To the Editor:
For almost 30 years, my family has happily called Preston Hollow our little slice of heaven. I was just a teenager when I was first introduced to the vast beauty of the Catskill Mountains, the ability to rest and relax from the hustle and bustle of the city, and our great community here in Preston Hollow.

My late father and mother had plans to retire here, as my wife and I plan on doing in the future. We have so many great memories up here, my father always had a smile on his face while he decompressed.

He’d patiently wait for hunting season to come along, when my uncle and him would finally bag that prized 10-pointer.

In proof of the great circle of life, volunteers came to our aid once again. It was just over five-and-a-half years ago when my father had suffered a massive heart attack. Against great odds, he was revived on scene and was transported to Albany Med.

I rushed up there to meet my mother and saw my father awake and fully aware. Maybe the longest three-hour drive I have ever taken. My father needed bypass surgery and unfortunately succumbed to organ failure from that first heart attack.

But those first responders gave me that chance to say goodbye to my Dad. I promised him that I would take care of his most prized possession, his Little Yellow House with The Big Red Barn. Our house had many nicknames.

And over those years, my wife and I have been steadfast in keeping that promise. It has been hard work and it has paid off. We have created new memories. Our nieces had never seen snow before, and they were able to do this here.

This is not just our home away from home, it is part of our family, it is in the fabric of our lives. It survived Irene by a small miracle. It’s where my parents’ smiles and laughter lives.

So, yes, as we may be brokenhearted about losing Our Tiny Little House, we will build a new place to create newer memories. I will get to introduce the beauty of this area to my younger family members.

They will hear a story about how this wonderful community came to our aid [“Owner of home that went up in flames after crash grateful for quick work of firefighters,” The Altamont Enterprise, March 18, 2024]. How by yet another small miracle of a passing couple that also happened to be in the service of helping others, coming to our rescue.

How the Wood family, all three generations in volunteer service, helped us through a tough time. When Noah [Zweifel, Altamont Enterprise reporter] told us about how many well wishers had reached out and asked if we had a GoFundMe, that meant a lot to us. We do not need that as of now. 

So from the very bottom of our hearts: Thank you, thank you, thank you. We will be back and we hope to see you around.

Anthony and

Mary Esposito

New York City