Radio Chatskill

MIGRATIONS is a wordless play with original sound design exploring journeys of displacement and migration. It is drawn from interviews with displaced people and personal stories of the international performance collective Long Story Short.It’s being presented Friday, July 19, at NACL in Highland Lake, NY by Long Story Short and Dutch Kills Theater. Tim Bruno spoke to Long Story Short Collective performers Blake Haberman and Julia Cavagna on Radio Chatskill.

This summer's extreme heat may prove to be a difficulty for some New York crops. Cornell University Professor of Horticulture Steve Reiners said some plants may stop growing.“Once we start seeing temperatures into the upper 80s and, close to 90 and above, what we see, our plants start to shut down, they start to go into survival mode," Reiners said. "And if they're in survival mode, that means they're not growing. They're not producing the sugars and the flavors and everything that we expect. so that's going to have an impact that has an impact on yield."He said the best way to combat the heat is to have a good irrigation system and plan on using around a half gallon of water per square foot of your garden."Water, water, water, put a lot of irrigation, and this is whether you're a farmer or whether you're a gardener," Reiners said. "If you think you've watered enough, water again this time of year."Reiners added the true impact from a heatwave may not be noticeable for a few weeks.Despite warmer temperatures creeping up in the summer months, Reiners said the frost season has remained largely the same and that combination could be killer."Although we're seeing it get warmer, it's not necessarily resulting in, a major change in our frost dates, neither the spring or the fall. So we can still get that late frost or an early frost that can certainly kill the crops as well," Reiners said. "So it's sort of the worst of both worlds. when we have that happening."

Joe Johnson is a retired Port Jervis science teacher and Radio Catskill volunteer and he regularly brings us science stories that have caught his eye. This week Johnson discussed a woolly mammoth DNA discovery, ancient cave paintings, and a "hot Jupiter."WJFF's Jason Dole talked with Joe Johnson on Radio Chatskill.

According to the "National Interagency Coordination Center Wildland Fire Summary and Statistics Annual Report 2023," New York experienced a total of 150 wildfires in 2023, burning 1,383 acres.Wildfires, often referred to as forest fires, damage thousands of acres of natural resources in New York almost every year. While some wildfires are caused by lightning, most are the result of human activities.Forest Ranger Lieutenant Timothy "TJ" Carpenter, the Assistant Fire Management Officer for the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NY DEC), spoke with Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo about how to prevent wildfires and stay safe during the summer season.

All his life, Eddie 9V (9-volt) has acted on instinct. A self proclaimed “old-soul artist,” he turned away from the path of college and jobs to burst all guns blazing onto the blues club circuit of his native Atlanta.He’ll be performing at Harmony in The Woods Saturday, July 13, and he spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill. Harmony In The Woods hosts regional and national performing artists of all genres all summer long in Hawley, PA.

The Darby Hotel kicks off its next round of artist talks tomorrow. “A River Valley” is the latest group landscape show featuring nine different artists challenging the idea of "what is a landscape."Culture Reporter Valerie Mansi spoke to artists Nathaniel Udell, showing his photographs of invasive species, and Krystal Grow, showing her photography of roadside America.

Joe Johnson is a former Port Jervis Science teacher and Radio Catskill volunteer who shares science stories that have caught his eye recently.He reports on ants can perform life-saving emergency surgery on each other and the four volunteers who spent more than a year living in a 1,700-square-foot space created by NASA to simulate the environment on Mars have emerged.He spoke with Jason Dole.

Harmony In The Woods is the outdoor amphitheater nestled in the forests of Hawley. All summer long, they present regional and national performing artists of all genres. “Jazz Group of the Year” nominee, The Lao Tizer Band, make their debut at Harmony In The Woods on Friday, July 12 in support of their forthcoming Summer 2024 album & video release AMPLIFY.Lao Tizer spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill.

Invasive species wreak havoc on the wild spaces and agriculture throughout the region. In New York, the state Department of Environmental Conservation defines invasive species as “non-native species that can cause harm to the environment, the economy or human health.” According to the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, about 37% of the roughly 3,400 species of plants in PA are non-native to the state.Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County’s, "Invasive Species to Have on Your Radar," Webinar is an educational session focused on raising awareness about the invasive species threatening the local wildlife and ecosystems in Sullivan County. With approximately 42 percent of threatened or endangered species at risk due to invasive non-native flora, fauna and microorganisms, CCE aims to inform the public about the specific invasive species they should be vigilant about.Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke to Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County’s Katie Gasior an Horticulture Subject Educator about the threat these species pose.

New York State Police have released the identity of the man who drowned in the Upper Delaware River on Sunday as Chirag Pratel, a 37-year-old Bensalem, PA, man.His death is the second drowning on the river in a week. On June 29, 24-year-old Jeysson Ariel Osorio-Reyes of Ocean County, NJ drowned near Milford, PA.At approximately 12:40 p.m. on July 7, troopers from the Liberty barracks responded to the area of 2362 State Route 97, Pond Eddy, for a report of a drowning in the Delaware River, according to New York State Police.A preliminary investigation revealed that Patel was swimming in the river during a rafting trip when he submerged and did not return to the surface. Pennsylvania and New York fire departments and water operations units responded from both sides of the river. As part of Battalion 8 Water Rescue Team, The Port Jervis Fire Department located Patel in the water. He was declared dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing and being investigated by the State Police Liberty Bureau of Criminal Investigation.Officials strongly stressed the need to wear life jackets while in or on the Delaware River and that the number one cause of drowning in the river is swimming. National Park Service (NPS) Superintendent Lindsay Kurnath told Radio Catskill that life jackets save lives.To become better informed about the dangers and warnings that come with enjoying the Delaware River, NPS says call the Upper Delaware River Hotline at (845) 252-7100. This recorded message is available 24 hours a day and is updated daily. It provides the river height, air and water temperatures, boating conditions and general river safety information.

The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River is part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.This Thursday, the Upper Delaware Counsel will host a public meeting to discuss the near and long term goals for managing the river. Strengthening partnership with the wider National Park system and shoring up staffing and resource shortages are among the topics to be discussed.The meeting can be attended Thursday, July 11, at 7 p.m. at the Upper Delaware Council office, and virtually on ZoomTim Bruno of WJFF spoke with Superintendent of Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Lindsey Kurnath on Radio Chatskill.Image by wirestock on Freepik

Joe discusses Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which is designed for crew transport to the ISS. Despite numerous delays and technical issues since its first planned launch in 2017, the Starliner successfully docked with the ISS on its third mission in June 2023. Challenges included helium leaks and thruster failures, but NASA and Boeing assure that the crew is safe. Joe also briefly touches on the invasive Joro spider in the U.S. and the slowing rotation of Earth's inner core.

Cannabis has been cultivated around the world for centuries; however, the plant has been politicized and stigmatized in the US for the last 100 years.In 1970, a young lawyer named Frank Fioramonti was hired by NORML the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. In 1977 because of NORML’s work, marijuana was decriminalized in New YorkArtist Brandi Merolla is Fioramonti’s step daughter and she’s created a visual installation on view at the Narrowsburg Union called “Cannabis from Demonization to Legalization…” which is a history of the stigmatization of cannabis and a tribute to Fioramonti and his reform efforts.

Susie Kaspar, Park Ranger for the National Park Service at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, shares reminders for a safe summer on the Upper Delaware River.

New York Small Farma is a community of farmers and supporters that advocates for socially just, regenerative, and economically inclusive cannabis laws, policies, and regulations in New York State.The group recently won a bid to help Ulster County develop its cannabis economic sector. The county chose just one organization with expertise in cannabis production, sustainability, and social and economic equity that also supports the development of a craft cannabis industry. New York Small Farma hopes to do just that.Reporter Marin Scotten spoke to New York Small Farma President Nicole Ricci.

Garnet Health recently announced a restructuring plan that will affect 26 employees, less than 1% of its total workforce. This restructuring is expected to save approximately $4.6 million in salaries and benefits, according to Garnet Health.As part of the restructuring, inpatient palliative care services will no longer be provided, additionally, Garnet Health plans to optimize its Infectious Disease practice to better meet the needs of inpatients.Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke to Jonathan Schiller, President & CEO of Garnet Health, to discuss what these changes mean for the community.

The 2024 Upper Delaware BioBlitz will be held on June 28th and 29th at The Highlights Foundation Retreat Center in Boyds Mills, Wayne County, PA. Eight teams of scientists and amateur naturalists will gather to begin their collection of every unique species of plant, animal, fungus and lichen they can find in 24 hours. Some teams, like the Mammal Team looking for bats and the Insect Team looking for night flying insects, will work through the night.The public can meet scientists from different disciplines, see what they have collected, and take a tour of the site to learn how different species live and thrive in the context of the overall property.Radio Catskill's Joe Johnson spoke to Steve Schwartz, BioBlitz organizer, about the event's return to the area.

Maggi Fitzpatrick is the Health & Wellness Columnist for the Sullivan County Democrat. Her column is "Moving Toward Health."Over two years ago Maggi and her husband committed to walking 45 minutes a day for 75 days. 833 days later, Maggi has yet to drop the habit.Tim Bruno talked to Maggi about commitment, relationships and walking on Radio Chatskill

The Deep Water Literary Festival returns to Narrowsburg this weekend and Radio Catskill is proud to be a media partner. Every day this week, we’re featuring authors and events from the festival.Weaving story-telling and song, Curtis Zunigha of the Lenape Center will open the festival tomorrow. Zunigha will discuss "Lenapehoking: An Anthology," which includes essays and interviews covering the Lenape, whose indigenous homelands lay between New York City and Philadelphia.Tim Bruno spoke to Zunigha on Radio Chatskill.

Joe Johnson is a retired Port Jervis science teacher and Radio Catskill volunteer and he regularly brings us science stories that have caught his eye. This week, Joe brings us good news about Voyager One, the spacecraft from 1977; bad news for some of the cicadas temporarily overtaking parts of the U.S. who are turning into sex-crazed “zombies,” thanks to a fungus; and the climate shift from El Niño to La Niña.

The Deep Water Literary Festival returns to Narrowsburg this weekend and Radio Catskill is proud to be a media partner. Every day this week we’re featuring authors and events from the festival.Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason are the founders of AphroChic, one of the nation's most successful Black owned brands. Authors of REMIX: Decorating with Culture, Objects and Soul and AphroChic: Celebrating the Legacy of the Black Family Home, as well as their eponymous magazine, they will be joined by podcaster and award-winning chef Heather Carlucci Saturday at the Festival to discuss the ways writing and publications are natural pathways to building independent businesses and how they are rethinking AphroChic as new upstate residents. Presented in association with Radio Catskill.

Congressman Marc Molinaro represents New York's 19th District, which not only includes much of Radio Catskill’s listening area, but is also highly competitive in this election year. The outcome here could significantly impact the political balance in the House this November.In an interview with Radio Catskill, Molinaro discussed the challenges of representing such a politically diverse district. He addressed several key issues, including infrastructure projects, access to contraception, and the opioid crisis.Molinaro also elaborated on his belief that former President Donald Trump's trial in Manhattan was politically motivated. Trump faced charges of falsifying business records to sway the 2016 presidential election and was convicted on all 34 felony counts. According to Rep. Molinaro, this outcome reflects what he calls "one-party rule" in New York State.Yesterday, Congressman Marc Molinaro spoke with Jason Dole, beginning with the discussion of the million-dollar Old Route 17 Corridor infrastructure project.

La Voz is a multi-award-winning free magazine in Spanish distributed in 10 counties across the Hudson Valley, serving over 150,000 Hispanic readers.La Voz is celebrating its 20th anniversary as the only print Spanish-language magazine in the region on June 22 at the Spiegeltent at Bard College. Reporter Marin Scotten spoke to Managing Editor Mariel Fiori about the two decades of providing resources for Spanish speaking immigrants in the area and the vibrant community she's helped build through the publication.—-----

The Black Library, in collaboration with the Sullivan County Chapter of the NAACP, is celebrating Juneteenth tomorrow ..but the annual celebration comes in the midst of a harsh reality for the community space in Monticello: its funding is running out. Radio Catskill's Patricio Robayo spoke with Black Library co-founders Douglas Shindler and Mike Davis about what that means for the future of the Black Library.

The Deep Water Literary Festival takes place June 21 through June 23. Founded in 2018, the festival was founded to promote community engagment, performance, and the sharing of literary ideas in Narrowsburg, NY.As part of WJFF's partnership with Deep Water Literary Festival, Tim Bruno spoke to authors Nana Brew-Hammond and Sara Hosey who are hosting a panel together during the festival.

A record-breaking heat wave envelopes the northeast this week with temperatures approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit. A "heat dome" parking itself over the region gives the heat wave its unusual duration with blazing temperatures to last several days. The heat wave causes a serious health risk, particularly to the elderly and those working outside.Tim Bruno spoke to Mark Pellerito, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service, about the heat wave and how to stay safe.

New York education officials have unveiled a proposal that would transform the state’s graduation requirements. From the New YORK Public News Network, WAMC’s Lucas Willard reports that the plan is intended to bring equity to all students, but some questions remain.

Residents and business owners have raised concerns over the proposed closure of Exit 114 on State Route 17 West. This closure is part of the Route 17 expansion project, aimed at improving a 30-mile stretch of the highway from Exit 113 in Wurtsboro, Sullivan County, to Interstate 87 in Woodbury, Orange County. The project's objectives include enhancing operational efficiency and safety, easing congestion, and ensuring the corridor meets Interstate standards.On Wednesday, June 12th, at Veterans Park, State Senator Peter Oberacker of the 51st District joined local officials, business owners, and residents at a rally in the village of Wurtsboro to oppose the closure of Exit 114.

The Delaware River Basin Commission hosted a public meeting on Wednesday, June 5 in Narrowsburg. Organizations and members of the public spoke before the DRBC and shared their concerns about how climate change and various development projects are impacting the river. Reporter Marin Scotten has a recap of the event and is joined by Tracy Carluccio, the deputy director of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network to hear her thoughts on how the meeting went and what she hopes it will accomplish.

It’s early summer, and honey bees are keeping busy with foraging for nectar and pollen, nurturing their larvae, and producing honey. But what are the beekeepers up to? Radio Catskill reporter Chia-Tien Nicole Chen spoke to Robyn Underwood, the Extension Educator of Apiculture at Penn State, to find out. With nearly 30 years of researching honey bees and a PhD in entomology from the University of Manitoba under her belt, Underwood describes her work as “teach[ing] beekeepers to be better beekeepers.” She devised an online, self-paced course called “Beekeeping 102: Organic Honeybee Colony Management,” which is now open for registration through PennState Extension. In it, she goes over beekeeping methods such as organic-approved pest control techniques and a calendar of tasks to be completed throughout the seasons.

The Sullivan Catskills are about to get a whole lot more fabulous this weekend. "Drag Me to the Catskills" is a weekend-long Pride Celebration featuring drag queens, performances, and more.Tim Bruno spoke to Mrs. Kasha Davis (aka Ed Popil) who calls herself the "The Ultimate Workhorse Queen" about the countywide drag events.

Joe Johnson is a retired Port Jervis science teacher and Radio Catskill volunteer. He's sharing the Science Stories that caught his eye recently, including a stellar explosion, the "heat dome" that's broiling the Western US, and how tiger beetles might be mimicking the sounds of poisonous bugs so bats will avoid eating them.

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger has announced the release of the 2023 Executive Annual Report, now available online.The report provides a thorough overview of the mission, operations, programs, and services offered by the county government's 26 departments for the 2023 fiscal year.It includes detailed facts and figures about the services provided and the number of individuals served.According to the County Charter, the annual report must be presented to the County Legislature each year.Jen Metzger speaks with Radio Catskill's Tim Bruno about the report, focusing on mental health and affordable housing, and how Ulster County plans to address these critical issues.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a significant about-face Wednesday when she put an “indefinite pause” on a plan to charge a new toll for drivers entering lower Manhattan. The $15 congestion pricing toll for most drivers had been slated to begin June 30th. A number of lawsuits were filed to stop it. Hochul — in the past a vocal supporter of congestion pricing — says the timing is not right to begin the new program after all. As Karen DeWitt of the New York Public News Network reports, the decision comes as other anti climate change initiatives are floundering, as the legislative session draws to a close.

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, many folks are pulling their bikes out of storage and hitting the roads and trails.Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, it's essential to stay safe and keep your bike running smoothly. Contributor Tracy Gates took a ride down to her local bike shop in Jeffersonville to talk with the owner of Catskill CycleWorks, Jon Thorndike, to get some summer biking safety tips.

A nearly $18 million rehabilitation of the Callicoon-Damascus Bridge will get underway this July, while the study of alternatives for the closed Skinners Falls-Milanville Bridge is expected to wrap up by the end of summer.Jason Dole spoke to Laurie Ramie, Executive Director of the Upper Delaware Council, about the plans for ten Delaware River Crossings.

Joe Johnson is a former Port Jervis science teacher and Radio Catskill volunteer. He's bringing science stories that caught our eye recently: otters utilizing tools in new ways; the discovery of another new planet; and researchers say a new procedure that burns stomach lining may help decrease production of a hunger hormone.

The Delaware River Basin Commission is hosting a public meeting on June 5 in Narrowsburg, where the public can share their concerns and demands about the state of the Delaware River.Reporter Marin Scotten is joined by Tracy Carluccio from the Delaware River Keeper network to hear more about the event, their work as an organization and what actions they are demanding from the DRBC.

For the fourth year, CAS will celebrate Pride (LGBTQIA+) month with a special month-long installation and performance from the queer identifying and Roscoe-local, Terry DamE.The sound artist and creative technologist will present an interactive, geographically specific sound installation for the entire month of June in the second-floor River Gallery. Inspired by the artist’s love of nature, sound and maps, the project involves recording and transforming sound environments from specific geographic areas into creative materials used to build a work of sonic and visual art. Participants draw on a large wall mounted paper canvas with sound triggering graphite bars that hang down over the surface. The “sonic pencils” trigger a combination of virtual instruments created using field recorded sound gathered from the Southern Catskills region which Dame then digitally manipulates into “playable” sounds, and more recognizable traditional musical sounds.Culture Reporter Valerie Mansi spoek to Terry Dame.About the ArtistTerry Dame is a creative technologist, sound artist, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and educator based in New York and Roscoe. Currently, she creates and performs with interactive sensor-driven musical instruments, sculptures, and installations using found objects and found sounds to explore pathways between creativity, technology, nature, and human habitation. From 1998 to 2012, she led the percussion-based ensemble Electric Junkyard Gamelan. The group toured nationally and internationally, performing original compositions on Dame’s own artist-made instruments built from recycled objects. Dame also has an active career composing for film and dance and is an alumna of the Sundance Institute Composer Lab. Her work has been presented at prestigious venues internationally, including the Kennedy Center, MoMA, Detroit Institute of Art, International Festival of Recycling Art, International Festival of Arts and Ideas, and Festival Archstoyanie. Dame has received support from HarvestWorks Digital Media Center, Fractured Atlas, Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, The Rockefeller Foundation, NYSCA, and Meet the Composer. She holds a BFA in Environmental Planning from the University of Massachusetts and an MFA in Composition and Performance from the California Institute of the Arts. Dame is currently on faculty in the MFA Computer Arts Department at the School of Visual Arts and BFA Media Arts Department at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City.

After the first regular meeting of the SUNY Sullivan Board of Trustees with its new President, Dr. David Potash, it was announced that several programs at the college would be cut. Among the resolutions discussed, six programs were considered for elimination. Ultimately, five programs were approved to be cut, while one program, the Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) program, was spared.The five programs approved for elimination are: Media Arts Associate in Science (AS) program Theater Associate of Arts (AA) program Environmental Science AS program Liberal Arts & Sciences AS - Biology Concentration program Liberal Arts & Sciences AS - Mathematics Concentration programJessica López-Barkl, a Professor of Theater and Speech, Theater Program Director at SUNY Sullivan who heads the Theater Associate of Arts (AA) program, recently told Radio Catskill, “For me and the students, it means that I can teach out the program of the majors that are still there, they have that right. I will be finishing their (students) time there so they can finish their degree. At that point, it's a little unclear as to how the theatre aspects of the college will continue.”Dr. Teresa Hamlin, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, was quoted in the Sullivan County Democrat, saying, "Everyone needs to understand that we're in support of keeping the theatre here and still having productions. We just can't afford to keep the formal degree in theater, but we can keep theatre as part of this community and part of this college that's important to all of us on the board."

Scientists have uncovered a massive, untapped reservoir of lithium in wastewater from Pennsylvania natural gas fracking sites, a finding that could help meet surging demand for the vital battery material.The researchers, publishing their work in the journal Scientific Reports, estimate the wastewater contains enough lithium to supply up to 40% of U.S. demand.Tim Bruno spoke with Philadelphia’s WHYY News Climate Desk reporter Susan Phillips about how Pennsylvania could become a massive contributor to the country’s quest for lithium after scientists discovered a large reservoir of the chemical element in fracking wastewater in the Marcellus Shale.

Victoria Skutham and Katie Slemmer two local scouts who want folks to think, speak and act in the spirit of peace and harmony. They're planting a "Peace Pole" in Callicoon Creek Park on May 30 to promote peace, caring and acceptance. The peace pole features the message, “May Peace Prevail On Earth,” in multiple languages.Katie and Victoria spoke to Tim Bruno about the project on Radio Chatskill.

After a near-fatal stroke and a separation, amidst a global pandemic, Rick Van Noy decided to go for a paddle. In Borne by the River, he charts the story of discovery, and healing that came from this solo canoe journey. Paddling two hundred miles on the Delaware River to his boyhood home just upriver from Trenton, New Jersey, Van Noy contemplates his fate and life, as well as the simple joy of sitting in a small boat floating down a large river with his dog, Sully.Culture Reporter Valerie Mansi has more.

Coach, author, motivational speaker and "father to all children," Pedro Tweed of Monticello has spent his life teaching and mentoring children since the 1970's. He has a new Children’s Book called “ The Gymnastics Adventures of Coach Tweed” which teaches children life lessons around overcoming obstacles and mental blocks and learning to reset your mind. Coach Tweed spoke to Jason Dole.

You might have seen them crawling up the trees in your backyard or maybe on your Adirondack chair. Spongy moth caterpillars, identifiable by their dark, hairy bodies and blue and red spots, are back.This year is shaping up to be a bad spongy moth year in the region.Jason Dole Spoke to The River Reporter’s Ruby Rayner about the spongy moth’s seasonal return.

The Circus is Coming to Highland Lake Friday, May 24NACL is welcoming the performers, artists, and technicians of Hideaway Circus for a second year. They’re sharing a preview of their next original show, "Canvas Sky.""Canvas Sky" explores the themes of self acceptance by following the story of a circus troupe where the clown struggles to ‘fit in’ and find his voice, until he gets a little help from a friend who has already figured out how to embrace what makes her wonderful and unique. Tim Bruno spoke to Josh Aviner from Hideaway Circus and Brett Keyser of NACL on Radio Chatskill.

The Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project is dedicated to preserving the history, legacy, and future of the Borscht Belt.Comprised of Sullivan County and parts of Ulster County, this area was internationally known as a summer retreat that provided culture, entertainment, and leisure for predominantly East Coast American JewsThe Historical Marker Project is unveiling its first marker of 2024 commemorating the famed era this Saturday. Marisa Scheinfeld and Issac Jeffrys from The Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill.

Joe Johnson is a former Port Jervis Science Teacher and Radio Catskill Volunteer. He joins us to share some science stories that caught his eye this week, including scientists decoding the secret history of the mysterious ‘Tree of Life’; how spending at least two hours outside each day is one of the most important things your kids can do to protect their eyesight; and an update on the highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The Skinners Falls Bridge crosses the Delaware River, connecting the communities of Milanville, PA, and Skinners Falls, NY. The 470-foot long historic bridge been closed since October 2019 when an inspection identified timber deck and lateral truss bracing deterioration.The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), together with the Federal Highway Administration and New York State Department of Transportation, is conducting a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study for the Skinners Falls Bridge. The 45 day comments period on the study ends Sunday, May 26. A group of concerned citizens is encouraging a unique form of public comment about the bridge: creative commentary, through the art forms of music, poetry, prose, and visual arts. We spoke to a few of them on Radio Chatskill: Sheila Dugan is 85 and lives in the Skinner’s House. Her home --like the bridge-- is on the National Register of Historic Places. She is a member of The Milanville Poets and had a career as an activist lawyer. Jeff Dexter lives on Atco Road in Damascus and is a former supervisor and the Damascus representative to the UDC. He crafts American flags usually dedicated to veterans who have served, but the latest one he is dedicating to the bridge and its preservation.Cynthia Nash is an artist and advocate. Her recent editorials and other contributions can be seen in The River Reporter and The Scranton Times Tribune. Over 25 years ago, she became the owner of Innisfree, a historic property in the hamlet of Milanville, in sight of the headlights that used to cross the Skinners Falls Bridge.