| Watershed Post

County orders Downsville covered bridge closed to traffic

Above: The Downsville Covered Bridge, one of three such historic structures in Delaware County, was closed to traffic on Thursday. Photo by Robert Cairns.

The historic Downsville Covered Bridge, built in 1854, has been closed to motor vehicle traffic.

The Delaware County Department of Public Works, in a news release issued Thursday morning, March 24, said that the bridge would be closed due to “structural concerns” at 10 a.m. that day and would remain closed until the New York State Department of Transportation completes the reconstruction of a nearby bridge on Route 30.

That work, according to the NYSDOT website, is scheduled for completion in July 2017.

DPW Commissioner Wayne Reynolds said that the wooden bridge was closed both in response to current abuse and in anticipation of people attempting to use it as a detour while Route 30 traffic is limited.

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Downsville covered bridge

Delaware County Department of Transportation

Broadlands mansion, lands listed for sale

Above: The Broadlands mansion–the former Gerry Estate–which has been listed for sale. Photo via a listing on the Douglas Elliman Real Estate website.

A century-old mansion and nearly 2,000 acres of land, once part of the famous Gerry Estate, are for sale for $12 million.

Broadlands, once known as Aknusti, was built by tycoon Robert Gerry in 1912, destroyed by fire in 1953 and rebuilt, according to a history written by its current manager, Andy Wos.

In recent days, it was rumored to be at the center of a proposed resort that has not developed.

Last week, Broadlands appeared on the real estate website trulia.com.

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Man wounded in Harpersfield garage fire

Above: A fire engulfs a garage on Sunday, March 20. Photo via the Delaware County NY Fire Wire & Emergency New Facebook page.

A Harpersfield man was airlifted to Albany Medical Center with severe injuries to his face after an explosion at his Delaware County garage, according to mulitple local newspapers, including the Mountain Eagle, the Daily Star and WBNG.

The Eagle has the most complete story.

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FEMA to fund automatic floodgates to protect Schoharie County building

Above: A schematic of the proposed flood wall slated to be built around Schoharie County's official buildings with FEMA money.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has agreed to give Schoharie County an additional $800,000 to breathe new life into an ambitious project that will protect the county’s offices and courthouse with automatic floodgates.

The floodgates will be installed on walkways that will lie flat at ground level and then lift automatically in the event of rising water, and are designed to divert up to two feet of floodwater around the county complex in the village of Schoharie.

After Hurricane Irene destroyed the basement and first floor of the county office complex in 2011, the county sought and FEMA approved $3.9 million in funding for the project, which will include at least four floodgates installed on walkways.

But that still left the project almost a million dollars short; construction and design costs came in at $4.7 million after the project went out to bid.

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Irene. Hurricane Irene

Advertise in the Catskills Outdoor Guide

The Catskills Outdoor Guide is an annual print publication that comes out in late May and is distributed year-round in the Catskills and metro-area NY.

The deadline to advertise in the 2016 Outdoor Guide is April 1, 2015. Reserve your slot now: Contact Ben Fenton by emailing [email protected] or calling us at 845-481-0155.

Highest praises to the impressive team behind the Watershed Post! Their website is our one-stop-shop for local news, so it's not surprising that their foray into the world of print would match their commitment to content and style. As an advertiser for several years, we can personally attest to the popularity of their publications - we can't seem to keep them on our shelves! Our guests are a mix of locals and visitors; both groups adore reading more about the stunning landscape and lifestyle of these Catskills mountains. We will remain ardent fans and advertisers for many more years to come.

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outdoors

Catskills Outdoor Guide

2016 Catskills Outdoor Guide

The 2016 Catskills Outdoor Guide Photo Contest

Above: "Sunset in the Western Catskills," the second-place winner of the 2015 Catskills Outdoor Guide Photo Contest. Taken by Rick Roberts.

The contest is closed. Winners will be announced when the 2016 Catskills Outdoor Guide is published this summer. Thanks to all the entries! -- Ed.

For the new edition of the Catskills Outdoor Guide, coming out this summer, we're holding a 2016 version of the Catskills Outdoor Guide Photo Contest, once again sponsored by the Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room in Big Indian.

Last year, 52 photographers entered the contest. Need inspiration? Here's a slideshow of all of last year's entries:

Winners of the contest will be featured in the 2016 Catskills Outdoor Guide, and one grand prize winner gets a $75 gift certificate to the Peekamoose.

These contests are always a blast. See your work in print, and maybe even on one of the covers of the 2016 edition of the Outdoor Guide. Spread the word! You've got until April 1 to email us the perfect shot.

Here's how the contest works:

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outdoors

photography

Catskills Outdoor Guide

outdoor

2016 Catskills Outdoor Guide Photo Contest

The 2016 Catskills Food Guide is here

Above: The 2016 Catskills Food Guide. On the cover: Mama's Boy Burgers in Tannersville, shot by Andrea Cabane.

The print 2016 Catskills Food Guide has hit the street: pick up a free print copy in over 100 locations, or buy a digital edition to read on your device.

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The winners of the 2016 Catskills Food Guide Photo Contest

The 2016 Catskills Food Guide is out. Click here for more info. - Ed.

Each year, we ask readers of the Watershed Post and our Catskills Food Guide to send us their photos of Catskills food and farms. This year, 25 photographers entered our 2016 Catskills Food Guide Photo Contest.

Thanks to our contest sponsor, Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room in Big Indian, who generously awarded a $75 gift certificate to our grand prize winner.

Thanks to everyone who entered. To see all of those great photos, click here.

Grand Prize Winner

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Catskills

Food

Catskills Food Guide

2016 Catskills Food Guide Photo Contest

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Arts

Birch syrup: Maple syrup's pungent cousin

Most people have never tried birch syrup, the reddish cousin of maple syrup that is made from the sap of birch trees. When they do, they’re in for a surprise: birch syrup’s tangy, pungent flavor is unlike anything else.

“I usually say it’s like a cross between molasses and raspberry,” said Jody Condon, the owner of Catskill Mountain Birch and Millbrook Maple (Arkville, 845-586-6200, millbrookmaple.com). “Some people say there’s an undertone of anise.”

Historically, birch syrup was made in cold climes that are inhospitable to maple trees—like Russia, Alaska and Canada. But in the Catskills, Condon and his partner, Mike Porter, are perfecting the art of birch syrup making. They are among New York’s few birch syrup producers.

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Catskill Mountain Birch

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Food

Woman killed in Route 17 crash

A 48-year-old Goshen woman was killed on Route 17 in the Sullivan County town of Thompson on Monday, March 14 when she was rear-ended by a Volkswagen Jetta, according to a press release from the New York State Police.

The woman, Lori A. Baird of Goshen, was driving a 2012 Fiat eastbound near exit 107 around 7:25 p.m. when she was struck from behind by the Jetta, which was driven by 31-year-old Howard Kehlenbeck of Woodridge, police say.

Both cars were heavily damaged in the crash. Baird was pronounced dead at the scene by the Sullivan County Coroner's office, the press release states.

Alcohol and drugs do not appear to have played a role in the incident, which is still under investigation, police say.

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New York State Police

New York State Route 17

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