Natty wine at the skate rink, spring ramps, and a cake party!

Hi Friends,

I’m sick, and Spectrum is messing with the power lines.

But I’m also a Virgo with a vision, and that vision is that 91 weeks from now I’ll have written 100 straight newsletters, supported a lot of local businesses and built one hell of a community. We can throw a big party about it. Deal?

When I can’t focus but want to feel productive I read the new responses to the subscriber survey.

If you’ve filled it out (Bless you for the 70% completion rate!) you know I’m only asking for three things: Where you live, what you make, and what you need. Pretty transparently I’m collecting data to make sure this undertaking is actually valuable to you, dear reader.

You folks are very specific about what you love to make: A mean cherry pie, cocktails, gardens, books, all forms of arts, crafts, quilting and woodworking.

As far as what you need…less so. The words most frequently used are “support” and “community.” From the survey:

We do. And I, with my bias, tend to see the solution as “Party as Public Service.” Community as spaces created for shared joy.

But that’s just me. So, a follow up question for you:

Let me know what you think. Email me if your community doesn’t fit within these options. Also email me if you have suggestions for kicking the flu.

COOPER’S DAUGHTER RAMP VODKA

If you think folks in the Hudson Valley are precious about their secret swimming holes, try asking about a ramp patch.

If you weren’t living in the Northeast ten years ago or otherwise managed to miss this allium obsession: ramps are a short lived, nearly impossible to cultivate “wild leek” with a scallion-like bulb and a soft leafy top. The flavor is something like green garlic but it can be cooked like a delicate leafy green. Locals know where to forage for them and how to harvest responsibly (take no more than 1/3 of the patch). Personally, I think there are few culinary joys that compare with ramps scrambled with the first spring eggs from a neighbor and, if you’re truly blessed, early morels.

The ramps’ flavorful yet fleeting nature makes it a natural choice for infusions. Cooper’s Daughter Spirits in Claverack infuses foraged ramps into their farm to cask wheat vodka, creating a perfume-like expression of fresh green goodness.

For my money, Cooper’s Daughter is one of New York’s most underrated distilleries. It is owned and operated by Sophie (distiller/daughter) and Stuart (cooper/father), putting out a varied and uniformly excellent line of bourbons, vodka and infused spirits made entirely from New York ingredients. Stuart is in fact coopering the barrels on site in his workshop within a complex of stone barns listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

I am notably averse to any flavored spirit, so my enthusiasm here is well earned. Cooper’s Daughter ramp vodka will take you from slushy March martini evenings to sunny April bloody Mary brunches. All Cooper’s Daughter products are available from their website and at farmers’ markets across the region.

Thursgays at Ollies in High Falls will kick off a weekend celebrating Viriginia Woolf’s time traveling transgender masterpiece Orlando. Feel good grooves by Grand Format, cocktail sales benefitting Equality Kansas. ‘lando knows they need the support.

Sira Ulo is taking over Chleo in Kingston for a one night only, walk in only pop up. The menu is surprisingly not porky! (If that’s disappointing, see the Raven & Boar dinner next Monday.)

Friday - 3/27

DUTTYWINE: A natural wine and dancehall party at Unicorn Bar in Kingston. Georgian wine, food from James Beard winner Top Taste, and dancehall hosted by Shattered Wine. Is there anything Unicorn Bar can’t do??

Fantzye Supper series at Fantzye Bagels in Kingston is cohosting a spring produce prix fix.

Saturday - 3/28

Farmily Meal Brunch at Wayside Cider in Andes is seasonal and family friendly. If you can stand to be inside, check out the semi-secret upstairs game room. Do not leave your children unattended with the dart board and ruin it for the rest of us!

A Shirt Story is popping up at Ultimate Thrift Shop in Rhinebeck. Founder Sasha Iglehart rescues classic masc woven button downs and creates upcycled, OOAK pieces.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch is screening at Rosendale Theater in Rosedale courtesy of Big Gay Hudson Valley. This is my favorite movie of all time. I don’t care if it’s not supposed to be a sing along screening; it will be.

Sunday - 3/29

Wine Tasting at the Roller Rink at Skate Time in Accord to welcome two Wild Arc wines on tap! Winemaker and DJ Todd Cavallo will be spinning while you’re rolling.

The Catskill Cakery is popping up at the new Rot & Fallow space in Kingston starting at 11am.

Monday - 3/30

Organizing Against Empires From the Hudson Valley at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, a round table discussion with Demilitarize Hudson Valley, Ulster County Rapid Response, Break the Bonds New York State, and Cosmic Dog House Press.

The Hearafter in Hudson is collaborating with Four Corners on an extremely limited four course dinner with $100 of the $150 prix fix going to Raven & Boar. If you eat meat, eat local meat from a female farmer and butcher at an independent restaurant

SALLY BABY’S SILVER DOLLARS @ TEMPO LOUNGE

New Orleans Soul ✅

From a Tiny Desk Alum ✅✅

At a former cathedral-turned-concert hall in Kingston ✅✅✅

Take my [sliding scale] money 💸💸💸💸

Cheers,
Amy