FrOGS Plein Air Event

The PleinAir event was a great success and FrOGS is grateful to all the artists who took part in the event. You can see many of the PleinAir paintings and photographs at the annual FrOGS Art Show and Celebration of the Great Swamp on Saturday, October 24th from 11 AM to 5 PM and Sunday, October 25th from Noon to 4 PM at the Frances Ryan Thomas Memorial Hall, Christ Church, 17 Church Rd., Pawling.

"Linda at Swan Pond" by Jeremy Wolff

"Sami Jorgensen (left) and Zoe Nagasing" by Susan Macura

"Charlie Flores" by Susan Macura

Dear Artist,

FrOGS ---- Friends of the Great Swamp

Would like to announce and invite you to join us for a Special

Plein Air Day

in the Great Swamp and its Watershed

Saturday, September 26th

(rain date, Sunday, September 27th)

Registration: On Saturday, September 26th at the Patterson Library, 9AM-Noon. Directions from south, take Rte 22 north to Rte 311 in Patterson, turn left onto Rte 311, cross the River, Library is on the Left (before the RR tracks) From North, take Rte 22 south to Rte 311, make a right, follow remaining directions. Or register in advance by phone, call Laurie Wallace, 845-279-8858.

Friends of the Great Swamp (FrOGS) has held its very Successful Art Show for the past fifteen years at Christ Church on Quaker Hill in Pawling in Late October. We draw over 2000 people to the Show each year. We are holding the Show again this year on October 24^th and 25^th but to Celebrate the wonders of the Harlem Valley---Great Swamp Watershed and give

artists a special event opportunity to create a work outdoors in the Swamp and its environs.

We are sponsoring this Special Plein Air Event

Artists register with FrOGS---- Choose an outdoor site of their liking or join

FrOGS members at some sites we will suggest

near the Swamp or in surrounding upland areas.

Create a work in the medium of your choice on September 26th

Frame and wire the work for hanging, finish up if necessary.

Standard sized works that you expect to sell in the $100 to $700 price range are best.

Bring to Christ Church on Quaker Hill on Thursday, Oct. 22^nd for hanging in

a Special Section of our Art Show .

Each artist participating in the plein air event may bring one other work to be auctioned as well.

We will auction all the works created at a Special Addition to the Show

At a reception and Auction on Saturday Evening October 24^th!

All works will be auctioned that evening; minimum bid will be set at $ 200 unless the artist agrees to less

50% of the proceeds of the auction will go to the artist, 50% will be a donation to FrOGS

in support of its continuing efforts at Education and Art appreciation

in and around the Great Swamp

FrOGs is a 501-c(3) non-profit organization, so donations are tax deductible

Contact Laurie Wallace, at 845-279-8858 for more information after August 15^th

Note:

* Registration Fee for participating on September 26^this $10 and includes lunch if you register in advance with Nancy Clark at 845-878-9248

* Registration: On Saturday, September 26th at the Patterson Library, 9AM-Noon. Directions from south, take Rte 22 north to Rte 311 in Patterson, turn left onto Rte 311, cross the River, Library is on the Left (before the RR tracks) From North, take Rte 22 south to Rte 311, make a right, follow remaining directions. Or register in advance by phone, call Laurie Wallace, 845-279-8858

There are many sites to paint the Great Swamp and the Harlem Valley Uplands on Plein Air Day. Here are a few that we suggest with directions. Please call Laurie Wallace at 845-279-8858 if you want more information.

1. Patterson Environmental Park—Patterson

Great views of the East Branch Croton River meandering through the Swamp

And some Upland Oaks and Tulip trees too

Directions from South: Proceed North on Rte 22, Turn Right on Rte 311 in Patterson. Cross RR Tracks and make first immediate left hand turn driving past the RR Tracks, then two blocks more past the Patterson Rec Center and turn left on the dirt road into the Park, cross the RR tracks and you can drive right up to the River. From the North, make aright turn off Rte 22 onto Rte 311, then follow the other directions

2. Laurel Ledges/ Turtle Pond---off Cornwall Hill Road ( Putnam Cty Land Trust Preserve)

Great patterns on the rocky ledges, ferns, lichen and views of Turtle Pond from trail and

Boardwalk

Directions from South: Proceed north on Rte 22 to Rte 164. Left turn on Rte 164 for 1 plus miles to right turn on Cornwall Hill Road ( Pond, behind the reeds, will be on your right. Proceed 400 feet or so on Cornwall Hill Road to parking area posted by Putnam County Land Trust, Park there and walk in on the trail to a site that you choose. From the north take Rte 22 south to Rte 164, make the right on Rte 164, follow the rest of the directions.

3. Rte 164, where 164 crosses Muddy Brook.

Great views of the wetlands, some great early color as the red maples begin to turn

Directions, follow the directions for Laurel Ledges but do not turn onto Cornwall Hill Road but proceed

about 200 feet beyond the intersection with Cornwall Hill Road. Park on side of the Road. Best view of

brook to the left or south.

4. Muddy Brook Crossing of Cornwall Hill Road. Again great views of the wetlands and Muddy Brook

on either side of the road. Parking is on road.

Directions: Follow the directions for Laurel Ledges, but do not stop at the Laurel ledges parking lot, go

1/3 mile further on Cornwall Hill Road ( you will pass intersection with Couch road) to low spot in

road just before the RR tracks. You will have to paint for the roadside here but it’s a great view

5 Small site,wetlands on the Sterling Farm preserve or the Woodlands of the Preserve itself on Couch Rd

Directions: Follow Direction for Laurel Ledges, continue ¼ mile beyond the parking are for Laurel

Ledges to intersection with Couch Road on the Right. Make right turn here. There is a small parking area

On left side of road ( wetlands is marked by Putnam County LT signs on right…or go another ¼ mile

Down the road to wide spot in road. Park there, follow the PCLT Trail upward. This is a little steeper

6. East Branch Croton River where the River and Great Swamp Cross Rte 22---great view of River and

Swamp, especially with fall leaves beginning to fall on the water. Parking is just off road---to

southwest side of river, where the fishermen park, walk back along Rte 22 to bridge over River

or just beyond that you can walk in a partially maintained dirt road ( west side of river) to River.

This is not well cut back…and you can not drive down this dirt road.

7. Slocum-Mostachetti Preserve ( Oblong Conservancy) ---Great views of small Meadow with

late Fall wildflowers, and beautiful Red Cedar trees. Walk further on trail down to wetlands,

or paint the meadows. If you would like to paint on this site, Please Call Laurie Wallace(279-8858)

and we will try to have a guide there.

Directions from South : Take Rte 22 north past old Harlem Valley Psych Center in Wingdale to the traffic

Light at Pleasant Ridge Road. Make left onto Pleasant Valley Road, go .8 mile (you will have crossed the

RR tracks, the dirt road entrance to the Preserve is on the right ( you will have to drive past an old house and

take the dirt road as it curves past the house and 300 yards to the rear. Stop at the gate and park on the dirt

road. Walk beyond the gate into the Preserve. From the North, Drive south on Rte 22 to the light at Pleasant

Ridge Road, make right turn and follow the remaining directions

8. Chipewalla Road Crossing of Swamp River. Great views of the Swamp River and its

wetland from the Bridge crossing of the Swamp River, Some great large trees!

Directions from South: Take Rte 22 North , past the old Harlem Valley Psych Center in Wingdale and

continue north past the traffic light at Pleasant Ridge Road for about 1 mile, slow down—The Left Turn

for Chipewalla Road is a sharp left and is a gravel road. Follow road ½ mile further to the Bridge. Park

on side of road. Coming from north, take Rte 22 south, pass Cty Rte 26 on right, Chipewalla Rd is ½ mi

9. Pawling Nature Preserve at Hurds Corners Road entrance: Views of fields from

this section of the Appalachian trail. Pawling

Directions from South: Take Rte 22 north to approx 2 miles north of the intersection with Rte 55

West in Pawling. Turn right onto Rte 68, then 200 yards to left turn onto Hurds corners road. Go

1/2 mile to Appalachian Trail sign on right. From North, follow Rte 22 south past the old Harlen Valley

Pysch Center about 3 miles to left turn onto Rte 68

10. River Road crossing of Swamp River in Pawling, Good view of Swamp River from Roadside

Directions from South. North on Rte 22 past the intersection with Rte 55 West , approx 1.7 miles to

River Road which will be on the left, Take the left turn there, the Swamp River Crossing is 200

yards further. From the north, take Rte 22 south, River Road is a right turn off Rte 22 about 3.2 miles

south of the old Harlem Valley Psych Center. You will be painting from the roadside here.

11. Ray Lake, Pawling Small lake, some tall hemlocks and march wetland area

Directions: From South take Rte 22 north to intersection with Rte 55 West. Take right turn onto the

Rte 55 West ramp, this will cross Rte 22 and head west. Go 1/3 mile to left turn onto Doctor Road,

Look for FrOGs Sign. Please call 279-8858 if you want to paint at this site.

From North, Drive south on Rte 22 past Pawling to the Rte 55 West turn ( right off 22) go 1/3 mile

Further to left onto Doctor Road ( FrOGS sign )

Some Suggested Sites

North flow, Chipewalla Rd Bridge, Wingdale (Constance DuHamel)	North Flow, bridge west of MetroNorth Railroad (MNR) AT Station Stop (Constance DuHamel)	North Flow just north of the DEC put-in at HV-W MNR Station Stop (Constance DuHamel)

The East Branch River off NYS Route 22 near Haviland Hollow Rd. in the town of Patterson, NY (Nancy Clark)	The Patterson Environmental Park (Nancy Clark)	Off Cornwall Hill Rd. in the town of Patterson, NY (Carolyn Michael)

Near the intersections of NYS Routes 292 and 55 in Pawling, NY (Terry Ariano)	Off NYS Route 22 South of the Texas Taco Restaurant in Patterson, NY (Carolyn Michael)	The Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area (DonTurner)

Laurel Ledges Trail off Cornwall Hill Rd. in Patterson, NY (Diane Heminway)	River Road west of NYS Route 22 in the town of Pawling, NY (Terry Ariano)	Laurel Ledges Trail off Cornwall Hill Rd. in Patterson, NY (Diane Heminway)

North Flow, Kitchen Street Bridge, Pawling ((Constance DuHamel))	North Flow, view north from bridge west of MNR AT Station Stop ((Constance DuHamel))	North Flow, DEC put-in, HV-W MNR Station Stop ((Constance DuHamel))