Woodstock
Posted inNews
Woodstock
When a Tree Falls in Woodstock, Everyone’s Got an Opinion
The removal of a 125-year-old silver maple in front of the Old Forge building on Tinker Street has renewed debate about Town Supervisor Bill McKenna’s singular leadership style, Woodstock laws, and how to balance public safety with preservation. J&J Tree Works of Saugerties cut down the tree on Thursday after Highway Superintendent Donald Allen determined […]
Posted inCulture
Woodstock
At Shivastan Poetry Ashram, Woodstock’s Hippie Spirit Lives On
Shiv Mirabito hasn’t cut his hair since 1985. He usually wears his dreadlocks tied in a bun, but to illustrate the point, he stands up inside his home, Woodstock Shivastan Poetry Ashram, and unravels them to the ground. “I have the longest hair in Woodstock,” he said. For Mirabito, 58, the hair is more than […]
Posted inNews
Woodstock
Shrestha Touts CenHud Takeover Plan at Woodstock Town Hall Meeting
Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha brought her six-town tour to push a Central Hudson takeover to Woodstock on Saturday, five days after the utility won rate increases and guaranteed executive bonuses that sparked immediate pushback from frustrated customers and politicians. Shrestha is trying to gain traction for a bill that she introduced with state Senator Michelle Hinchey […]
Posted inNews Analysis
Woodstock
Union Rules at Center of Woodstock Standoff Over Rehiring of Sex Offender
For all the outrage that accompanied Woodstock Town Supervisor Bill McKenna’s success in rehiring a convicted sex offender, the dispute at this stage comes down to a simple question: Is Michael Innello’s employment protected by his union? Residents already seething over McKenna’s decision to hire Innello without informing the town board or Woodstock police got […]
Posted inCommunity
Woodstock
Woodstock’s ‘Day of Gratitude’ Returns Aug. 16 to Honor Volunteers
Woodstock’s “A Day of Gratitude,” the town’s annual celebration honoring current and retired volunteers, will return for its 21st year on Aug. 16 at the Mescal Hornbeck Community Center. Organizers say Woodstock remains the only town in the United States with a dedicated Volunteers Day. The event began in 2004 as an anniversary celebration for […]
Posted inNews
Woodstock
Woodstock’s McKenna Moves to Reinstate Sex Offender on Town Payroll
Woodstock Town Supervisor Bill McKenna filed paperwork to reinstate maintenance worker Michael Innello, the Level 3 sex offender whose hiring sparked weeks of pushback by town board members and calls by residents for the supervisor’s resignation. McKenna, asserting that Innello had been wrongfully terminated, sent reinstatement paperwork to Ulster County’s personnel department last week. After […]
Posted inNews Analysis
Woodstock
Woodstock Supervisor McKenna Ending Final Term With Legacy Marked by Sex Offender Controversy
Bill McKenna’s eight-year tenure as Woodstock’s top elected official is ending much as it began, amid disputes about how the job should be done and how he’s carried them out. His fifth and final term will be remembered less for his years of municipal stewardship than for hiring Michael Innello, a Level 3 sex offender […]
Posted inPoetry
Woodstock
Woodstock Poetry Retreat Fosters Collaboration and Connection
It was a new idea for a poetry workshop. In 2003, poet and publisher Judith Kerman, then living in Saginaw, Michigan, conceived of a series of poetry working groups without a designated leader. While workshops led by accomplished poets were a well-established format, Kerman’s idea was different: small groups of what she called “mid-career poets” […]
Posted inBreaking News
Woodstock
Woodstock Fires Michael Innello, Level 3 Sex Offender at Center of Governance Crisis
Editor’s note: This story was updated on Aug. 6 at 7:20 p.m, and originally published on Aug. 6 at 5:10 p.m. Woodstock fired Michael Innello, the sex offender whose employment as a maintenance worker sparked weeks of public outcry and a governance crisis, an Ulster County official said. “The Town of Woodstock terminated Michael Innello’s […]
Posted inNews
Woodstock
Hiring of Sex Offender Sparks Governance Crisis in Woodstock
Tensions escalated between Woodstock Supervisor Bill McKenna and the town board during a special meeting Thursday morning, intensifying a crisis that has disrupted municipal services, jeopardized summer programming, and shaken public confidence. What began as a personnel controversy has grown into a broader governance breakdown—raising questions about transparency, fiscal management, and community safety. At the […]
Posted inObituaries
Woodstock
Laurent Rejtö, Film Advocate and Devoted Community Builder, Dies at 63
Laurent Rejtö, who spent more than two decades building the Hudson Valley into a thriving hub for film and television production, died on July 27 at his home in Woodstock, NY from pancreatic cancer. He was 63. Laurent will be remembered for his creative spirit, generosity, and fierce passion for the people and places he […]
Posted inNews
Woodstock
Woodstock Board Votes to Terminate Town Employee Amid Uproar Over Sex Offense Conviction
The Woodstock Town Board voted 3-0 on Tuesday to fire a convicted sex offender hired earlier this year as a maintenance worker—capping weeks of turmoil that prompted a petition drive and calls for the resignation of Supervisor Bill McKenna. Board members Bennet Ratcliff and Maria-Elena Conte seconded the motion introduced by their colleague, Anula Courtis, […]
Posted inBooks
Woodstock
Woodstock Library Fair Marks 94th Year With Parade, Music, and Community Spirit
The 94th annual Woodstock Library Fair returns this Saturday, July 26, from 10 am to 5 pm, bringing music, food, children’s activities, and a vibrant sense of community back to the “Forever Green” Library Lawn at the Woodstock Public Library. More than just a fundraiser, the fair has become a cultural institution—rooted in local history […]
Posted inCulture
Woodstock
A New Wine Class in Woodstock Turns Tasting Into a Form of Attention
When people start drinking wine, it’s as if ennui lifts, just slightly, like the cork on a bottle of prosecco. As glasses are poured, stories that get at the heart of humanity begin to bubble up: stories of love, loss, the things we regret, and the things we’re still chasing. That’s what happened on Wednesday […]
Posted inNews
Woodstock
Woodstock Library Eyes $250K Bond as Costs Rise on New Building
At a Woodstock Public Library District board meeting on Thursday evening, trustees said they will ask voters this October to approve a $250,000 bond to cover a funding shortfall on the district’s new library at 10 Dixon Avenue. Town Supervisor Bill McKenna appeared early in the meeting to express conditional support for the plan. “The […]
Posted inArt
Woodstock
Woodstock Arts Institutions Launch Upstate Art Weekend With United Front
The Woodstock Artists Association & Museum (WAAM) held a kickoff event on Thursday to launch Upstate Art Weekend, a regional celebration of the arts, and a boost to the creative economy that runs through Monday across the Hudson Valley and Catskills. In Woodstock, the event underscored a growing partnership among local institutions, with official Upstate […]
Posted inNews
Woodstock
McKenna Stays Quiet as Woodstock Board Seeks Answers on Sex Offender Hire
One week after it was revealed that a man hired by the town is a registered Level 3 sex offender, Woodstock Supervisor Bill McKenna has neither responded to requests from the Town Board for hiring records nor convened a special meeting to address the issue. “Several members of the Town Board have asked the supervisor […]
Posted inCommunity
Woodstock
Candlelight Vigil in Woodstock Honors John Lewis’s Legacy
Residents gathered on the Village Green Thursday evening for a candlelight vigil honoring the late Georgia Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, five years to the day after his death from pancreatic cancer at age 80. The event, organized by Third Act Creatives, took place at 8:30 p.m. and featured remarks from local faith […]
Posted inPhoto Essays
Woodstock
Summer in Woodstock
The Overlook publishes photography from our region, capturing moments of people and nature as they occur.
Posted inNews
Woodstock
Woodstock Board Members Say They Weren’t Told New Hire Was a Level 3 Sex Offender
During public comment at Tuesday’s Town Board meeting, Michael Veitch, chair of Woodstock’s tree committee and a survivor of child sexual abuse, stood and read a prepared statement. “I’m requesting that the Town Board act tonight to inform any parent whose child may be using town facilities or programs that they may come in contact […]
Posted inArt
Woodstock
The Women of the Woodstock Art Colony
The Historical Society of Woodstock will open its 2025 season with an exhibition celebrating the women who helped define one of the nation’s oldest artist colonies. “Making Her Mark: 50 Women Artists of the Historic Woodstock Art Colony” opens Saturday, July 12, at 20 Comeau Drive, with a public reception at 3 p.m. Curated by […]
Posted inNews
Woodstock
Who Owns the Village Green? A New Sign Tells the Story
A new historical display now stands at the edge of Woodstock’s Village Green, quietly correcting a common misconception: the land is not entirely public. Most of it is owned by Woodstock Reformed Church, whose congregation has shared the green with the town for over two centuries. Installed to mark the 20th anniversary of a formal […]
Posted inCommunity
Woodstock
From Onteora to the White House: Ben Johansen’s Fast Track in Political Reporting
Imagine having a ringside seat these past six months to observe the frenzied pace of the Trump White House—from the Department of Government Efficiency’s offensive in dismantling federal operations to the June 21 decision by President Trump to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites. Ben Johansen, a 23-year-old Woodstock native, has been in the thick of […]
Posted inArts & Music
Woodstock
The Conductor of Funk Lives in Woodstock
“What is funk?” Michael “Clip” Payne leaned back in a chair at Bread Alone in Woodstock—where he’s a near-daily fixture—eyes flashing beneath his cap. He grinned a wide smile. “It’s not even necessarily the music itself,” he said. “It’s the audacity.” He should know. Payne has spent nearly five decades immersed in funk’s wild current—first […]
Posted inCommunity
Woodstock
Juneteenth Marked in Woodstock With Food, Art—and a Call to Action
Woodstock celebrated Juneteenth, the day three years after the Emancipation Proclamation that America’s last enslaved people learned they were free, with poetry, music and, great food. “Writing is a release for everything that we are absorbing in this time,” said poet Khe Charles, a speaker at the Village Green event, which included a miniature concert. […]
Posted inNews
Woodstock
Woodstock Library Hopes `Generous’ Donors Will Plug Funding Gap for New Site
The new 12,000-square-foot Woodstock library, triple the size of its longtime Library Lane home, is counting on donations to plug a $295,000 shortfall caused by federal budget cuts that it needs to complete a project more than three years in the making. “We will get that money,” said Marcia Pattern, secretary of the library’s board […]
Posted inCulture
Woodstock
Woodstock Pride Celebrates Visibility and Belonging
The flowing fabrics of dancers dressed as butterflies, drag queens, and local businesses, along with bands playing “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan, filled the streets on Sunday, June 8, for Woodstock’s Pride Parade—a festive march from Comeau Drive to Colony. “It’s not common in Pride parties that there’s so many families. That is very […]
Posted inNews
Woodstock
Contentious Woodstock Noise Ordinance Goes Quiet
Woodstock scrapped a contentious proposal that would have limited some outdoor musical performances because they’re too noisy, ending a debate that carved deep divisions in a community known for its vibrant artistic culture. The ordinance, which had been set for a discussion and possible vote at Tuesday’s town board meeting, was removed from the agenda […]
Posted inPolitics
Woodstock
Anula Courtis Runs for Woodstock Town Supervisor
“Transparency and collaboration are the essential ingredients,” said Anula Courtis, a Woodstock Town Board member running for supervisor. After more than a decade of civic engagement—including helping to establish the town’s first Human Rights Commission and organizing multiple women’s marches—Courtis said she’s ready to take on Woodstock’s biggest challenges from the top seat. A longtime […]
Posted inNews
Woodstock
Maverick Concerts Loses Federal Grant, Moves Forward With Community-Focused Season
Maverick Concerts, host to the nation’s longest-running summer chamber music festival, is seeking local donors and staging a free open house this weekend after losing a key grant from the National Endowment for Arts for the first time in 15 years. The NEA rescinded its $35,000 grant last month, shortly after the Trump Administration released […]
Posted inCommunity
Woodstock
Judy Whitfield Remembrance Next Week at Colony
Woodstock will honor the life and legacy of singer-songwriter Judy Whitfield with a celebration at the Colony Cafe on Wednesday, June 11, featuring live music and storytelling to remember a woman who shaped the town’s creative spirit for more than three decades. “Judy was the central connector to so many different people in the Woodstock […]
Posted inNews
Judge Rejects Woodstock’s Effort to Dismiss Lawsuit by Officer Accused of Misconduct
A state judge rejected efforts by Woodstock to dismiss a lawsuit by police officer Philip Sinagra, telling local officials they must explain in court whether the town violated a 60-day deadline to lodge disciplinary charges against him. The ruling, issued by Ulster County Supreme Court Justice David Gandin on May 22, found that Sinagra raised […]
Posted inNews
Wittenberg Road Closed Through June 10 for Culvert Work
UPDATE: A section of Wittenberg Road, about 0.2 miles west of its intersection with Route 212, has been closed since April 29 for a major culvert replacement. A culvert is a constructed channel, often a pipe or tunnel, designed to direct water beneath roads, railways, or embankments. Ulster County DPW Bridge Engineer Andrew Emrich said […]
Posted inArt
A Moment in Woodstock
The door was propped open. A small dog with an exaggerated overbite greeted me with a hesitant sniff last Friday at Tengu Yama Studio on Rock City Road. I stepped into a room filled with hand-painted Japanese-style tattoo sketches, soft chatter, and the steady hum of a tattoo machine. Jay Rios, sleeves rolled and focused, […]
Posted inCulture
Sue Zann Debuts Retrospective Exhibition at Small Talk
On Friday, May 23, from 4 to 9 p.m., local artist Sue Zann will hold an opening reception for her show “Anything Goes—A Retrospective” at Small Talk, an intimate cocktail bar located at 1 Tinker Street. The exhibition takes place in a small pop-up gallery above the bar, a space provided by Small Talk owner […]
Posted inPhoto Essays
Spring in Woodstock
The Overlook publishes photography from our region, capturing moments of people and nature as they occur.
Posted inArt
New Exhibit at WAAM Captures the Beauty of Uncertainty
The Woodstock Artists Association & Museum (WAAM) held an opening reception on May 9 for its new exhibit, “FOCUS: In Flux,” a juried show curated by Kathy Greenwood. The event drew a couple of hundred visitors who flowed in and out throughout the evening. The exhibit will remain on view through June 22 in the […]
Posted inColumns
Woodstock
An American Pope and the ‘Maverick’ Novel That Saw Him Coming
With the surprise election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the first-ever American pope, the United States is witnessing what was long considered a historical impossibility. The ascension of an American bishop—so trusted by his predecessor, Pope Francis, as to leap over a host of more likely candidates—has stirred global fascination and sent viewership soaring […]
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 inBreaking News
Woodstock
Oil Truck Crash Prompts Emergency Spill Response Near Sawkill Creek
Officials say swift action limited the environmental impact from a fuel truck spill.
Posted inNews
Woodstock
Former Grossman Estate Listed for $4.99M
The Woodstock property, once home to Albert and Sally Grossman, was the setting for Dylan’s “Bringing It All Back Home” cover and decades of musical history.
Posted inCommunity
Woodstock
In Conversation With Peter Beinart
Ahead of his May 13 appearance at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation, the author of “Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza” reflects on Jewish identity and the moral questions raised by the war in Gaza.
Posted inCulture
Woodstock
Unbroken Chain: Grahame Lesh Helps Bring the Dead Ahead
At Bearsville Theater, the guitarist led the Terrapin Family Band through a night of memory, improvisation, and tribute—honoring the Grateful Dead’s legacy while charting his own path forward.
Posted inArt, Culture
Celebrating 100 years of Artist Sam Spanier
A month of events honors the life, art, and legacy of Sam Spanier, co-founder of Matagiri and friend to artists from Baldwin to Giacome.
Posted inArt, Culture
The Many Lives of Cris Gamet
A painter and farrier balances solitude and strength, wielding brush and hammer to shape a life on her own terms.
Posted inBreaking News
Woodstock
Stolen on Paper
A pink ribbon marked the beginning of a shocking discovery: forged documents, fake passports, and the unauthorized sale of a family’s dream property—part of a growing wave of real estate fraud targeting vacant land.
Posted inNews
Woodstock
The Woodstockers Who Speak for the Trees
In the lead-up to Arbor Day, Woodstock’s tree committee blends artistry and activism to defend the town’s trees.
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 inPolitics
Woodstock
Erin Moran Runs for Woodstock Town Supervisor
Erin Moran, a Woodstock native, is seeking election as town supervisor, vowing to bring financial discipline, environmental stewardship and improved transparency to town government. “Whether you grew up here or moved here, we all are in Woodstock for a reason,” Moran said. “As supervisor, I look forward to coming together and making positive changes.” A […]
Posted inUncategorized
Woodstock Celebrates First Cannabis Dispensary
HERbal Woodstock brings sustainability, local partnerships, and community wellness to historic Tinker Street.
Posted inCulture
Woodstock
A Tibetan Pho Shop Expands with Vietnamese Roots
Just steps from Bearsville Theater, flavorful Tibetan momos, Vietnamese pho, and comforting teas bring the flavors of Buddhism to Woodstock.
Posted inAffordable Housing, Community
A Housing Crisis Has Woodstockers Getting Creative
With housing costs soaring, Woodstock residents embrace innovative solutions—from roommates and bartering to community-driven initiatives.
Posted inCulture
Woodstock
Spring in Woodstock
The Overlook publishes photography from our region, capturing moments of people and nature as they occur.
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 inNews
Rise in Chemicals Prompts Water Worries
Woodstock residents raise health concerns as PFOS levels climb in town water.
Posted inArt, Culture
Finding Stillness Through Figure Drawing
In a quiet studio at the Woodstock School of Art, artists confront the challenge of capturing the human form—and discover a sense of community and calm.
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 inBooks, Culture
Author Adam Snyder to Discuss “Kingston 76” at Book Event
An event will take place Sunday, April 13, at 12:30 p.m. at Mountain View Studio, featuring a conversation between author and musician Adam Snyder and journalist Peter Aaron. Snyder’s debut novel “Kingston 76” is set in working-class Kingston, New York, in 1976. While 12-year-old Timothy Miller’s mother and her new partner host a women’s support […]
Posted inArts & Music, Culture
A Celebration of Sound and Freedom
The Creative Improvisers Orchestra gathers in Kingston to honor the late Karl Berger at 90.
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 inCulture
Woodstock
Mina Kim Expands the Vision of the Woodstock Symphony
Talking with Mina Kim, music director of the Woodstock Symphony Orchestra, I had one question in mind. How had she led the orchestra to such precision and clarity in the finale of Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony earlier this season? I was hoping for a glimpse into a conductor’s secret technique, but her answer was more straightforward. […]
Posted inCulture, Photo Essays
Goodbye Winter. Hello Spring.
Each week, The Overlook publishes photography from our region, capturing moments of people and nature as they occur. Send photos and inquires to info@theoverlooknews.com.
Posted inNews
Woodstock Tree Committee Chair Stays Another Year to Focus on DOT Sidewalk, Bridge Project
State transportation officials say $25M project to start in 2027.
Posted inUncategorized
Woodstock Land Conservancy Secures Funding for Major Mt. Tobias Acquisition
The Woodstock Land Conservancy (WLC) has raised $310,000 from over 40 donors to purchase and permanently protect 65 acres of unfragmented forest near the summit of Mount Tobias. The property, ranked in the top 1% of the Forest Condition Index, provides critical wildlife habitat and carbon sequestration. WLC plans to complete the acquisition in May […]
Posted inBooks, Culture
Martha Frankel Is Hosting a Dinner Party of Sorts for Books—And She Wants You to Come
Once told she’d never be a writer, Martha Frankel turned rejection into reinvention. From celebrity profiles to poker addiction to the beloved Woodstock Bookfest, her story is one of second acts, community, and above all, books.
Posted inBooks, Culture
The Body Is a Doorway: Sophie Strand’s Radical Reframing of Illness
In her new memoir, the Woodstock writer challenges conventional narratives about healing and finds wisdom in sharing ideas.
Posted inCulture, Essays & Profiles
The Observer’s Notebook: Michael Schulman on the Oscars
New Woodstock homeowner and New Yorker staff writer Michael Schulman heads to the Oscars on March 2, chronicling Hollywood’s biggest night with a reporter’s eye.
Posted inCulture, Essays & Profiles
On Living and Dying
Jim Hanson, longtime Woodstock fire police captain, reflects on a life of gratitude, service, and not taking things too seriously.
Posted inBooks, Culture
Lisa Phillips on Teen Love, Heartbreak, and the Conversations Parents Should Have
The author and SUNY New Paltz professor discusses her new book “First Love,” which guides parents and teens through relationships, breakups, and communication.
Posted inDevelopment, News
Woodstock Planning Board Takes Next Step in Zena Homes Review
The Woodstock Planning Board is moving forward with its review of the Zena Homes project, agreeing Thursday to hire independent environmental and traffic consultants to assess its potential impact. Developers seek to reconfigure lot lines, reduce the number of parcels from three to two, and expand Eastwoods Drive—the only current access road, which runs through […]
Posted inCommunity, Public Safety
Fear on the Preserve
After suffering a serious injury from an off-leash dog, a Woodstock resident pushes for stronger enforcement at Thorn Preserve.
Posted inArts & Music, Culture
Juilliard Young Artists to Take the Stage in Woodstock
A two-decade partnership between St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church and The Juilliard School brings world-class young musicians to an intimate Woodstock stage.
Posted inCommunity
Breaking Bread and Building Community
A community potluck in Woodstock invites neighbors to break bread and engage in meaningful conversations, fostering connection across differences.
Posted inNews
Woodstock
Road to Nowhere? Debate Deepens Over Zena Homes’ Future
Developers say the project will help address a housing shortage, while some residents fear it will disrupt their rural way of life, strain local infrastructure, and encroach on environmentally sensitive land. As the debate continues, the Woodstock Planning Board is set to review on February 20.
Posted inArts & Music, Community, Culture
The Genetic Methodist: Garth Hudson (1937-2025)
Bittersweet, it is. It almost seems a little too poetically fitting that this local writer’s first piece for the first issue of a new Woodstock-based publication, would be a remembrance of Garth Hudson, the last living member of the town’s most famous musical ensemble and one of its most beloved community figures. But here we […]
Posted inNews, Politics
Journalist David Wallis Runs for Woodstock Town Supervisor, Pledges Transparency and Reform
David Wallis, a journalist and advocate for press freedom, is running for Woodstock Town Supervisor on a platform of transparency, affordable housing, and environmental action. At a Woodstock Democratic Committee meeting Wednesday, Wallis participated in what he described as a “vigorous debate” with party leaders. In a notable decision, the committee announced it would not […]
Posted inArts & Music, Culture
The Room Peter Shapiro Couldn’t Leave Behind
A legendary venue, a visionary promoter, and a long-awaited revival—now with a state-of-the-art recording setup linking Bearsville Theater to Utopia Studios, fulfilling a decades-old vision.