Sweet Mountain History: The Catskills Maple Story

The Catskills played a vital role in New York's maple syrup production during the 1800s, becoming one of the state's key maple regions alongside the Adirondacks. The dense sugar maple forests and ideal winter conditions of Delaware, Sullivan, and Ulster counties supported a thriving industry, with farmers tapping thousands of trees during the quiet winter months.

The evolution of maple production tells a story of innovation spanning generations. The Mohawk and Algonquin peoples developed sophisticated techniques using hot stones and bark vessels - knowledge that influenced early settlers who later introduced iron kettles. As the century progressed, wooden spouts gave way to metal ones in the 1850s, and flat pan evaporators transformed production by the late 1800s. Sugar houses appeared across the landscape, their sweet-smelling smoke signaling the start of sugaring season, with maple sugar becoming a common household staple.

Today's sugar houses, with their plastic tubing systems (introduced in the 1960s) and reverse osmosis equipment (common by the 1990s), carry on this legacy while telling the story of continued innovation. You can still spot the historic operations by their distinctive cupolas, living landmarks of an industry that helped define the region's agricultural heritage.

Fixed: Crew Card

Whoops! Looks like our link got messed up last week (blame it on the eggnog). But Crew Card #002 is alive and well - with an all-star lineup of spots across the Catskills offering 10% off through 2025. Grab yours and get out there!

Partners include Deer Mountain Inn, Hamden General, Harana Market, Morning Sunshine, Phoenicia Diner, Stumble Out Bar, Tabla, The Heron, Trotwood, and Wayside Cider.

Night Sky: Meteors

Mark your calendars - the Quadrantid meteor shower hits our skies January 3rd. The show peaks at 12:45am Friday morning, with up to 120 fireballs per hour lighting up our Catskills night. With just an 11% moon and our prime mountain dark spots, we're perfectly positioned to catch these extra-bright meteors radiating from below the Big Dipper.

Trivia

Adopt Pets

Our pets of the week are quite the duo! Meet Cosmo, a social butterfly under a year old who's treat-motivated and quick to learn new tricks - the perfect adventure buddy for hitting the trails. Then there's Sunday, our independent two-year-old feline who's formed a special bond with her shelter bestie Pumpkin. You can learn more about adopting Cosmo here and Sunday here.

RIP: A Local Legend

Edward Van Put, a beloved figure in the Catskills, passed away at 88, leaving behind an enduring legacy as a conservationist, angler, and historian. Known as "the Admiral of the Delaware," he dedicated over four decades to preserving the region's rivers, securing miles of public fishing rights, and inspiring countless fly-fishers. Ed's books, including The Beaverkill: The History of a River and Its People, celebrated the rich heritage of the Catskills. His contributions earned him numerous honors, including induction into the Catskill Fly Fishing Center Hall of Fame. He will be remembered for his passion, humility, and profound impact on our community read more

Moment in Time

New Year’s Day Brunch
Wednesday Jan 1st, 10-2pm
Harana Market, Accord

Round 2: Trivia Night
Monday, January 6th, trivia starts at 6pm
Foxfire Mountain House, Mt. Tremper

The Pines, Mount Tremper - New Year's Eve from 5-12am party time

Andes Hotel, Andes - The Four Course Feast from 4-10pm check it out

Ashokan Center, Olivebridge - New Year’s Eve Dinner & Dance 2025 details

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - Lee Fields New Year's Eve at 9pm party time

Belvedere Inn, Stamford - New Year’s Eve full send

Blue Fox Motel, Narrowsburg - New Year’s Eve Celebration at 5pm have fun

Cafe Mutsi, Andes - Special New Year's Eve Dinner enjoy

EightyMain, Delhi - New Year’s Eve Dinner info

Flying Goose Tavern, Kerhonkson - New Year’s Eve Party (shuttle service running) get honked

Glen Falls House, Round Top - Good Room Presents: Love Games NYE Party details

Hotel Lilien, Tannersville - New Year's Eve fireside countdown with dinner and open bar cheers

Hunter Mountain, Hunter - New Year's Eve Celebration & Fireworks at 5pm heck yeah

Jagerberg, Hunter - Special wine tasting and dinner reservations required

Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock - Midnight Ramble: New Year's Eve ft. Roche Collins at 9:30pm tickets

Park Theatre, Hudson - Classy Collaborators present New Years Eve Bash at 9pm info

Print House, Fleischmanns - New Year's Eve have fun

Return Brewing, Hudson - New Year's Eve at 5pm chug

Roscoe Mountain Club, Roscoe - New Year's Eve at 5pm check it out

Saltbox, Kingston - New Year's Eve Midnight Disco at 8pm get down

NightSwim, Kingston - NYE Dance Party get down

Assembly, Kingston - The Felice Brothers With Special Guest Merce Lemon tix followed by The Afters: NYE after Midnight Party RSVP

Chleo, Kingston - New Year’s Eve limited tasting menu RSVP

Skatetime, Accord - New Year’s Eve Party at from 5-10pm go time

The Half Moon, Hudson - NYE Party with Pretty Woman at 7pm more info

The Falcon, Marlboro - Deadgrass the NYE Show from 5:30-9pm details

The Lemon Squeeze, New Paltz - NYE Party with The Threetles featuring Noel Carey tix

The Dale, Mountaindale - NYE 2025 An intergalactic Space Disco at 8pm epic

Mill & Main, Kerhonkson - NYE Dinner Party and drinks cheers

Deer Mountain Inn, Tannersville - New Year's Eve celebration at 9pm info

Casa Susanna, Catskill - NYE prix fixe dinner have fun

Love Velma, Ellenville - New Year’s Eve with vinyl and dancing details

Dandelion, Big Indian - New Year’s 2025 book a res

Sunshine Colony, Livingston Manor - Third European New Year’s Eve celebration at 6pm cheers

Catskill Center, Mount Tremper - First Day Hike with the Catskill Center: Huckleberry Point from 1-4:30pm get outside

Hunter Mountain, Hunter - DJ Pat Del from 11am-3pm rip it up

Dietz Stadium, Kingston - Day 1 Walk from 1-2pm take a stroll

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Live tunes with Neil Moore and guests from 8-10:30pm details

Lost Book Shop, Delhi - Big Old Book: The Count of Monte Cristo at 6pm read more

Ommegang Brewery, Oneonta - Trivia Thursday’s at the Tap House from 6-8pm cheers

Rough Draft, Kingston - Trivia with DJ Maxwell from 6-9pm have fun

The Lemon Squeeze, New Paltz - Live music with Chris Davenport & Rich Kelly details

Belvedere Inn, Stamford - Karaoke heck yeah

Colony, Woodstock - Friday Night Fever DJ set at 10pm check it out

NightSwim, Kingston - Ru Paul Drag Race Viewing Party have fun

Ommegang Brewery, Oneonta - Brew-tal Murder Mystery Beer Pairing Dinner from 6-9pm awesome

The Lemon Squeeze, New Paltz - Emily Beck Solo show details

Laugh it Up Comedy Club - Hudson Valley's Funniest Showcase, Frank Favia, Genna Marie, Joe Alfano, Jason Mclaren at 6pm tix

Belvedere Inn, Stamford - Comedy Open Mic laugh it up

Ommegang Brewery, Oneonta - Rhythm and Brews featuring “Fast Friends” from 6-9pm details

Tubby's, Kingston - DJ NIGHT: Nabihah Iqbal and Joséphine (in the backroom) from 7-11pm tix

The Lemon Squeeze, New Paltz - Urban Survival Quartet - A Night of Jazz info

West Kill Supply, Kingston - DJ Tolten from 4-7pm

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Upstate Composers Orchestra from 7:30-9pm tix

Ommegang Brewery, Oneonta - Sunday Brunch Bingo at The Tap House from 10:15am-1pm BINGO

The Rosendale Theatre, Rosendale - Sunday Silents Presents: The Phantom Carriage at 2pm tix

Tinker Street Cinema, Woodstock - A Complete Unknown at 7pm (until Jan. 8) tickets

Esopus Fire Dept, Esopus - Fire Department Breakfast from 8:30am-11:30am

🦅 Foxfire Mountain House, Mt. Tremper - Trivia at 6pm (I’m hosting, see ya there)