Radio Chatskill

The shutdown to repair the Delaware Aqueduct is set for Oct. 1, and scheduled to be completed by June 1, 2025. The twice-postponed project seeks to repair a minor leak near Warwarsing in Ulster County, NY, and a major leak under the Hudson River, which is the path used to get Delaware River water to New York City.On Tuesday, May 21, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection is holding a meeting in Hancock, NY, for the public to learn more about the impacts of the Delaware Aqueduct Shutdown to the Upper Delaware River. Tim Bruno spoke with Jeff Skelding, President of the Friends of The Upper Delaware River who are hosting the meeting.

Local students released several hundred trout fingerlings into the cold clear waters of Callicoon Creek in Jeffersonville on May 16 as part of the Trout in the Classroom project.The Trout in the Classroom program brings science to life and connects students to watersheds in classrooms across North America and the United Kingdom. Trout Unlimited along with a myriad of partners facilitate this program within public and private schools in the U.S.Farm & Country's Rosie Starr was on the scene in Jeffersonville and shares this audio postcard.

Dandelion is a short-lived perennial that will grow just about anywhere, regardless of soil conditions. Though commonly dismissed as a weed, the dandelion is beneficial to soil health, honeybees, and people.Kaya Magee is a biodynamic farmer in Jeffersonville who is celebrating often overlooked plant with a Dandelion Festival on May 18. She spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill.

The NY State Department of Transportation, along with the Federal Highway Administration, is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the New York State Route 17 Mobility and Access Improvements Project. The project would add add a third lane to Route 17 between exit 131 (Harriman) and exit 113 (Wurtsboro) in both directions along 30 miles.The agencies are holding public scoping meetings for members of the public to ask questions, learn more about the project, and share their thoughts. Catskill Mountainkeeper has closely monitored the Route 17 project and has deep concerns about its expansion. Tim Bruno spoke to Taylor Jaffe from Catskill Mountainkeeper on Radio Chatskill.

“Sayonara Cowboy” is a coming-of-age story that navigates the turbulent waters of racism, familial complexities, and the search for identity in the aftermath of World War II. DVAA will host the book launch for William Yukikazu Fellenberg’s highly anticipated debut memoir on Saturday, May 18th in Krause Recital Hall in Narrowsburg. Culture Reporter Valeri Mansi spoke to Fellenberg about being pulled between two cultures, two countries and two parents.

Seasonal allergies are getting worse after a particularly warm winter this year, causing plants to start blooming early and keep producing pollen for longer into the season. Tim Bruno spoke to Christina Woods of Garnet Health about this particularly bad allergy season. Note: Garnet Health is a financial supporter of WJFF.

According to founder Dr. Hope Blecher, Hope's Compass was established to create opportunities for community unity and "to grow one tiny, mighty, beautiful step at a time through meaningful civic engagement."Voices Of Survivors is the latest project from Hope's Compass, collecting memories and stories of Holocaust survivors. The exhibit opens May 17 The Liberty Museum and Arts Center.Tim Bruno spoke with Dr. Blecher on Radio Chatskill

Space Acres Comedy Night has been making comedy happen in The Catskills for the last two years and is now at hosting shows at New Memories in Parksville, NY. Their first show at the new location is Thursday, May 16.Tim Bruno spoke with Host/Creator Matt Werden and special guests.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and today we’re talking about ​Mental Wellness for the Agriculture Community.Farmers are always there, keeping food on our tables and filling store shelves. It’s can be a rewarding, yet stressful way of life, filled with uncertainty that for some can lead to anxiety and depression. Penn State Extension recognizes farmers and their families have unique circumstances that may contribute to loneliness, sadness, stress, or depression and hinder someone from seeking professional treatment for their mental health. They’ve formed a Farm Stress Team to help.Ginger Fenton, Penn State Extension dairy educator and leader of Extension’s farm stress team

Joe Johnson is a former Port Jervis Science Teacher and Radio Catskill Volunteer and he's discussing some science stories that have caught our eye this week including Ötzi the Iceman’s new look thanks to genetic analysis, the strange way that African elephants like to communicate with each other, and those solar storms that spawned global auroras that dazzled us all.He spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill.

Ariel Zevon is the daughter of Crystal and Warren Zevon, the singer songwriter.Raised as an only child with her mother, she spent the better part of childhood moving between the West Coast and Paris. Ariel avoided dabbling in her love for music and songwriting for most her life, turning instead towards performing theatrically throughout her youth and young adulthood. After raising her twin sons, cooking, running her own businesses and setting roots in Vermont, she says music found her.Ariel Zevon and the Schiller Duo will be performing Saturday, May 11 at Colony Beer Garden in Woodstock.Tim Bruno spoke to Ariel Zevon on Radio Chatskill.

The Dishonest Fiddlers is a "good time string band" from Northeast Pennsylvania. Since forming in 2013, the band has released three studio albums featuring their mixed bag of folk, bluegrass, and jug inspired music.They're back performing at The Cooperage in Honesdale, Friday, May 10. Tim Bruno spoke to Dave Brown, lead singer and founding member of The Dishonest Fiddlers.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) held their final environmental planning meeting for the historic bridge Skinners Falls Bridge last month in Narrowsburg.The one-lane bridge –which has been closed since 2019 –connects Damascus Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania to Cochecton, Sullivan County, New York.During the gathering, a group of concerned citizens voiced their opposition to the proposed replacement of the current bridge with a more modern structure, chanting "Whose bridge? Our bridge!"Others raised concerns regarding the unorthodox setup of the meeting. Rather than the conventional public forum, officials opted to show a pre-recorded presentation on the project and invited members of the public to roam among various stations to ask questions of contractors and PennDOT representatives stationed at informational boards at the Narrowsburg Union.Tim Bruno spoke with PennDOT’s Rich Roman, District Executive for District 4, which includes the Skinners Falls Bridge.

The Mid-Hudson School Study Council, along with Mount Saint Mary College and Sullivan BOCES are inviting aspiring educators to consider a career in teaching in Sullivan County, but they're not looking for the usual suspects. They're focusing on folks who might already have college credits or a degree in another field and might be contemplating a career change.Tim Bruno spoke to Dr. Robert Dufour, District Superintendent & CEO OF Sullivan BOCES about the recruitment initiative.

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Today, we’re spotlighting Choy Commons, a cooperative of Asian-led farms in the Hudson Valley that runs community programs, cultural events and a wholesale food program designed to provide affordable, nutritious food for Asian American communities in the Northeast.Radio Catskill reporter Marin Scotten spoke to Larry Tse and Amanda Wong of Choy Commons about their mission.

Retired Port Jervis Science Teacher and Radio Catskill Volunteer Joe Johnson is back with some of the fascinating science stories that have caught our eye recently, including life on mars and solar sails propelling spacecraft. He spoke with Jason Dole.

It’s ramp season! Wild Hudson Valley is celebrating the little green wonders with a Ramp & Forage Festival at the Catskill Brewery on Saturday, May 11. Attendees can eat ramps, buy ramps, and learn about ramps stewardship with a special foraging workshop.Anna Plattner of WIld Hudson Valley spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill.

The Sullivan County Youth Book Festival is scheduled for Sunday, May 19th, on the grounds of the Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library in Monticello. The festival will feature 33 authors and illustrators of books for infants through young adults.Tim Bruno spoke to Mariana Sprouse, Youth Services Librarian with the EB Crawford Public Library and Ciera Moore from the Western Sullivan Public Libraries.

Is a resurgence underway in Parksville? With the active engagement of the Town of Liberty, a number of projects in the hamlet have come to fruition.Student Journalist Erick Slattery of Manor Ink reports on "Parksville Pushing Its Priorities" in the current issues.

The 31st Annual Kite Festival at SUNY Sullivan is day filled with fun and high-flying entertainment. Set for Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event will take place at SUNY Sullivan, located at 112 College Road, Loch Sheldrake, NY.Attendees can look forward to an array of attractions including professional kite flying demonstrations, a kite candy drop, and free kites provided to the first 400 children. The festival will also feature food trucks, a variety of vendors, complimentary inflatable bouncy houses, and an art show among other activities.Dan Rigney the Assistant Director of Development at SUNY Sullivan Development spoke to Tim Bruno about the day.

The State University of New York Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. David Potash as the new president of SUNY Sullivan, set to begin his tenure this summer.Dr. Potash has worked in various leadership roles at New York University and the City University of New York (CUNY).Most recently, he served as the president of Wilbur Wright College in Chicago for 11 years.Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo recently had a chance to speak with the new president to find out why he is making the move to New York and what he has planned for the college.

The SUNY Sullivan Theater season explores the theme of identity, with each play delving deep into the difficult choices characters make as they begin to determine who they truly are.Culture Reporter Valerie Mansi spoke to SUNY Sullivan's Jessica López-Barkl and Nick López about their upcoming performances.

The New York State Legislature approved a budget over the weekend, nearly three weeks after the deadline, but the Natural Resources Defense Council says the $237 billion plan misses the mark on climate.The NRDC says the budget didn't change two laws that are making it hard to meet its climate goals set in 2019.The budget maintained the "100-foot rule," which makes current gas customers pay for expanding gas service to new customers. It also didn't alter the rule that forces utilities to supply natural gas to customers.Jason Dole spoke to Christopher Casey, the NRDC’s Utility Regulatory Director for New York's Climate & Energy programs.

Farm & Country's Rosie Starr and Radio Catskill Student Journalist Marin Scotten team up for a special report on the future of farming in our region.Who are the new farmers? What challenges do they face?This is "The Future of Farming."Image: Freepik

After Governor Kathy Hochul announced that there’s a conceptual deal on the state budget, the Assembly Speaker says that announcement was premature. He says many lawmakers have yet to be briefed on all the details, and that nothing is set in stone.From the New York Public News Network, Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct, also known as the Roebling Bridge, is the oldest existing wire suspension bridge in the United States. It runs 535 feet over the Delaware River, from Minisink Ford, New York, to Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania. The 175th Anniversary Celebration of Roebling’s Delaware Aqueduct is April 27, featuring a walking tour with Professor and Historian Paul C. King and presentations with Sullivan County’s Historian, John Conway. Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo recently spoke to JohnConway about the event and the history of the Roebling Bridge.

New York home buyers now have the right to know a property’s flood history and risk. Last month, a new law went into effect which requires sellers to disclose to potential buyers any flood issues with their home, such as flood hazard areas, any flood damage, and if flood insurance is required on the property. Tim Bruno spoke with the NRDC’S Joel Scata, Senior Attorney, Environmental Health, about the new law on Radio Chatskill.

Former Port Jervis Science Teacher and Radio Catskill volunteer Joe Johnson discusses some science stories that caught his eye this week with Jason Dole, including NASA's Europa mission to Jupiter, ancient foxes, and the trillions of cicadas that will emerge in May in the Midwest and Southeast, in a double-brood event that hasn’t happened in more than 200 years.

Karen DeWittNew York Public News NetworkThe New York state budget is now two weeks late, and lawmakers are due back Monday afternoon to pass a fourth extender to keep government running. Republicans, who are in the minority party in state government, criticized Democrats, including Gov. Kathy Hochul and the leaders of the Legislature, for failing to come to an accord on a spending plan that was due April 1.Sen. Tom O’Mara, the ranking Republican member on the Senate Finance Committee, spoke Thursday on the floor as a third budget extender was approved.“We should be working far more diligently to get this job done,” O’Mara said. “Rather than just extending the budget deadline.” Issues that are dividing Hochul and the Democrats in the Legislature include a housing package, how to distribute school aid, and how much to spend on Medicaid, including whether to make changes to a popular home health care program. Hochul and the Democratic leaders have said little publicly about exactly what divides them or the status of negotiations.Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay decried the lack of transparency. He said in earlier days, the Albany adage was “three men in a room” to describe the private meetings held between governors and the two majority-party legislative leaders. Now, he said, there are two women and one man, but the dynamic has not changed.“(It) used to be always three men in the room,” Barclay said. “(You) don't hear much about that now there's three Dems in the room.”Sen. Jim Tedisco, also a Republican, said his constituents don’t like the secrecy, and they don’t like it when lawmakers don’t meet their deadlines. He compared the situation to the recent total solar eclipse.“They said it would take 24 years to have the second eclipse. I never thought we'd see the second eclipse so soon,” Tedisco said. “Because it's happening right here on the New York state budget right now. Total darkness.”Senate Finance Committee Chair Liz Krueger, who is part of the Democratic majority, said there is “frustration” over the budget delays. But she said her constituents would rather have a good budget that’s slightly late than an on-time spending plan that doesn’t address some key items.“As long as we are paying our bills, we are assuring people that the government of New York state continues to operate,” Krueger said. “I actually think our constituents probably are talking to us about specific issues in the budget that they hope are in the final budget, or hope are not in (the budget).“That’s exactly what we are trying to do,” Krueger continued.Krueger said a budget agreement might be reached next week, before the Passover holiday begins on April 22. But, she conceded, it might not be.

April 11 is National Pet Day, a day dedicated to those pets who may not always get the companionship and attention pets deserve. Radio Catskill’s Leying Tang spoke with John Attad, the current director of the Sullivan County SPCA, and Aurora Velasquez, the regional manager of the East Region at Best Friends Animal Society, about the challenges of low staff, low adoption rates, and the inspiring efforts to support those furry friends in need.

The third annual Youth Poetry Festival will feature Sullivan County students sharing their writings at Bethel Woods on Sunday, April 14.Tim Bruno spoke to Sullivan County Poet Laureate, Dr. Sharon Kennedy-Noelle, about what folks can expect at the event.

The Eldred Central School District is enhancing its sports facilities, which involves transitioning their sports field from natural grass to artificial turf. The district indicates that this change will alleviate maintenance issues, noting that previously, numerous games were postponed or relocated due to the poor condition of the grass field following adverse weather conditions.Activists, like Rebekah Creshkoff from Beyond Plastics Sullivan County are raising concerns, arguing that this shift could pose toxic risks to students, faculty, and the environment.Radio Catskill's Marin Scotten has more…

NY Small Farma is a nonprofit focused on social and economic equity in adult-use cannabis production and they hope to turn the cannabis plant into a vehicle for healing, community well-being, and positive change.Tim Bruno spoke to Nicole Ricci, President of the Board of Directors of NY Small Farma, on Radio Chatskill.

As education, health care, job search, and evening grocery shopping move deeper and deeper into the digital age, people have had to develop a new set of skills to navigate an increasingly technological, global society.From connecting with services to connecting with peers, a person’s ability to flourish and thrive can be challenged by a lack of access to technology and a lack of skills. Officials call this, the Digital Divide, and two groups in Wayne County are working together to close the gap. Tim Bruno spoke Alexa Ciaglia, Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance Education Specialist, about free digital literacy classes offered to residents.

On Saturday, Damascus resident Jean Kogut will complete the 2.5-mile swim from Nevis to St. Kitts in the Caribbean to raise money for Tusten Social, a community organization that offers programming for youth and seniors.Radio Catskill reporter Marin Scotten spoke to Kogut about why she wanted to do the swim and the challenges of training for the event.

Pennsylvania voters will elect a new attorney general this November, but Democrats and Republicans first must pick their candidates this spring in their primary on April 23. The attorney general represents the interests of the state and the public and defends Pennsylvania’s laws in court. In recent years, the office has defended the results of the 2020 presidential election against numerous attempts to overturn them.Five Democrats and two Republicans are running for their party’s nomination and will appear on the April 23 primary ballot. Only registered members of those parties can cast ballots for candidates during spring elections; all voters can participate in November.Jason Dole spoke to Stephen Caruso at Spotlight PA about the seven candidates in the commonwealth's AG primary race.

Retired Port Jervis science teacher and Radio Catskill volunteer Joe Johnson is back with some of the fascinating science stories that have caught our eye, including the solar eclipse, black holes, Iceland volcanoes, and the limit of the periodic table and revising the concept of the “island of stability” with recent advances in superheavy element research.

The Borscht Belt is the nickname for a collection of resorts and vacation bungalows across New York’s Sullivan, Ulster, and Orange counties that attracted crowds of Jewish visitors in the mid-20th century and left an indelible mark on American comedy, cinema, and culture. More than half a century later, almost all of the formerly prominent hotels are out of business and are now derelict and dilapidated. They've been burning down over the past two years — and no one knows why.Tim Bruno spoke to Journalist Luke Tress who looked into this form New York Jewish Week.

Manor Ink is Sullivan County's award-winning, youth-driven community newspaper and its April issue is out now. The cover story is about the local immigrant experience.Tim Bruno spoke to Manor Ink's Editor in Chief Angie Hund about the challenges that Sullivan County’s new arrivals face.

The Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County are presenting an all-day gardening extravaganza, on Saturday, April 6, featuring 16 classes taught by dedicated Master Gardener Volunteers.The keynote Address will be delivered by Marc Wolf, Director of Horticulture and Environmental Stewardship at Mountain Top Arboretum. Marc’s address, titled “Catskills Native Plants: Inspiration for Design at Mountain Top Arboretum,” will delve into the unique location of the Arboretum at the top of the Catskill Watershed. Tim Bruno spoke to Marc Wolf on Radio Chatskill.

Anglers across New York hit the banks of creeks, streams, and rivers this morning for the opening day of trout fishing season.Among them was noted local angler Judy Van Put who spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill just after her "first cast."

Did you know that Liberty is now home to Sullivan County's first and only all-female Scout troop?Originally established as an all-boys troop over a century ago, everything changed in 2019 with the official transition of the Boy Scouts of America to Scouts BSA. This pivotal moment opened doors for girls to embark on the same scouting journey.But what drove this historic change? What inspired the switch?Today, Radio Catskill's Leying Tang delves into the story of Troop 1095, speaking not only to the scouts themselves but also to the dedicated leaders who guide them on their path.

A fire swept through one of the buildings on the former Nevele Resort property last week.On March 19, The Winter Lodge building at the Nevele Grand Hotel in Ulster County caught ablaze. Local officials continue to seek the cause of the fire.Thanks to firefighters from Ulster, Orange and Sullivan Counties, flames did not spread to the main high-rise building on the 463-acre property, but The Winter Lodge was destroyedTracing its origins back to the Borscht Belt era, the Nevele first opened its doors in 1901 and closed in 2009.This fire has interrupted conservation efforts by the Borscht Belt Museum. The museum has been actively working to recover and salvage items from the hotel for preservation and display. Andrew Jacobs, the co-founder of the Borscht Belt Museum, spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill.

On March 29, NACL in Highland Lake is hosting Transforma Theater, which will offer a public workshop in Media and Tech Literacy. Participants will also have the opportunity to interact with Chat GPT-4 via an avatar.Brett Keyser, NACL's Director of Public Engagement, and BRETT KEYSER Brett Keyser, and Tjaša Ferme, Co-founder and Artistic Director of Transforma Theatre, spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill.

Most people easily navigate public spaces; however, for those with disabilities, a lack of adult changing tables and similar accommodations turns these simple activities into major challenges. That could change in New York with new legislation called the Traveling with Dignity Act.Deborah Worden, Executive Director for Action Toward Independence spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill.

A bill that would extend the state’s ban on natural gas fracking is heading to Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk after the State Legislature acted recently to prohibit using liquid carbon dioxide to extract the gas from shale rock. It’s one of several measures that lawmakers are considering to combat climate change. From the New York Public News Network, Karen DeWitt reports.

Former Port Jervis science teacher and Radio Catskill volunteer Joe Johnson joins Tim Bruno to discuss some of the most fascinating science stories of the week, including stars "eating" planets, a fossil named after Kermit The Frog, and smelly teens.

Several research studies have found evidence that writing or reading poetry can be therapeutic.Poetry can provide comfort and boost mood during periods of stress, trauma, and grief. Its powerful combination of words, metaphor, and meter can help us better express ourselves and make sense of the world and our place in it.As part of its Winter Wellness Series, Bethel Woods Center for The Arts is offering a Poetry Workshop tomorrow with Alison Green Myers, a published author and program director for the Highlights Foundation in Boyds Mills, Pennsylvania. Radio Catskill contributor and Liberty Public Library Community Program Coordinator Tracy Gates spoke with Allison Myers about the workshop and the comfort of words.

Think about the pets we typically have at home – cats, dogs, maybe a bird or two. But have you ever considered what it's like to share your space with not one, not two, but five lizards? Radio Catskill's Leying Tang sat down with Wendy Townsend. She is a writer and an Iguana Specialist, deeply passionate about lizards and committed to their conservation. Her journey with these creatures began at a young age, and it's been a lifelong fascination ever since. With over five decades of experience, she's not only mastered the art of caring for iguanas, but also formed deep connections with each of her scaly companions.

The "Knit-a-thon" is a 12-hour knitting marathon to raise funds for hunger and food insecurity. 100% of the money raised will be equally divided between Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, No Kid Hungry, and Meals on Wheels. Leila McCullough, owner of Wool-Worth yarn store in Callicoon, will be knitting for 12 hours on March 23 during the marathon. She spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill.