I moved here last February. I’m 72 and don’t own a car. Phoenicia is
pretty quiet, except for tourists on the weekends. I have many
neighbors who have lived in the area a long time, or their whole
lives. It is true that Phoenicia is not in its heyday, but I love the
Playhouse, and the Library. And the food pantry, and thrift store at
the local church! Where else can you live in a hamlet of several
hundred people where you can walk to see a play for $25, or
interesting local documentaries? I doubt many people lock their
doors. The scenery is heavenly. I live near a pond with Snapping
turtles. I see bears, coyotes, deer, and interesting birds.
It has a 70s vibe to it. But sure, it could be better. Too many
empty storefronts, and the local hotel burned down. Although I have
always voted in national and state elections, never interested in
local politics. When you are one of a few hundred or thousand voters,
your vote really counts. Plus, 3-4 hours to THE CITY (yes, the one
they named twice!) on a bus that stops in Phoenicia.
– Joel Goldstick
Thank you for this very realistic comprehensive unbiased review. Living here for 30 years I have observed all that you mentioned. I would have liked you mentioning a few businesses like the Home store and Nest Egg that have weathered all the obstacles past and present. Again thank you and remain well,
Allan Hirsch
I moved up to this area in 1974 when I was 10 year old. It was always a town always on the edge of making it or breaking it. It’s an area that has been for all these years since then “barely hanging on.’
It’s heartbreaking. One reason is the Catskill Watershed, which is understandable but still the main obstacle to real continuous sustainability.
James Fitzgerald
Your Feb 6th piece “A Death by a Thousand Cuts” poked the Phoenicia Bear—a creature of great beauty and strength. The Overlook News threw out red meat, and was likely rewarded with new subscribers—many of whom might buy that Phoenicia is a dying town. DEAR READERS: don’t bet on that! The existential threats that Phoenicia faces are mirrored by rural towns throughout our nation. Phoenicia, however, has more assets than challenges, not the least of which are its residents. Phoenicia is filled with quirky scrappers—as is the rest of Shandaken. Our unique community is filled with creative, caring, generous, and engaged neighbors who have pulled this town through worse than a couple of empty store fronts. Phoenicia is far more interesting than clickbait. Few towns are as walkable to so many things—from our library, restaurants, shops, playhouse, post office and grocery store to trails, swimming, fishing, and free mini golf. Phoenicia is modeling innovative volunteer solutions, flood mitigation planning, public art, native plant gardens, and a true community-supported farm market situated in the palm of god. Bet on the scrappers.
Babs Mansfield
Phoenicia Resident and Town of Shandaken Supervisor
Sadly, your Phoenicia article has left a terrible misimpression of the town, and the salacious title is undeserved, and thanks to the internet will be the defining impression for anyone who may be planning a visit to the town. The title further seems more appropriate for a NY Post than for a community newspaper, and I say this as the former owner with my now ex-husband, Brian Powers, of The Phoenicia Times. And while Jim uncovered certain angles about the town, some of the background information was wanting, and I’m afraid missed a number of explanations and the complexities of some of the points he wrote about. Where were the conversations with long-time store owners, Robin Kirk, Dave Pillard, Tami and Shah, and new-owner, Ed Ullman’s Wellness Rx, who I believe would have a different version of Main Street? And where was the conversation about the multi-million $ improvements that NYS DEP made to the Stony Clove stream after Hurricane Irene, that served to improve the floodplain above town mitigating the flow leading into the Esopus? I am uncertain of the 2016 report that the Town is using, but I hope it is based on information after these improvements were made.
It may be that the town, with Barb and Robert’s leadership has a bit of work to do, but there needs to be a wider circle of information drawn upon for the town to move forward and build on the very good reputation Phoenicia has enjoyed for a number of years, now unfortunately, greatly harmed by this article.
Sincerely,
Maxanne Resnick (former 21 year resident)
Woodstock, NY