The Arts Inn, A Box of Serendipity

FLEISCHMANNS — I had an opportunity to catch up with Heidi Stonier and Randy Leer at the Arts Inn at a concert by Lee Glantz. No, concert isn't big enough a word, nor is history lecture on the life and music of ... Most of us will say that the Beatles were the sound of the second half of the 20th Century, and they are the first musicians that come to mind. Yet, there is another who deserves a seat at that table. We take him far too much for granted. Perhaps it is because of the association with film scores, or the music so comfortably fits into the memories of our lives and loves... And the Arts Inn is so comfortable a place to consider all this. Who is that artist?

Well... another writer, who wasn't assigned to the story, showed up to cover the concert, so rather than naming the subject of the concert, I'll just chalk it up to serendipity. After all, serendipity is what the Arts Inn is all about.   

The afternoon starts with an introduction by Randy describing the Arts Inn project in economic and environmental sustainability, "that promotes a vibrant community through Art Education and Cultural Exchange. The Arts Inn Collective provides a hub for artists, those with a vision and a haven for everyday people seeking a place to restore their spirit, That's what we try to do." Well Randy, that's what you did last Sunday. Serendipity. 

High Tea at the Arts Inn was a journey through the sound of our souls. a great collection of special people filed without being crowded into the spacious rooms of this old wooden masterpiece of Catskill architecture.  It is a great beginning in a wonderful room. The Art Inn is the perfect place for High Tea, large well appointed rooms and a backyard which makes one think of a small English estate. The music sets the scene perfectly.

The introductions don't feel like lessons in history, rather something like a reunion with our musical very personal heritage. There is something about  this guy with which we can all identify. He's one of those guys whose music makes the listener feel as though this guys in love with you... But a room is not a house And a house is not a home, sometimes it is a box of serendipity. 

After the sweet last chords of the final song fade, we rise to go and fill plates with finger sandwiches and slices of pie, lovingly baked by Barbara Kolb and Heidi. We fill cups with coffee or tea, glasses with wine and withdraw to the garden for wonderful conversations. I catch up with Wanda and Gideon, old friends from the Player's Club in NYC. Their presence at the event calls to mind Amanda Palmer who once said to me, of the Player's Club, "it is a box of serendipity." Certainly the Arts Inn should share that title. Lee's wife and I compare notes on my old high school Music and Art, where she presently teaches dance. Oh, for those to whom Amanda Palmer isn't a name as familiar as the man who shot Liberty Valance, she was the one who sang:  

"A ukulele has four strings, but Sid did not play ukulele.

He did smack and probably killed his girlfriend Nancy Spungen.

If only Sid had had a ukulele, maybe he could have been happy...

He maybe would've sat around just singing nice songs to his girlfriend." 

The Arts Inn is a gift to the Catskills Community wrapped in a Victorian house that is a masterpiece of construction and preservation. The house is more than special. It was built in 1904 for Augustus Todd. Todd had built the first bank in Fleischmanns. It was almost lost in a fire several years ago. Heidi relates how the fire epitomised the spirit of the Catskills with 11 towns sending their volunteer fire brigades. The fire started when heavy snow brought down power lines. So, before they could put out the blaze they had to shut off the electricity. The man from the power company was there in moments and the work started. As a woman suited up to enter the house to put the fire out at its source, she commented to Heidi that it was lucky it happened on a snow day. She was a grade school teacher. Neighbors brought coffee and food that evening. A local lawyer came, and gave them advice on who to speak with about financial problems. The community was there for them. There is no trace of that fire today, preserved are the original and remarkable wooden mosaic floors. A member of the Todd family visited and showed Randy and Heidi the original plans for the mosaics, designed in Indiana. Each room has a unique design in a variety of different natural wood colors.

If you are in the market for children's puppetry, innovative theater pieces, their residency programs are building just that for you. In this cornucopia of culture you will find High Teas with proper cucumber finger sandwiches which my Anglo Irish dad would have nodded at with quiet appreciation. There are upcoming events to get to know this wonderful institution and become part of the community which is brought together here. The season ends with two events. First there is The 3rd Annual Fleischmanns Village Fest (September 6, 2026): From 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM along Main Street, the entire village comes alive with folks strolling past vendors and attractions. "The Village Fest is the story of coming together and being a community," Heidi says. 

The final piece will be "Finding Mother" a book Reading & Interpretive Dance (October 10, 2026): Heidi Stonier will read from her newly published book, paired with an interpretive dance performance by artist Glenna Yu and video creations by the remarkably talented videographer, Alan Powell.. Heidi explains that there has been commentary on first generation feminism, second, third and fourth generation feminism. She hopes this book about mothering may be a dialog towards the commencement of the fifth generation of feminism. "The feminine place in society has changed so much in the last few generations... The recognition that we all have this feminine power within us. To nurture, to communicate and to love," Heidi explains.  Heidi and Randy are already at work planning the seventh season of the Inn's serendipity.