文  WEN BARN & GARDENS

WHERE STUDIES OF THE HEART, ARTS, & EARTH CONVERGE 
a partnership of CENTER TO PAGE and EARTHBOUND APOTHECARY
 

HOME     Calendar/Classes     About Us     Events     Directions/Contact     Our Story & What is WEN     WEN Ways    WEN Weekends & The Rondout Valley

 

WEN (Chinese) - nature, natural patterns, perception of aesthetic patterns, constellations, animal tracks, weather patterns, poetry
 
WEN Weekends & The Rondout Valley
Make it a WEN Weekend:

FRIDAYS: 9:30-10:45 am (Adv. Yoga)  4-6 pm (Yoga as Muse Lab) 

SATURDAYS: 9:30-11:30 am (Yoga Inside-Out)  some Sat. afternoon workshops 

SUNDAYS: 9:30-10:45 am (Mixed) 11 - 12:15 pm (Basics)

 
We are lovers. We love our lot. We love our road. We love our neighborhood. We love the Town of Rochester. We love the Rondout Valley.

The Town of Rochester includes the hamlets of Accord, Kerhonkson, Kripplebush, Alligerville, and more. Established in 1703, Rochester is among the state's oldest farming settlements. Today, some farming families struggle to survive, but with wit and innovation many of them continue, and some young couples have moved in to give a go at this nation's oldest and most respectable occupation.

The Rondout Valley stretches between the eastern and southern Catskill Mountains and the western side of the Shawangunk Ridge. Winding through the valley is Route 209 that reaches from Pennsylvania to New York State's first capital city, Kingston; it is perhaps the nation's oldest existent trade route used by the Iroquois and other tribes. Along 209, numerous shops, restaurants, B & Bs, and businesses keep the route a vital place for trade.

Carpenters, electricians, artists, artisans, writers, farmers, restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, clothiers, gardeners, herbalists, orchardists, and more people in this area and make it vital.

Below, we include information and links to the businesses both along and near 209.

 B & Bs and Camping

The Arbor B & B - We like the proprietor of this newly renovated 1890's farmhouse located in the center of historic High Falls. Crisp, clean and airy rooms. Serving a healthy, scrumptious breakfast. Step out the door and walk to the terrific local restaurants. Families and small, well behaved pets are welcome. Jeff stayed here the night before his wedding. 687-9888. Near the hamlet of High Falls - 12-15 minutes from WEN. www.arborbb.com

Country and Farm Bed and Breakfast is located just outside the hamlet of Accord - and minutes from WEN. At the base of Mohonk Mountain, their 20-acre horse farm provides walking and riding trails as well as a seasonal swimming hole in the summer and cross-country skiing trails in the winter. Beth and Tim welcome animals and their owners to enjoy their own newly renovated one-bedroom apartment or their very cool multi-room yurt. 71 Stonykill Rd Accord NY 12404. 845-626-4596. 10 minutes from WEN.

Rondout Valley Resort Camping - Shane Ricks operates this collection of camping sites that includes numerous cabins, some of which are secluded and near trout streams. Tent and rental units. Priority given to members. Even better, though, the Ricks have an ongoing series of social events to bring people out and together: http://www.rondoutvalley.com/5_calendar.html. 4 minutes from WEN.

Pine Grove Guest Ranch - David O'Halloran cooks up a dude ranch experience for the whole family. 1.800.346.4626 30 Cherrytown Road Kerhonkson, NY 12446  http://www.rondoutvalley.com 15 minutes from WEN.

A slew of other B & Bs - all very fine - are sprinkled throughout Stone Ridge and High Falls and Ellenville.
 

Restaurants & Eateries

Family & Friends / Hillside Diner - Don't let the exterior or the name fool you. Although cozy, this white tablecloth restaurant is no run-of-the-mill diner. It offers some of the finest food in the area. A couple of delicious vegetarian options. Continental menu. The owner circulates the tables. The staff is excellent. 4802 US Highway Route 209 Accord, NY 12404. Minutes from WEN.

Saunderskill Farm - This farm, which boasts 800 acres of produce and flowers, has been continuously farmed since 1680. Their market and bakery include delicious pre-packaged meals, both vegetarian and meat, fresh jams, and the best decadent triple-chocolate cookies around (Take Jeff's word for it.). 5100 Route 209 Accord, NY 12404 (845) 626-2676 April 7 - December 24. Open Daily 8:00 AM -- 6:00 PM, Closed Mondays. http://www.saunderskill.com/index.shtml. Minutes from WEN.

Jack and Luna's Cafe - We love this clean cafe. They have the best brownies around (Believe Jeff - he knows.). On warm days, sit outdoors, or stay inside and do some wireless work. Located at the crossroads of Stone Ridge and High Falls, Jack and Luna's offers fresh baked treats, featuring cupcakes, pastries, cakes, coffee and espresso. Soups, sandwiches, pasta, and salads. One of the owners plays jazz on some Fridays and invites jazz musicians from all around to come play. "Best Cup of Coffee in the Hudson Valley." - Hudson Valley Magazine. Open Monday - Friday 7-4, Saturday and Sunday 8-4; closed Tuesdays. 3928 Main Street, Stone Ridge, NY 12484. 845-687-9794  www.jackandlunas.com 15 minutes from WEN.

Star Grocery - This non-descript store offers mostly convenience items. But the owner does make a delicious three-cheese sub. And it's a three-minute drive from WEN on Mettacahonts Road.

The Northern Spy – This place is another favorite. George, the owner, is a good guy. He hires the right chef and the right staff and mostly stays out of their way. And he keeps a bountiful garden of fresh herbs, tomatoes, and veggies. Nestled among waterfalls and orchards in High Falls. Serving fresh, whole foods using creative recipes. They feature aged Black Angus steak, fresh fish, and Free-Range Tofu Wings, along with pastas, vegetarian dishes, and chicken dishes.Screened in porch, weather permitting. Tues., Weds., Thurs. 5-10 pm; Fri and Sat., 5-11 pm, Closed Sun and Mon. Phone: 687-7298 Fax: 687-7298 Website: www.northernspycafe.com
 

The Aroma Thyme Bistro - Marcus and Jamie Guiliano, natives of Ellenville, trusted their hometown to blossom when they opened this elegant, cozy restaurant that boasts too many favorite vegan and vegetarian dishes to list. Housed in a clapboard colonial & two doors down from Shadowland Theatre, this place always feels like a big family home. 165 Canal St., Ellenville.  (845) 647-3000. www.aromathyme.biz. Open Tuesday (lobster special night) and Wednesday, 5-11pm.
Thursday-Saturday, 5pm-midnight, Sunday from 4-10pm. A good 20-minute drive south down 209 from WEN but worth it.

Chefs on Fire Bistro Cafe - Located in the stone cellar of the Depuy Canal House, this quirky place offers the best brick-oven pizza (the brocolli rabe is our favorite) around. Also delicious soups and pastas. Wednesday 4pm - 10pm. Thursday & Friday lunch/dinner 11:00am - 10:00pm. Join us for breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays in the Depuy Canal House dining rooms from 9:00am - 10:00pm. www.depuycanalhouse.net/cofmenu.html

There are a number of delis and pizzerias along 209, too. Try them out, and give us a review.

Farms, Orchards, & Farmers Markets

Farms, orchards, and farmers markets are the breadbasket of this valley. Here are some favorites. Send us information regarding other farms.

The Rondout Valley Growers Association  - This group's website introduces you to the abundance of the RV and to some local events. http://www.rondoutvalleygrowers.org/

Kingston's Old Town Stockade Farmers Market  - Okay, it is just outside of the Rondout Valley, but this farmers market is the best around. Located on historic Wall Street in downtown Kingston, this smooth-running market includes fresh produce, meat, honey, dairy, flowers, soaps, and - yes - Hillary's line of Earthbound teas, herbs, creams, salves, shampoos, insect repellant, and more. "Wall Street (between North Front Street and John Street), Kingston, NY 12401 Map it. Phone: 845-338-4629 Located minutes from NYS Thruway Exit 19. 30 vendors offering the Best of the Valley, a widely diverse array of food products grown or prepared locally. From certified organic to traditionally grown, the fruits and vegetables are brought fresh from local fields. Fresh-cut and potted herbs, flowers and plants, cheeses, artisan breads, smoked and fresh meats and poultry, honey and maple syrup, jams, mustards and sauces. A selection of wonderful freshly prepared foods. Saturdays, end of May - October, 9 AM to 2PM, rain or shine." - ulstertourism.info

Saunderksill Farm - This farm, which boasts 800 acres of produce and flowers, has been continuously farmed since 1680. In June, pick-your-own strawberries season begins. 5100 Route 209 Accord, NY 12404 (845) 626-2676 April 7 - December 24. Open Daily 8:00 AM -- 6:00 PM, Closed Mondays. http://www.saunderskill.com/index.shtml. Minutes from WEN.

Kelder Farm - In operation since 1836, you've got to admire our neighbors for sheer audacious ingenuity. Chris Kelder has included a mini-golf course - Gnome on the Grange - and has entered his farm into the Ginness Book of World Records for sporting the world's tallest garden gnome. (Somehow Chris's gumption reminds me of my Texan brethren.) With pick-your-own seasons, flowers, and full-day events and activities for the family, this farm offers everyone a treat. (And Chris's brother Wayne keeps our roads clean and clear as Rochester's Highway Superintendent.) 5575 Route 209, Kerhonkson, NY 12446 Map it. Phone: 845 626-7137 Website: www.kelderfarm.com  U-Pick Fruits and Vegetables. Farm market, greenhouse, petting zoo, field trips, school tours, corn maze. Open daily, mid-April-December, 10:00AM-6:00PM. Handicapped Accessible. 10-12 minutes south of WEN.

Stone Ridge Orchard - "Food so fresh it deserves to be slapped." Managed by Mike Biltonen - an all-around good guy and good writer (and, we hope, good restaurateur, soon) - this orchard is the best around. It's been through 200 years of changes. Check 'em and support their market. We want them to stay around. From the intersection of 209 and 213 (near Jack and Luna's), travel down 213 on your way to High Falls. 3120 Route 213, Stone Ridge, NY 12484 Map it. Phone: 845 687-4379 or 845 687-2587 Email: info@stoneridgeorchard.com Website: http://www.stoneridgeorchard.com  New Gourmet Farm Market & Smootie Bar!! U-Pick apples & pumpkins. Fresh cider and hayrides.  Handicapped accessible. 15 minutes from WEN.

Barthel's Farm Market - "8057 Route 209, Ellenville, NY 12428 Map it. Phone: 845 647-6941 Bedding plants, shrubs, hanging baskets, garden supplies, Christmas trees and wreaths. All varieties of vegetables. April-December, 8:00AM-6:00PM." - from ulstertourism.info

 

Art Galleries and Antiques

Hudson Valley Pottery Trail - Begin with Brinton Baker's Stone Window Gallery in the hamlet of Accord, and carry on to High Falls. More info.

Be Gallery - Located in a charming house near High Falls hamlet at 11 Mohonk Rd. 845.687.0660 BE@BEGALLERY.COM FRIDAY - MONDAY
11 AM - 6 PM.

The Pearl Arts Gallery "is located in the historic Village of Stone Ridge, New York, situated in beautiful Ulster County on the Western side of the mid Hudson River Valley. The Gallery specializes in 20th Century and Contemporary Modern Art. It also features Primitive Arts of the Native Americans, Africans and of Papua New Guinea. Ulster County is gifted with a diverse repertoire of two and three-dimensional artists." - from Pearl website. The Pearl also hosts artists salons in NYC. 3572 Main Street Stone Ridge, NY 12484 845-687-0888 mail@pearlartsgallery.com  map and directions

Rose Hill Antiques  Reasonably priced mix of furniture and paintings. Not high-end. 5066 US Highway 209  Accord, NY 12404 (845) 626-7155. Minutes from WEN.

Old Brick House Antiques LLC Owned by John Dogar Marinesco and Manuela Mihuelesca, this renovated barn boasts quilts, solid antique furniture, and more high quality items. 5858 Route 209 Kerhonkson, NY 12446 (845) 626-5206. 10 minutes from WEN.

 

Auto Care

We certainly hope nothing goes wrong with you car while you're here, but if it should you cannot go wrong with our neighbor Steve VanDemark - literally a one-minute drive up the road. Reasonably priced and ruthlessly honest. Open each evening 6-10 pm and Saturdays.

1 5 6  U P P E R  W H I T F I E L D  R D.  A C C O R D , N Y  1 2 4 0 4      W E N B A R N . C O M

WEN Home    WEN Calendar & Class Descriptions    Our Story & What is WEN?   About the Stewards    How to Find & Contact Us