Journey to the Catskills: In a matter of speaking, the Mountain Eagle. My father worked at the Mountain Eagle as a young man before I was born, then moved our family to the area in 1989 to work at the Mountain Eagle a second time. We’ve moved around a bit, but have been here ever since, and in Middleburgh since 1990. Vocation: A little bit … Continue reading Humans of the Catskills: Matthew Avitabile
Journey to the Catskills: I came to the Catskills – more accurately, Delaware County, decades ago, as the first-time director of the Delaware County Historical Association. I still remember that time – almost 13 years as director! – as a time of intense learning, including some lessons about communities and museums I still use today. I’m the rare person who came here for a job, and I … Continue reading Humans of the Catskills: Linda Norris
Journey to the Catskills: I came to the Catskills because of Helen Levitt (the great American photographer and cinematographer) who invited me. We stayed six weeks, and I mostly cooked and made a video about where we were. “Summers with Helen” can be viewed on Vimeo. Vocation: Film and photography*. Avocation: My photography is also my hobby. Happiness Is: Enjoying life every day. Favorite Dish: Freshly picked … Continue reading Humans of the Catskills: Elaine Mayes
Journey to the Catskills: I was born here. I longed to leave and did for a while, but came back. Not because I especially liked it – it was a lonely place 40 years ago – but these mountains were (and still are) kin to me. I was in Iowa, but writing from within the Catskills, this place and people, my people. I had to … Continue reading Humans of the Catskills: Mermer Blakeslee
Journey to the Catskills: Fate. I somehow always saw myself ending up (somewhere like) here, even whilst growing up in London. First time I saw the mountains in person, I knew it would happen. Eventually it did. Vocation: A communicator of stories; a teacher of music*. Avocation: Runner. It was amazing to discover around the mid-way mark of life that I was actually good at … Continue reading Humans of the Catskills: Tony Fletcher
Journey to the Catskills: My parents built a house here when I was 9 years old, and we came up almost every weekend and summer. When my wife and I were expecting our first child, we moved up from our New Jersey apartment and built onto a small seasonal cabin. We’ve been here full-time for 17 years! Vocation: I am a voice-over performer, audio producer, … Continue reading Humans of the Catskills: Brett Barry
Journey to the Catskills: Most New Yorkers get tired of the city at some point and need some relief. I chose Central Catskills not knowing a soul because I always like the remoteness, high altitude and what seemed to me like ancestral Scottish weather. But I realized later, it looks like the Ozarks, where my grandparents lived, and I often visited as a child. I … Continue reading Humans of the Catskills: Kevin Moore
Journey to the Catskills: It started in my hometown of Philadelphia. I attended Temple University and was supposed to be studying to eventually become a doctor, but fate and the school radio station WRTI-FM intervened. After I got a three-hour weekly radio show, I wanted a career in broadcasting. That’s what I got. I’ve worked as a DJ, then General Manager at a few radio stations from Philly … Continue reading Humans of the Catskills: Joseph Loverro
Journey to the Catskills: I was born in Stamford, left in 1959 to attend college and then, in 1999, returned for the beauty and ‘quiet’ life of the Catskills. Vocation: Primarily, I restored furniture, but I also taught piano and bought and managed income properties. Avocation: Playing piano, gardening (until I got too busy). Happiness Is: I’m not sure. Favorite Dish: Ice cream. Ideal Country … Continue reading Humans of the Catskills: Donald Dales
Journey to the Catskills: In 1833 my great-great-great-great grandfather John Griffin settled in Delaware County, at a place that came to be called Griffin’s Corners, which later became the village of Fleischmanns. I am a 6th generation native. Vocation: I retired after 20 years in Land Management with the NYC DEP. Avocation: Often occupied with matters of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development (Board … Continue reading Humans of the Catskills: Margaret DiBenedetto
Art in the Catskills 