Cat'n Around Catskill - Where Felines Get Formal

Sigmund Freud said, "Time spent with cats is never wasted" and being a cat lover, I tend to agree.  It was a happy accident that we happened upon the village of Catskill last week where we enjoyed browsing their annual, Cat'n Around Catskill.  This year represents the 10th annual Cat'n Around Catskill.  Reminiscent of the horses and ballet slippers of Saratoga Springs, NY and the moose of Bennington, VT, the streets of Catskill are beautifully decorated with 50 hand-painted cats.  We only got to see 20 during our visit and didn't realize that day that there were so many more.  Looking at the map (link attached below), I'm thinking another trip to Catskill might be necessary.  Here's a look at the cats we saw during our trip:

CATacomb by Emily Brooks

Boo Boo Kitty by Kathy Passero

One Cat Band by Barbara McGeachen

Zen Cat by Amelia Gallina

Metamorpheline by the Art & Soul Preschool

Gotham City Cat by Jennifer DeAngelis

Celtic Cat by Barbara McGeachen (she had 3 entries)

Vacationing in the Catskills by Wendy Doney

Confection Purrfection by Theresa Rowe-Obert

Winter Wonderland by Ray Sperzel

De Jardin by Jennifer DeAngelis

Kitty in Crepe by Sabine Baeckmann

Minion Cat by Kseniya Bikhler

SunCATcher by Nancy Whalen

Quilted Kitty by Herrat Sommerhoff

Feline in Florals by Sara Pruiksma-Rizzo

Cowboy Cat by Christine Hicks

Tortoise Shell by Barbara McGeashen

Cat aroni by Geoff & Corinne Scarchelli

Cat's Eye by Stephen S. Martin

Aren't they beautiful?  So much talent by so many artists.  Makes me sorry I've missed the first 9 years.  If you feel inspired to take a trip to Catskill, I know you'll get hungry hunting down all these kitties so I have a recommendation for you.   We had the most delicious lunch at the New York Restaurant right on Main Street.  Describing themselves as a 'revival restaurant dating back to 1922, owned by a Polish American" the New York Restaurant claims to take you back in time to the best things in life.  You don't have to take my word for it.  I depend on Trip Advisor for tips and 67- 4 1/2 star reviews made me check it out and we were so glad we did.  Great atmosphere, efficient and friendly service and delicious food.  And....as if that weren't enough, one of the restaurant's staff members - our server - happened to be the creator of Babushka cat #2, sponsored by the New York Restaurant.  

Not feeling too hungry, I chose the......

Appetizer portion of homemade Pierogi
and:

Grilled Peaches with pistachios and blue cheese  - OMG!

John chose one of that day's specials - pulled chicken sliders with amazing freshly sliced, skin on french fries.  They were so good, ketchup wasn't needed.  In fact, adding ketchup would have been a crime.  Sorry no photo :(

Only an hour from Clifton Park, Catskill is a beautiful drive from the Capital District.  Main Street is lined with quaint and unique shops with something to interest everyone.  Cat'n Around Catskill will be happening until September 17th when a fundraising gala culminates this year-long event and these beautiful kitties will be auctioned off to their forever homes.   Artists receive 30% of the gross amount for which the cat is auctioned.  The remaining net is divided among local not-for-profit agencies to support the arts, the Barry Hopkins Scholarship Fund, Dutchman's Landing State Park, and future public events for the community.  If you're looking for something to do this week, why not take a drive to Catskill and check out the 50 felines that have spent their summer Cat'n Around Catskill.  NOTE:   Most of the cats on display will be left on display until around September 15th, however any cat needing repairs (about 5-7 of them) will be removed the Wednesday or Thursday after Labor Day in order to be repaired and ready for auction.  For more information on Cat'n Around Catskill, check out the links below:

http://www.cat-n-around map

http://www.cat-n-around.com/heart-of-catskill-association---cat-n-around-catskill.html

https://www.facebook.com/catnaroundcatskill/

Thanks for reading!  Come back soon to Life As I See It!