Let's Visit: Red Hook Community Garden

We love living in the Hudson Valley and sharing with others some of our favorite places to visit in the area for fun, inspiration, and exploring! Today we share another Let's Visit... blog post with Amber from amberhlynn.etsy.com.

The Hudson Valley has quite a few community gardens.  Most are run by Earth To Table, a group dedicated to the slow food movement.  Community gardens hold a special place in my heart as my boyfriend and I spent part of our first date walking to the one in New Paltz (although it was dark and we couldn't see much, especially not the dragon made of tires that was the excuse for the walk). 

This summer, I finally got over my fear that anything I try to grow will die, and started my own vegetable garden!  It was an excellent learning experience, if at times frustrating and upsetting.  Once, some deer got through the fence and devastated my young tomato plants, but they mostly recovered.  I recommend everyone tries to grow their own food, or at least visits a garden once in awhile.  They're gorgeous!

The Red Hook community garden is on Route 9, just past Holy Cow if you're coming from Rhinebeck (I highly recommend their ice cream by the way!) and between two banks.  The front has quite a few small bricked flower gardens, a shed for tools, and a place for composting.

and this cool wood thing too

Inside the fence, there's a few raised beds full of tomatoes and different foods that are open to the community and are to be used for community events.  The rest of the space is free for residents to stake out and do pretty much whatever you want with it.  Just call Joseph Baldwin at (845)635-9388 so he knows who's working in the garden. 

A birdhouse in my neighbor's garden

Even if you're not going to grow your own things, feel free to stop by, smell some flowers, take some pictures, pull some weeds, and maybe even bring home a fresh tomato! They're delicious.

That's really all I have for you, but I hope you liked the info and photographs!  If you have any questions feel free to email me at amberhlynn@gmail.com or call  Joseph Baldwin, and keep an eye out for Earth To Table at local events.  Maybe you can even find or organize a community garden near you!

See you next time!

Amber

Meet our new members: Summer 2013

Have I got a treat for you! This group of new members of the Hudson Valley Team are all local artisans with some awesome stuff to share.  I hope you'll check them out, give them some well-deserved love, and maybe find an item that's just what you've been looking for.

Grapefruit Lazy Susan by Jane Suzanne

Jane Suzanne from this shop of the same name makes her creations in Suffern, NY.  All her fruit-themed lazy susans and serving trays are hand-painted and look delicious! I can almost feel the summer sun and smell outdoor get-togethers when looking at them.   It's awesome to have you here!

Large Lacework Platter - Black Cherry by LaceworkCeramics 

Jonathan Torres of LaceworkCeramics does his work in Ossining, NY.  His ceramics feature intricate lace designs in wonderfully varied colors.  I just love the texture and how the colors enhance it! Welcome to the team!

Repurposed and Recycled Sweater Shrug by  lovemadevisiblestore 

Mourning Dove of lovemadevisiblestore fashions her creations in Hudson, NY.  All of her wonderful clothing is made with up-cycled and reclaimed materials that she uses to create some wonderfully creative designs.  They look so warm and soft!  It's nice to meet you. 

Silver Gilded Deer Antler by CustomAntlers

Jason of CustomAntlers does his work in New York, NY.  He specializes in naturally shed deer (and other animal) antlers.  I adore the colors he adds to them, ranging from silvers, golds, and bronzes to iron, sapphire, and emerald.  He even uses them to make candelabras and chandeliers.  Welcome!

Apple Green Seamless Legging by NatsExoticCreations

  
Natalie of NatsExoticCreations is also based in New York, NY. She makes abstract art, not only for hanging on the wall but also for wearing on your legs! I love all the shapes and colors she uses, especially the triangles.  Glad you could join us!

Those are all the new shops I have for you today, I hope you like them!  Drop by their websites and have a look around, and I hope you'll give them a warm welcome as well.  Maybe you can make this their best summer yet!  Check back in a couple months to meet even more members and don't forget to stop by their shops and spread their work around. I'm sure someone is already doing their holiday shopping!

Enjoy!

Amber

Let's Visit: The Basha Kill Wildlife Management Area

We love living in the Hudson Valley! In addition to sharing the goings-on with the group, we'd like to also share some of our favorite places to visit in the area for fun, inspiration, and exploring.  Today we start with Arwen from Arwen Designs with a visit to The Basha Kill Wildlife Management Area.

Sullivan County is home to thousands of acres of beautiful woodlands, parks, and nature preserves. Only a few hours from New York City, it is a great place to get away for a weekend and discover what nature has to offer.

The Basha Kill Wildlife Management Area is nestled between the Shawagunk and Catskill Mountains, and consists of over 3000 acres of wetlands. It is a natural wetlands, restored in the 1970’s by the DEC. It offers a wide range of scenery and activities. You can park on Haven Rd for an amazing view of the wide expanse of water surrounded by mountain ranges, or you can hike down one of the many trails through lush forests and waterside promenades full of wildflowers. Bring a canoe or kayak to explore places only accessible by water. The Catskill region is known for excellent trout fishing, but there are also over 30 species of fish in the water, and acres of shoreline to fish from, although the best spots are in a boat.

The Basha Kill is a haven for bird watchers, and there are small tours available. Over 220 species of birds have been sighted, including the great blue heron, eagles, ducks, hawks, and numerous songbirds. The area is also home to at least 200 species of native wildflowers.

 

One of the best things about the Basha Kill is that it is never too crowded. It is one of the lesser known wildlife areas, and combined with the vast area to explore, you can often hike an entire trail only meeting one or two people.

If quiet nature trips are something you enjoy, consider a visit to the Basha Kill region of New York State!
For more information, visit: www.thebashakill.org

Arwen / Arwen Designs