Radio Chatskill

Respiratory illnesses are increasing across most areas of the United States, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

15 states –plus New York City —are experiencing "high" or "very high" levels of respiratory illness activity, defined as people going to the doctor with symptoms from any respiratory disease including flu, COVID, RSV and the common cold.

Tim Bruno spoke to Dr. James Cruse, The Chief Medical Officer at Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers about this seasonal surge in respiratory illness cases. 

The Center for Discovery's (TCFD) Assisted Intervention and Education program has forged a partnership with Catskill Animal Rescue to enhance its Animal Assisted Therapy initiative. This joint effort aims to supply the program with rescued puppies and dogs, ultimately benefiting individuals at the center who are grappling with complex conditions, such as autism.

Scout, who is believed to be a beagle/Jack Russell mix, came to TCFD after being adopted from Catskill Animal Rescue in Liberty, NY, on June 5, 2023 and is currently in training.

Patricio Robayo reports on the program and how the animals are uniquely trained. 

A new Chanukah Menorah will be lit on the first night of Chanukah at the Ted Strobel Building (Neighborhood Facility) Jefferson Street, Monticello, New York on December 7, at 5:15pm.  The Landfield Avenue Synagogue Board of Directors commissioned two local artists, the father and son duo of Zac and Barry Zhavrick to sculpt the menorah. Jason Dole spoke to Lori James, a member of the Landfield Avenue Synagogue Board of Directors. 

For nearly a century, observers watched the forests of New York State from more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks, searching for the dangerous signs of forest fires. There were 19 fire towers in the Catskill region and 52 in the Adirondacks.

Over 40 years ago, The State of New York began to phase out the use of fire towers for spotting forest fires by 1990, the last 5 towers still in operation were closed.

Across the state grassroots, volunteer-based initiatives were formed to try to save the towers. These initiatives recognized that the towers not only represent a piece of the history and heritage of New York State forest protection, but are an untapped resource with tremendous tourism potential. J

Tim Bruno spoke to Ann Roberti, President, Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower, about efforts to restore the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower in Delaware County.

Link: bramleymountainfiretower.org

HENRI KISIELEWSKI IS A FRENCH-BRITISH PHOTOGRAPHER BASED IN LONDON. 

HIS LATEST PROJECT FOCUSES ON “AG-LOE,” A LOCAL LITTLE TOWN THAT WAS COMPLETELY IMAGINARY, THEN IT WAS KIND OF REAL, AND NOW IT IS GONE AGAIN. 
IT WAS LOCATED JUST PAST ROSCOE NEW YORK, JUST OVER THE BORDER BETWEEN SULLIVAN AND DELAWARE COUNTIES.

YOU SEE…“AG-LOE,”--- SPELLED “A-G-L-O-E” —STARTED OFF AS A FICTITIOUS DOT ON A MAP. IT WAS PUT THERE BY MAPMAKERS OTTO G. LINDBERG AND ERNEST ALPERS IN THE 1930S, WHO REARRANGED THEIR INITIALS TO MAKE THE NAME “AGLOE.” 

IT WAS AN ANTI-PIRACY MEASURE TO PREVENT OTHER MAP COMPANIES FORM COPYING THEIR ROAD MAP OF NEW YORK.

SUCH MADE-UP TOWNS ON OLD MAPS ARE KNOWN AS “MAP TRAPS,” OR “PAPER TOWNS.” 

 AG-LOE IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS EXAMPLES. THE 2008 JOHN GREEN NOVEL “PAPER TOWNS” THAT WAS TURNED INTO A 2015 MOVIE FEATURES A CHARACTER WHO HEADS OUT IN SEARCH OF AG-LOE.

 PHOTOGRAPHER HENRI KISILEWSKY HAS CROSSED THE ATLANTIC TO VISIT AG-LOE AS A WAY TO EXPLORE REALITY AND UNREALITY IN AMERICA.

JASON DOLE SPOKE TO HIM ON SATURDAY HERE AT OUR LIBERTY STUDIOS…

A startup company is reportedly planning a massive carbon-capture project in the Marcellus and Utica shale formations in New York’s Southern Tier. The plan reportedly includes drilling in shale formations to inject (and store) carbon dioxide that circumvents New York’s current fracking drilling laws.

Radio Chatskill‘s Tim Bruno spoke to Catskilll Mountainkeeper’s Senior Research Director Dr. Kathy Nolan about their concerns. 

Jayla Edwards may have been singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” this fall, but
her goals go far above where any rainbow is found.

The Liberty High School senior, who played Dorothy in the Liberty Performing Arts’ fall
production of “The Wizard of Oz,” has taken part in two highly selective experiences that are
helping her pursue her career goal of being an aerospace engineer with NASA.

Edwards was one of 95 students, of more than 2,000 applicants, chosen for the NASA’s
Science Mission Directorate STEM Enhancement in Earth Science, or SEES, high school
internship program onsite at the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research.

“It was great getting to meet a bunch of people from all around the country with similar interests
to mine,” she said.

Her experience there led to an even more exclusive opportunity. She was one of 12 students, of
the more than 200 total SEES interns, who were invited to the OSIRIS REx VIP reveal event at
NASA Johnson Space Center in October. The selection of students was based on the program
mentors’ recommendations as well as the students’ ability to be ambassadors for the SEES
program, Edwards said.

She spoke to Radio Chatskill's Tim Bruno. 

PFAS are a class of thousands of chemicals that have been linked to a wide range of serious health effects including kidney and liver disease, immune system suppression, birth defects and even cancer.

These forever chemicals have contaminated the drinking water for millions of people across the country. In many instances, the source of that contamination has been PFAS-laden firefighting foam – especially at civilian airports.

Liam Mayo reports on PFAs at the Sullivan County International Airport.

A conversation with Gender Equality New York presenting a Sullivan County Town Hall with Sullivan Allies Leading Together (SALT) advocates and the Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre (HPAC).

Patricio Robayo reports.