Radio Chatskill

The Circus is Coming to Highland Lake Friday, May 24

NACL 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 Jews

The 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.

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.