Putnam County Prepares to Reopen Economic Development Arm Urges Residents to Stay Loyal and Shop Local

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In an effort to help small businesses reopen and recover from the economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 shutdown, the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC) has formed an advisory committee of local small businesses to help provide, share and disseminate information as we accelerate toward a post-Coronavirus world.

The PCEDC’s Small Business Advisory Committee represents a broad cross section of industries and business leaders from every corner of the county.  Members include Tom Feighery, Fiddler’s Green Pub and Putnam County Project Manager;  Bryan Kelly, AON Physical Therapy;  Ed Galligan, Carmel Flower Shop;  Chris DeBellis, Contractor & Assistant Town Code Enforcement Officer;  Maria Quezada, Six Diamonds Tree Service and Landscaping;  Brian Ledley, Ledley Food Service;  Stephanie Tomlinson, Salon Uccelli;  Kimball Gell, Dolly’s Restaurant at Garrison’s Landing;  Nisim Sachakov, Limni & Mezzaluna Restaurants;  Angela Briante, Briante Realty Group; and Emily Simoness, SPACE on Ryder Farm.  PCEDC Board members on the Committee include Richard Weiss, CPA, Founder and Consultant Weiss Advisory Group, Margie Keith, retired Cornell Cooperative Extension Executive Director, Bob Zubrycki, Concertmaster for the American Symphony Orchestra and Walter Recher, SmallBall Marketing.

“This is a forum for small businesses to voice their concerns and share ideas that will help them to survive and prepare for a new economic reality” said Kathleen Abels, President, PCEDC.  “Since the pandemic shut down life as we once knew it, we have seen many small businesses suffer and worry about their ability to carry on.   We implore county residents to stay loyal to Putnam’s businesses by continuing to Shop Putnam now and to hold on just a little longer until more area businesses are allowed to reopen.”

“Putnam County is one community, the same community that encompasses the heroes of the pandemic, such as health care workers, first responders, delivery  people, sanitation and utility workers, grocers and other essential businesses that have continued to serve us at their own peril,” said PCEDC Board Chairman Daniel Leary, Esquire.

The PCEDC has posted on their website, putnamedc.org, ongoing COVID-19 Related Business Resources to assist businesses to stay abreast of opportunities and orders from the State and Federal Government.  NYS Industry Re-Opening Guidelines, including mandatory practices, recommended best practices and templates for business safety plans, can be found on Forward New York at https://forward.ny.gov/industries-reopening-phase

The PCEDC Small Business Advisory Committee will continue to meet during the coming months to promote Shop Putnam and to develop strategies to adjust to new trends in the way we think, live, work, learn, shop, travel and entertain.

For more information, contact Kathleen Abels, President, Putnam County Economic Development Corporation (845) 242-2212

About Putnam County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC)

The mission of the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC) is to drive the economic vitality of Putnam County by working to attract appropriate new businesses, broaden the County’s tax base, retain and grow employment opportunities within the County and aid in the enhancement of the quality of life for residents. The PCEDC acts as a facilitator, bringing together businesses, government agencies and other stakeholders.  Recently, the PCEDC has pivoted its focus to assist existing Main Street businesses to survive and recover from the economic impact of COVID-19.

For more information, please visit https://putnamedc.org/

Cultural Arts Coalition Artist Spotlight

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Artist Spotlight: Her Nature

Amanda Lynne was one of the artists featured in our March exhibit, “Her Nature” which had to close early. After many years of acrylic painting, Amanda Lynne is now working in mixed media. She is creating pieces with her own hand marbled paper, and linoleum prints, with hand painted upcycled frames. As always, her works focus on the beauty of the natural world. #localart #supportlocalartists #localartists

website: amandalynnestudio.com
email: amandalynne1219@gmail.com
instagram: amandalynne1219

The two pieces are:  Summer Afternoon 18.5″ x 15″       And Your Bird Can Sing 33″ x 25″

 

 

Kent Lakes Farm Market

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The farm stand is open and full of fresh and delicious produce, cheeses, pastas and specialty products. 

Call ahead/curbside pickup is available: 845-228-2500-Spring hours in effect. 

Kent Lakes Farm Market is a distributor of fine produce to many local restaurants and delis. The former owner of The Village Market in Katonah, NY is now open in Putnam County. Located conveniently 200 yards off exit 18 of I-84

Fresh produce, Local when available. Fresh Mozzarella, provolone, and Ricotta. Fresh Baked Breads from Mario’s Brick Oven in Hopewell Junction and other baked goods. Coffee. Plants and Flowers.

VISA and MasterCard welcomed.
Ask about our CSA (Community Supportive Agriculture) coming soon.

Don’t forget your re-usable shopping bags. Social Distancing Protocols enforced. Please wear a mask and gloves. 

 

Lake Gleneida Trail, Carmel

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Location: Carmel
Distance: 1.9 miles
Skill Level: easy, good for little walkers; out-and-back with a few wet, swampy areas that kids will love.

 The trail entrance is located adjacent to street parking along 301.

Walk toward the lake through any opening.  Walk away from 52 and you will start to see the white trail signs and kiosks.  Follow the markers for a bit,and take the path on the left to the “peaceful spot” viewpoint to take in the entire lake.  American flags, honoring Veterans and First Responders are displayed along the northern shore from Memorial to Labor Day, and Christmas trees line the shoreline in December.   Back track back to the main white trail and head left.  You’ll pass over a driveway and cross over around a dozen boardwalks.  The trail follows the edge of the lake.  You’ll hit the property line for the big white house on the end and turn around.

Wow Factor: the “peaceful spot” overlooking the lake and the GIANT oak tree located on the back side of the lake. Take your photo in front of the “Gleneida Oak” and post it to our Putnam County Tourism page on Facebook.

Lake Gleneida is also a favorite fishing and birding spot.

When fishing, please follow all NYS DEC guidelines.

Diverting Reservoir Trail, Brewster

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#RecreateLocal – get outside and discover open spaces and parks close to home. 

The Diverting Reservoir Trail is for passive recreation activities such as hiking, bird-watching and snow-shoeing.

The trail, which is flat and mostly shaded by a canopy of trees, is an out-an-back trail, a little over one mile each way.  Follow the trail markers.   The first part of the trail follows the route of old Nelson Blvd, which followed an old Native- American trail. The trail will bear left to continue to follow the edge of the reservoir.  When you get to the end, take in the scenery, catch your breath, and then had back out the way you came in.  The trail is lovely and the scenery is breathtaking.  Perfect for families and little walkers.  This project represents collaboration between Putnam County Land Trust, New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection, local Boy Scouts, the town of Southeast and the non-profit group Concerned Residents of Southeast.  These groups work together to maintain the footpath.

Directions

The trail is on Railroad Avenue near downtown Brewster, across the street from Electrazone Field/Veterans Park.   Parking is alongside the road.  You DO NOT need a DEP permit to access this trail.

 History

The area around the trail was an old farmstead, at one time known widely as the Brady Farm, and Valley View Farm before that.  This farm was somewhat of an American icon – photos of the farm were used in ads and such nationwide.  The farm was also the home to brothers Jedediah & Nemeniah Wood.  Legend has it that during the Revolution, infirm soldiers stayed at their farm, and the two teenage brothers carted them to the military hospital in Danbury.  They would have carted those soldiers right down the old Nelson Blvd.  Records tell us that Nemeniah served in the militia during the Revolution.  Jedediah did not serve until later, but was said to have reached the rank of Captain, and drilled with his troops in a nearby field.  Jedediah so loved the land, that he and his wife are buried on a hilltop on the old farmstead.  He died in 1857 at the age of 91.

 “While health officials are encouraging social distancing, they are also recommending getting some fresh air and keeping a six-feet distance. Whether by yourself or with your partner, enjoying a 15-minute walk during the day can help improve cardiac health, fatigue and tension.

It’s important to give your mind and body a moment to itself.”

     

 

Putnam County Golf Course is open

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The state has changed its guidance on golf courses and will now allow golfers to return to the links with additional public safety precautions in place, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell announced.

The Putnam County Golf Course, which was closed on April 11 to comply with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order on non-essential businesses has now reopened.

“This has been a confusing few weeks, but we are glad that golf can resume with significant safety measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Odell said. “Golf is one of the few recreational activities where it’s easy to maintain social distancing, and being outdoors in nature is great for our mental health.”

Under the new rules, no golf carts will be allowed at the Putnam County Golf Course and golfers must walk.

The food vendors, driving range and pro shop are closed to the public. Golfers are required to prepay for reservations online, no walk-ons are permitted. Items that golfers would touch – rakes, flags, benches, etc. – have been removed from the course. Social distancing rules will be strictly enforced.

The change in policy couldn’t have come soon enough for Angelo Prestamo, a first responder from Mahopac.

“I am very happy to hear that the Putnam County Golf Course is open for business,” Prestamo said. “I will be out there soon walking the course and enjoying the exercise. I appreciate all the precautions that are in place.”

The new guidance issued by the Empire State Development Corp., the economic development arm of the state, still prohibits golf course employees from working, except for groundskeeping and security purposes, but allows individuals to play golf as long as there is no gathering.

Visit the Putnam County Golf Course website, www.putnamcountygc.com

Putnam County Golf Course is Open

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In a continuing effort to provide a safe and enjoyable experience at Putnam County Golf Course, we will continue to adhere to strict social distancing measures while at the Club.

  • Walking Only- No Carts permitted at this time (Personal Pull/Push Carts Allowed)
  • No reservations can be taken or paid for on site. No exceptions.
  • No walk-ons will be permitted.
  • Unfortunately, the driving range will remain closed.
  • Tee Times will be available 8:30am – 5:00pm daily.
  • Guests will be permitted to bring Packaged Snacks and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, as no Food or Beverage will be available for the foreseeable future.
  • WE WILL BE OPEN FOR PREPAID ROUNDS ONLY.
  • Prepayment for RESIDENT RESERVATIONS must be made by calling the Pro Shop after 7:00 AM, Sunday morning at 845-808-1880.

Prepayment for NON RESIDENT RESERVATIONS must be done online.  Click Here.

Any cancellations can be processed through GolfNow directly.

Our policies will continue to evolve to adhere to all local, state and national guidelines and recommendations.

 We appreciate your cooperation and hope everyone makes responsible decisions and takes all sanitary actions during these difficult times.

Backyard (for now) Birding

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#Recreate Local

Setting up an account on ebird.org is free. On the site, you can search Putnam County (or any area of the world) to see what birds have been sighted, you can see photos of different species and you can hear their songs and calls. Audubon.org is another site with great photos and a lot of information, and they have recently updated their site with beginner’s information specifically posted for those practicing social distancing!

Observing the actions of birds is very calming, even meditative. Depending on the time of year, you might see a ruby-throated hummingbird drinking from a butterfly bush or you could hear the squeaky whistles of a juvenile Cooper’s hawk. Birding is free, easy, and provides an inspirational connection to nature that you can start in your own backyard.

*The Fred Dill Wildlife Sanctuary in Carmel is listed as an ebird “hot spot.”

Photo Credit:  Peter Paradise Lake Carmel, NY Age 10.   Peter is a budding photographer and avid hockey player.  He is also an American Cancer Society Relay For Life volunteer. 

Thank you to Jean Wyckoff Tock for her guidance with this project.

Space on Ryder Farm 2020 CSA-Community Supported Art and Agriculture

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Space on Ryder Farm https://www.spaceonryderfarm.org/

Visit their website for information/registration for the 2020 CSA.
The centerpiece of SPACE on Ryder Farm’s agricultural offerings is its CSA (Community Supported Art + Agriculture) membership. CSA membership is a reciprocal relationship between farmers and their community: the CSA member purchases a share of the farmers’ harvest at the beginning of the season, providing up-front revenue when it is needed most. In return, the CSA member receives a weekly share of certified-organic produce harvested at peak freshness throughout the season, and, unique to SPACE, members also receive locally-grown art created by alumni of SPACE’s artist residency programs.

 

 

Fred Dill Wildlife Sanctuary is Open in Carmel #RecreateLocal

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Location: Parking is located behind the Cove Care Center on Route 6.  There is also a trail head on Fair Street just after the Hamlet of Carmel. 

The Sanctuary is great for kids and is also a birding hot spot.

According to a recent Yelp review: “This is an oasis right in the heart of Carmel, NY. It is about a two hour hike if you’re willing to walk the entire trail. The pond is beautiful and there are picnic tables so bring some lunch.”

The trail can be very muddy so proper footwear is a must.

Trail Map: https://www.putnamcountyny.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/FredDillMap.pdf

About Fred Dill:

Fred L. Dill came to Carmel in 1933 after graduating with an Accounting Degree from Bentley College in Boston, Massachusetts. His father, Carl Dill, trained and drove trotting horses and had moved his family from Goshen, NY to work at the horse racing track which was part of Putnam County Fairgrounds located on a portion of this property. A faint outline of the old race track is still visible and is labeled “old racetrack” on the park map.

Upon completion of his first summer “swiping” horses and “mucking out” horse stalls, Fred decided the horse business was not for him. His dream was to be in business for himself. When working as office manager for American Oil in Carmel, he had the opportunity to manage Dain Supply and within three years was a partner in Dain and Dill.

Eventually, Dain and Dill became Lloyd Lumber, a cash and carry lumber yard which grew into a chain of 21 stores in NY and CT.

Fred had achieved his dream of becoming a successful businessman, and he enjoyed using his financial success to benefit the Putnam County Community. The Fred Dill Wildlife Sanctuary and Outdoor Education Center is the last project Fred worked on before his death in 2004 at the age of 91. This property brought Fred to Putnam County and it gave him great pleasure to think of the many people who would walk the trails, enjoy the tranquil woods, and learn about our local history.