There’s a particular family of mint native to our very own Ramapo Mountains. If you know where to look you might see Hoary Mountain Mint on the highest hilltops above Sloatsburg, especially at places on Torne Mountain. Continue Reading

By Geoff Welch

Once again the focus returns to the Ramapo River Valley and its vital water resources. Sloatsburgers are very familiar with the Ramapo as the river runs right through the village which sits at the foot of Wrightman’s Plateau and Torne Mountain. The Ramapo River also recharges the valley’s productive underground and gravel aquifer, and is the main source of water for Sloatsburg. Continue Reading

Stop over at Harmony Hall for an afternoon seasonal celebration of summer. The Friends of Harmony Hall and Town of Ramapo sponsor the Saturday, June 17, event — Music for the Summer Solstice. The event is free and open to the public and is set to include a nature walk around the Harmony Hall grounds and peek at the curator’s Blunt Mountain Mint plantings — mountain mint is native to the Highlands with a variety growing in the nearby Ramapo Mountains … there’s even a report of the Hoary Mountain Mint growing wild up on Torne. The Blunt Mountain Mint in the Curator’s garden is on the New York/New Jersey threatened species list. Continue Reading

Harmony Hall in winter, fronted by the Great Lawn. / Photo by Geoff Welch

Spring was about to be sprung early this year, when winter temperatures climbed to record highs. And then, suddenly the thermometer plunged back to below freezing. But no matter. The Vernal Equinox will be right on time and marks the official beginning of spring while also featuring a perfectly balanced day with equal parts day and night.

Harmony Hall Curator Geoff Welch will host an afternoon celebrating the Vernal Equinox on Sunday, March 19, from 2-4 p.m. (The actual Vernal Equinox takes Monday, March 20, at approximately 6:29 a.m.) Continue Reading

Whether he’s out back on break with a pitching wedge in hand on the Harmony Hall great lawn or inside greeting repeat customers, Sushiville owner CJ Oh is sold on Sloatsburg. He believes that the village is a special place, nestled in the Ramapo Mountains, with a beautiful river running through the village and Harriman State Park and Sterling Forest State Park nearby. Continue Reading

It often appears to come back to the flow of cars through Sloatsburg, the Route 17 siren song of sorts for businesses. Sushiville owner and Queens, NY resident CJ Oh found his way to Sloatsburg via Route 17, lured by the surrounding golf courses and woody hills. Continue Reading

Local photographer Geoff Welch captured this view off the top of Bear Mountain. Welch will open his month-long photo exhibit at New City Library with a Friday the 13th afternoon performance, mixing music and photography.

Geoff Welch is known as a park and watershed advocate. But he’s also known for having his trusty digital camera at the ready to take a shot of the local farmers’ market or far hilly horizon. Continue Reading