Ginseng in the Catskills: An Earthy Treasure

Deep in the Catskill Mountains, ginseng grows slowly and quietly. The roots of this plant have long been sought after for their medicinal powers and rich history. Ginseng was used by indigenous peoples who lived in the Catskills and Hudson Valley, and became prized as an export during the 18th century. A popular herbal remedy, ginseng has been thought to strengthen immune strength, manage stress, and support energy levels. As a culinary ingredient, ginseng lends an earthy, warming flavor similar to licorice. It’s also hard to find, making it a magical treasure of the forest.

Before you grab your foraging bag, know and respect the rules for wildcrafting! Ginseng is a slow-growing and delicate plant that lives in the forest understory. In NY, ginseng is classified as protected due to over-harvesting and habitat destruction. Harvesting is only allowed between September 1 - November 30. Ginseng is not harvestable on state-owned lands. 

The good folks at Wild Hudson Valley, a local botanical sanctuary, cultivate wild-simulated ginseng and host foraging walks and other workshops - check them out to learn more about this powerful plant! If you do find a mature ginseng plant in the wild, it must have at least 3 leaf prongs and be at least 5 years old in order to be harvested. Leave its red berries behind to help the plant regenerate and sustain our local ginseng growth.

If you procure ginseng for tea, tinctures, or other herbal or medicinal uses, note that its dosage and actions may vary per person. Enjoy it in stir fries, teas, and soups. Happy growing to all the little ginseng plants out there!

Hudson River Cocktail Cruise

Alright my dear friends, we have teamed up with the Kingston Boat Co. to do a final sunset cocktail cruise on the Hudson before those temps drop (hopefully). We set off on the Stroller IV: the oldest passenger boat operating on the Hudson.

Tickets will available for purchase in next week’s newsletter. Limited quantity, so act fast, and I’ll see you onboard.

Adopt Finn

Our Pet of the Week is Finn! He’s a 3 year old Mixed Irish Setter and is up for adoption at the Saugerties Animal Shelter adopt him

Charity of the Week

This week, we are featuring the Catskills Fly Fishing Center & Museum in Livingston Manor. CFFCM has been spearheading the preservation of history, artifacts, knowledge, and the conservation of our waters for future generations consider donating here

B-I-N-G-O

Anyone interested in a Bingo night with live tunes, cocktails, and maybe even some sweet prizes

The 2nd Honky-Tonk Market
Return Brewing, Hudson
All Weekend Long

Sojourner Truth State Park, Kingston - Free Guided Nature Walk with Biologist and NYS licensed Hiking Guide from 4:30-5:30pm get outside

Keegan Ales, Kingston - Trivia Break Tuesdays with Andre at 7:30pm

Tubbys, Kingston - Cursive and Gladie from 7-11pm details

Tinker Street Cinema, Woodstock - Movie Night: A Bucket of Blood at 8pm tix

Half Moon, Hudson - Live music with Extra Life and Patrick Higgins at 7pm info

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Open Mic Night w/ Ryder Cooley from 7-9pm details

The Pines, Mount Tremper - Jackie Benevento Art Show + DJ Set with Marco Benevento from 5-9pm info

Rosendale Theatre, Rosendale - Movie Night: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension at 7pm tix

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Trivia Wednesdays at 7pm

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - Emily King at 8pm tix

Colony Woodstock, Woodstock - Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers w/ Lillie Mae in the Ballroom at 7pm info

Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock - Bruce Cockburn at 8pm tix

Park Theatre, Hudson - Literary Night: A Galère of Poetic Autopsies from 7-10pm info

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - On the Fly Story Slam: Family Affair from 7-9pm info

Skate Time, Accord - Adult skate from 6-9pm

Ashokan Center, Olivebridge - Botanical Art & Nature Sketching Retreat 2024 info

Main Street Gallery, Rosendale - A photo exhibition with Shweta Bist and Kevin Bennett Moore from 6-10pm

Rough Draft, Kingston - Kingston City Land Bank Mixer & Info Night from 5-7pm details

Tubbys, Kingston - Wild Pink and Friendship from 7-11pm info

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - This Party Is Killing You: The Robyn Party from 8-11pm details

Angry Orchard, Walden  - Trivia Night: Pokémon from 6-8pm catch em all

Wylder, Windham - Live Music With Joe Vulpis from 6-9pm info

Pearl Moon, Woodstock - Disco Dance Party at 9pm details

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Lung Cycles, Spookfish, and Evan Linforff-Ellery from 8-11pm tix

Emerson, Mount Tremper - Community Week - Autumn Guided Nature Walk at 1pm info

Pine Hill Community Center, Pine Hill -Live concert featuring Blues Maneuver from 7-9PM

Old Foundation, Kenoza Lake - The 3rd installment of Foundation of Funk welcomes Peter of Guerilla Tods at 9:30pm info

Observed, Catskill - Springrise open studio from 10am-3pm info

Orpheum Performing Arts Center, Tannersville - Dance: A Very SW!NG OUT Holiday at 7pm info

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Fae Rave from 9pm-1am details

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - Nikka Costa at 8pm tix

The Lost Book Shop, Delhi - Jo Salas in Conversation with Lanny Harrison from 6-7:30pm info

Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown - Rhythm and Brews featuring “Rocky Graziano” from 6-9pm details

Park Theatre, Hudson - Hodera and Oliver Myles Mashburn from 8-11pm tix

Scribner's Lodge, Hunter - Mini Market: Four Sisters Kimchi & Sandy Hyun Jewelry from 1-5pm info

The Local, Saugerties - The Golden Eras of Jamaican Music: NYC Ska Orchestra at 8pm details

Tubbys, Kingston - Top Rank Anniversary party from 7-11pm info

West Kill Supply, Kingston - Live Music 209's Band from 2-5pm more info

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - 80's Night featuring Wilde Side at 7pm info

Stone Ridge Orchard, Stone Ridge - Chestnut Festival from 12-5pm details

White Feather Farm, Saugerties - Live reading of Parking Spot: The Musical from 3-5pm details

Do Good Spirits, Roscoe - Dan Brother Live from 1-4pm info

The Local, Saugerties - Gospel: Inner Visions at 5pm details

Brewery Ommegang , Cooperstown - Sunday Brunch Bingo at The Tap House from 10am-1pm info

Colony Woodstock, Woodstock - Greg Koch ft. The Koch Marshall Trio in the Ballroom at 7pm details

Temple Shiro, Stamford - Sound meditation at 5pm tix

Colony Woodstock, Woodstock - Jamie McLean Band Album Release w/ Troy Mercy in the Ballroom at 7pm details