Radio Chatskill

The 4th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Youth Summit will take place on Friday, January 17, at SUNY Sullivan. The event is designed to empower high school juniors and seniors to become agents of change. The summit will begin with a screening of Dr. King's "Blueprint for Life" speech, emphasizing the importance of self-belief, determination, and commitment. Students will then participate in workshops and collaborative activities focused on fostering community service.We spoke to Sullivan 180’s Senior Director of Prevention Programming Amanda Langseder and Naquan Holman of SUNY Sullivan, Coordinator of Tutorial and Student Success Services, about the summit.

As the new year unfolds, many of us find ourselves reflecting on personal goals and resolutions. In her latest Moving Toward Health column for The Sullivan County Democrat, Maggi Fitzpatrick realized the desire to become a "morning person" became a focal point for change, but the path toward this goal wasn't as simple as merely setting an intention. It required adjusting long-standing routines to make way for meaningful change.

Founded in 2017, Wallenpaupack Brewing Company has quickly become a staple of Northeastern Pennsylvania's vibrant craft beer scene.As part of our Chamber Chats series with the Chamber of The Northern Poconos, we spoke to founder Rebecca Ryman and Brad about how their award-winning brewery blends local flavors with a strong commitment to the community.Spanning 14,000 square feet, Wallenpaupack Brewing Company features a brewpub, a beer garden, and a variety of hand-crafted beers brewed on-site. Each beer is crafted with locally sourced ingredients, reflecting the region's unique flavor profile and celebrating the richness of NEPA's agricultural offerings. But the brewery’s impact extends far beyond its craft beers. Giving back to the community is ingrained in Wallenpaupack Brewing Company’s DNA. Through their Pints for a Purpose program and specialty can sales, the brewery supports a range of local causes.In recognition of its outstanding contributions to the craft beer industry, Wallenpaupack Brewing Company was recently named “Pennsylvania Brewery of the Year” by the New York International Beer Competition, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in the region’s brewing scene.

On December 19, voters in the Livingston Manor and Roscoe central school districts approved a proposal to merge the districts via centralization.Now, the Livingston Manor and Roscoe Central School Districts are inviting residents, families, and community members to a Town Hall Meeting Thursday, January 9, to learn more about the unification process of the two districts, as well as the creation of the new seven-member school board. Superintendent John Evans of Livingston Manor and Roscoe Central School, alongside Dr. Robert Dufour, District Superintendent of Sullivan BOCES, will lead the meeting. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions, share their thoughts, and discuss the mergers' progress. The meeting will cover key milestones in the merger process and offer guidance on how residents can stay actively involved in shaping the future of the newly formed district.For more information, please contact Superintendent John Evans at [email protected], [email protected], or by phone at 607-498-4126, ext. 6105, or 845-439-4400, ext. 1201.

After Donald Trump’s election victory, many Democrats became more pessimistic about their party’s future, but Anne Hart, Chair of the Sullivan County Democratic Committee, says the party made key achievements locally in 2024.She is encouraging her party to enter 2025 with hope and resilience with its own version of "Project 2025," to remember lessons they learned from the election, and to recognize the accomplishments they made.

From her forest reserve in Eastern Ontario, Canada, Irish-born Diana Beresford-Kroeger has dedicated decades to advocating for the preservation of the world’s forests and trees.In an interview with Farm and Country’s Rosie Starr, the esteemed botanist, biochemist, and best-selling author shared her insights on the profound knowledge trees offer. She also discussed her latest book, which explores the science behind forests and the crucial role trees play in combating the climate crisis.

On the first day of summer 2024, photographer Casey Kelbaugh embarked stepped out into the blistering heat from his New York City apartment building in Alphabet City and headed west on 4th Street, bound for his home in the Catskills.It turned out to be a 27 day, roughly 300 mile journey on The Long Path, a long distance hiking trail. Kelbaugh wrote about his experience in the New York Times last September and Radio Catskill contributor Tracy Gates spoke to him about his hike on the little known trail.

The latest episode of Kaatscast–The Catskills Podcast explores a long-standing tradition of square dancing at a family home and barn, in Ashokan, NY.Host Brett Barry and production intern Olivia Sippel put on their dancing shoes and joined the fun, recording tales of traditional Catskills square dancing, and the musicians who are passing it down to a new generation of enthusiasts. Fiddler and caller Earl Pardini leads the festivities at this particular event, which goes back to the 1970s. The barn where it's held has all the warmth and joviality of a Charles Dickens scene, and we felt very much welcomed into a mostly friends-and-family affair. Featuring conversations with the Chase and Sparer families, the episode highlights deep-rooted Catskills traditions and includes insights from folklorist Ginny Shear and square dance caller Dane Scudder, who learned to "call" from a legend.

As nearly half of the global population cast their votes this year, politics dominated many headlines. However, science and the natural world also captured significant public interest. In his year end reflection, our resident science guy Joe Johnson highlights some of the year's most captivating science stories—from the solar eclipse and the mysteries of the sun to the rise of artificial intelligence and the fascinating world of the humble fruit fly.

A homeowner’s backyard in Orange County, New York, has yielded a significant paleontological discovery: a complete mastodon jaw, the first such find in the state in over 11 years. The jawbone, along with additional bone fragments, was unearthed by researchers from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange. Radio Catskill's Patricio Robayo spoke to Dr. Cory Harris, Chair of SUNY Orange’s Behavioral Sciences Department, about the ancient find. Homeowners discovered two teeth hidden by plant fronds on their property. Further investigation revealed two more teeth just beneath the surface. Excavation efforts by the Museum and SUNY Orange staff led to the recovery of the complete adult mastodon jaw, a piece of a toe bone, and a rib fragment. “When I found the teeth and examined them in my hands, I knew they were something special and decided to call in the experts,” said the homeowner. “I’m thrilled that our property has yielded such an important find for the scientific community.”With over 150 mastodon fossils found statewide to date, this find adds to the collection of Ice Age inhabitants in the area. With over 150 discovered to date, approximately one-third have been found in Orange County, solidifying the region's importance as a hotspot for these ancient relatives of modern elephants. “This discovery is a testament to the rich paleontological history of New York and the ongoing efforts to understand its past,” said Dr. Robert Feranec, director of Research & Collections and curator of Ice Age Animals at the New York State Museum. “This mastodon jaw provides a unique opportunity to study the ecology of this magnificent species, which will enhance our understanding of the Ice Age ecosystems from this region."The fossils will undergo carbon dating and a comprehensive analysis to glean insights into the mastodon’s age, diet, and habitat. After preservation and scientific study, public programming in 2025 will feature the artifacts.The New York State Museum encourages the public to report any similar discoveries to local authorities, emphasizing the potential of each find to contribute significantly to the understanding of New York's rich paleontological history.

Former President Jimmy Carter died at 100 on Sunday, December 29. He was a peanut farmer turned President. A humanitarian, statesman, novelist, Nobel Prize Laureate….and fly fisherman.Forty years ago, President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter made an historic five-day visit to Sullivan County. The Carters were invited to come and fish the Beaverkill and participate in fundraising events for the recently-formed Catskill Fly Fishing Center.Judy Van Put is a long-time member of the NYS Outdoor Writers Association, and she was one of the community members who hosted and fished with the president and first lady on their 1984 visit. She shared her memories of the Carters' visit in 1984.

Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the Climate Change Superfund Act into law, making New York the second state in the country to hold fossil fuel companies responsible for climate impacts. The Climate Superfund law signed by the Democrat the day after Christmas establishes a Climate Change Adaptation Cost Recovery Program, intended to raise $75 billion over 25 years from oil and gas companies blamed for contributing to climate impacts like flooding and severe heat.Environmental advocates and state legislators alike hailed the development.Third Act Upstate New York climate activist Michael Richardson says the science supporting the law is clear. "The production and burning of fossil fuel is the primary cause of the climate disruption that we're suffering from. With the signing of this Climate Change Superfund Act, which might want to be called the Taxpayer Relief Act, big oil will at long last be held accountable for the damage they sow upon our communities, and they cannot continue to make exorbitant profits, which they've been making over the past few years by not paying for the destructive consequences," said Richardson.State Assemblymember John McDonald of the 108th district, a Democrat, expects court challenges."People can be happy about it today, and you know, I support it, and who knows, hopefully it'll be successful, but like anything else, I also think it's going to be subject to years and years of litigation, which still puts us in this very difficult spot that we need to make positive and accurate changes to recognize that the climate is changing. And by same token, we need to be mindful the fact that we need to make sure that these changes don't have a negative, adverse impact on the average family's household, if anything has been learned in the last several years, but particularly last election, affordability is first and foremost in people's minds," McDonald said.The American Petroleum Institute responded to a request for comment by email, stating “This type of legislation represents nothing more than a punitive new fee on American energy, and we are evaluating our options moving forward.”In May, Vermont became the first state with such a law. Elena Mihaly is the Vice President for the Conservation Law Foundation of Vermont. "We are thrilled that New York is now an ally with Vermont in enacting this kind of climate accountability legislation to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for their fair share in the costs of climate pollution to the states of Vermont and New York, and we actually had a preview of what the American Petroleum Institute's concerns are with the laws, because they filed comments in the New York and Vermont legislatures during the adoption of both of the laws that kind of laid out what they felt was either unconstitutional or other concerns with the law. And in Vermont, we had the benefit of that to help make sure that we shaped the law to be defensible to all of those concerns. So we feel very confident about the defensibility of the law, and we are moving forward," Mihaly said. Blair Horner is with the New York Public Interest Research Group: "I think there'll be a bunch of other states are going to follow what New York does, because the staggering costs of climate change are not going away. And there's two choices, either the taxpayers pay for it, or the oil companies pay for it. We think it should be the oil companies," said Horner. Richardson adds "As the next legislative session begins here in January, we need to move beyond the incrementalism that has happened from the legislature and the governor in funding and implementing our landmark climate act. We have all the knowledge and tools to transition this New York state economy from fossil fuels to renewables. All that is needed is, quite candidly, the political courage and the political will. Now that's been demonstrated after two years of effort on this climate change Superfund bill, and it is landmark in the sense that there are now four other states that are queued up to follow the lead, from Vermont and New York," Richardson said. Hochul said lawmakers agreed to several changes “to address implementation and operational concerns,” including giving the state Department of Environmental Conservation additional time to create the program.From The New York Public News Network | WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By Dave Lucas

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock music and arts festival, is calling on artists and artisans to submit proposals for commemorative works of art in honor of the iconic Message Tree. The tree, a 60-foot red maple, played a central role during the original festival as a gathering spot for attendees who left messages, notes, and well-wishes pinned to its bark. It became a symbol of the peace, love, and unity that defined the Woodstock experience. Fifty-five years after Woodstock, the Message Tree was cut down in September due to its poor health and safety concerns.We spoke to Dr. Neal V. Hitch, senior curator at the Museum at Bethel Woods about the effort to preserve and honor this iconic piece of history.

It's the most wonderful time of the year and the busiest for holiday travel. Beginning Saturday through New Year’s Day, AAA estimates a record 119 million Americans will be in planes, trains, and automobiles, more than the previous record set in 2019.Patricia Kuepper-Artessa of AAA Northeast says that’s only accounting for people driving over the ten day span. She says the worst times to get the trip started are this weekend and right after Christmas.

Joe Johnson is our resident science guy and he highlights science stories that caught his eye. In this episode, Johnson brings us warnings from scientists about careless experimentation with 'mirror life forms' that could be deadly to humans and destroy the environment; how a particle accelerator helped discover the lost works of Archimedes; and a discovery by astronomers of an unusual exoplanet with a long "tail" of gas trailing behind it, not unlike a comet.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation now plans to permanently destroy the standing Skinners Falls Bridge, reversing its prior stated intention of dismantling the bridge and storing its pieces for later use, according to The River Reporter.This decision comes after an October inspection report which recommended repairs to the bridge and did not mention demolition as a possibility. The project team announced the reversal and new option for the first time at a virtual public meeting on December 17. The Skinners Falls Bridge crosses the Delaware River, connecting the communities of Milanville, PA, and Skinners Falls, NY and has been closed to traffic since 2019. We spoke to Liam Mayo from The River Reporter who attended the meeting.

In this episode of 'Kaatscast,' host Brett Barry delves into the fascinating world of the North American porcupine with Uldis Roze, the world's foremost expert on this mysterious and lovable Catskills rodent.Hear about the porcupine's habitat preferences, diet, mating behaviors, and unique defense mechanisms. Roze addresses common misconceptions, shares personal encounters, and reveals insights from his decades-long research, including the discovery of the molecule responsible for the porcupine's distinctive smell.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill on Friday that would have mandated local community involvement before the closure of a hospital or specific units.The bill, which was passed by state lawmakers in June, aimed to establish a process for hospital closures, requiring the state Department of Health to hold public forums and issue reports on the potential impact before any facility shut down.However, in her veto message, Hochul stated that the bill did not adequately address the practical challenges hospitals face. She emphasized that she would instead instruct the state Department of Health to introduce reforms to the current closure procedures.The bill, called the Local Input for Community Hospitals Act (LICH Act), was named in reference to the closure of Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn in 2014, which occurred despite significant community opposition.We spoke with Lois Uttley, co-founder of Community Voices for Health System Accountability, a statewide collaboration of health and human service advocates, and Mark Hannay, Director of Metro New York Health Care for All, a multi-constituency health care justice coalition.

Starting January 1, 2025, New York State’s law that bans PFAS in clothing will go into effect. Clothes and textiles are examples of a major use of PFAS, which are typically used to provide stain and water resistance. The National Resources Defense Council is celebrating the January 1st ban saying its a huge win for public health because it will reduce New Yorkers’ exposure to this dangerous chemical in clothing, which can touch and rub against our skin all day.Even with this ban, the fight to get PFAS out of the everyday personal and household items is far from over. We spoke with Kate Donovan, the NRDC’s Northeast Environmental Health director about the ban and three new PFAS bills that will be introduced for the 2025 legislative session in Albany.

The towering coal silos on Main Street in Callicoon, New York, once served as the heartbeat of the small town, transporting coal from Honesdale, PA, to Monticello, NY, and helping put the hamlet on the map. Now, nearly a century after they were built, the historic structures are deteriorating, sparking a local movement to save the iconic landmark before it’s too late.We spoke to ENGN Civic Creative Center co-founders Issac Green Diebbol and Tom Bosket about the preservation effort.

After a record seven hour session, Sullivan County Legislators approved the 2025 Budget, which includes a 2.5% tax levy increase. The budget passed with an 8-1 vote, with District 9 Legislator Terry Blosser-Bernardo opposed. The budget includes funding for several key initiatives, including $21.6 million for road and bridgework, $2.7 million for the EMS fly car system, and $2 million for a Housing Trust Fund to address the housing crisis. Other significant expenditures include $2 million for the design and renovation of County office spaces, $500,000 for the Sullivan Promise Scholarship Program, and $494,000 for community nonprofits through the Discretionary Funding Program.Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz expressed relief at the budget's passage but noted that some departments were not treated fairly. She highlighted the 5% raise for most management/confidential employees and expressed hope for comparable increases for union employees in the coming year.Several other legislators echoed the sentiment of continued work ahead. District 1 Legislator Matthew McPhillips emphasized the need to address concerns raised by employees and the public, while District 3 Legislator Brian McPhillips highlighted the budget's focus on maintaining and improving services without significantly impacting taxpayers.Despite concerns, the budget was ultimately approved, with many legislators highlighting specific initiatives they were pleased to support. District 6 Legislator Luis Alvarez, a strong advocate for the EMS fly car system, praised its lifesaving success. District 8 Legislator Amanda Ward, a first-time legislator, expressed her pride in the budget, stating that it "does right by the people we serve and the phenomenal staff we employ."The full details of the adopted budget will be made available on the Sullivan County website at www.sullivanny.us. Sullivan County Government Communications Director Dan Hust appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the details.

Miss Havisham, The Artful Dodger, Scrooge, The Ghost of Christmas Past. Farm Arts Collective is debuting a new short work featuring these famous characters and others from Charles Dickens novels at the annual "Dickens on the Delaware" town wide celebration in the Hamlet of Callicoon, NY on December 14.It's called "The Fezziwig Party" and it incorporates themes like social inequality and a call for compassion that are prevalent in Dickens' writing. Tannis Kowalchuk is the Artistic Director of Farm Arts Collective and the director of "The Fezziwig Party" and spoke about the play's origins.

NACL's "A Winter's Table" gathering features food and drink and a mechanical table designed by artist-inventor Dan Brinkerhoff.The table--akin to a lazy susan---will deliver dishes curated by Henning Nordanger (Henning's Local and Julia's Local) to guests.Brinkerhoff's wife Joanne Wasserman-Brinkerhoff and NACL's Brett Keyer joined us with the details..

This weekend, nearly 200 women of all ages—from teenagers to elders—are gathering in Sullivan County, NY, for the annual Rural Women's Assembly. The event, which brings together women from across New York State’s rural communities, fosters learning, inspiration, and empowerment. Organized by the Rural & Migrant Ministry, the assembly supports the organization's mission to build a just and equitable rural New York by nurturing leadership, challenging unjust systems, and standing in solidarity with marginalized groups, particularly farmworkers and rural laborers.We spoke to Adrienne Jensen, co- organizer of the Assembly. Jensen is also the Catskills Regional Coordinator for Rural Migrant Ministry and co-runs the Youth Economic Group.

'Tis the season. Respiratory virus season that is. Respiratory viruses like Covid-19, influenza, and RSV are increasing in New York and nationally. Plus, there’s been a spike in whooping cough.Dr. Marisa Donnelly is Your Local Epidemiologist at Healthbeat New York and she appeared on Radio Chatskill with the latest statistics and with advice on how you can protect yourself and your family heading into the holidays.Image by benzoix on Freepik

Christmas trees, holiday decorations, and festive meals are all iconic symbols of the holiday season, but they also pose potential fire risks that contribute to a rise in home fires across the U.S. each December. The National Fire Protection Association reports that in 2022, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve ranked as the second- and third-highest days for home cooking fires, respectively.Michael B. Gaffney is the Deputy Director and Fire Coordinator for Ulster County Department of Emergency Services and he appeared on Radio Chatskill with tips on how to minimize the likelihood of cooking, candle, Christmas tree, and decoration fires.Candles and LightingDecorating homes with electrical lighting and candles also contributes to a higher fire risk during the holiday season. The NFPA reports between 2018 and 2022, U.S. fire departments responded to an annual average of 835 home structure fires that began with decorations (excluding Christmas trees). Year-round, approximately one-third (32%) of home decoration fires were started by candles; in December, that number jumped to almost half (46%).Christmas TreesChristmas tree fires don’t happen very often, but when they do, they tend to be more serious. According to the NFPA, an annual average of 155 home Christmas tree fires resulted in four civilian deaths, seven civilian injuries, and $15 million in direct property damage, with electrical distribution or lighting equipment involved in more than two in five home Christmas tree fires.Lithium-Ion BatteriesMany people will be buying and gifting electronic devices that contain lithium-ion batteries. As the use of these devices has increased in recent years, so too has the number of related fires.There are steps you can do to better protect your home from a fire during the holidays. You can find the full list of safety tips below:Cook with caution.Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged.Do not put lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Recycling is always the best option. Take the batteries to a battery recycling location or contact your local waste department for disposal instructions.Have device repairs performed only by a qualified professional.Make sure your Christmas tree is at least three feet away from any heat sources.Only use devices, batteries and charging equipment that is listed under nationally recognized testing lab and labeled accordingly.Stop using your device if the battery shows signs of damage, such as an unusual odor, excessive heat, popping sounds, swelling, or change in color.Use charging equipment that is only compatible with your device. To be safe, use only the charging equipment that is supplied with your device.When your burning candles, use candle holders that are sturdy and won't tip over easily.

Microplastics, tiny plastic particles that either come from products intentionally containing them or break off from larger plastic items like clothing, tires, and cookware, are increasingly being found in unexpected places.And they are everywhere. These particles have been detected in the clouds, on Mount Everest, in the deepest parts of the oceans, and in the Arctic. Microplastics can contain over 20,000 different plastic chemicals and are often attached to harmful human-made compounds linked to serious health risks, including cancer, neurotoxicity, and hormonal and developmental disruptions.In a move to tackle this growing crisis, more than 170 environmental organizations filed a legal petition last week, urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to begin monitoring microplastics in drinking water. The petition marks a crucial step in addressing a pollution problem that is fast becoming one of the most urgent public health threats facing the nation.Despite rising awareness about the widespread contamination of water and its impact on human health, the EPA has yet to take significant action. The petition calls on the agency to start tracking microplastics as an emerging contaminant under the Safe Drinking Water Act by 2026.In Pike County, Pennsylvania they’re doing something about it now. Rachael Marques is a Watershed Specialist for the Pike County Conservation District and she appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss their Study of Microplastics in Pike County Waters.

Inspired by Christmas sing-alongs they grew up with in New Hampshire, Grammy Award-winners Dan and Claudia Zanes are blending classic Christmas songs along with music from various cultures and traditions on Saturday, December 7, in the Bethel Woods Event Gallery. The performance will include seasonal songs from around the world, including Puerto Rico, Korea, Wales, Tunisia, Haiti, and Washington D.C. In addition to popular holiday songs like “Let It Snow,” “Silent Night,” and “Deck the Halls,” the show will celebrate Hanukkah, Korean New Year, Kwanzaa, and the Winter Solstice.Dan and Claudia, known for their Smithsonian Folkways recordings, will be joined by multi-instrumentalist and children’s music artist Elena Moon Park. The trio will combine folk music with guitar, violin, trumpet, harmonica, flute, spoons, percussion, and mandolin, creating an intimate, living-room-like atmosphere onstage.he Christmas sing-alongs they grew up with in New Hampshire.The Holiday Sing-Along will also be sensory-friendly, making it accessible for everyone. Attendees will receive a printed songbook to follow along with the music. After the performance, ticket holders will receive a voucher for discounted access to the Bethel Woods "Peace, Love, and Lights" holiday light display.The event is pay-what-you-wish, and tickets do not need to be purchased in advance.

You may have heard of a wine sommelier, but what about a honey sommelier? Donna DeFalco, is a professional honey sommelier and board member of the American Honey Tasting Society, and she is leading a Honey Connoisseurship Holiday Workshop, at the Narrowsburg Union hosted by Catskills Curated. Donna will guide attendees through the art of honey tasting, helping them develop an appreciation for the diverse range of honey profiles.She brought some honey to the Radio Catskill studios for an on-air tasting.

Discussing cognitive decline or end-of-life planning may not seem like the most cheerful topic for a holiday gathering, but starting the conversation now can help ensure that everything is in order when the time comes. Willow Baum and Christina Wall from Friend for the End joined Radio Chatskill's Tim Bruno to offer advice on how to approach these sensitive topics with loved ones during the holidays, helping to understand their wishes regarding aging, illness, and end-of-life decisions.

The Metropolitan Opera's acclaimed series of live high-definition cinema simulcasts, The Met: Live in HD, returns to SUNY Sullivan's Seelig Theatre this Saturday, December 7, with an encore presentation of Julie Taymor's production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" on Saturday, December 7. Patricia Adams from SUNY Sullivan Foundation and Dan Rigney from SUNY Sullivan appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the series with "Classical Kit." The Met: Live in HD season continues with Verdi’s "Aida" on January 25, 2025, followed by Beethoven’s "Fidelio" on March 15, 2025. Mozart’s "Le Nozze di Figaro" will be transmitted on April 26, 2025, Strauss’s "Salome" on May 17, 2025, and Rossini’s "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" on May 31, 2025. All performances, except for "The Magic Flute," are live simulcasts from the Met stage. All performances are Saturday matinees.“From its beginning, The Met: Live in HD was created to connect the Met to a global audience,” said Peter Gelb, the Met’s Maria Manetti Shrem General Manager. “We’re glad to see audiences around the world beginning to return to cinemas in larger numbers since the end of the pandemic.”Tickets for the Seelig Theatre presentations are $25 for general admission. Discounts are available for Met Opera Members and seniors at $20, students at $10, and children under five at $5. Tickets can be purchased online at sunysullivan.edu/met-opera/, or at the door. “The College is thrilled to present Metropolitan Opera programs in our own Seelig Theatre,” said SUNY Sullivan President David Potash. “Thanks to generous contributions from the SUNY Sullivan Foundation, this and other programming brings the arts to our community.”The Seelig Theatre opens 30 minutes before each screening. Proceeds from the event benefit the SUNY Sullivan Foundation.

Deep Water Literary Fest will host a holiday benefit featuring music, cocktails, and immersive vignettes at The Darby Hotel. The event will feature vignettes performed in the hotel's rooms. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy performances by acclaimed actors Dylan Baker and Becky Ann Baker, as well as Flirty Riot and Willow Gatewood. The Deep Water Literary Fest 2025 returns June 20-22, 2025, in Narrowsburg, NY.

The latest Kaatscast podcast delves into the fascinating life and career of Morris Katz, a Polish-born Holocaust survivor and acclaimed painter known for his lightning-fast painting technique using a palette knife and toilet paper! Recognized by the Guinness World Records, Katz captivated audiences with his vibrant performance art in the Catskills, creating over 280,000 pieces.You'll learn about his unique method, his impact on Jewish cultural history, and recent exhibitions celebrating his work. Listen for an in-depth story about this charismatic and prolific artist, and discover how one host's bid on a Katz painting sparked a journey of discovery.Kaatscast is a biweekly series featuring Catskills culture, history, sustainability, local interviews, literature, and the arts. Shows are hosted by Brett Barry and produced by Silver Hollow Audio, in the heart of the Catskills. Voted “Best Regional Podcast” three years in a row.

The Wayne County Arts Alliance (WCAA) 8th annual seasonal art sale, Art Under $100 and More, kicked off on Saturday and it runs throughout the month of December at the WCAA headquarters, located at 959 Main Street in Honesdale, PA. Janet Gaglione is the Executive Director of WCAA and she discussed opportunity to give a unique gift of art on Radio Chatskill.

Voters in the Livingston Manor and Roscoe Central School Districts will go to the polls on Thursday, Dec. 19, to decide whether the two districts should merge. Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at the gymnasiums of both schools. The proposed merger aims to enhance academic and extracurricular opportunities for students while providing financial stability for the community. A series of meetings have been scheduled to provide voters with more information about the proposal:* Dec. 3: Roscoe PTA meeting at the Roscoe Diner at 7 p.m.* Dec. 11: Roscoe Free Library at 3 p.m.* Dec. 12: Livingston Manor Free Library at 6 p.m.* Dec. 16: LMCS Board of Education meeting at 6 p.m.* Dec. 17: RCS Board of Education meeting at 4:30 p.m.The merger process was prompted by a change in the state's merger aid calculation formula, which could result in approximately $30.7 million in aid over 14 years for the combined district. This represents a $23.5 million increase under the previous formula. According to the districts, a majority of respondents at both districts' May budget votes indicated support for revisiting the merger proposal in light of the new aid formula. A merger study addendum was completed and approved by the State Education Department in September. Following a unanimous vote by both boards in October to proceed with the merger process, the required number of signatures was collected in each district. The boards formally approved the signatures and voted to move forward with the reorganization process on Nov. 7. The resolutions were forwarded to the BOCES district superintendent to initiate the formal reorganization process with the State Education Department, which formally approved the vote date of Dec. 19 on Tuesday, Nov. 26.To be eligible to vote, residents must be 18 years old, U.S. citizens, and district residents for at least 30 days. Residents must also be registered to vote at their county board of elections. Unregistered residents can register before Dec. 13 at their district’s main office between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. while school is in session. More information about the merger is available on the merger page of each district’s website. Residents can direct questions or concerns to Superintendent John Evans at [email protected] or [email protected], by phone at 607-498-4126, ext. 6105, or 845-439-4400, ext. 1201, or by contacting a member of either district’s school board.

In 1995, at the age of 70, Barbara Yeaman spearheaded the creation of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy (DHC), a land trust based in Hawley, PA. Recognizing the rapid development taking over the region, Barbara was determined to make a meaningful impact.She filed for non-profit status and, leading by example, demonstrated the conservancy's mission by placing a conservation easement on her own 12-acre property in Milanville, PA.Since then, the conservancy has preserved over 20,000 acres in the Upper Delaware River Region, encompassing Pike and Wayne Counties in Pennsylvania as well as Sullivan and Delaware Counties in New York.Farm and Country's Rosie Starr recently spoke with Barbara Yeaman as she celebrates her 100th birthday.

The first taste of winter brought more than snow to The Catskills and Northeast Pennsylvania, as thousands spent hours or even days without electricity.A primary reason for these outages, according to NYSEG, was the consistency of the snow that fell from Thursday night into Friday.Senior Communications Manager for NYSEG Shelby Cohen told WBNG in Binghamton, “When wet heavy snow falls and those trees fall, they can fall onto our lines and the trees themselves take a lot of load when the snow accumulates that’s very heavy and very wet and that can contribute to outages as well,” In Pennsylvania, at one point on Friday, the PPL Electric Utilities outage map showed about 78,000 customers affected in an area stretching from Northeast Pennsylvania to the Lancaster area..Power is back for most folks across the region. One of the local areas hardest hit during the snowstorm was the Town of Highland, New York.We spoke to John Pizzolato, Town Supervisor at Town Of Highland, about the community's resilience and lesson learned from the snowstorm.

Can you imagine seeing a giant millipede the same size as a car? Well, a massive creature just like this existed 340 million years ago.Joe Johnson is our resident science guy and he’s here with the story of that millipede with up to 64 legs and other science stories that caught his eye, including a mega-meteorite that might have helped early life on Earth to thrive and a fungus that grows more vigorously when it feels good vibes

As many give thanks with family and friends this week, The New York Department of Environmental Conservation reminds folks to be thankful for our environment too by taking actions to protect and preserve our natural resources. We spoke to Kristine Ellsworth from the New York DEC Division of Materials Management for some tips on reducing wasted food and composting your food scraps for the holidays.

One Small Step brings strangers with different political views together to record a conversation—not to debate politics, but to learn who we are as people. Created by StoryCorps, One Small Step is an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us—even those with whom we disagree.Radio Catskill is one of just seven stations selected nationally to host One Small Step in 2024. With participant permission, these conversations will be preserved for future generations at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.Participants Elizabeth and Nate recorded One Small Step conversations seperatlet at our Liberty studios earlier this summer and we brought them together on Radio Chatskill about their experience.Listen all of our One Small Step conversations and others on the StoryCorps Archive HEREStoryCorps’ One Small Step and the Radio Station Hubs are made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Image: One Small Step participants Elizabeth (left) and Nate at our Liberty studios.

"Wicked" is defying gravity at the box office. The first of two Universal Pictures films based on a Broadway prequel to "The Wizard of Oz," "Wicked," topped the domestic and global box office with $114 million at U.S. and Canadian theaters, plus $50.2 million in international markets, for a global total of $164.2 million this weekend.Harmony in the Woods’ podcast HarmonyTALK celebrates the incredible voices and stories behind the music and recently spoke to Broadway’s Dan Micciche, Music Director and Conductor of "Wicked,"who shared insights on the musical and the "Wicked" movie.HarmonyTALK host Host Lisa Champeau appeared on Radio Chatkill for a unique look behind the curtain at what it takes to keep one of the world’s biggest shows running and to share more about the podcast.

Ulster County will commemorate Sojourner Truth Day on Tuesday, November 26, with two free events celebrating the life and legacy of the renowned abolitionist and women’s rights advocate who escaped enslavement in the county. The day will begin with a historic marker reveal ceremony at 11:00 AM outside the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, where Truth won her son’s freedom. The event will feature remarks from Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis, Dr. Weldon McWilliams of SUNY New Paltz Black Studies, and Sojourner Truth’s sixth-generation granddaughter, Barbara Allen. In the evening, a gathering at the Ulster County Restorative Justice Center at 6:00 PM will feature a reenactment of Truth’s iconic “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech performed by Rev. Deborah Zuill, a song selection by Rev. Evelyn Clarke, and a drum selection by Ubaka Hill, a nationally-known percussionist, singer/songwriter, inspirational speaker, visual artist, teaching artist and facilitator of sacred ceremony. The event will also display court artifacts related to Truth’s life and times. Light refreshments will be served.Sojourner Truth, born in 1797 in what is now Ulster County, became the first woman to win a court case against a man and dedicated her life to advocating for abolition and women’s rights. Her powerful voice and unwavering commitment to justice continue to resonate today. Everyone is encouraged to attend these free and important events. Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the events.

The Delaware River Basin Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday to gather comments about the abnormally dry conditions throughout the four-state watershed.It was hard on the heels of New York City’s announcement on Monday that it was suspending its long-planned work on the Delaware River Aqueduct, which would plug a leak in the tunnel that carries about half of New York City’s water under the Hudson River.Meg McGuire of Delaware Currents –the news project dedicated to telling the story of the Delaware River from its headwaters in the Catskill Mountains of New York to the Delaware Bay, where it meets the ocean - appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the possibility of declaring a drought on the river.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths here in New York and across the U.S., but the American Lung Association’s 2024 “State of Lung Cancer” report reveals positive news. The lung cancer survival rate has improved 26% in the last five years. The report also presents opportunities for New York to further improve lung cancer survival by increasing access to screening and biomarker testing.We spoke to Mike Seilback, Assistant Vice President for Public Policy for American Lung Association, about the report's results.

A free Community Thanksgiving Lunch will be held on Thursday, November 28, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Blue Fox Motel (5670 NY-97, Narrowsburg, NY 12764). The event is a collaboration between Tusten Social and the Blue Fox Motel, aiming to provide a warm and festive meal for community members.Chef Bruno Carvahlo will cook a traditional Thanksgiving feast for all guests. The event is open to anyone who might find themselves alone during the holiday or simply wishes to share a meal with others. "We are delighted to partner with The Blue Fox to create a friendly and delicious experience this Thanksgiving, particularly for those who otherwise might find themselves alone during the holiday," said Greta Knutzen, Co-Founder of Tusten Social.Meg Sullivan, Co-Owner of Blue Fox Motel, added, “A strong community is built around shared experiences, and there’s no better way to connect than over a table filled with great food. We are delighted to provide a space where everyone can convene, enjoy themselves and give thanks.” The event also supports the Narrowsburg Ecumenical Food Pantry's Holiday Gift Drive. Attendees can buy $5 and $10 gift cards at the door to benefit local families in need. RSVPs are required by Monday, November 25, to guarantee sufficient food for the free event. Community members can reserve spots by emailing [email protected].

To support local farmers and connect them with consumers, Wayne County has introduced the AgroLegacy brand. This initiative helps local producers, processors, markets, and eateries amplify their voices and raise awareness about the exceptional agricultural products grown in the region. It also makes it easier for consumers to support local businesses and the families behind them, fostering a sense of community and pride in the food they eat.Zachary Jones, Co-Chair of Wayne Tomorrow!’s Ag Task Force and Sustainable Agriculture Specialist for Wayne County’s Conservation District says AgroLegacy is more than just a brand; it’s a movement to sustain and grow local agriculture for future generations.

Award-winning playwright and JACK partnership artist Camille Simone Thomas is deep into developing her powerful new play "Sweet Blood." Currently in residence at the NACL Theatre, Thomas is exploring the intricate relationship between text, song, and dance as she crafts the story of three free Black Maroon/Taino women in 18th-century Jamaica.Set in 1727, "Sweet Blood" follows these women as they face the looming threat of colonialism and the impending sugar revolution that will bring centuries of chattel slavery to the Caribbean. The women must decide how far they are willing to go to protect their land, their people, and their freedom as the British colonial forces approach. The play grapples with the realities of survival, revolution, and resistance in a rapidly changing world.On Friday, November 22, NACL will host a reading of selected scenes from this work-in-progress, followed by an audience discussion of the play’s major themes. The event provides an opportunity to witness the early stages of Thomas’ creative process and engage with the powerful questions posed by the narrative."Sweet Blood" is an exploration of how far individuals will go to challenge the oppressive forces of colonialism, capitalism, and white supremacy. It delves into the complex dynamics of survival, resistance, and the question of what it truly means to be a revolutionary in a world where freedom is under constant threat.About Camille Simone ThomasCamille Thomas is a 5th generation Detroiter and first-generation Jamaican playwright whose work often focuses on cultural legacies, ancestral wisdom, spirituality, and the struggle of Black femmes to achieve liberation. Her work interrogates how colonial and capitalist forces shape the lives of Black people, particularly women, and the ways in which they fight for their survival.Her previous work has been showcased at prestigious venues including The Connelly Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, Playwrights Horizons, Dixon Place, and the Detroit Public Theatre Company, among others. Her web series *Gro Up* was featured at the Academy Award-qualifying Reel Sisters Film Festival, the PanAfrican Film Festival, and the Martha’s Vineyard Virtual Film Festival. Thomas has been recognized for her bold voice in the theater world, receiving accolades such as the 2023 New Harmony Project finalist and the 2023 Van Lier New Voices Fellowship Semi-finalist. She is also an associate artist with the Sanguine Theatre Company and has held fellowships with the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute’s DEAR fellowship and The Theatre Producers of Color.JACK PartnershipJACK, an award-winning multidisciplinary theater space in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, is a key partner in supporting the development of Thomas’ work. JACK provides artists with access to the NACL residency center to develop new work that will ultimately be produced at the Brooklyn venue. JACK’s programming centers on artists of color and those working toward collective liberation, and they present over 75 performances a year across theater, dance, and music.

A weather system moving through the region on Wednesday evening is expected to bring much-needed rain, continuing overnight into Thursday morning, with scattered showers throughout the day. By Thursday evening, widespread rainfall totals of up to 1 inch are possible, with some localized areas potentially receiving up to 2 inches—significantly higher amounts than many areas have seen in the past month.In addition to the rain, colder air moving into the region may bring a mix of wet snow, particularly in the higher elevations of the Catskills and Poconos. As an upper-level low pressure system moves over New York State, it will cause rapid upward motion in the atmosphere, cooling the air and pulling in cold air from mid-levels. This could result in rain transitioning to wet snow in parts of the Catskills and the Poconos on Thursday, with some areas potentially experiencing their first accumulating snow of the season.The higher elevations of Sullivan, Western Ulster, Western Greene, and Delaware counties are expected to see the greatest snowfall totals, with some of the highest peaks possibly receiving over 6 inches. Residents in these colder, higher-elevation areas should be prepared for snowy conditions, especially Thursday night.However, the weather system remains unpredictable. Meteorologists caution that the dynamic nature of the storm means there's still a chance for wet snow to reach portions of the Hudson Valley, particularly in valley areas. There's a 20% to 30% chance that rapidly cooling air and strong upward motion could lead to a brief period of snow across the region on Thursday. For now, it's a weather event that will require close monitoring as conditions develop over the next two days.We go in-depth on this week’s forecast and talk about the winter ahead with Michael Kistner, Lead Meteorologist, National Weather Service, Binghamton.

<p><em>This article is made possible through </em><a href="https://www.spotlightpa.org/"><em>Spotlight PA’s</em></a><em> collaboration with </em><a href="https://www.votebeat.org/"><em>Votebeat</em></a><em>, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting. </em><a href="https://www.votebeat.org/newsletters/"><em>Sign up for Votebeat's free newsletters here</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s highest court has directed three counties not to include undated or misdated mail ballots in their November election results.</p><p>Such ballots have been the subject of years of litigation in various courts, and became an issue again after Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties moved to count them for the Nov. 5 election.</p><p>These are the ballots where a voter has neglected to write the date on the return envelope or written something incorrect, like their birthday. There are roughly 1,500 or so ballots in play in the three counties, likely not enough to change the outcome of the U.S. Senate race that is spurring the litigation.</p><script src="https://www.spotlightpa.org/embed.js" async></script><div data-spl-embed-version="1" data-spl-src="https://www.spotlightpa.org/embeds/newsletter/"></div><p>Still, the legal action highlights an unsettled area of policy that has long frustrated people in charge of running elections in Pennsylvania.</p><p>Attorneys for the counties had argued that officials there had constitutional concerns about rejecting the improperly dated ballots.</p><p>They pointed to Commonwealth Court, which has ruled multiple times this year that rejecting mail ballots solely for an improper date violates the state constitution’s free and equal elections clause.</p><p>On Monday, a 4-3 majority of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court <a href="https://www.pacourts.us/assets/opinions/Supreme/out/136MM2024pco%20-%20106152930288600382.pdf?cb=1">told the three counties not to include undated and misdated ballots in their counts</a>. It clarified that the Commonwealth Court rulings do not apply to the Nov. 5 election.</p><p>Here’s how to understand the background leading up to the decision:</p><h2>What exactly is an undated mail ballot?</h2><p>A mail ballot in Pennsylvania comes with two envelopes: an inner secrecy envelope and an outer return envelope.</p><p>There is a field on the return envelope for the voter to write “today’s date” — meaning, the date they fill it out.</p><p>An undated ballot is one where the voter left that field blank. A “misdated” ballot is generally understood to be one on which a voter wrote a date outside a range described in a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling — between when counties begin mailing out ballots and Election Day, when they are due.</p><p>The Pennsylvania Department of State directed counties to pre-print the full year — 2024 — on the envelope to help voters avoid writing the wrong date, like their birthdays, previously one of the most common errors.</p><h2>Is counting undated mail ballots ‘illegal’?</h2><p>The first way to understand the issue is based on what state law has to say about these ballots. The Pennsylvania Election Code <a href="https://casetext.com/statute/pennsylvania-statutes/statutes-unconsolidated/title-25-ps-elections-electoral-districts/chapter-14-election-code/article-xiii-d-voting-by-qualified-mail-in-electors/section-315016-voting-by-mail-in-electors#:~:text=The%20elector%20shall%20then%20fill%20out%2C%20date%20and%20sign%20the%20declaration%20printed%20on%20such%20envelope.">requires</a> voters to date and sign the return envelope in order for the ballot to be accepted and counted. However, this enforcement of this provision has been heavily litigated over the past several years.</p><p>You may have seen headlines like <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pennsylvania-democrats-openly-admit-counting-illegal-ballots-mccormick-casey-race">this one</a> from Fox News: “Pennsylvania Democrats openly admit to counting illegal ballots in McCormick-Casey race.” Or <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/11/15/pennsylvania-senate-casey-provisional-ballots/">this one</a> from the Washington Post editorial board: “Democrats thumb their nose at the rule of law in Pennsylvania.”</p><p>These pieces reference the decisions in Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties to accept and count improperly dated ballots.</p><p>The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s order on Monday cited a ruling it made in 2022 that “the Election Code’s command” to date ballots “is unambiguous and mandatory