The Overlook won five awards in the New York Press Association’s 2025 Better Newspaper Contest, including first place for photographic excellence. The awards were presented April 23 and 24 at the association’s spring convention in Saratoga Springs. This year’s contest drew 2,732 entries from 150 publications across 67 categories, with members of the Michigan Press […]
Overlook Staff
Posted inArts & Music
Overlook
Paris-Based Orphee Musique Brings Seven-Concert Tour to Catskills
Paris-based Orphee Musique will bring its concert tour to the Catskills Oct. 3–5, with performances in Woodstock, Elka Park, and Hunter before continuing to New York City. The seven-day tour begins Friday, Oct. 3, at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Woodstock, followed by concerts on Saturday, Oct. 4, in Elka Park and Sunday, Oct. 5, […]
Posted inArts & Music
Woodstock
Concert to Benefit Woodstock Film Festival, Symphony Orchestra
The Woodstock Film Festival and the Woodstock Symphony Orchestra will team up this Saturday, Sept. 27, for a special benefit concert at the Woodstock Playhouse. The event, “Classical Music in Classic Films,” will highlight the close connection between music and cinema, featuring themes and soundtrack selections from films including “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “The Truman […]
Posted inCommunity
Overlook
Meet The Overlook’s Interns
The Overlook has welcomed two new interns to its newsroom this summer—Mia Quick and Sophie Moos—and continues to benefit from the steady presence of Mercedes Dykes, a contributor who now supports both editorial and administrative operations. “All three have become important members of the team,” said Noah Eckstein, editor-in-chief of The Overlook. “They bring curiosity, […]
Posted inNews
Phoenicia Playhouse Receives $86,000 State Grant for Capital Improvements
The Phoenicia Playhouse has been awarded $86,000 by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to fund major upgrades to its 138-year-old theater. The money will cover the full replacement of the building’s heating and cooling system, installation of five mini-split units to provide climate control in audience and backstage areas, a new […]
Posted inThoughtful Discussions
Peter Beinart Talks Gaza, Zionism, and Jewish Identity
Political commentator and author Peter Beinart joined Rabbi Jonathan Kligler at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation on May 13 to discuss Jewish identity in a time of crisis. The event marked a local high point in the national debate over Israel’s war in Gaza and the moral responsibilities of American Jews. Beinart, whose book “Being Jewish […]
Posted inNews
Onteora High School Names 2025 Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Principal’s Award Recipient
Gavin Rice, Alexia Melendez, and Cocoro Asada honored for academic excellence and community impact.
Posted inCommunity
Dolly Parton Surprises Fans at Olive Library Fundraiser With Personal Video Message
A sold-out crowd at the Olive Free Library’s “Dolly Forever” fundraiser on April 26 received a special surprise: a personal video message from Dolly Parton herself. The country music icon thanked attendees for supporting her Imagination Library, a program that mails free books to children under five. Parton also gave a shoutout to Shandaken-based author […]
Posted inArts & Music
Woodstock
Freewheelin’ Through American Culture
April 30 event will raise funds for the Levon Helm Memorial Scholarship and feature a book talk with three authors and a live performance by former members of the Levon Helm Band.
Posted inCommunity
Olive Library Celebrates Dolly Parton
Fans of Dolly Parton won’t want to miss “Dolly Forever,” an evening of live music, Southern comfort food, and literary insights honoring the beloved icon and her Imagination Library. Hosted by local writer Martha Frankel, the event takes place Saturday, April 26, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Olive Free Library in West Shokan. […]
Posted inArts & Music, Culture
Juilliard Young Artists to Perform Free Concert in Woodstock
Violinists Tse-Chen Su and Leyu Ho to play works by Bach, Vivaldi, and more at St. Gregory’s on April 13.
Posted inCommunity, Protest
Saugerties and Woodstock Join Nationwide Anti-Trump Protests
Residents in Saugerties and Woodstock joined thousands of protesters across the U.S. on Saturday in a coordinated demonstration against President Trump, marking the largest public opposition since his second term began in January. The protests, known as the “Hands Off” rallies, expressed disapproval of Trump’s recent policy actions, including controversial tariffs, cuts to federal spending, […]
Posted inNews
Saugerties Man Arrested After Shooting Incident
A shooting led to the arrest of a local man, but social media misinformation fueled panic and confusion.
Posted inCulture
On the Street
A short, intimate profile series that aims to capture the diverse stories and experiences of everyday people through candid conversations and personal reflections.
Posted inCommunity, Event Calendar
Community Forum on Immigration Crisis to Take Place March 9 in Woodstock
A community forum addressing the evolving immigration crisis in the U.S. and its local impact will be held on Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m. at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Woodstock. Pastor Liz Estes of the Ulster Immigrant Defense Network will provide an update on the current situation in the region. Her talk, “Loving […]
Posted inNews, Politics
Barbara Mansfield Runs for Shandaken Supervisor, Citing Infrastructure and Communication as Priorities
“Grief felt like being hit by a truck,” Barbara Mansfield said. “But it transformed into action.” After losing her 16-year-old son Killian, to cancer in 2009, she channeled her energy into community-driven initiatives—helping secure grant funding for a natural playground at Glenbrook Park, creating a ukulele lending program in libraries in his honor, and running […]
Posted inArts & Music, Culture
Theater Festival in Hunter Brings Romance and Mystery
The Maude Adams Theater Hub (MATH) is staging its annual “V Season” festival at the Doctorow Center for the Arts in Hunter, featuring three plays over five days.
Posted inCommunity
Overlook
Purple Mountain Press Gets a New Chapter
Purple Mountain Press, the Catskills-based publisher of regional history books, has new owners.