Flash Mob Marks End Of Summer

Halcottsville, NY – Labor Day weekend for the Catskills has come to mean an influx of Air BnB hipsters, long lines at the store, a four day seafood station at Freshtown, actual real traffic jams, fireworks in the park, and packed farmers’ markets.

The weekend would not be complete without the Halcottsville Flash Mob, a tradition that keeps on growing.

Carried out by the local neighbors and weekenders alike at the Seuss property, the gathering begins around 7pm, but the preparation begins weeks earlier. You see, the whole point is for the DURR passengers, onboard the dinner/music train that runs from Arkville, NY to Roxbury, NY, to get treated to dancing torches in the Seuss’ back yard that appear from the darkness just as the train slows to the perfect viewing spot.

I guess you kind of have to be there…

In case you weren’t, here is a fun edit I did of the almost seven minute event, now under three minutes, as I took liberty to focus on the highlights and re-arrange the song a bit. I hope Johnny Cash and Blues Maneuver don’t mind too much.

Halcottsville Flash Mob Torches for the Train to Ring of Fire 9.2.17 from Mountain Girl Photography… on Vimeo.

A fire dance flash mob choreographed to “Ring of Fire” by Johny Cash performed by Blues Maneuver on 9.2.17 in the small hamlet of Halcottsville, NY. (Please note, song was re-arranged for post editing purposes)

Catskills’ St. Patrick’s Day parade, brush fires & burn ban

Hard Hat Reporter, Small Town Catskills

Sunday, March 13th proved to be not only a gorgeous day for a small town parade, but also dangerously dry in the Catskills. (Scroll to end for parade slideshow)

Five days after the Hubbell Homestead Fire in Delaware County, brush fires continue to pop up.

Roxbury Fire Department Fire Chief Ken Davie went on to explain the lack of snow load this year has left the ground unsaturated, and allowed for grasses to stand tall and dry out, instead of flattening down.

Sunday’s St. Paddy’s Day festivities were still underway when a 12:48 pm tone rang out at the Roxbury Fire Department. With the majority of the firefighters and trucks at the parade in Halcottsville, it was a scramble to reach the Denver brush fire.

Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department in Halcottsville St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Smoke in the valley

Brush fire at 23 Slauson Hollow Rd. of Salley’s Alley, Denver NY

Extinguishing the flames

According to Chief Davie, fire took less then 20 minutes to put out completely

Chief Davie reported the resident of the house below the caught field had been burning a bit of brush in a barrel, and a spark flew.

“People need to be aware and pay attention…there is a brush fire in Davenport [Delaware County] right now…there could possibly be 1/2 a dozen fires by the end of today,” said Davie.

The NYDEC has issued a burn ban beginning March 16, 2016 and ending May 14, 2016.

According to the March 13 press release “all residential brush burning is prohibited in smaller communities during the state’s historically high fire-risk period from March 16 through May 14,” said state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens.

“This time of year has the most risk of fires and the risk is even greater this year due to the extremely mild winter we’ve seen across the state,” Commissioner Martens said.

Ignoring the ban is a serious offense:

Violators of the open burning state regulation are subject to both criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense. To report environmental law violations call 1-800-TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7332), or report online on DEC’s website.

“It’s a danger zone right now,” said Fire Chief Ken Davie.

Parade photos by Mark Andre | Fire photos by Rebecca Andre

Loud Derby and Quiet Confederate Flag at 2015 Delaware County Fair, Walton New York

Small Town Catskills

A summertime tradition once again commenced this past weekend in Walton, New York. The Delaware County Fair is an end of summer staple for “upstate” New Yorkers adults and children alike.

There are the rides of course…

Bright lights against a Catskill sunset.

…and the petting of animals…

Feeding the goats…just a tip of the agricultural iceberg.

…the purposeful crashing of cars…

Friday night’s demolition derby at the county fair in Walton was the scene of numerous car crashes and a “few good fires.”

…as hundreds of spectators pay $6 a ticket to fill the stands, and cheer on the clash of metal…

Smoke rises, and can be seen throughout the fairgrounds. “I grew up coming to derby nights during fair week” says Mary Torma-Kelly, who has been with the Walton Fire Department and Fire Police for almost 10 years. Torma-Kelly goes on to explain the cars undergo modifications regarding the gas tank, and there are strict regulations that must be followed to be allowed to run in the event. Of course there are helmet regulations, and a major rule restricts any collisions with the driver’s side door. This is a time-honored tradition not everyone understands. Good old-fashioned fun is had by the drivers of the decorated, beat-up cars. The crowd goes wild when the driver of the last car running climbs on top of his car for a victory dance.

…of course there are tractors…

The local farmers get to use their tractors for something other then plowing and harvesting as they pull each (permanently) wrecked vehicle off the track.

…and country music…

The Jason Wicks Band

…and last, but not least, confederate flags.

Confederate flag flies and sells at the fair in Walton, New York.

Yes. The Confederate flag. Despite swirling controversy, as outlined by the local online newspaper Watershed Post, the flag did have a quiet presence in a few tucked-away corners of the fair. Belt buckles, pins and the flag itself were for sale by at least three (to remain un-named) vendors.

Yes. Just a few hours outside of New York City, this fair speaks to the entrenched way of life (the good, bad and indifferent) of hard working farmers and their families. Those in the city and surrounding areas may not understand all the choices made by these folks, some 3rd generation farmers. This is a proud land, owned by mountain farmers in New York State. Personal judgements aside, my family sure had a blast, and the Demolition Derby was well worth our trip.

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