wrought iron bridge on January 11, 2018. Click to enlarge.
Temp during the ice event: around zero to 10+, with big rain and 30+ long enough to break up the ice and send it downriver (the "upper Beaverkill"). Some chunks were over a foot thick and 8 to 10 feet across. I don't know how long the ice stayed around; it was pushed out of the road within a day of the invasion.
Click to enlarge.
An anonymous local kid. Click to enlarge.
Historic Preservation Award Ceremony posted December 10, 2017
Awards Ceremony in Albany on December 7, 2017.
Click on photo to enlarge.
An interpretive exhibit we recently erected near the bridge.
Click on photo to enlarge.
An interpretive exhibit we recently erected near the bridge. Photo courtesy Bill Rudge.
Click on photo to enlarge.
2017 New York State Historic Preservation Award for the Beaverkill Covered Bridge Rehabilitation
Awards Ceremony
Thursday, December 7, 2017 in Albany at New York State Museum's Huxley Auditorium. Details here
posted November 27, 2017
Flooding in Manor Massive storm in Northeast with hurricane-force gusts and soaking rain on October 30, 2017
Photo taken around 3am on Monday, October 30, 2017,
by Fire or Highway personnel.
Posted on Facebook by Ramsay Adams.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Josh Grier: My house, like all the rest on the Beaverkill, escaped unscathed….. Not sure why the Manor took such an extreme hit.
Eric Hamerstrom: We were in Windham for the heavy rain and came back after most of the flood cleanup was under way. Berry Brook and Beaverkill fared well, but you know about the Manor. Lots of wet and damaged furniture, boxes etc. and cellars covered with stinky muck. It's such a shame.
David Barnes: Don’t have photos but yes there was significant flooding in early morning but had receded by late morning with basements being pumped out during the rest of the day. At CAS water came up to floor level briefly needing cleanup that was pretty much done by mid-afternoon.
Jane Sokolow: Our driveway washed out but power is on.
Ramsay Adams: Mountainkeeper got wrecked.
Otters under the Bridge Movie by John Hamilton Adams.
Posted October 18, 2017
We are not sure if anyone has seen otters under the bridge before.
About eight years ago we observed an otter in the Beaverkill farther up beyond the Beaverkill Valley Inn. We only saw it once and have not seen another since that time anywhere in that stretch of river. Paul Miller
About 2 years ago while looking downstream off our bridge, I spotted 3 otters heading upstream. They paused between our bridge and the neighbor's and we had a stare down for about 2 minutes. Finally they continued on their way upstream. A rare sighting indeed but fortunately a stroke of good timing for me. Steve Levine.
Otter have been around for 5 million years. They are equally at home in water and on land. The question for me is not how they got to the Beaverkill, but what took them so long? We have seen them near the waters on elm hollow. Jane Sokolow
I’m not sure anyone has seen otters here before. It’s a mystery how they got up this far in the river as it is so low. Patricia Adams
Brian Root: Beaverkill Houses Contributed by Brian Root, August 17, 2017
The Adams house next to "Lake Patricia."
These photos are undated.
Photo Brian Root.
Click on photo to enlarge.
The Root house. Photo Brian Root.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Elegant Sans Waders
Contributed by Josh Grier, August , 2017
Joan Wulff giving a casting lesson to Savannah Grier
at a party on the lawn of the
Clear Lake Fishing Club.
Photo Josh Grier. Click on photo to enlarge.
Indoor Nature Watch
Mystery Intruder
Contributed by Virginia Lawrence, August 2, 2017
We’ve been having a big mouse problem this summer. Liz and the girls have all reported watching the cute little critters brazenly cavorting in the middle of their bedroom, and all have had a mouse run across their face in the middle of the night.
Last night when Roger and I went to bed, he glanced down at the floor on his side of the bed, and saw a mouse scamper by. He was pretty mad, and immediately loaded up a mousetrap under my bedside table. Then the mouse struck again, and I saw it. It looked more like a chipmunk to me, but Roger, who was following it with a flashlight, was sure it was just a big mouse. I watched it for a while as it kept running around the book shelf and hiding behind the Wizard of Oz books. After about 10 minutes I decided I couldn’t sleep in the bedroom and went out to settle on the sofa. A few minutes more and Roger came out to inform me it was neither a mouse nor a chipmunk; it was a squirrel. Then, bringing greater precision to his ID, he announced it was a red squirrel.
Before I knew it, Tom – who had been coding in his loft – came down to join in the squirrel hunt. Tom grabbed one of the black recycling containers and a blueberry pie pan with the intention of sweeping the squirrel into the bin. About this time, both Roger and Tom realized it was a FLYING squirrel with a membrane of skin on either side of its body.They both had flashlights and were chasing the squirrel around in the semi-darkness trying to corner it. Not easy because It kept leaping from bookcase to bookcase and once clung to the screen of an open window. Ultimately it ran into the guest room. By some miracle they managed to remove the screen and shoo the squirrel out the window where it glided off into the woods.
With the squirrel problem resolved, I decided I could sleep in the bedroom after all. I put my bathrobe on the chair by the bed, but it slipped to the floor where the mousetrap “caught” it.
Mystery Intruder Ditto
Contributed by Steve Levine, August 2, 2017
We too had nabbed a flying squirrel this past spring after hearing it occupy our roof crawl space. It met its demise by getting ensnared in a mouse trap which caused its increased mass to be too large to escape through it's entry/departure access. They are quite persistent in their territorial claims and I would suggest getting rid of it by placing a Hav-a-heart trap in an area close to where you first detected it.
As for mice, we've been placing the standard Victor snap traps, the ones with the plastic "cheese," outside in various areas and had few enter the house. When caught they ripen very fast in the warm summer but "freeze dry" during the winter, their most active time seeking shelter.
Mystery Intruders Tritto
Contributed by Ross Francis, August , 2017
"Flying squirrels are VERY destructive." You can call Liberty Pest Control
at: 1 800 278-7778
BRIDGE OPEN TO TRAFFIC !! Contributed by Kurt Knuth on June 20th, 2017.
At about 11:45am on 6/20/17, the Beaverkill Covered Bridge was opened to traffic!
Photos Kurt Knuth. Click on photo to enlarge.
The 1950s vintage Chevy truck
belongs to John Adams. Click on photo to enlarge.
This Sunday at the Beaverkill Church our old friend Gary Jaskula, from the New York Buddhist Church, will be addressing the congregation.
This is an event to which we look forward every year. All are welcome.
News Flash
Reported by Kurt Knuth on 6/21/17.
As of about 11:45am today 6/21/17, the Beaverkill Covered Bridge is now once again open!
Dedication of the Bridge
Contrituted by Patricia Adams, June 19, 2017
The dedication of the restored bridge has been set for Wednesday,
June 21, 2017 at 11 am in the morning.
Sunday, June 18, 2017. The stone masons are hurrying to complete the the work on the west abutment, the lawns have been seeded, the guard rails have been clad in wood and the site is nearly ready for the dedication, scheduled for June 21, at 11am. Photos by Les Mattis. Click on photo to enlarge.
Turtle Trek
Contributed by Roger Lawrence, June 5, 2017
Taking a nap in the sun. Photo Roger Lawrence.
Click on photo to enlarge.
The pond next to the Adams house in Beaverkill is home to common snapping turtles, who can frequently be seen sunning themselves by its shores or on a log. The Lawrence property is a couple of hundred yards away, across some woods and up a hill. For the past several years I have found snapping turtles on our lawn, always during the month of May. They were always heading toward the river, which is on the other side of the property, and I assumed that some sort of migration was taking place. This year, after spotting a large, 20-inch turtle basking in the sun on the lawn, I made a quick trip to Wikipedia and was told that female snapping turtles often travel far from their watery home to lay their eggs. So I guess this is what they are up to.
Almost Time to Go Fishing!
Submitted by Roger Lawrence, May 31, 2017
Click on image to enlarge.
The renovation of the western abutment of the covered bridge has begun.
The stones that are being laid up in front of the concrete sheathing are from the original ramp. Forms are being constructed to pour concrete that will reinforce the footing. Large stone blocks will be in front of that, completely covering the new concrete. In all, the abutment will be, at its base, about 3-4 feet closer to the river.
This is the beginning of the end!
Bridge History
Submitted by Patricia Adams, May 31, 2017
There is a nice article on the Bridge and its History in the Sullivan County Historical Society’s paper, the Observer. It is on Facebook.com/Sullivan County Historical Society and Museum.
Teeming with Frogs
Contributed by Peter Malik, 05/20/17
The Beaverkill is alive and teeming with literally hundreds of frogs. What a wonderful sign of ruddy health of the river. And I suspect that when this year's adults talk to their children and grandchildren many frog years down the road they will hold their webbed hands and say: "2017 was a good year. It was a very good year."
Click on picture to play movie.
Beaverkill Community Church First Service of 2017 on May 28 Contributed by Mary Hall.
The Beaverkill Community Church opens for its first service of 2017 on Sunday, May 28 at 10 AM.
Mary Hall is Lay Pastor; Bob Jones is Choir Master.
Guest speakers from the community address the congregation from time to time.
All are welcome to attend and participate.
Spring News from Beaverkill: The Bridge / Campsite Road Repairs / Birds contributed by Ed Cerny, April 27, 2017
Click here for photos of the latest on the covered bridge, and other local improvements.
The ramp is faced with stone, and the ramp and approaches on both sides completed and paved with bituminous aggregates (blacktop).
Left to accomplish are guard rails on ramp and approaches both sides and the portals with height safety bars. The stanchions for the latter are in place and the safety bars built and waiting on site (these look like little house roofs). The guard rails will be steel posts and rails clad with wood, so I am told. (Very fancy). There will of course need to be new signage installed.
Campsite Road is undergoing repairs with drains and culverts being constructed. I am told that it will be re-paved up to the bridge ramp. The entire Beaverkill Road will be similarly improved and repaved from Deckertown to Lew Beach and the County Line (maybe beyond). The utility companies also are busy cutting trees away from the lines, and this of course improves the visibility and safety of the roads.
There is a new 45-mile per hour speed limit that was put up last summer on Beaverkill Road from Campsite Road to Lew Beach, where the limit drops to 35 miles per hour.
Spring is here. Tree flowers emerging and also foliage just showing: a pastel fall. Birds are migrating through, and some settling down and nesting. Steve and Maureen Lott's four Purple Martin apartments are completely filled. We have goldfinches galore at our feeders and a spate of purple finches this year, among a dozen other species. We await May 8 for the usual arrival of the humming birds.The Lake has dozens of ducks quacking and the geese come honking down Like Klingon spaceships to land on the green and ice free surface. Frogs are out hunting and newts are mating away. Fishing has been good and about to explode I think. A few ground flowers can be found but nothing emerging quite yet from the forest floor. I did see one fern unrolling this am. Grass is greening up. All narcissus is crowding out of the ground.
Photos Ed Cerny.
Click on photos to enlarge.
Stones and Asphalt contributed by Les Mattis, April 12, 2017
Photos by Les Mattis.
Click on photos to enlarge.
FOBC Minutes from Annual Meeting August 20, 2016 Submitted by Steve Levine, April 11th, 2017
Vote Where It Counts Non-partisan Organization based in Calicoon Center Submitted by Bruce Janklow, April 1th, 2017
New York State law is clear. Citizens with second homes have the right to choose where they want to vote. Residents do not have to vote where they maintain their primary residence.
Second homeowners have a major stake in the rural communities where they maintain a home, but most have no say in how their tax dollars are being spent or in the decisions that will affect the future of the community for years to come. http://votewhereitcounts.org/
Beaverkill Booklet Contributed by
Ted Wilkens, March 23,2017.
The Valley of the Beaverkill.
I have Just found a small booklet in the family files regarding the history of the Beaverkill.
The booklet, entitled Anthology and Brief History of The Valley of the Beaverkill, was produced by the Beaverkill Valley Neighborhood and Historical Association whose President was my great uncle, Theodore Willich.
No publication date is given. However, on page 4 there is a reference to the Pepacton Reservoir, which was almost ready to submerge the Indian burial mounds. According to Wikipedia the reservoir was completed in 1954 and the flooding was completed in 1955, so the booklet was probably written around the 1953 – 1954 period.
Click on the cover to read the booklet in pdf format.
Note: Some of the material in the booklet was included in the FOBC's books about the Beaverkill and may be found on this website.
Winter's Way Out
Contributed by Patricia Adams March 24, 2017
Under iron bridge at Craigie Clair. Photo Patricia Adams.
Click to enlarge.
March Still Roaring Like a Lion Contributed by Eric Hamerstrom Posted March 18th, 2017
Eric and Mermer's house.
Click photo to enlarge.
Cooper heading for the barn.
Click photo to enlarge.
We got about 24 inches of very wind packed and blown around snow [on Monday, March 13th], so it's hard to know how much fell in a sheltered area. People are still moving big piles from parking lots and driveways. Peck's parking lot is half filled with snow.
This was the biggest snowfall in quite a few years but I don't know the details of previous storms.
Work is still progressing on the covered bridge as they are starting to put on the stone facing on the new ramp.
Bridge Restoration February 2017
Photos from Joe Boris, superintendant for the Bridge Rehabilitation Project.
Click on photo to enlarge. Photo Joe Boris.
Click on photo to enlarge. Photo Joe Boris.
Click on photo to enlarge. Photo Joe Boris.
Click on photo to enlarge. Photo Joe Boris.
Christmas Eve 2016 Contributed by Patricia Adams, February 2, 2016
Even with some rain and warm weather, we had plenty of snow on Christmas Eve. Jim Powell plowed an area for parking in front of the church, Steve Lott turned on the heat and Duke Wiser lit the lanterns – being one of a few who can reach the kerosene lantern chandelier that hangs in the center of the church.
By 8 O’Clock the church was filling with people from the upper valley, the Beaverkill community and other visitors from towns nearby as Eric Banks played and sang. Mary Hall welcomed everyone. Bob Jones then took over as our leader for the Carol Sing, with Brandon Sparkman accompanying. This 45th Carol sing was program is pretty much the same as the original program that Stuart Root developed many years ago. The idea is always to keep the service simple with a few carols and the Christmas Story from the Bible.
As in years past, the volunteer choir sang ”Once in Royal David’s City.” The younger children sang the first verse, John and Violet Adams, with Zelda Adams, Eleanor Harris and Friedman helping. The women joined in on the second verse, Patricia, Kate and Ananda Adams, with the men on the third, Bob, Eric, Brandon. All joined in on the last, rousing verse. It is always a challenge to put this choir together. Bob and Eric opened the church at 3 and invited anyone who wanted to sing to come and practice, but no one came. However, we took the opportunity to practice together before the service started and were told that we sounded just fine.
Mary read the Christmas Story and talked about how Jesus’s mother, Mary, had “pondered” the incredible message she had been given, in her heart. Mary encouraged us all to “ponder” the magic and mystery of this celebration. Mermer Blakeslee read a poem.
Patricia introduced Eric Banks, who was one of the first accompanists the church had. He played for the church when he was still a student. Today he is a composer, having operas performed in Seattle, where he now lives and was a choir conductor for many years. This Christmas Eve Service was the first he had attended in 20 years, so it was a special time for him. His extended family, taking up two full pews, was also there to celebrate.
Bob introduced each carol, often with interesting anecdotes about how and when the tunes were composed or became popular. He also read a poem by Thomas Hard, “The Oxen” about the enduring myth that at midnight on Christmas Even the oxen knelt for the newborn baby Jesus.
There was a great Christmas spirit in the church and many continued to celebrate at the Adams open house afterwards.
Bridge Restoration Early January 2017 contributed by Les Mattis
Here are some photos taken in early Jan. 2017 of work being done on the east ramp of the Beaverkill covered bridge. One shot shows the stacks of free stones ready to be laid up against the newly poured concrete ramp walls. The crew has been at work on this part of the restoration through the cold snap of the past weeks.
Stacks of free stones ready to be laid up.
Photo Les Mattis.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Photo Les Mattis.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Photo Les Mattis.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Hats Off to the Beavers!! Contributed by Peter Malik, December 28, 2016
Photo Peter Malik.
Click on photo to enlarge.
I spotted this soon-to-be-felled tree when I was driving along Craigie Clair the other day. This growing beaver dam is opposite the larger, more established one off of Beaverkill Road on the other side of the river. What a beauty this job is! Symmetrical, efficient, with the outcome in no doubt. I couldn't but stop and admire it.
And while I stood there in wonder I remembered a fascinating documentary on the closed area around Chernobyl I saw some years ago. Closed to people, life has apparently returned there in full force, with beavers having an outsized impact on the countryside. They are successfully reversing what Stalin's collectivization accomplished in the 1920s and '30s. This brutalist effort saw most of the natural swamps and wetlands in Ukraine drained, and replaced by vast fields for agriculture, separated by straight, man-made canals. Majority of wildlife vanished. The Chernobyl beavers are now having none of it. They dammed virtually all of the artificial canals, flooding fields and creating dozens of wetlands. All sorts of wildlife has returned, including moose, bear and wolf. I know all this has been achieved against a pretty dark background of a nuclear disaster but if there ever was a silver lining this must be it.
So hats off, Beavers, whether you toil in Ukraine or Beaverkill.
If Winter Comes ...
Can Spring Be Far Behind?
Photos by Ed Cerny of his and Sally's backyard.
Posted November 26, 2016
The first real frost. November 1, 2016.
Click on photos to enlarge.
Photo Patricia Adams November 1, 2016.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Photo Les Mattis on November 7th, 2016.
Click on photo to enlarge.
The original stonework is visible. The stones are put to the side for use in the ramp's rebuilding.
Photo Les Mattis on November 7th, 2016.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Bridge Restoration
Gettin' cold in Beaverkill! photo Ed Cerny October 27, 2016
Gettin' cold here. The stone is being removed from the bridge entrance to the level where the former ramp was. Some seems to have been used to fill in the base of the ramp on the far side. This was a few days ago. I wonder if it will be usable, if not completely finished, for the winter. Supposed to have snow tonight. Ed Cerny
Click on photo to enlarge.
Troubled Waters contributed by David Barnes, September 28, 2016
Mary and I were out walking along our road about 300 yards our side of Clear Lake Club (across the river from the "dugway") about an hour ago and were startled to see the Beaverkill with gray, obviously polluted water, very different from the beautiful clear fall water we all are accustomed to seeing these days. This looked terrible and seemed to affect the whole stream up and down.
Mystery Unmuddied contributed by Eric Hamerstrom October 3, 2016
I drove up the river to have a look. The source of the muddy water is a flood mitigation/stream stabilization project near the Beaverkill Valley Inn which involves placing large rocks in the in the stream bed with heavy equipment. They have the necessary permits from the DEC.
There is more muddy water on the way downstream, but it's quite slow moving. It's very brown up near Lew Beach but may be more diluted and pale when it reaches Craigie Clare.
Bridge Restoration End of Summer photos by Les Mattis, October 2, 2016
From the Ragin Road side. Photo Les Mattis.
Click on photo to enlarge.
From the Ragin Road side. Photo Les Mattis.
Click on photo to enlarge.
From the Ragin Road side. Photo Les Mattis.
Click on photo to enlarge.
From the Ragin Road side. Photo Les Mattis.
Click on photo to enlarge.
From the Ragin Road side. Photo Les Mattis.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Across from the Ragin Road side. Photo Les Mattis.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Flag's Up Almost a Wrap
photos by Ed Cerny, October 2, 2016
The flag signals the end of the restoration project for the
Joe Boris Restoration Team.
BUT, neither the Ragin Ramp nor the Campsite Ramp has been finished. ALSO, the last bit of siding has not yet been added on the campsite side. Savvy local residents have
speculated
that it won't be put in place until the Campsite
ramp has been finished.
Photo Ed Cerny.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Photo Ed Cerny.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Photo Ed Cerny.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Photo Ed Cerny.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Watercross Yesterday at Cat Hollow
Photos by Roger Lawrence, posted September 19. 2016.
Roger attended a snowmobile meet yesteday, September 18th, in Cat Hollow. Now that the Cat Hollow Sand & Gravel business next to Hodges has closed, the pit has been flooded to create a water sports arena. Snowmobilers, grateful to extend their season into the summer, gathered there in June for a meet.
Apparently, if it can maintain its speed, a snowmobile can glide on the water without sinking. Those that did sink were easily brought back to the surface. The lake isn’t more than a few feet deep.
At the start of a race, when, in order to get going, they rear back and stand their machine on its tail.
Click on photos to enlarge.
Only a few feet deep.
Movie: Extraction of Acrow Bridge
by John Wilkens, posted September 19th
Click on image to start movie.
Please be patient while the movie loads.
Old Postcards of the Beaverkill
contributed by Ed Cerny, scanned by Ted Wilkens,
September 19, 2016
Click on postcards to enlarge.
Bridge Restoration Floor and Siding almost done. 6 Photos by Ed Cerny
Click on photos to enlarge.
Rejuvenation of the CHURCH GARDEN
Contributed by Patricia Adams, September 19, 2016
from left: Violet Adams, Richard Rudich, Mermer Blakeslee,
and
Mimi McGurl.
Click on photo to enlarge.
At the August FOBC meeting a small committee was formed to clean up and refresh the garden in front of the Beaverkill Community Church. Mermer Blakeslee, Mimi McGurl and Richard Rudich volunteered for this committee.
On the day before we agreed to meet at the church, Jim Powell stopped as he was driving by and said the Church Garden needed attention and he was willing to help. Jim built the garden wall as well as donating the hydrangeas there and his continued attention is much appreciated.
Mimi, Richard, Mermer, Patricia and Violet Adams met there August 1. The first project was to clean up the garden, prune back the hydrangea and open up the area in front the bench, which was given to the church in memory of Bud Fielder by his children. Once some order was restored Mermer and Mimi discussed what to add for some fall color. It is a challenge because there is no access to water there; water must be brought in by the bucket. However, they decided to add Purple Lobelia and Anise Hyssop.
HalfWay to Zen by Toby Poser, John Hamilton Adams, and Zelda Adams posted September 14, 2016
Toby Poser and John Adams in production below Rt. 17 overpass in Livingston Manor. (Covered Bridge Rd) Halfway to Zen was shot in and around Beaverkill (and other locations in Sullivan County and the Catskills.)
Photo Lulu Adams.
Click on image to enlarge.
Wonderwheel Productions
Woodstock Festival
Screening of Halfway to Zen
Friday October 14 1:00 PM
Upstate Films, 132 Tinker St, Woodstock, NY
Sunday October 16 6:30 PM
Upstate Films I, 6415 Montgomery St, Rhinebeck, NY
**** Halfway to Zen Synopsis: After release from prison, Nick is flipping burgers and trying to walk a straight line. He takes care of his father, Pop, who's forgotten what a terrible dad he once was. Pop’s dementia is escalating faster than the trains that pass through their small American town.
All Nick has is memories— beautiful, painful and discolored with violence. But Nick is given a shot at making new ones with Edie, the 11 year-old daughter he lost a decade ago— only Edie is now Eddie, insisting she's a boy. She’s come with her mother, Vick, who's got her own troubles— not least of which is Nick.
It's a ragtag team of bulletproof misfits, each hoping to shed the past and grow new skin. The road to peace is rugged though, and the map is all wrong. But the first step will get you halfway there. *****
Bridge Restoration from August 26 to August 31, 2016 16 Photos by John Wilkens, Tom Lawrence, Joe Boris, and Les Mattis.
posted September 14th, 2016
The Covered Bridge Restoration Team
John Boris (carpenter)
T.J Raymond (carpenter)
Romario Gonzoles (carpenter)
Ruben Berra (carpenter)
Robert Millis (Operating Engineer )
Dana Charris (laborer)
Peter van Slyke (DOT Engineer)
Joe Boris (project manager/superintendent)
Photo John Wilkens.
Click on image to enlarge.
Photo John Wilkens.
Click on image to enlarge.
Photo John Wilkens.
Click on image to enlarge.
Photo John Wilkens.
Click on image to enlarge.
Joe Boris, superintendent. Photo John Wilkens.
Click on image to enlarge.
The underside of the bridge after the Acrow Bridge was removed. Photo John Wilkens.
Click on image to enlarge.
Inside the bridge before it was floored.
Photosphere Tom Lawrence.
Click on the image to zoom and pan.
Joe Boris ready to start flooring the bridge.
Photo Les Mattis.
Click on image to enlarge.
T.J Raymond flooring the bridge.
Photo Les Mattis.
Click on image to enlarge.
Photo Les Mattis.
Click on image to enlarge.
Photo Les Mattis.
Click on image to enlarge.
Photo John Wilkens.
Click on image to enlarge.
Photo John Wilkens.
Click on image to enlarge.
The floor of the bridge is in place.
Photo Joe Boris.
Click on image to enlarge.
Photo Joe Boris.
Click on image to enlarge.
The siding is being added.
Photo Joe Boris.
Click on image to enlarge.
Photo John Wilkens.
Click on image to enlarge
Photo John Wilkens.
Click on image to enlarge
Photo John Wilkens.
Click on image to enlarge
Photosphere on Balsam Mountain Inside Balsam Mountain Fire Tower on August 30th Photoshere by Tom Lawrence, posted August 31, 2016
Click on the image to view the photosphere. Then click again to stop the automatic rotation and pan around.
Increase the zoom (+) for a normal view.
This picture was taken with a
Ricoh Theta S spherical camera on a tripod.
Note: Tom held the tripod with the camera attached in his hand to take this photo and he is visible if you rotate the photo. Can you find him?
Bagpipes in Church
posted August 31, 2016.
Tom Burnham playing the bagpipes at the Beaverkill Church on Sunday, August 28, 2016. Photo John Wilkens.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Down by the Bridge posted August 28, 2016
Tom Lawrence and Lara Gussoni taken on August 26th,
two days after the Acrow bridge was removed.
Photo John Wilkens.
Click on image to enlarge.
Photosphere Inside Bridge WITHOUT trespassing Photoshere by Tom Lawrence,
posted August 27th, 2016
Click on the image to view the photosphere. Then click again to stop the automatic rotation and pan around.
Increase the zoom (+) for a normal view.
Tom Lawrence mounted his Ricoh Theta S spherical camera on a tripod, then used some clothesline to lash the tripod to the end of a 16-foot long two-by-four found on the construction site and used the whole contraption to hoist the camera up inside the bridge while standing on the beach below.
He wants you to know he was NOT trespassing
on the bridge restoration worksite! The red knob in the photo belongs to the tripod.
Knotweed in the Campsite Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership Contributed by John Thompson, CRISP Coordinator posted August 27th, 2016
Photo courtesy John Thompson.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica var. japonica)
This common streamside and roadside invader can reproduce from the tiniest root fragment and a new plant can grow out of a single leaf. The stems are hollow and the large, heart-shaped leaves grow alternatively from stems. Japanese knotweed has been expanding along many Catskill rivers and streams. Japanese knotweed displaces native vegetation due to its aggressive growth and by forming dense stands that shade out other plants; it lowers quality of habitat for fish and wildlife; and can contribute to streambank erosion problems. Japanese knotweed is exceedingly difficult to manage as any disturbance can lead to its spread and control can take many years due to the energy storage capacity of its rhizomes.
Photo courtesy John Thompson.
Click on photo to enlarge.
At the Beaverkill Campground a combination of the “fold-over” and chemical control methods were used. An effort was made to minimize the chances of vegetative spread. Folding the knotweed at its first leaf has been found to be effective in conjunction with herbicide spraying for control. The Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) is currently mapping Japanese knotweed along the Beaverkill, especially upstream from the Beaverkill Campground. If you have Japanese knotweed on your property, please contact John Thompson, CRISP Coordinator, email: jthompson@catskillcenter.org or phone (845) 586-2611 x103. We’ll be happy to visit your property to expand our knotweed mapping project. Knotweed patches will be mapped by GPS and we will subsequently use that information to develop a management strategy for the Beaverkill. Additional information on the CRISP program can be found here http://catskillcenter.org/crisp/
General information on knotweed control:
Only use manual control methods (e.g. mowing) if you can commit to doing it multiple times per season, at least two times per month in the growing season for at least three years. All parts of the plant should be collected and disposed of safely- Plant parts can re-sprout so do not allow them to spread to new areas. If you do mow a patch of the plant, you should clean equipment before you use the equipment outside of the knotweed patch so that you do not spread plant parts.
Herbicide control has been found to be effective. Ideally spray in late August to September after plant is in flower.
To add to control efficacy or plants grow too tall to spray without a lot of overspray, bend the stalks down three to four weeks prior to when you expect to spray and then spray the regrowth.
Whatever control method you use, this will be a long-term project. Plan to continue controlling the knotweed plants continually for at least a few years for full control with follow-up yearly monitoring for a three more years thereafter, searching for new growth. One year of control is not fully effective so do not give up after one year of control. (full text in pdf format)
At the Beaverkill Campground a combination of the “fold-over” and chemical control methods were used.
Photo courtesy John Thompson.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Folding the knotweed at its first leaf has been found to be effective in conjunction with herbicide spraying for control. Photo courtesy John Thompson.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Birding the Beaverkill Support Audubon September 30 - October 1 RSVP by September 19th Click on poster to view details.
Click on poster to enlarge.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 The Acrow Bridge is extracted.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 - 10am.
The Acrow bridge is pulled close to the end of the stone ramp. Thirty feet of the Acrow bridge are still inside the covered bridge. Photo Virginia Lawrence.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 - 10am.
The Acrow bridge is pulled to the very end of the stone ramp. A scary operation. Photo Virginia Lawrence.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 - 10am.
Bob Millis, heavy equipment operator, with the excavator.
Photo Virginia Lawrence.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 - 10am.
The bridge restoration crew begins to dismantle the Acrow bridge frame by frame.
Photo Virginia Lawrence.
Click on photo to enlarge
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 - 3pm.
The Acrow bridge has now been completely removed from the wooden bridge. Photo Virginia Lawrence.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 - 4pm.
The bridge restoration crew will continue to dismantle the Acrow bridge on Thursday the 25th. Photo Virginia Lawrence.
Click on photo to enlarge
Tuesday, August 23, 2016 The Acrow Bridge is prepared for tomorrow's extraction.
Tuesday, August 23, 2016, 4pm.
The bridge restoration crew installs beams in the floor of the bridge to serve as counter-weights for Wednesday's extraction of the Acrow Bridge from the wooden bridge. Photo Virginia Lawrence.
Click on photo to enlarge.
cOVERED BRIDGE AND CAMPSITE
SUMMER 2016
Open Space Institute // Alliance for New York State Parks
The Campsite has been very busy this summer with hundreds of day use people as well as all 52 campsites filled every weekend, even though the bridge continues to be under construction. John Roucek and Darlene Rodrequez, with their staff, Alex Serdiouk and Derek Shultis, have done a remarkable job of keeping the area safe, clean and welcome to all.
Nature Watch Bobcats in Beaverkill contributed by Patricia Adams, August 15, 2016
Photo by Zelda Adams.
Click on image to enlarge.
A small bobcat was spotted between the Adams house and the church on Friday, August 12th. It looks like a young bobcat that has been "pushed out" of the nest. He/she seemed almost tame and we (John, Patricia and Zelda) were able to watch it for quite a while as he/she pounced, cleaned itself and then stretched out on a log for a rest.
Tom Burnham and his family also saw a Bobcat, on Sunday the 14th in their yard on Ragin Road.
We’ve seen Bobcats on and off for years. They are very shy and hard to see, but these two may be "kittens" just learning to fend form themselves.
Brandon's Bach Tenor Sax in Church contributed by Virginia Lawrence, posted August 15
At yesterday's service SUNY junior Brandon Sparkman, the Beaverkill Community Church keyboard artist, played an exerpt from a Bach cello suite on his tenor sax. This will be Brandon's final musical offering for the season - next week at this time he'll be back in class at Fredonia.
Click on image to enlarge.
Burlgars at Campsite Rangers' Cabin Broken Into over Weekend
Contributed by Virginia Lawrence August 3, 2016
On Tuesday, August 2, 2016 a State Trooper drove up to our house to report a break-in at the Ranger's Cabin next to the covered bridge sometime during the weekend of July 30-31. He wanted to know if we had seen or heard anything unusual. No, we hadn't.
At this time, the cabin is used as the office of the covered bridge restoration construction team. The burglars broke a window and a lock to get inside, but left empty-handed, unable to remove the computers which were there.
The Trooper asked that anyone who sees anything suspicious at the campsite should call the State Police at (845) 292-6600.
Rambling Outdoors Tales of Forest, Field and Stream Lloyd Barnhart, July 29, 2016
The Roscoe Free Library now has copy of Lloyd Barnhart's new book, Rambling Outdoors:Tales of Forest, Field and Stream.
A number of the pieces in Rambling Outdoors have also appeared on this website.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Early
Sunday Morning Photo Bruce Janklow contributed July 25, 2016
Photo Bruce Janklow.
Click on image to enlarge.
Bridge Restoration Update The Boris Brothers and the Acrow Bridge Contributed by Virginia Lawrence July 19, 2016
Supervisor Joe Boris for the Bridge Rehabilitation Project.
Photo Virginia Lawrence. Click on photo to enlarge.
Master Carpenter John Boris standing in front of the Acrow bridge.
Photo Virginia Lawrence. Click on photo to enlarge.
Yesterday I walked down to the Covered Bridge in the early morning where I spoke with the Supervisor, Joe Boris, who explained that in the next two or three days the construction team was going to remove some shims, and that something (?) would be lowered by about 3 inches.
When I got home, I realized I didn’t really understand what was going to happen, so I went back to find out more. During the course of three more trips to the covered bridge the Boris brothers, Supervisor Joe and Master Carpenter John, explained the bridge rehabilitation project in a very clear way.
Rehabilitation Project
John said that the bridge was constructed with a slight arch from end to end known as a camber. He illustrated this concept by lacing his fingers together palms down. When the bridge is resting on the two foundations at either end the weight of the bridge pushes down (he pushed his hands down), the trusses tighten, and the whole structure becomes rigid.
The diagonal lattice pieces were held together with wooden dowels, “trunnels” or “treenails.” In order to replace the damaged timbers it would be necessary to remove the trunnels. However, the camber of the wooden bridge would first need to be loosened by raising the wooden bridge off its foundations. Again, John illustrated with his hands.
The wooden trusses are pegged together with wooden dowels, known as either "trunnels" or "treenails."
Photo Virginia Lawrence. Click on photo to enlarge.
Here is where the Acrow bridge came in. An Acrow bridge, made of steel trusses, was assembled inside the wooden bridge. It rested on the new stone ramp at one end and on Ragin road at the other Once in place, it was raised with shims (small wedges) so that the wooden bridge was lifted off its foundations by about three inches. With the wooden bridge hanging in place, supported by the Acrow bridge, the structure was no longer rigid. The trunnels could be removed and the timbers replaced.
The gray steel structure behind the construction worker is an Acrow Bridge, a temporary extendible bridge.
Photo Virginia Lawrence. Click on photo to enlarge.
Time Line
In the next few days (July 19-22) the shims under the Acrow bridge will be removed, the Acrow bridge will be lowered about 3 inches, the wooden bridge will settle back onto its foundations, and lattices and trunnels will be tight again. Joe told me the difference will not be visible.
The Acrow bridge is due to be removed sometime in August, and that will be easy to see.
Location
John Boris says that he’s worked all over the place in the State of New York, but that this specific location is his favorite. He has seen eagles flying over and trout jumping out of the river. He loves being here because of the site's peacefulness and beauty.
*****
Footnote
Town's Lattice Truss.
Click on diagram to enlarge.
Joe told me the Beaverkill Covered Bridge was built in a style known as Town’s Lattice Truss, patented on January 28, 1820, by architect/civil engineer Ithiel Town.
Bridge Restoration Update The Stone Ramp Contributed by Virginia Lawrence July 18, 2016
I was descending into a giant gravel pit. July 18th.
Photos Virginia Lawrence. Click on photo to enlarge
Having only website photos to keep myself up-to-date on the restoration
of the bridge during my 10-month winter absence, I was not prepared for what I saw when I walked down there yesterday evening for the first time since my return. As I came down the hill into the campsite, the bridge was not fully visible at first. My impression was that I was descending into
a giant gravel pit.
Eric Hamerstrom had explained in February that a new temporary ramp had been built up to the height of the bridge floor so that long steel truss supports could be slid into place through the bridge. They were to rest on the new fill at one end and on Ragin road at the other, and would support the bridge from inside while the damaged wooden timbers were replaced.
There were plenty of photos of this ramp, of course, but the ramp itself never caught my attention. I was more interested in the progress on the bridge.
Yesterday (July 17th) was Sunday, and in spite of the ongoing construction, the picnic area was full. I had seen a convoy of a vehicles drive in around 11am. When I walked down there at 6pm the beach goers just packing
up to go home.
I went back down this morning (July 18th). The beach goers were gone,
but the construction workers had begun to arrive.
Straight ahead the Rangers' garage. The roof of the
Rangers' cabin is visible at the left. July 18th.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Stone ramp seen from the downstream side.
The gravel-covered beach is fully visible at left.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Stone ramp seen from the upstream side. About 10
Sunday beach goers are still gathered round their picnic tables.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Closeup of the stone ramp seen from the upstream side.
This stone ramp extends from the bridge to the
driveway of the rangers' cabin.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Solarize Sullivan is launching at the Catskill Brewery on Thursday July 28th at 6PM contributed Ilene Ferber July 18, 2016
Solarize Sullivan is a program of Catskill Mountainkeeper that makes it easy to install solar at discount prices and reduce your carbon footprint. Solar consultants walk you through the entire process from planning to installation.
To RSVP, please click here
For more info click here
Rust in Peace Paintings by John Hamilton Adams
Click on photo to enlarge.
Saturday, July 23-Monday, August 1
Opening reception 4:30 - 6:30 Saturday, July 23rd
John and his family, Toby, Lulu and Zelda, are moving back to Beaverkill after 4 wonderful years in California. His new work is a compilation of rusty images from a steady diet of camping and road trips around the southwest combined with the dormant metal he knows so well here in the Catskills. From old beer cans to beat up farm trucks this show will have everything in all sizes but only if it’s been kicked around long enough to look experienced.
Morgan Outdoors
46 Main Street, Livingston Manor
Goings On at the Church contributed by Mary Hall June 7th
The Beaverkill Community Church opened for Sunday services on May 29, and will have services every Sunday at 10 AM through September 4, which will be the last service for the year until the Christmas Eve Carol Sing. All are welcome to attend.
So far the scheduled speakers and events are as follows although this is subject to changes and additions as the season progresses:
August 21: Mary Hall
August 28: Mary Hall
September 4: Closing service, Mary Hall
Bridge Restoration III
Latest photo contributed by Roger Lawrence, June 1st, 2016
Click on photo to enlarge.
more photos of the Bridge restoration on the photos page
Heritage Edition
posted 12/08/13
Heritage Edition 2007 In 2007 the FOBC published the Heritage Edition, which includes all the stories from Volumes I (2003) and II (2006), as well as a new photo section. The photos from this section are listed in the Photo Index.
A few copies of the Heritage Edition are still available for purchase. Please contact Ginny
FOBC Mission
The Friends of Beaverkill Community is a New York State not-for-profit corporation primarily dedicated to preservation and welfare of the Beaverkill Community, initially the picnic area of the Campsite, the Beaverkill Church, the Covered Bridge, and the Iron Bridge.
The mission of the Friends is three-fold:
1) keep the membership informed about the status of issues of interest to the community, particularly governmental actions proposed for the area. It has not been the position of the Friends to take sides on sensitive issues, merely to present information to the membership;
2) collect and preserve materials relating to the history and lore of Beaverkill;
3) create a written legacy to preserve the heritage of our valley for generations to come. To date we have published two volumes of stories, and a heritage edition.
The website
The purpose of the website is to further the mission of the Friends by posting the material included in our three published volumes, and by keeping residents informed about issues that affect the community. In addition, we have created an online calendar page to announce events in Roscoe, Livingston Manor, and other nearby communities, as well as a writers page where we have begun collecting stories and poems concerning the Beaverkill with the hope that we might one day publish a fourth volume.
HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY of the LOWER BEAVERKILL VALLEY
The survey covers four distinct areas: the hamlet of Roscoe, the Rockland Flats, the Beaverkill neighborhood, and farms on Burnt Hill.
How to submit stories and pictures for posting on the website
We prefer that you submit your material by email as attachments.
Stories and news items must be in Word format or in pdf format. Photos must be in digital format. PowerPoint documents are acceptable, as are movies and videos.
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