Bethel Woods Before and After

There is a long, long, very long distance between Woodstock and Bethel Woods. Today, I calculate it at over 60 miles and 1.5 hours of driving at a descent clip. But once I arrive at the legendary home of counterculture and rock n' roll I'm within earshot of musical spirits like Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix. In 1969, this culmination of music with peace, love and togetherness was what Brian Hollander, now Editor for the Woostock Times, was looking for along with 500,000 others. He and his friends certainly found something to remember it by.

High in the Catskills of Sullivan County Brian tracks down the tiny patch of earth that he squatted on 37 years ago. The big empty field is squared off by property fencing and freshly planted pines. Max Yagur's 600 acre farm still remains intact - free of suburban housing and commercial development. Brian kneels down and plants his tush in the wet spring grass careful not to sit in deer droppings. "This is it, this is where it all went down" he says while pulling a long silver peace-sign medallion from his pocket and holding it up to my camera. Brian brainstormed the night before and translates his ephemeral memories into poetic nostalgia.

On the very top of the hallow grounds sits a gazillion dollar Center for the Arts building and copper-colored pavillion. In July the theater debuts classical, rock, pop, jazz and country concerts to several thousands. Unlike living off the farm land in 1969, Brian is pleased to know that food, shelter and sanitary bathroom facilities are available today. If you have the chance to visit the myths, realities and the legacies of Woodstock make sure you bring someone who was there in the beginning and then sit back and watch them dream.