Radio Chatskill

KINGSTON, N.Y. — It may wobble. It may shimmer. But at this weekend’s Jell-O Jamboree, it’s art.

The fourth annual Jell-O Jamboree, hosted by the Midtown Kingston Arts District (MKAD), returns Saturday with what organizer Chris O’Neill calls “a fun, jiggly live event with all sorts of amazing activities for children and adults.”

At the center of the evening is the Jell-O sculpture competition — a showcase that has grown more ambitious each year. “It truly is amazing,” O’Neill said. “You will see some of these and the fact that they are technically edible Jell-O will not be believable — but they are. The work that people make is just mind-blowing.”

Nearly 30 artists are expected to participate, with entries ranging from abstract forms to pop culture references. Last year, one submission recreated the infamous duct-taped banana artwork by Italian conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan — only this time, entirely in gelatin.

Beyond sculpture, the jamboree leans into its playful spirit. There’s a spin-the-wheel game that O’Neill describes as “one of the highlights of the event,” plus a much-anticipated “Jell-O ring toss.” Pressed to explain how exactly that works, O’Neill laughed: “You’re going to have to see in person. It has to be seen to be experienced.”

Of course, there will be plenty of Jell-O to sample, alongside other fare. For adults, the menu includes boozy Jell-O cocktails and specialty gelatin shots made with a local distillery, as well as beer and wine. Live music keeps the energy high, with Nova Darkstar bringing disco-infused new wave and R&B sounds, and Z Liberation with Sci-FiRE performing with illuminated props, hula hoops and fire.

While the tone is whimsical, the purpose is serious. The fundraiser supports MKAD’s pay-what-you-can art classes and its youth workforce program.

“Not only is this a super fun, great event, it really does support the work we do,” O’Neill said. “We pay our high school age interns to work in the arts. This goes directly to support their wages and we offer a wide variety of pay what you can classes. We want to make classes available to everyone regardless of what they can pay, and so by you buying a ticket, you’re going to help those workers and those classes run.”

Wallkill, NY - Preliminary testing has confirmed that several dead birds found in Orange County were infected with avian influenza, according to state officials.

In recent weeks, residents reported dead crows and other birds in and around the Town of Wallkill. Phillip Pantuso of the Times Union says the state’s early findings point to bird flu.

“There were some reports in recent weeks about a number of dead birds including dead crows that were showing up in and around Wallkill in Orange County,” Pantuso said. “And what we're reporting is that preliminary tests obtained by the Department of Environmental Conservation show that those were positive for avian influenza, which is a highly contagious pathogen that can really re-cadic on wild birds and poultry.”

Avian influenza, often called bird flu, spreads easily among wild birds and domestic flocks. But Pantuso says the risk to people remains low.

“As for how worried we should be, I don't think too worried. It's quite rare that it can be passed to humans,” he said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 71 human cases of bird flu have been confirmed nationwide over the past two years, resulting in two deaths. As of Jan. 30, eight cases had been identified in New York state.

Pantuso notes that outbreaks among birds are not unusual in the region.

“It’s also not that unusual for bird flu to be circulating in bird communities, I guess, in the Hudson Valley and Catskill and further their upstate New York,” he said.

The virus can be devastating for farms. In January of last year, about 50 chickens and ducks died from avian influenza at a poultry farm in Ulster County.

“It’s really more of a problem for poultry and dairy farmers because usually what you have to do is you have to eradicate your whole flock if it starts circulating,” Pantuso said.

State environmental officials continue to monitor the situation. Residents are advised not to handle dead birds and to report sightings to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

New York lawmakers are moving to curb exposure to PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals” found in everyday products from non-stick pans to waterproof mascara.

PFAS — a class of more than 10,000 synthetic compounds — accumulate in soil, water and human bloodstreams. Studies have linked them to certain cancers, developmental effects in children, immune system suppression and reproductive harm.

This week, the State Senate passed two bills aimed at limiting exposure. One would require greater disclosure of PFAS discharges into waterways. Another would ban PFAS in many consumer and household products. Both now head to the Assembly.

“Addressing the PFAS contamination crisis in New York requires multiple policies,” said Kate Donovan, director of Northeast Environmental Health at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) . “There's not just one single piece of legislation that's going to solve the problem. We need to look upstream to kind of like turn off the tap to PFAS.”

Turning off the tap

Donovan says the consumer products bill targets PFAS at the source.

“That’s what the PFAS in consumer products bill does. It says, we don't need to use PFAS in these particular consumer products, because they're unnecessary. There are alternatives on the market and they're contributing to kind of the influx of PFAS into our system.”

At the same time, she says, the state needs to understand where contamination is coming from on the industrial side.

“There are thousands of manufacturing and industrial facilities across New York that use these chemicals in industrial processes as lubricants, as additives for cleaning machinery. We just don't know exactly where it's all coming from and the PFAS Disclosure Act would help us understand that. And it focuses on transparency.”

Advocates often describe PFAS as a life-cycle problem — from production to disposal. Donovan says the two Senate bills reflect that strategy.

“We know that these chemicals are being intentionally added to products that we use in our homes,” she said. “Ultimately, when these products get washed down the drain … they end up in our wastewater stream.”

From there, PFAS can pass through treatment plants and into surface waters. Other products end up in landfills or incinerators.

“Those pans and all of those other products end up in landfills,” she said. “The chemicals from those are ending up in landfill leachate or being emitted into air emissions.”

Federal rollbacks, state response

Several related PFAS bills are still pending in the Assembly, including one that would codify federal drinking water standards into state law.

Under the Biden administration, the Environmental Protection Agency set new maximum contaminant levels for certain PFAS in drinking water — standards that were more protective than New York’s in some cases. Donovan says advocates fear those rules could be weakened.

“There’s a piece of legislation that we're supporting that would require New York to, what we would say, codify those federal levels into state law,” she said. “And so, that's a direct piece of legislation to combat what's happening at the federal level.”

Currently, New York limits two PFAS chemicals — PFOA and PFOS — to 10 parts per trillion in municipal drinking water. But Donovan notes that represents only a fraction of the compounds in use.

“That's only two chemicals, right? And you mentioned there's over 10,000,” she said. “So that would leave several smaller systems in New York kind of under that 10 parts per trillion threshold, which would still be at risk.”

Cosmetics, sewage sludge and environmental justice

Among the other bills awaiting action is the Beauty Justice Act, which would phase out toxic chemicals — including PFAS — in personal care products and cosmetics.

“We know that PFAS is used in waterproof mascaras in different types of lotions and conditioners to make things kind of feel slick,” Donovan said. “In addition to PFAS, there's heavy metals, asbestos, all sorts of hormone disruptors and allergic additives.”

She says the legislation also addresses disparities in marketing.

“These particular products with these high levels of toxicity are marketed disproportionately to brown and black communities,” she said. “That's why we think it is a very important environmental justice piece of legislation.”

Another proposal would place a moratorium on spreading sewage sludge on farmland — a practice that has become part of the PFAS story.

Wastewater treatment plants separate liquids from solids. The remaining sludge, once promoted as a nutrient-rich fertilizer, can contain concentrated contaminants.

“That sludge … is highly concentrated in all of those other chemicals that came down the drain,” Donovan said. “Unfortunately, it's highly concentrated with PFAS chemicals and other toxins. So, it's a big concern.”

In New York, treated sludge is sometimes sold to farmers and spread on fields. Testing has shown that PFAS can move from soil into crops and livestock, raising concerns about the food supply.

“It gets spread onto our land and we know from testing that our food supply is at great risk of uptaking all sorts of things that are contained in that sewage sludge,” she said.

The human toll

For Donovan, the push for regulation is grounded in community experience.

“The community members are really why we're doing this work,” she said. “They have been poisoned for a lifetime.”

She points to places like Hudson Falls and Hoosick Falls, where residents have dealt with contaminated drinking water.

“I've heard some community members talk about living with kind of a ticking time bomb in their bodies of what particular illness they may develop over a period of time,” she said.

Research has linked PFAS exposure to serious health effects, including high cholesterol and reduced vaccine response. PFAS have also been detected in breast milk, placentas and umbilical cord blood.

“It really is pervasive in the human body,” Donovan said.

An analysis by NRDC and another organization estimated that PFAS contamination could cost New York between $2.7 billion and $4.4 billion annually in health care expenses.

“We conservatively estimated it range between $2.7 and $4.4 billion dollars annually in expected health care cost from PFAS contamination in these communities,” she said.

What comes next

Even if the full legislative package passes, implementation would vary. Some measures would take effect immediately. Others would give manufacturers time to comply.

“It depends on the implementation period,” Donovan said. “Some of the consumer product bills … give industry a year or two before it is actually implemented.”

Advocates say momentum is building nationwide, as states move to regulate PFAS amid uncertainty in Washington.

“We know enough to act,” Donovan said. “We just think that the time is right to really address this.”

For now, supporters are pressing lawmakers to take up the remaining bills before the end of the session.

“We'll continue our drumbeat,” she said. “We hope that this year is the year for the legislature to step up again and pass some really significant reforms on PFAS regulation.”

This Valentine’s Day, Richard Hoehler takes the stage at Kraus Recital Hall in Narrowsburg with Songs of Love and Outrage, a concert that blends personal reflection with social awareness. Inspired by folk icons like Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs, and Pete Seeger, Hoehler explores how music can carry powerful messages without alienating audiences.

From Prison Workshops to Original Music

For more than 30 years, Hoehler has created theater with at-risk youth and incarcerated New Yorkers. He founded a professional acting company for formerly incarcerated actors and recently published Acting Out: How a Prison Theater Workshop Broke Free, chronicling 15 years of workshops and productions inside prisons.

“It was one of the men in prison who nudged me to write my own songs,” Hoehler recalls. “‘You always sing covers—why don’t you sing your own?’ That challenge reopened a creative door for me.” His first audience for these songs was the men inside the prison, whose encouragement helped him bring his music to wider stages.

Love, Outrage, and Connection

The concert moves from intimate family songs to raw love songs, and then into music inspired by his work with incarcerated communities and broader social justice themes. “The title says it all,” Hoehler explains. “Sometimes the best response to outrage is love—thinking about how we connect with each other rather than stoking the fire.”

Hoehler hopes his music also challenges misconceptions about incarceration. “You don’t see the incredible ability of people to rise above, to rebuild their lives. My work is about sharing those stories honestly and respectfully.”

Fans in New York City braved cold January streets for a rare glimpse into Cindy Lauper’s personal wardrobe. For two days, the pop icon opened her closet, offering over 20 years of stage costumes, designer pieces, and vintage finds. Lines stretched for hours as devoted fans hunted for one-of-a-kind items, turning the sale into a moment of music history.

Now, a curated selection of those iconic pieces is coming upstate. This Friday and Saturday, The Stickett Inn in Barryville will host a Cindy Lauper Closet Clearance Sale, with part of the proceeds benefiting the St. Anthony’s Food Pantry, a local organization feeding dozens of families in need.

From New York City to Barryville: How the Sale Happened

Johnny Pizzolato, longtime friend of Lauper’s stylist and organizer of the Barryville event, shared the story behind how these legendary pieces made it north.

Among the highlights is an Alexander McQueen coat Lauper has been photographed wearing on multiple occasions. The sale will also feature vintage items, fun streetwear, and key stage pieces, each accompanied by stories from Lauper’s stylist, who will be on hand to provide context and fashion advice.

Fashion Meets Philanthropy

The event continues the philanthropic spirit of Lauper’s New York sale, which benefited the Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights Fund. Proceeds in Barryville will support St. Anthony’s Food Pantry, where Pizzolato has volunteered for five years.

What to Expect This Weekend

The Stickett Inn will be transformed into a pop-up fashion archive.

• Friday, 5:00–10:00 p.m.: Part of the monthly Pussycat Lounge event, with cider and music.
• Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.: Full-day shopping with coffee and browsing.

Visitors can explore racks of iconic pieces while enjoying a festive, community-focused experience.

Kingston, NY — As Black History Month continues, Ulster County is shining a light on a lesser-known but remarkable chapter of its past: the role of Black players and communities in 19th-century baseball. 

The Ulster County Clerk’s office, in partnership with the Ulster County Restorative Justice and Community Empowerment Center, will host a “Lunch and Learn” event on February 12 delving into a groundbreaking discovery: evidence that an integrated baseball game took place in Kingston in 1867, predating the traditionally recognized first integrated game in Philadelphia by six months.

“This is really the first recorded integrated game played in America,” said Ulster County Clerk Taylor Bruck, who also plays vintage baseball. “It’s fascinating that it happened right here in Ulster County and, interestingly, it didn’t get a ton of fanfare at the time. We’re still researching, but it seems like it may have been a fairly routine occurrence for Black teams and white teams to play against each other in this area.”

Bruck described how his own experience playing vintage baseball—a recreation of the sport as it was played in the 19th century—led to this discovery. “In playing vintage baseball, we follow 1864 rules and do a lot of research into that era. This winter, we uncovered evidence of Black and white players sharing the field here in Kingston,” he said. “Some of the players were Civil War veterans. After the war, many were familiar with baseball because generals had encouraged troops to play to boost morale, so when they returned, they continued playing locally.”

Bruck said this history hasn’t been more widely recognized because there aren’t many researchers focusing on this specific era. "There’s just one small newspaper account of the game. Like much Black history, it often gets buried and isn’t included in larger historical texts. Part of the fun—and the responsibility—of doing history is uncovering these overlooked stories,” he said.

Bruck said stories like this highlight baseball as a true melting pot in its early years. “You had teams of different ethnicities playing together. For Black Americans, these stories should inspire pride. History isn’t always a straight trajectory. Rights gained during Reconstruction were later stripped away during Jim Crow, so these narratives remind us how complex—and how rich—our local history really is,” he said.

Bruck’s personal involvement adds another layer to the event. “We have public records, newspapers, and photographs that helped us uncover these stories,” he explained. “Combining my role as county clerk with my passion for vintage baseball has been incredibly rewarding. We want to make history accessible and engaging, not just for academics, but for the whole community.”

Reflecting on this hidden history, Bruck said, “It’s eye-opening to see how much equality existed, even briefly, during Reconstruction. There’s a lot of painful history afterward, but finding positive stories and lifting them up is exactly why Black History Month remains so important. These stories deserve the spotlight.”

A major philanthropic merger in the Hudson Valley and Catskills is now official — and supporters say it could reshape how charitable giving works across the region.

The New York State Attorney General has approved the unification of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan and the Rockland Community Foundation, creating the Community Foundation of Orange, Sullivan and Rockland. The merged organization now oversees more than 600 charitable funds and nearly $71 million in assets, supporting nonprofits, scholarships, and community initiatives across all three counties.

For Elizabeth Rowley, president and CEO of the foundation, the merger is about more than scale.

“This really means a stronger, more vibrant community foundation for our region,” Rowley said. “By combining our capacity and expertise, we can better support donors and respond to the needs we’re seeing across our communities.”

What changes — and what doesn’t

Community foundations often do their most important work out of sight: managing investments, ensuring compliance, and handling the administrative backbone of charitable giving. Rowley said bringing those systems together creates efficiencies that benefit both donors and nonprofits.

“There’s real economy of scale,” she said. “Much of the work is back-office administration. By streamlining that, we free up more capacity to focus on impact.”

What remains unchanged, Rowley emphasized, is the foundation’s commitment to local presence and local relationships.

“We’re still showing up,” she said. “At community events, with nonprofits, and in conversations about what really matters in each county.”

A hub for local philanthropy

Rowley describes the foundation as a kind of “turnkey” private foundation for community members who want to give back.

“We help people create scholarship funds or charitable funds that support causes close to their hearts,” she said. “We take care of the administrative side so they can focus on giving, fundraising, and legacy.”

Those funds support a wide range of causes, including education, health, arts and culture, and local journalism. The Community Foundation of Orange, Sullivan and Rockland is a financial supporter of Radio Catskill.

Staying rooted in place

The foundation currently has offices in Orange and Sullivan counties, with plans to establish a physical presence in Rockland County.

“These are big counties, and relationships matter,” Rowley said. “Having a physical space gives people a place to come, ask questions, and learn about charitable giving and community needs.”

In Sullivan County, the foundation is housed at the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, increasing visibility and access.

A first public milestone

Later this month, the foundation will host its 2026 Signature Awards Reception – Rockland Edition, its first public event since the merger.

The event will introduce a newly expanded board of directors, now representing all three counties, and honor community leaders and institutions, including the Ramapo Catskill Library System.

“The library system has been tremendous for our region,” Rowley said. “It’s an honor to recognize that impact.”

Scholarships and giving season ahead

This spring, the foundation will award more than $700,000 in scholarships, with an average award of about $3,000. Many scholarships are multi-year and include support for trade and certificate programs.

Applications are due April 10, and a single streamlined application is available at cfosrny.org.

The foundation is also preparing for Hudson Valley Gives, now in its 11th year, which returns in May.

Filling gaps in uncertain times

As nonprofits face potential state and federal funding cuts, Rowley said community foundations play an increasingly important — if limited — role.

“Philanthropy can’t replace government funding,” she said. “But we can help fill gaps and respond quickly where needs are greatest.”

For Rowley, the merger marks a milestone years in the making.

“It’s exciting,” she said. “The sky’s the limit for what we can do together.”

February is often a month for thinking about health—heart health, mental health, and the habits we hope to build for the year. But experts agree that staying healthy is easier when you’re not doing it alone.

That’s the idea behind Sullivan Club 180, a network of small, community-based clubs in Sullivan County that help people form healthier habits through simple, consistent actions.

“Health really doesn’t occur in isolation,” says Anne-Louise Scandariato, Director of Community Engagement at Sullivan 180. “Social isolation can increase the risk of chronic disease and depression. Those who find connection can have better heart health, lower blood pressure, and improved overall lifespan.”

Meaghan Mullally-Gorr, Director of Health and Wellness, adds, “Connections keep you accountable and make reaching your goals more fun. It’s not a chore—it’s something you enjoy.”

A Club 180 usually includes five or more people—neighbors, co-workers, or friends—focusing on physical activity, nutrition, mental health, or reducing substance use. Clubs are led by trained Community Health Champions and emphasize small, achievable steps over drastic lifestyle changes.

“Small steps are tangible and achievable,” Scandariato says. “In a group, you can see progress and hold each other accountable. It doesn’t become a chore—it’s just part of your routine.”

Clubs like the Monacello Fireflies have made regular meetups more intentional—adding walks, healthy meals, and nutrition lessons. Spartan Clubs, meanwhile, help students train for the annual Spartan Race at Bethel Woods, focusing on finishing together rather than winning.

“You don’t have to start with a big goal,” Scandariato says. “It just takes a spark of interest, and we help you build from there.”

CHESTER, NY — Town of Chester Supervisor Brandon Holdridge is at the forefront of local resistance to a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in a former Pep Boys warehouse in Chester, Orange County. Residents, local officials, and Holdridge himself have raised concerns about economic impact, safety, and the federal government’s handling of immigration detention.

Supervisor Warns of Economic and Public Safety Risks

Holdridge emphasized the potential financial burden on the town.

"If the federal government were to take over the warehouse, we would lose around a half a million dollars of annual tax revenue for the town and village of Chester, which would be devastating to our local budgets here," he said.

He also warned that protests could escalate costs for local taxpayers.

"Chester taxpayers would have to front the money for policing costs and overtime costs… The federal government isn't going to pay us back for the mayhem that they cause," Holdridge said.

Concerns About Infrastructure and Safety

The town’s infrastructure, Holdridge said, cannot support the facility.

"There's no sewage capacity in the village of Chester… They're trying to turn a warehouse that was meant for just over a hundred employees into a facility that's supposed to house 1,500 beds plus employees plus visitors," he said.

He also flagged the facility’s proximity to youth sports facilities as a safety concern.

"They're planning on housing violent criminals near where kids regularly go for sports activities," Holdridge said.

Bipartisan Local Support

Supervisor Holdridge noted that opposition to the facility has been unanimous across party lines.

"On the local level here, it has been across the board unanimous… from both Republicans and Democrats on the town and village boards," he said.

He also pointed out strong support from residents.

"100% of the Chester residents that I have received emails and calls from have been against the facility… I’ve only gotten one email… that was in favor of the facility," Holdridge said.

Limited Authority, But Persistent Advocacy

Although the federal government ultimately controls the project, Holdridge is coordinating local opposition and legal avenues.

"Because this facility is privately owned, I'm not sure how much power [local officials] actually have… The federal government I'm not really sure is concerned with following local zoning laws or listening to local boards," he said.

He has circulated letters to local, county, and federal representatives, urging coordinated resistance.

"This is really a whole-of-government approach here on the local level… to continually say to the federal government, please stay away," Holdridge said.

Supervisor Committed to Fighting the Facility

Despite uncertainty about the outcome, Holdridge remains determined.

"My gut is telling me that we are up against the wall… I will not stop fighting," he said.

The debate over a proposed campground development along the Upper Delaware River is reaching a critical point as the Town of Highland planning board prepares to weigh approval. The Camp FIMFO project, a $40 million-plus project renovating a historic tenting campsite in Barryville with modern amenities, has already drawn scrutiny from the National Park Service, which determined the development does not conform with the Upper Delaware River Management Plan — a document designed to guide development while protecting the river’s nationally significant environmental and recreational resources.

So what happens if the planning board approves the project anyway?

Liam Mayo, news editor at The River Reporter, recently explored that question in depth, examining the options the National Park Service would have — including the rarely used and often misunderstood concept of eminent domain.

“The National Park Service’s determination has been in the background since 2023,” Mayo said. “But in December, the Park Service sent a letter to the planning board re-emphasizing that even after years of tweaks and adjustments, the project still doesn’t conform with the River Management Plan.”

The agency’s concerns focus on two major points. First, the River Management Plan prohibits permanent structures at campsites, and the Park Service considers the proposed park-model RVs at Camp Fimfo to qualify as such. Second, the project’s scale would substantially increase the intensity of use in the corridor, which could alter the traditional character of the area.

Jeff Spitz, head of the planning board, told Mayo that the board is still reviewing the project and weighing the Park Service’s concerns. “Until that process is complete, it’s unclear how much influence the Park Service’s non-conformance finding will have on the decision,” he said.

If the planning board moves forward despite the Park Service’s objections, the federal agency has limited tools. The first option is continued negotiation, working with local stakeholders to minimize environmental impact and bring the project closer to compliance. The more extreme backstop, Mayo explained, is eminent domain — the legal authority for the government to take land in limited circumstances.

“In theory, the National Park Service could use eminent domain if the project violated zoning laws or threatened the river’s resources,” Mayo said. “But it’s extremely unlikely. It would be a last-resort action, and the Upper Delaware operates under a unique collaborative model that gives local towns and municipalities significant control over development.”

This collaborative model has historically allowed local projects to proceed even when the Park Service raises objections, making eminent domain a rare, almost unprecedented option in the region. Mayo noted that the outcome of the Camp Fimfo decision could set an important precedent for the future of camping along the Upper Delaware, potentially influencing how other sites balance traditional camping practices with new, amenity-rich developments.

The planning board has not set a firm date for a decision, though a ruling could come within the next few months.