Murder and Mayhem in Ulster County by A.J. Schenkman and Elizabeth Werlau

In 1870, the New York Herald proclaimed that Ulster County was New York's Ulcer County due to its lawlessness and crime. The columnist supported his claim by citing that in only six months, it has been the scene of no less than four cold blooded and brutal murders, six suicides and four elopements. Hannah Markle--the bane of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union--ran a Kingston saloon where murder and violence were served alongside the whiskey. John Babbitt confessed on his deathbed to murdering Emma Brooks, and Willie Brown--reputed member of the Eastman Gang--accidentally shot his best friend. The infamous Big Bad Bill, the Gardiner Desperado, lashed out more than once and killed in a drunken rage. Discover the mayhem and murder that these and others wreaked on one of New York State's original counties.

About the author

A.J. Schenkman is a historian, educator, and author. He specializes in uncovering the “hidden” human stories of American history, particularly within the Hudson Valley. His storytelling approach to history, which he calls “History Made Seamless,” uses personal narratives over dry dates and battles. His body of work includes Wicked Ulster County and Murder and Mayhem in Ulster County, as well as broader historical investigations such as Patriots and Spies in Revolutionary New York and his 2025 release, Hispanic Americans in the Civil War. In addition to his adult non-fiction books, he has also authored a children’s book, Franklin’s Trees, which explores FDR’s passion for conservation.

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Publication Date: November 3, 2026

The Hudson Valley is more than just scenic vistas — it is the birthplace of American history. Go beyond the traditional guidebook to counties nestled along the east and west banks of the majestic Hudson River. From Native American settlements and Dutch colonial roots to the rise of the English, history unfolds at every turn in the river. Discover Newburgh, where Washington had his longest headquarters of the Revolution. Explore the quaint town of Kingston, home of the state’s first capital. Learn how the pivotal Battle of Saratoga turned the tide of the American Revolution. Admire the artistic heritage of Frederic Church’s Olana, the vast Gilded Age estates, and the nation’s first presidential library in Hyde Park. Join local historian A.J. Schenkman as he traces the forgotten histories and vibrant heritage of one of America’s most historic regions.

About the author

A.J. Schenkman is a historian, educator, and author. He specializes in uncovering the “hidden” human stories of American history, particularly within the Hudson Valley. His storytelling approach to history, which he calls “History Made Seamless,” uses personal narratives over dry dates and battles. His body of work includes Wicked Ulster County and Murder and Mayhem in Ulster County, as well as broader historical investigations such as Patriots and Spies in Revolutionary New York and his 2025 release, Hispanic Americans in the Civil War. In addition to his adult non-fiction books, he has also authored a children’s book, Franklin’s Trees, which explores FDR’s passion for conservation.

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Prince Nyle of Wisteria, newly 17, is set to sail the Floral Sea with Captain Oxford, his father’s lead commander. Nyle’s heart longs for adventure, but it also longs for Adelaide, his childhood best friend. However, like in any classic fairytale, Nyle’s father has forbidden him from marrying a commoner. Unbeknownst to the feuding father-son pair, Captain Oxford is plotting with King Oleander of Chrysanthemum to seize control and rule the Flower Alliance. As Oxford’s plot is revealed, Nyle, Adelaide, and a misfit band of heroes work together to stop Oxford and restore peace. In part two, King Oleander’s son, Henbane, finds a piece of a treasure map that will lead to answers surrounding his mother’s death. Theo, a pacifist from Poppy (the island of war), and Emma, a healer from Amaranth, get caught in the treasure hunt. King Alastair of Poppy seeks the lost treasure for himself. With the democracy of the Flower Alliance once again at risk, Theo and Emma team up with familiar friends to find the treasure.

Paperbacks & hardcovers are printed on demand. Paperbacks are $26, and Hardcovers are $32.

Every summer, Erica Margot and her family head to Maine for a month. This summer is different — not only is it the summer before her senior year, but her twin brother’s best friend, Cameron, is tagging along. And he’s kind of hot. But she doesn’t have time for romance, does she? Can she be a strong, independent woman in STEM but also desperately want a boyfriend? While checking off annual family traditions, Erica Margot tries to grapple with who she is — and how to put it into a college application essay — along with her growing feelings for Cameron. As a straight-A student, she’s constantly afraid of coming across as high-maintenance and arrogant instead of determined, and she’s scared Cameron will think he’s holding her back. Despite her sorta-kinda-high-maintenance-ness, Erica Margot’s family vacation is full of silliness, inside jokes, and an absurd amount of ice cream. And maybe that’s exactly what she needs to figure out what life is all about, and to find her place in between the stars.

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One mountain, three victims. Strangers and old friends spend the night on Mount Macabre, but not all of them make it home. The local Sheriff navigates difficult personalities, decodes lies, and unravels secrets on the haunted summit she knows all too well. How long will it take, and how many lives will be ruined in the process?

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The truth is out there, hidden in remote, tucked-away corners of the Hudson River Valley…Are you ready to uncover it?

In Hauntings of the Hudson River Valley, author Vin Dacquino strives to discover the true story behind three enigmatic folk legends: Sybil Ludington, Chief Daniel Nimham, and George Denny. Each was the central figure in a dramatic series of events; each became enshrined in local lore for their actions; each has had their true story obscured; and each may have left behind a spiritual residue. Follow Dacquino as he interviews local experts, explores areas where hauntings may have occurred--such as Carmel's legendary Smalley's Inn – and digs deep into historical archives to open new windows into the lives and possible afterlives of these three mysterious characters.

Pages: 128
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
Imprint: The History Press
Publication Date: 15th November 2007
Format: Paperback

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For 141 years, Hudson River State Hospital was home to tens of thousands of individuals suffering from mental illness.

Famous architects Frederick Clark Withers and Calvert Vaux drafted the main building in 1869. The facility grew from a 208-acre parcel in 1871 with seven patients to 752 acres with five dozen separate buildings containing nearly 6,000 patients in 1954. The main building was constructed on a Kirkbride plan, a treating philosophy centered around an ornate building of equal proportions staffed by employees who integrated dignity and compassion into health care. Famous architects Frederick Clark Withers and Calvert Vaux drafted the main building in 1869. The landscape was penned by Frederick Law Olmsted, perhaps best known for the design of New York City's Central Park. Ships for free directly from Arcadia Publishing.

The history of New York is inseparable from the history of sailing on the Hudson River. Beginning with Henry Hudson in 1609 the Dutch and English extended their empires into the Hudson Valley and extracted its bounty via sail. 

Control of the Hudson River was a lynchpin for American victory in the Revolutionary War and New York City's 19th-century rise to global prominence was powered by the sailing vessels on its waterways. Upriver, sloops and schooners delivered goods from the nation's interior and international whaling businesses operated from Hudson and Poughkeepsie and Kingston and Newburgh became noted shipbuilding centers. Yacht racing and ice yachting emerged as popular sports among wealthy families like the Astors and Roosevelts. Sailing clubs preserved these traditions into the 20th century. Since the 1960s, activists including Pete Seeger have used sailboats to galvanize a movement to revive the river ecosystem. Today, the river is home to new generations of sailors continuing these traditions into a fifth century.

Steve Schwartz has sailed and captained numerous sailing and motor vessels on the Hudson River since the 1970s. He and James Malchow are both captains on the Hudson River ferry sloop Woody Guthrie. Images in this book, collected from local libraries, historical societies, the New York State Archives, Library of Congress, and private collections, capture the people, places, and ships that have made the Hudson River an important sailing center for over four centuries.

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This shirt features Allison Walker’s "Two Waters Meeting" piece, depicting two ocean tides coming together. “It is a piece about two lives, or two big ideas, coming together. I like wearing this over my heart and lungs, it feels like fresh breath & an open heart!”

Available as a Festival Crop, a Classic Tee or Lightweight Crewneck Sweatshirt

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"Walking on Water" is a recurring theme of Allison Walker’s, depicting the “walking-on-a-tidal-wave nature of spiritual journeys. The deep blue and bright gold represent a journey with range.”

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Design by Peekskill resident Evan Rosen
50% of all proceeds will be donated to The Lenape Center

• Ayous wood .75″ (1.9 cm) thick frame from renewable forests
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil (0.26 mm)
• Paper weight: 5.57 oz/y² (189 g/m²)
• Lightweight
• Acrylite front protector
• Hanging hardware included
• Blank product components in the US sourced from Japan and the US
• Blank product components in the EU sourced from Japan and Latvia

This item is made-to-order. All items on the HVNY Marketplace ship directly from their makers + All prices include shipping.

11x14 inches, matted, unframed, fine art Giclee print. “I try to escape to the beautiful beaches in the New York area. Here’s a scene from a visit to Montauk.”

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One-of-a-kind, cut-and-layered art paper for a three-dimensional effect, unframed, ~20x16." The Esopus Meadows Lighthouse and its backdrop as interpreted from Mills State Park. 

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Unframed original watercolor. Please note: This item is available for pick-up only. The artist will contact the buyer after purchase to arrange pick-up.

Highland Farm Smoked Venison Snack Sticks are the perfect, farm-fresh protein snack. They are individually wrapped, and easy to pop in your purse or lunchbox.

Includes 30 individually wrapped sticks: 6 - Venison Snack Sticks, 6 - Hot Venison Snack Sticks, 6 - Cracked Pepper Venison Snack Sticks, 6 - Teriyaki Venison Snack Sticks, 6 Venison and Cheddar Snack Sticks

Highland Farm Venison Doggie Treats are a farm-made dried venison meat treat guaranteed to delight your pup! Filled with lots of wholesome venison meat and organs and no junk! Store the jerky strips in the fridge or freezer (since there are no preservatives except for a pinch of salt) and just cut or rip off a piece for your very good pup!

This item is only available for pick-up directly from Highland Farm in Germantown. Pick-up details will be emailed when order is complete.

The Beast Box is a collection of some of Highland Farm’s most popular cuts. It makes a great gift for the game meat lover in your life!

The Beast Box includes:
Bison Ribeye - 2 x 12oz steaks
Elk Loin Roast - 1 x 12oz portion
Venison Steak - 2 x 12oz steaks
Wild Boar Ribs - 2 pounds
Elk and Bison Bratwurst - 1 pound

This item is only available for pick-up directly from Highland Farm in Germantown. Pick-up details will be emailed when order is complete.

A limited edition of three of Highland Farm's most popular sweet and savory summer sausages, and a branded logo cutting board. A perfect host/hostess gift for the holidays! 

Sausage Flavors: Venison Summer Sausage, Venison and Cheddar Summer Sausage, Elk Burgundy Cheddar Summer Sausage.

All items on the HVNY Marketplace ship directly from their makers, for free.

A print of the winning shot from the 2022 HVNY Summer Photo Contest by Amy Mott. 12" x16" lustre finish. Prints made to order.

Updated for 2026! Wildsam Field Guides: Hudson Valley and Catskills leads travelers along the mighty Hudson River, into colorful forests and through mystical mountains with guidance from trusted locals and experts.

• Stories from prize-winning writers, past and present

• A detailed road trip plan and profiles of 10 idyllic towns

• Interviews with artists, preservationists, brewers and hardware store owners

• Delightful miscellany from the archives, selective recommendations about authentic Catskills experiences and a deep dive into the world of art history and antique collecting.

Shipping included in price. 128 pages, printed in the USA. 4x6.5” - Back pocket size

Fresh, multi-colored chicken eggs from a flock hatched and raised by hand here in the Hudson Valley. Available for pick-up only from Salt Point, NY; Address will be sent to customer after order.

Quantity available updated daily!

Handmade oyster shell trinket dishes. Not food safe but perfect for jewelry or other trinkets! One of each, as pictured. Price includes shipping.

Enjoy summer in the Hudson Valley all yearlong with a print of Croton Point Park from our 2025 HVNY Summer Photo Contest winner, Matthew Daly. Prints made to order.

For every almost maybe
the ½ loves
the right hearts but the wrong time
the lonely nights
the rainy days
may these pages restore hope in your eyes
and peace in your heart
today, tomorrow and all the days to come

A book of poetry that explores topics such as coping with various emotions, navigating relationships, love, loss, cultivating self-compassion, and more. It highlights the journey of self-exploration, through vulnerability, mindfulness, uncertainty, and a lot of the messy things many of us relate to but often avoid talking about.

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Order a full or drilled-out Emu Egg from a lovingly handraised flock here in the Hudson Valley and impress those Easter guests!

Each egg is approximately 6” in height. The empty eggs are drilled out on either end. Ships directly from the flock in Dutchess County. Shipping costs are included in price.

Full emu eggs for culinary use are available for contact-less pick-up only from the farmstand in Salt Point, NY. Limited availability (through March). Customers will receive pick-up instructions after order confirmation. Email us for more information.

For fans of Alison Espach and Claire Lombardo, a poignant and thought-provoking debut novel about the fraught bond between mothers and teen daughters, the ripple effects of a tragic event in a small town, and the search for meaning after loss.

What if the only way forward is to let go of everything you know?

Kate’s life in the Hudson Valley seems picture-perfect: a thriving career as a realtor-slash-momfluencer, a devoted husband, and a strong bond with her brilliant teenage daughter, Indie. But when Indie’s best friend dies suddenly, their idyllic small-town haven begins to crumble. Kate and Ethan lose their footing, and Indie, alone in her grief, falls down an internet rabbit hole of nihilism and existential despair.

As Indie searches for meaning in a world that feels random and cruel, Kate struggles to reconcile her carefully curated online persona with the raw, unyielding grief tearing her family apart. When long-buried family secrets rise to the surface, she is forced to confront unsettling truths that challenge everything she thought she knew—about marriage, motherhood, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.

Told in the dual voices of a mother and daughter grappling with loss, No One You Know is filled with poignant observations on parenthood, best friendship, class and political divides, infidelity in a small town—and the bitter truth that death can touch everything we love.

Release date: January 20, 2026. Shipping is included in all prices.

Each piece is uniquely handcrafted, featuring four hand-rolled polymer clay beads in a coordinated black and gold colorway. No two necklaces are the same – gold foil accents create one-of-a-kind swirls and shimmer in every bead.

These lightweight statement necklaces are designed to be both stylish and versatile, perfect for dressing up casual outfits or adding a touch of glam to evening wear.

Beads measure approx. 1/2" each


Strung on a 30" elastic gold-tone cord – adjustable to your perfect length


Comes in a black organza gift bag – ready to gift or keep

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Shipping is included in all prices.

One-of-a-kind botanical art made using real dried flowers: Daisy, yarrow, Queen Anne’s lace, hyacinth & seasonal blooms.

Handcrafted baroque-style frame – made from poured, painted, and sealed resin.

Size: 4" wide x 3.125" high

This item ships directly from its maker.
Shipping is included in all prices.