Radio Chatskill

Throughout 2024, curators from the Museum at Bethel Woods are traveling the country and across New York State to capture unique Woodstock stories …with an overall goal of collecting 4,500 stories from the people who attended the festival.That is only 1% of those who found their way to Yasgur’s Farm. Yet this archive will be the most significant collective memory of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair.Dr. Neal Hitch, Senior Curator at the Museum of Bethel Woods spoke with Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo.

Monticello Mayor George Nikolados was caught on tape at Village Hall in January asking Yermia Solomon, a Jewish organizer and former cop, to secure votes from the Orthodox community in exchange for being rehired.But there’s more to the story.Jason Dole spoke to Phillip Pantuso, Managing Editor of the Times Union, Hudson Valley.

Sullivan West Musical Production Club presents "Guys and Dolls," A Musical Fable of Broadway this weekend at the Sullivan West High School Auditorium.Culture Reporter Valerie Mansi spoke to main cast members Henry Simon, Alexa Rogers, Ethan Hoch, and Ariel Rykoff and their Director Jerry Hoch.

With New York's One-House budgets expected next week, the state Legislature is poised to push back against Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed changes to school funding. We've been telling you about that this week. On Tuesday, we spoke to Sullivan West Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Bressler about the nearly $2 million cut that her district is facing. Governor Hochul’s budget director defended her proposed reductions to the state’s schools, but left the door open to restoring those cuts, now that new numbers show New York’s revenues are up by 1.3 billion dollars. Now, both houses of the Legislature say they plan to restore school aid reductions proposed by the Governor. From the New York Public News Network, Karen DeWitt reports.Image: NYSUT Media Relations

It's Women's History Month and on Saturday, March 9, at the Ellenville Public Library, Arts Mid-Hudson presents a workshop exploring the important contributions made by women in music throughoutHistory, as well as the challenges that women have faced in the music industry, and how they have overcome these obstacles to create music that is both beautiful and meaningful.Lucy Tarantino is the Development Coordinator for Arts Mid-Hudson and she spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill.

Freak-folk, avant-rock innovator Seth Faergolzia performs a mind-bending live loop painting, combining improvised sounds and live abstract painting on Saturday, March 9th, at Delaware Valley Arts Alliance's Krause Hall in Narrowsburg. Culture Reporter Valerie Mansi spoke to Faergolzia about how he improvises vocals, looping and treating them with the precision of a DJ, all while crafting a live painting.

The Sullivan Public Library Alliance is seeking a poet to promote “the Spirit of Sullivan County” with audiences of all ages. The poet laureate helps increase public appreciation of the reading and writing of poetry. Someone who has filled that role before is Eric Baylin, the former Sullivan County Poet Laureate. He spoke to Tim Bruno.

'Tis the season to tap maple trees. To celebrate this first stirring of spring and one of North America‘s unique natural products, The Damascus Manor Community Center (DMCC) in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, is hosting its fourth annual Maple Syrup Harvest Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, March 16.Farm & Country’s Rosie Starr spoke with Damascus Manor Community Center chairwoman Linda Dexter about the event.

Dr. Kathleen Bressler, Superintendent of the Sullivan West Central School District, is puzzled by the state's recent $2 million funding cut. She's in Albany this week with district leaders and union members, pushing to get the money back and find out why it was cut. Dr. Bressler talked with Tim Bruno on Radio Catskill about how this could hurt the district and taxpayers.

The Village of Liberty Police Chief, Steven D’Agata, reported a significant decrease in both fatal and non-fatal overdoses related to illegal substance use in 2023 compared to previous years. Non-fatal overdose cases dropped by 30%, and fatalities from overdoses decreased by 56% compared to 2022. Chief D'Agata discussed with Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill the factors contributing to the decrease in overdoses and shared his perspective on the future efforts of the Village of Liberty Police.

New York State faces its highest daily snowfall in over two years, sparking worries for pet safety. Radio Catskill’s Leying Tang spoke to Sharon Hawa, Senior Manager for Emergency Services at Best Friends Animal Society, about the ways to safeguard pets during winter storms and support shelter animals. Hawa offers tips on walking, feeding, and providing indoor entertainment for pets during snowstorms. She also encourages checking local shelter's wish lists for donation opportunities to aid shelter animals.

Catskill Art Space HAS an exhibition of new work from Hovey Brock, Daniella Dooling and Valerie Hegarty opening Saturday, March 2 to April 27.Valerie Hegarty makes paintings, sculptures, and installations that explore issues of memory, place, and history. Hegarty replicates paintings and antiques from early American art history, then damages them with devices associated with their historical significance. Culture Reporter Valerie Mansi spoke to her.

David Goodwillie is the guest for a new literary salon series launching in Ellenville on Saturday, March 2.Goodwillie will read from his work, answer questions, and describe his picaresque journey in New York’s literary world.David Goodwillie is the author of the novel American Subversive, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and the memoir Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time. Goodwillie has written for the New York Times, New York Magazine, Newsweek, and Popular Science among other publications. He has also been drafted to play professional baseball, worked as a private investigator, and was an expert at Sotheby’s auction house. A graduate of Kenyon College, he lives in Brooklyn.Culture Reporter Valerie Mansi spoke to Goodwillie.

Twenty years ago this week, two dozen LGBTQ+ couples donned their best coats and met at a park in New Paltz to do two things: get married, and break the law. The act of civil disobedience tested New York’s marriage laws at a time when same-sex marriage was hotly debated, but still largely illegal in the U.S. On Sunday, friends and advocates reunited to remember those who made it all possible – and, for one couple, to get married again. From the New York Public News Network, Jesse King reports.

The New York State legislature Wednesday finalized new Congressional lines for the 2024 races, clearing the way for petitioning for the June primaries that started on Tuesday.Here’s a look at what would be changed in our local congressional districts if the maps are signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul, according to Politico: The bipartisan commission had initially split Orange County, moving a portion of it from Representative Pat Ryan's district to the nearby one held by Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro. The Legislature’s lines keep Orange County entirely in Ryan’s district.Most of the other changes aren’t different from the lines that were used to 2022. Most of the other changes to Ryan’s district would involve swapping towns in Ulster County with Molinaro’s seat.Ryan’s seat would lose the blue-friendly towns of Marbletown and Rosendale and gain the blue-trending Saugerties and the deep-blue Woodstock. Molinaro would gain the Republican-friendly town of Shawangunk and gain the Republican-friendly town of Ulster.Molinaro’s district underwent the most significant changes. But even those didn’t dramatically change the electoral math.In addition to the swaps with Ryan in Ulster County, Molinaro’s district would drop Tioga County and parts of Cortland County to districts to his west. It would pick up parts of Rensselaer and Otsego counties from Rep. Elise Stefanik.Yet even after all that, the numbers are basically the same. Molinaro won in 2022 in a 52.3 percent Biden district; it would be a 52.2 percent Biden district.

Democrats in the New York State Legislature on Monday rejected new congressional district maps drawn by a bipartisan redistricting commission and are opting to draw their own maps instead. Republicans, who are in the minority in the Legislature, condemned the vote — saying it’s all about the Democrats trying to gain political advantage. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany for the New York Public News Network.

Former Port Jervis science teacher and Radio Catskill volunteer Joe Johnson discusses some of the most fascinating science stories of the week, including Neanderthal glue, the Odysseus Lunar Lander, and massive solar flares that may or may not have caused some cellular outages last week. He spoke to Tim Bruno.

Catskill Art Space has announced an exhibition of new work from Hovey Brock, Daniella Dooling and Valerie Hegarty opening Saturday, March 2. In "The Canary Project," Daniella Dooling encases birds in resin casts of natural crystal formations or found rocks. She spoke to Culture Reporter Valerie Mansi.

Covering programs ranging from crop insurance for farmers to healthy food access for low-income families, from beginning farmer training to support for sustainable farming practices, the US farm bill sets the stage for our food and farm systems. The package of legislation is passed approximately every five years. It expired at the end of last year and the current farm bill extension expires at the end of September.Brent Habig at Two Creek Farm in Pennsylvania spoke to Farm & Country’s Rosie Starr at our Honesdale studio recently about the Farm Bill.

Driftwood is an Americana/Folk-Rock band from Binghamton that was formed in 2005. The group consists of Dan Forsyth, Joe Kollar, Claire Byrne, Joey Arcuri and Sam Fishman. Music on the Delaware is presenting Driftwood in concert at the historic Walton Theatre stage tomorrow at 7:30 pm.Tim Bruno spoke to band member Claire Byrne about their music and how they got their start.

February 22 is Student Press Freedom Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the challenges student journalists face, celebrating their contributions to their schools and communities and taking actions to protect and restore their First Amendment freedoms. Radio Catskill Reporter Marin Scotten is joined by Hanna Olson, a student journalist advocating for student press freedom and it’s importance to the future of journalism.

February 22 is Student Press Freedom Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the challenges student journalists face, celebrating their contributions to their schools and communities, and taking actions to protect and restore their First Amendment freedoms. Radio Catskill Reporter Marin Scotten is joined by Hanna Olson, a student journalist , advocating for student press freedom and it’s importance to the future of journalism.

In honor of Black History Month, actor G. Oliver King performs the poetry of Langston Hughes at The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance in Narrowsburg on Saturday, February 24.In this performance, King will not only interpret the poetry of Langston Hughes but will embody Hughes’s persona. Culture Reporter Valerie Mansi spoke to King about the DVAA Salon Series event.

Act for Change brings together teens from across Ulster County to engage in anti-racist dialogue and work across identity groups. Act for Change was co-developed by teens, Cornell Cooperative Extension staff, and Cornell faculty and undergraduate students.JOINING US NOW WITH MORE IS Audrey Trossen, 4-H Youth Development EducatorCornell Cooperative Extension | Ulster County

Former Port Jervis science teacher and Radio Catskill volunteer Joe Johnson discusses some of the most fascinating science stories of the week with Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill, including water discovered on asteroids, swarms of locusts and America's sinking East Coast.

Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress recently published a report detailing how neighboring states of New York are addressing the housing crisis at the state level. This nonprofit organization conducts research and analysis on demographic and statistical data.Both the 2024 NY budget proposal and New York’s State of the State neglected to talk about crucial issues such as mitigating high rental costs and safeguarding tenants against unlawful eviction.Radio Catskill’s Leying Tang spoke to Adam Bosch, the President and CEO of Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress on what we can learn from its neighboring states.

The Delaware Youth Center is hosting line dancing classes with instructor April Schmidt starting Wednesday, February 21, and running for six weeks. Culture Reporter Valerie Mansi spoke to Schmidt and Alex Gardner of the Delaware Youth Center in Callicoon, NY.

The Equinunk Historical Society Society has received a grant from the State of Pennsylvania and from The Wayne County Community Foundation to create place-based public artwork in Equinunk along Route 191 and they need the community's input. Tim Bruno spoke to Connor Simon of the Wayne County Community Foundation.

The Director of the Wayne County Public Library in Honesdale says the public is under the misimpression that the library is fully funded. Tracy Schwarz is the System Administrator of the Wayne Library Authority and the Library Director at Wayne County Public Library. She spoke to Tim Bruno about the unsustainable funding model and rumors the library may be closing.

CDC data show that Black women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, with most of the maternal deaths being preventable. This heightened risk spans all income and education levels. To put it into perspective: According to a study from the National Bureau of Economic Research, the wealthiest Black woman in California is at a higher risk of maternal mortality than the least wealthy white woman.On February 21, as part of their "Lunch and Learn" series, Garnet Health presents "From Statistics to Solutions: Improving Black Maternal Health." It's a lunchtime chat with the experts to discuss black maternal health and the existing disparities. We should note Garnet Health is a financial supporter of WJFF.Tim Bruno spoke to Jessie Moore, Garnet Health’s Physician Liaison in the Community Health Department.

DJ Jeff Barnes spins the best in Electronic Dance Music, from back in the day to today—House, Techno, and more--on his new Radio Catskill show Electric Mountain. The locally produced show debuts Saturday night/Sunday morning at Midnight. It’s two hours of music to make you move! Jeff spins for the first hour, then brings on a special guest DJ every week for the second hour.Tim Bruno spoke to Jeff Barnes on Radio Chatskill.

Mark Partridge is a composer, filmmaker, and multimedia artist living in the Catskills with his wife, daughter, and an ever-growing menagerie of animals. His creative career runs the gamut from pop songwriting to punk bands to film directors and experimental sound designers. He's played guitar for most of his life. These days he loves making music with machines.And he’s bringing his music to Radio Catskill with his new show Ambient Barn, debuting this Sunday night at 11 (February 18).He sat down with Tim Bruno for a preview.

Catskill Art Space is celebrating Black History Month tomorrow with a multimedia evening of contemporary performanceAcclaimed musician Thurman Barker presents a lecture and performance of African/American Composers followed by a screening of DJ Spooky’s multimedia film remix, "Rebirth of a Nation."Barker and Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky will be in attendance for audience questions and talk-back. Tim Bruno spoke to Thurman Barker about this event and the opportunities to reflect on the important artistic contributions of Black artists, while examining historical and present-day narratives around race and power in America.

The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) has released a package of legislation titled “Rescue EMS” to strengthen local Emergency Medical Services in New York State. With ambulance wait times longer than ever before and a lack of EMS volunteers, NYSAC, along with a coalition of state law makers and advocates designed the legislation to help EMS services emerge from what they are calling “a state of crisis".Radio Catskill reporter Marin Scotten is joined by Alex Rau, the EMS and 9-1-1 coordinator for Sullivan County, to discuss the state of local EMS services and whether the “Rescue EMS” legislation put forward by NYSAC will be effective in addressing the challenges faced by the EMS system in Sullivan County.

Virtual Soundscapes with Matt Hurtado is a new show on Radio Catskill Thursday at 10pm "where pixels meet melodies, and controllers become conductors."During this hour of video game music and industry news, host Matt Hurtado brings listeners the best music from their favorite games – composed and orchestrated music that crosses multiple genres. Plus, hear Matt’s weekly conversations with video game industry professionalsTim Bruno spoke to Matt Hurtado on Radio Chatskill.

The Black Library is a library and community art space focused on celebrating Black History and Culture based in The Village of Monticello in Sullivan County.This Saturday, February 17th, at 6 PM, they are holding a special Fashion Show spotlighting the unique creations of local designers and brought to life on the runway by local models.Tim Bruno spoke to Douglas Shindler, one of the co-founders of The Black Library about the show and the impact on the community.

Jaya Duvvuri delves into the intersection of nature and the material world, exploring their impact on psychological space. Trained in traditional Sumi-e painting, Jaya employs Sumi ink on rice paper, using the Japanese Notan technique to compose monochromatic abstractions. The meditative practice of Sumi-e allows her to investigate emotional clarity through deliberate strokes and overall composition, revealing the interiority of the artist.Her 'Rough Metaphors' exhibit, runs from Feb 10th to March 17th at the DVAA's Alliance Gallery in Narrowsburg, NY.Jaya Duvvuri spoke to Culture Reporter Valerie Mansi.

Former Port Jervis science teacher and Radio Catskill volunteer Joe Johnson discusses some of the most fascinating science stories of the week with Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill, including radioactive wolves, the NASA ingenuity helicopter and...why are blueberries blue?

The Lunar New Year was this weekend. 2024 is the year of the dragon, which symbolizes honor and success in the Chinese zodiac. Our newest intern Leying Tang is a Chinese student based in New York City. She was curious how Chinese and Chinese Americans celebrate the Year of the Dragon here in the untied states and what’s the difference in traditions when people celebrate the same festival in different countries.Radio Catskill’s Leying Tang will bring you in to her friends’ homes to show you how Chinese people celebrate their Year of the Dragon.

A Recent New York Law Makes It More Difficult For Communities To Incorporate As Villages.The Previous Law Was More Than A Hundred Years Old And Deemed Outdated By Officials Who Said It Didn't Reflect Contemporary Community Planning Practices A Bill Passed Both The State Assembly And Senate To Address That Issue.But Some Upcoming Villages, Including One In Sullivan County, Will Be Exempt From The New Regulations. Sam Mellins From Ny Focus Has More.

The Delaware Valley Arts Nest invites artists to submit their work for consideration in the upcoming exhibition, "Metamorphosis." They are seeking captivating 2D pieces that explore the theme of transformation and change.Culture Reporter Valerie Mansi spoke to Jodi Sibilia from The Delaware Valley Arts Nest.

Congressman Marc Molinaro represents New York's 19th congressional district and he spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill about the closure of Sullivan County Head Start.Molinaro said Wednesday that the Office of Head Start (OHS) had informed him that Sullivan County Head Start has decided to relinquish its Head Start grant.

According to the CDC, the use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for kids, teens, and young adults. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s.According to the Mid-Hudson Regional Community Health Needs Assessment, Sullivan County suffers from the highest rates of smoking in the Hudson Valley. The average age of a new smoker in New York State is 13 years old. Sullivan 180 is partnering with Catch My Breath, a youth vaping prevention program that takes a peer-led approach to empower students to make informed decisions about E-cigarettes and resist social pressures to vape.The program provides up-to-date information to teachers, parents, and health professionals to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about the use of e-cigarettes, including JUUL and disposable devices. Tim Bruno spoke to Amanda Langseder of Sullivan 180 about the training program.

Bart A. Charlow was born into the life of a Borscht Belt Catskills hotel family and his first book, A Catskill Carnival: My Borscht Belt Life Lived, Lost and Loved, is a memoir of his early years in a unique setting, coming to terms with it and cherishing its life lessons. He’ll be talking about it at a virtual book talk for The Time & the Valleys Museum Sunday, February 11. He spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill.

The Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program (AWSMP) is hosting a film premiere of "Exploring the Upper Esopus Creek Watershed" at the Pine Hill Community Center on February 8. Following the screening, there will be a panel Q&A with the production team and watershed educators who created the film. Tim Bruno spoke to Tim Koch, Stream Education Leader for the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program at Cornell Cooperative Extension | Ulster County, and filmmaker Amanda Cabanillas, who is also the Education & Outreach Coordinator at the Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts—the original site of the 1969 woodstock festival—has launched a brand new, state-of-the-art campground. Folks can now sleep among the hallowed festival grounds. Eric Frances, CEO of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts joined Patricio Robayo on Radio Chatskill to talk about all about the 2024 camping season.

Black bears exist throughout New York, and the majority (about 85%) of the black bear population can be found in the Adirondacks and here in the Catskills.The New York Department of Environmental Conservation will be at the Ellenville Public Library and Museum February 5 with a presentation on local bear species and what to do if you encounter one. Tim Bruno spoke to the DEC's Regional Bear Biologist Jonathan Russell.

The Center for Discovery is a major research and specialty center where individuals from around New York State and the world travel to receive highly advanced care and access to groundbreaking research and treatment for a myriad of disabilities and complex conditions. Each year, The Center serves more than 1,200 children, adults, and families.At the beginning of the year, Dr. Theresa Hamlin was named CEO of The Center for Discovery. The facility board chose her in October 2023 to succeed Patrick Dollard, now a senior advisor to the organization.Hamlin joined the center in 1983 and was named president in 2020.She spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill.

The Liberty Central School District Music Department hosts the 26th Annual Liberty Jazz Festival Saturday, February 2.The festival features High School and Middle School jazz ensembles from the Liberty, Monticello, Tri-Valley, and Livingston Manor school districts.Tim Bruno spoke to Liberty Central School District Music Director Eric Aweh for a preview.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. A month dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, and teachers. The PRASAD Children’s Dental Health program provides accessible dental care and education to children through their mobile dental clinic, which travels to various schools in Ulster and Sullivan County. Their mission is to provide high-quality dental services through education, prevention, detection, and treatment.Radio Catskill reporter Marin Scotten is joined by Dr. Cecilia Escarra, dentist and administrator of PRASAD’s children’s dental health program.