In these times of economic crisis, as we all tighten our belts, not-for-profit organizations take some serious financial hits. Non-profits, including the arts and tourism organizations that bring people to the Catskill Mountains, must cut back or find alternative sources of funding just to survive.

But, survive they do, and the organizations that have always brought the finest music, art, dance and theater to the Region are once again giving us all some wonderful reasons to visit the Catskills this summer.

There are some familiar favorites, such as Maverick Concerts (the oldest continuously-running summer chamber music series in the country), the Twilight Park Arts Show, the Belleayre Music Festival, the Music at Grazhda series at the Music and Arts Center of Greene County and the Todd Mountain Theater Project. Then there are the newcomers to the circuit, such as the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival (which is celebrating its second year in a new location in the Catskill Mountains) and the Shandaken Artist Studio Tour.

And let’s not forget about the fairs that start to ramp up in July. The acclaimed Catskills Irish Arts Week takes place July 11 through July 18, the Ulster County Fair (now in its 122nd year) begins in late July, and the charming town of Rosendale once again opens up its Main Street for two days of music and arts at the Rosendale Street Festival.

You can find out more about some of these events in this issue of the Guide. And these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things to do in the Region this summer. Make a visit to the Catskills part of your travel plans this year. We’re sure you’ll be back again and again.

If it’s true, as Woody Allen once said, that 80% of success is showing up, your visit to the Region will help foster its growth as one of the United States’ premier arts destinations.

And if you can afford to donate to any of the non-profits in the Region, I encourage you to do so. On Saturday, July 18, the Catskill Mountain Foundation (map)’s annual benefit takes an exciting turn with a “Dine Around the Mountaintop” theme. This gala evening begins at the Orpheum Theater in Tannersville, where guests can preview the extraordinary new theater space under construction. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and both silent and live auctions will kick off the evening. The Orpheum preview will be followed by hosted dinners at some of the mountain top’s most spectacular homes. Special guests Hugh Hardy and Geoff Lynch, architects of the Orpheum, will be on hand throughout the evening.

If you’d like to attend this year’s event, please contact Toni Perretti at 518 263 2007 or perrettit@catskillmtn.org.

On a personal note, I’d like to welcome an old friend back to the pages of the Guide. Outdoor enthusiasts have bemoaned Jimmy Buff’s absence from the pages of this magazine for the past few months. After spending some time away from writing to adjust to life as a new father, I’m happy to report that Jimmy is back, regaling us with stories of his outdoor exploits in the Catskill Region. Welcome back, Jimmy, and congratulations on your and your wife, Tracy’s, growing family!

Finally, we’re starting a new feature this month for the back page of the magazine. In “My Favorite Place,” readers are encouraged to submit photos of some of their favorite places in the Region, along with a short paragraph about what makes this place so special. If you have a favorite place you’d like to share, please contact me at tafts@catskillmtn.org.

See you in the Mountains!

Yours sincerely,



Sarah Taft
Managing Editor
tafts@catskillmtn.org