The 2011 Rosendale, NY International Pickle Festival - A Taft Street Guide

Like pickles? Then we've got something fun for you to do this weekend! This Sunday, November 20th brings us The Rosendale, NY International Pickle Festival, a beloved local event in the Hudson Valley Region. Initially started as a "pickle party" between friends 1998, the Rosendale, NY International Pickle Festival has grown over the past 12 years into an event that draws over 5,000 visitors from all over the world. This unique festival features all things pickle-related, from goods and souvenirs, to pickle judging and contests. Also on the agenda are various delicious foods from local vendors, and live music & dancing.

The Pickle: Around the World and Back to the Catskills

Sure it's always been a great local event in Ulster County, NY, but you can't…

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Soup & Sandwich Shop Review: "The Last Bite" In High Falls, NY

If you're out and about running errands on a cold November morning, few things offer more comfort than a hot cup of fresh coffee and maybe a warm bagel or roll. Such were my thoughts recently as I shuffled into The Last Bite in High Falls, NY. It was an early, cold, and so far coffee-less morning, so I was in need of some quality nourishment. I'm always looking for great local spots to eat in the Hudson Valley, and I had heard good things about The Last Bite. I stepped up to the old-time storefront, with an aged hanging sign swinging in the wind, reminiscent of an era long past.

Fresh Food On Main Street High Falls, NY

As soon as I opened the door my senses perked, as I smelled the aroma of coffee brewing and eggs cooking. The small shop consisted of a…

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Hudson Valley Fall Happenings

Autumn is an amazing time to visit the Hudson Valley region! Mother Nature takes center stage in the fall, showing off with vivid colors and bountiful harvests. It’s a season of crisp, sunny days, and clear, sometimes spooky nights. Here in Ulster County, NY, we celebrate and indulge in all that our environment gives us this time of year, knowing that winter is right around the corner. The best thing about the local autumn activities is that they’re tailor made for families and kids. Whether its apple & pumpkin picking, trooping through a corn maze, or going on a hayride, fall in the Hudson Valley equals outside activity that the whole family can enjoy!

The Hudson Valley's Bountiful Harvest

The fabled home of the legendary Johnny Appleseed, here in the…

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Carolyn Wonderland: A Cool Band & Woodstock's Latest Fan !

This morning I happened to be flicking through the channels, hoping to catch a little news as I began my day. I paused on “Imus in the Morning”, drawn-in not by a headline, but by the powerfully strong female vocals of a band playing live on the show. I listened on. The 3-person band was called Carolyn Wonderland, and they’re soulful performance this morning came as a pleasant surprise, as I’m always grateful to catch good music that’s new to my ears. I bopped off of my living room couch with a tune in my head and a fresh new blog topic in mind, because what really caught my attention was where they will be playing this weekend...

An Unmatched Stage Presence, Live in Woodstock, NY!

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The Hudson Valley Garlic Festival - A Taft Street Guide

There’s something in the air around the Town of Saugerties; a scent that’s easy to identify and hard to miss. The aroma of fresh garlic emanating from Cantine Field in Saugerties can mean only one thing: the 2011 Hudson Valley Garlic Festival! This extremely popular annual festival features all things garlic, and we mean all things. From garlic ice cream (yes you’re reading that correctly!), to garlic fudge, to humans dressed as dancing garlic cloves, the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival is yet another lively event unique to the Hudson Valley Region. It is another shining example of an active community that characterizes not only Saugerties but most all of Ulster County.

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The 2011 Woodstock Film Festival - A Taft Street Guide

- Update - New 2012 Woodstock NY Film Festival Blog -

The Woodstock Film Festival is an exciting event that showcases not only great films, but also the lovely Hudson Valley region and our thriving community.  The festival will be four days and five nights of films, concerts, workshops, celebrity-led panels, awards ceremonies, and fantastic parties. With multiple venues not just in Woodstock but all over Ulster County, the Woodstock Film Festival will draw an estimated 12,000 visitors, more than half of whom will be out-of-towners travelling from all parts of the country and the world. This surge in tourists will undoubtedly give a boost to local businesses, in particular the service sector. Often upon arriving in the Woodstock area and seeing some of…

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The 2011 "Taste of New Paltz" - A Taft Street Guide

Taste of New Paltz is a delightful and delicious event unique to the Hudson Valley. It features local restaurants showcasing their specialties, selling taste-sized portions of their best dishes. Area wineries will be offering tastings and local farms will be presenting the best of this year's crops. If you've been dreaming of owning real estate in New Paltz, here's your chance to sample everything the local cuisine has to offer in one fell swoop! Taste of New Paltz offers a great experience for residents & visitors, as well as a platform for regional artisans to gain some great exposure!

Food Is The Main Event

2011 marks the 21st birthday of Taste of New Paltz, which is presented by the New Paltz Chamber of Commerce. Local restaurants and food…

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The Main Street Series - Saugerties: One of America’s Coolest Towns Celebrates 200 Years

Happy Birthday Saugerties! Saugerties, New York is celebrating its 200th anniversary of incorporation this year! Originally inhabited by the Esopus Sachem Tribe, and then Dutch settlers in the 1600’s, Saugerties has evolved into the perfect blend of old and new. Nestled at the base of the Catskill Mountains and bordered by the Hudson River and the Esopus creek, Saugerties is a beautiful Hudson Valley town. Just 90 miles north of New York City it currently thrives as a tourist location with a bustling Main Street dotted with shops and eateries. Recently named one of the Top 10 Coolest Towns in America, Saugerties is a melting pot of rich history and energetic culture, perfectly epitomized by its vibrant Main Street.

Festivals & Farmers Markets,…

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Historic Ulster County Flooding Poses Biggest Challenge In Wake of Hurricane Irene

Though it may look pretty bad, Ulster County will recover. As expected, Hurricane Irene caused extensive flooding, power outages and knocked down many trees. Ulster County officials are still assessing the extent of the damage, but all it takes is a short drive around the neighborhood for the impact of Irene on some Ulster County homes to become painfully apparent. However in spite of the destruction, the general feeling is that we were prepared and have fared well. Innovations like social media rose to the occasion and assumed an important role in providing a means for communication amidst a blackout. Our area has proven to be resourceful enough to withstand what County Executive Michael Hein called, “The worst natural disaster in Ulster County’s…

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Ulster County Set to Tango With Hurricane Irene

Just days after a rare earthquake rattled the east coast, the Hudson Valley finds itself in the path of Hurricane Irene, which could reach our area by Sunday reports say. Though vastly different in nature and origin, Tuesday’s earthquake and Hurricane Irene follow a seeming trend of extreme weather this summer and once again highlight the importance of disaster preparedness. Local hazards like flooding and loss of power may occur should Irene decide to pay a visit, so officials are advising that Ulster County residents take measures and be prepared. It’s not often that we at Taft Street can blog about an earthquake and a hurricane in the same week! Thankfully in this age of information, the resources for monitoring such storms are numerous and easily…

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