Truly a site to behold

By DAVID HULSE

BARRYVILLE, NY — If you would like to look down on eagles in flight and take in about 30 miles of panoramic river valley view from your bedroom, the new bed and breakfast that Alan Rosenblatt and Kurt Kreider have created is the place for you.

The two men have owned a house in Highland Lake for 20 years, but Kreider said, “We always wanted to do a bed and breakfast.” Last spring they went looking for a location and purchased the landmark Fischer home off Corkscrew Road in Barryville.

Completing the renovation, which has taken most of year, they plan to open in July. The new business has been dubbed, “ECCE” (pronounced et-chay) which is Latin for behold, and the name is appropriate. Kreider said the name came from a small monument that was erected by the original owners, Agnes and Henry Fischer, perched 300 feet above Route 97 atop the ledges. Pointing to a home across the river in Shohola, Kreider recounted the story that the Fischers originally built in Pennsylvania, but fell in love with the view and eventually moved to the new site on 60 acres in 1952.

However, the overlook apparently was popular for decades before the house was built as the ledges bear carved initials and dates going back to 1926.

Rosenblatt and Kreider contracted with Joe Riccardi of JMR Construction in Shohola to expand and renovate the property. ECCE now has five large bedrooms, complete with luxuriously appointed private baths, air conditioning and ceiling fans, a refrigerator and coffee maker, television, DSL internet access and a DVD/VCR/CD player.

A full breakfast will also be offered.

In addition, Kreider said that they also hope to make the property available for small weddings and family events.

There will be an open house at ECCE from noon to 4:00 p.m., on Sunday, May 30 and on June 5 and 6, but parking is limited. Kreider asked that anyone interested in attending the open house call ahead for a reserved time. A website and email access is planned, but for now, you can reach ECCE by calling 845/557-8562.