20 STORIES FOR 20 YEARS
Laurie Ramie
Laurie Ramie is the Executive Director of the Upper Delaware Council and has been a Bethel Woods member for 20 years.
“When I moved to Hortonville from northern New York in 1992 and worked as a reporter for the Sullivan County Democrat, my beat included the Town of Bethel. This was the era when many local residents and leaders impacted by the unexpectedly massive gathering at the 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair were still struggling to embrace the legacy of peace & love that this event came to symbolize. Layers of chicken manure effectively repelled people from visiting Yasgur’s Farm field, and would-be promoters were greeted with great skepticism that they could ever recapture the magic that occurred on that hallowed ground. Even music producer Sid Bernstein reiterated his claim to fame of bringing the Beatles to America, as he took the bus from New York City to Bethel Town Board meetings to push his plan. Enter Alan Gerry, a trusted and self-made local son, to quietly begin purchasing some 2,000 acres of property surrounding the original Woodstock field in 1997 based on his family’s vision to help revitalize this once thriving Catskills region through a long-term, non-profit investment.
I’ve been fascinated to closely observe the development of this site from the days of impromptu and joyfully wild reunions (Arlo Guthrie patiently posing with my sister as I tried to get my rain-soaked camera to work) to the first “Day in the Garden” concerts and Woodstock 30th anniversary events I attended in 1998 and ’99 (with the t-shirts to prove it), all of which tested the waters for the permanent arts center that began taking shape in 2004 after a process of smart research and careful planning.
I proudly joined as a Bethel Woods member in 2006 to show my support and still recall the thrill of the fireworks bursting overhead as the New York Philharmonic performed at the inaugural concert. First came the 16,000-seat Pavilion amphitheater with its high-quality acoustics and surrounding lush landscaping touches, coupled by the indoor Events Gallery offering a gorgeous venue for intimate performances and fantastic receptions. Later came the endlessly intriguing special exhibits and The Museum at Bethel Woods where I am gratified to see my late friend Jack Niflot’s portrait in the entryway every time I take guests there since its 2008 opening as a must-see immersion into the transformative 1960s.
I’ve attended Conservatory classes, Duke Devlin’s historic interpretation at the monument, lectures, film screenings, backstage tours, fundraisers, and holiday markets, the Bindy Bazaar Trail, Peace, Love & Pumpkins, Peace, Love & Lights, and every season of Harvest Festivals.
One unique event was Richie Havens’ 2013 Celebration of Life, highlighted by Woodstock festival co-creator Michael Lang’s remembrances. Lang recalled pleading with Havens to take the stage first and keep performing through three encores, while other scheduled opening acts were stuck in traffic. It poignantly ended with a plane flying low over us on that beloved field to scatter Richie’s ashes mixed with flower petals.
Since updating from film to a digital point-and-shoot camera, I’ve accumulated 45+ albums of photos from the concerts, enjoying the challenge of either zooming the telephoto in from the lawn or framing shots between heads in the pavilion. Among my favorite concerts have been Elton John, The Eagles, Alanis Morissette, The Who, Chicago, Steve Martin & Martin Short, and John Waite. The experience of any Bethel Woods show, for me, has as much to do with the friendly helpfulness of the staff, the unforeseen beauty of the grounds, the membership perks of early discounted ticketing and expedited entry, and positive energy of the audiences, as the talent on stage.
I’ll never take for granted how fortunate we are to have Bethel Woods Center for the Arts – justifiably voted as the #1 amphitheater in the U.S. in 2024 and 2025 – in our backyards. Their team’s appreciation for the regional community that comprises the majority of their staff, volunteers, and patrons is always evident in return.
The historic 1969 vibes of peace & love continue to reverberate through this special place as the organization celebrates its 20th anniversary of continuously evolving its artistically enriching programming for adults and youth, while keeping the spirit and unique legacy of Woodstock alive. My 20-year membership represents my belief in the mission and magnificence of the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.”