Rep Manager AI
Sep 17, 2026
Trivia Question❓Which famous American artist colony, established in the late 19th century and closely associated with the Hudson River School painters, is located in Woodstock, Ulster County, New York? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
 |
It was, for over a century, the most famous hotel in America — a place so grand that artists painted it, writers wrote about it, and presidents vacationed there. From its veranda 1,400 feet above the Hudson River, guests looked out over a view so wide and so beautiful that it literally invented the idea of American landscape as tourist attraction. The Catskill Mountain House opened in 1824 and burned to the ground in 1967. Today nothing remains but stone foundations and a view. But if you know where to look, the ghost of the hotel is still there — and the trails that lead to it tell the story of how American tourism began. Read More... |
Quote Of The Day |
"The Catskills are not merely a range of mountains; they are a state of mind — a place where the land insists you slow down and remember what you came from." — John Burroughs |
 |
You opened your business in Ulster County because you believe in this community. You believe in the artists in Woodstock, the hikers in the Catskills, the families in Kingston, the students in New Paltz. You believe in the Rondout Valley and the Hudson River towns. But here's the problem: your customers can't find you anymore. Read More... |
 |
Interesting Facts |
Skip the Crowded Trailheads — Head to Vernooy Kill Falls Instead When the Catskill high peaks are packed on weekends, Ulster County's Vernooy Kill Falls trail in Kerhonkson offers a genuinely rewarding alternative that most visitors overlook. The roughly four-mile round trip follows a historic 18th-century road through hemlock forest to a series of cascading waterfalls, and the trailhead parking area rarely fills up the way Slide Mountain or Kaaterskill Falls does. Go in the morning on a weekday or early Saturday if you can — you'll often have the falls nearly to yourself. Wear waterproof footwear since the path crosses the kill several times, and bring a printed map because cell service along the trail is unreliable. It's an easy win for anyone in Ulster County looking for a quieter, legitimately beautiful outdoor experience without fighting for a parking spot. |
2026 Harvest the Hudson Wine Tasting Pass |
| ★★★★★ |
|
Set out on a self-guided wine adventure across the Hudson Valley this fall with the 2026 Harvest the Hudson Wine Tasting Pass. Between September 14–30, visit six participating Shawangunk Wine Trail wineries at your own pace — no reservations required — and enjoy an exclusive cool-climate tasting flight of up to four locally grown wines at each stop. Discover bright Cabernet Franc, aromatic Riesling, crisp Seyval Blanc, and more while meeting the passionate people behind each vineyard. Shop for bottles, earn rewards on your purchases, and even compete for a grand prize. Participating wineries include Christopher Jacobs Winery, Quartz Rock Vineyard, City Winery Hudson Valley, Magnanini Farm Winery, Applewood Winery, and Whitecliff Vineyard. All attendees must be 21 or older. Contact our event support team info@gunkswine.com |
|
Ulster County's senior population is one of its greatest assets — and the county has built an impressive network of free and low-cost programs to keep older residents active, socially connected, and engaged. Whether you're 60, 70, 80, or beyond, there's something for you. Here's your guide to the best senior activities in Ulster County — most of them completely free. Read More... |
Tip of The Day |
Skip the Crowded Trailheads — Head to Vernooy Kill Falls Instead When the Catskill high peaks are packed on weekends, Ulster County's Vernooy Kill Falls trail in Kerhonkson offers a genuinely rewarding alternative that most visitors overlook. The roughly four-mile round trip follows a historic 18th-century road through hemlock forest to a series of cascading waterfalls, and the trailhead parking area rarely fills up the way Slide Mountain or Kaaterskill Falls does. Go in the morning on a weekday or early Saturday if you can — you'll often have the falls nearly to yourself. Wear waterproof footwear since the path crosses the kill several times, and bring a printed map because cell service along the trail is unreliable. It's an easy win for anyone in Ulster County looking for a quieter, legitimately beautiful outdoor experience without fighting for a parking spot. |
A petition is circulating to reinstate Richard Heyl de Ortiz, the Executive Director of the Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center, after the organization's Board of Directors abruptly terminated his employment in a three-minute Zoom call — with no stated cause or explanation. Supporters credit Richard with revitalizing the Center over three years, expanding programs, boosting fundraising, and strengthening ties with local businesses and donors. Several of those donors and partners have since withdrawn their support following news of the dismissal. Petition signers are urging the Board to reverse course, warning that the sudden departure threatens years of hard-won progress for one of the Mid-Hudson Valley's most vital LGBTQ+ community spaces. |
| Read More... |
Drive Route 28 past Woodstock into the western Catskills and you'll find something unexpected: a thriving maker economy. Not galleries selling tourist tchotchkes, but working studios where people are building real things — furniture, pottery, fiber, food — and selling them to customers who drive three hours to find them. Read More... |
In the heart of Accord, a small hamlet in the Town of Rochester, Accord Market has become more than just a grocery store—it's a community hub that prioritizes local farms, sustainable practices, and the kind of personal service that big chains can't match. Read More... |
💡 Answer to Trivia Question: The Byrdcliffe Arts Colony |