Radio Brings Memories Alive

"It's a Wonderful Life" comes alive on WIOX 91.3 FM

Tune in to Roxbury's local radio station WIOX through their live stream on Christmas Eve at 7:00pm for a special holiday treat -It's a Wonderful Life, the live radio play, produced by The Roxbury Arts Group and starring people in our community.

The rebroadcast will be on Christmas morning at 10:00.
Exclusive on WIOX 91.3 FM and WIOXRADIO.org.

Skiing Over Xmas Holiday Week

So you're here. And you're ready to get out and ride!  We've pulled together the details on skiing in the Western Catskills for you.

First thing to note is that Plattekill, being a family run mountain, is CLOSED on December 25th.  While usually closed during the week, holidays are an exception. The week between Christmas and New Years (so that's Dec. 26 through Jan. 2nd) as well as the week of Presidents Day / school break in February, Plattekill is open throughout the midweek with tubing every night as well.  Enjoy skiing on December 24th with a $30 lift ticket special.    Plattekill opens with lifts running from 8:45am to 4:15pm.  Tubing runs with two, two hour sessions, the first starting at 5pm and second at 7pm. 

Food options are expanding in Roxbury.  You can eat on the mountain at Plattekill with a great kitchen and uber cool bar scene upstairs, complete with woodstove cranking.  Kick back with a Stella Artois and swap stories about your best run of the day.  Or check out Public Lounge on Bridge Street in the village - open Wednesday through Sunday with the kitchen open later (until 9pm) on Friday and Saturday.   Cocktails and/or dinner are served.  Check out their website for menu and fun.  Breakfast and lunch fare can be found at Cassie's Kitchen or the East Branch Deli on Main Street.

Great grub and shopping can be found in Margaretville and Arkville, just a straight shot south on Route 30. 

Belleayre, on the other hand is OPEN Christmas Day.  Not only that but seniors 62 and older (must have valid ID) ride for free.  Belleayre is open seven days a week, from 7am to 5pm with lifts running 9am to 4pm.  Belleayre skiers like to drive the short hop west on Route 28  down to Fleischmanns for the most excellent Hispanic eats in the area at La Cabana or Mi Lupita.  If you're nice you can ask to buy some homemade tortillas to take home with you.

Winter Festivals in the Western Catskills

Winter is getting busier and busier it seems...... We know most folks like to hunker down and chill out in front of the woodstove, but plan on getting out for these big weekends if you can.

Winter Festival in Walton: Saturday January 22nd.
After a rousing success in its' first year, the Winter Fest is back and will be bigger and better! New this year, the SUNY Delhi ice carving team will be decking out the main street of Walton with sponsored ice carvings on Friday night from 3-7pm. Local businesses will be sponsoring a themed carving to be done in front of their store front. It'll be a great nice to stroll main street and jump into one of the local restaurants like Danny's Restaurant, for some great grub to warm up with. On Saturday, SUNY Delhi will be joined by a half a dozen other ice carving teams from around the northeast for an American Carving Culinary Federation sanctioned competition. Under the big barn there'll be a figure skating demonstration, workshop for the kids on ice carving. For kids or all ages there will be ice skating, horse drawn sleigh rides, snowman making (weather depending) and other outdoor activities (maybe even a snow volleyball tourament that will benefit Relay For Life). The Hamden Hill Ridge Riders will be holding drag race competitions (garnering speeds of up to 100 mph!!!!) Hot beverages will be available on site at the Walton Fairgrounds. Stay tuned for more info on the event visit the Walton Chamber website www.waltonchamber.com.

Ice Harvest Festival at Hanford Mills: February 5th
Nothing is more fun than cutting the ice, going on a horse drawn sleigh ride, warming up with some soup or hot cocoa, watching ice carvers or the blacksmith at work, and spending the day having fun with family and friends. The most wonderful part of this day is remembering to come back to Hanford Mills on 4th of July and make ice cream out of the ice you harvested in February. Check their website for more details: www.hanfordmills.org.

Our calendar website has as many events as we can find an post on it - check it out at www.delawarecountytoday.com.  Sign up for eblasts on the homepage of our website www.greatwesterncatskills.com.