If you’re anything like me, you’re eagerly anticipating spring and the day when you can throw open all of your windows and air out the house after a long, stuffy winter. You also can’t wait to get outside, have some fun and also take care of all those home improvements and repairs that Old Man Winter just doesn’t allow.

So who was it who said that work should come first, and fun second? Life’s short: let’s take care of the fun first, I say. For some inspiration, read Steve Hoare’s “Bagging the Big Cats: Adventures and Misadventures from the Famed Catskill Mountain 3500 Club”. The article reviews famed mountaineer Carol Stone White’s new collection of stories from Catskill Mountain hikers, Catskill Peak Experiences: Mountaineering Tales of Endurance, Survival, Exploration & Adventure from the Catskill 3500 Club. It won’t take you too many pages into her book to realize that the true stories she presents are not from your average run-of-the-mill hiker, but nevertheless the stories may inspire you to pull on your hiking boots.

Another source of inspiration—but again not your run-of-the-mill hiker—is Ralph Ryndak, profiled by Jimmy Buff in “In the Mountains, He Is”. Ralph has been hiking in the mountains for years and is highly experienced, but also believes that anyone can hike with a little guidance and a few tips from seasoned mountaineers.

OK, onto the work. This is our annual “Your Home, Inside and Out” issue, and to help you along, we’ve included a lot of articles about home building, home furnishing and landscaping.

First, there’s “Catskill Woodnet,” by Karin Edmondson. Catskill Woodnet—a group of local wood-products businesses working together to promote their products and services using a Web site and the Pure Catskills Buy Local brand—is sponsored by the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) and is the result of a 10-year partnership between WAC and regional wood businesses. If you’re looking for high quality, unique wood products and furnishings from local artisans, this is the article to read.

Another source of high quality unique furnishings is custom furniture maker Steve Heller, whose Cadillac sculptures never fail to grab the attention of anyone driving on Route 28 between Boiceville and Kingston. He’s profiled by Jonathan Ment in “The Heller’s Fabulous Furniture”.

If you don’t yet have a home to furnish, we’ve also profiled two of the region’s premier home builders: Atlantic Custom Homes and G & I Homes. Both of these companies will work with you—no matter your budget—to make sure that your dream home becomes a reality.

Finally, because a dream home just looks sad without proper landscaping and gardening, Jonathan Ment turned to expert gardener Bob Beyfuss (“Early Season Gardening Advice”). Bob, an agriculture and natural resources educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Greene County, has recommendations for every corner of your property. Anyone who has turned on the radio or attended a gardening workshop in the Capitol Region is well acquainted with Bob, and knows that he’s the guy you want in your corner when you want a beautiful environment for your home.

Finally, don’t forget about our annual Photography Contest. All of the cover and portfolio photos we use throughout the year are chosen from the entries to this contest, so I encourage everyone to enter.

Sincerely,


Sarah Taft
Managing Editor
tafts@catskillmtn.org