Radio Chatskill

New York’s newly adopted energy plan risks locking residents into higher energy bills and prolonged fossil fuel dependence at a time of rising costs and worsening climate impacts, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The environmental group says the plan fails to prioritize the most affordable and proven solutions — energy efficiency, renewable power and electrification — and instead leaves the door open to new fossil fuel investments that could drive volatile prices for decades.

“At a time when New Yorkers are facing higher bills and growing reliability and health risks, this plan fails to lean into the most of solutions available like energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technologies that enable electrification of end uses,” said Chris Casey, utility regulatory director for New York at NRDC.

“Most concerning is that the plan opens the door to increased fossil dependence and other high-cost, speculative approaches,” he said. “That risks locking New Yorkers into higher and more volatile energy costs potentially for decades to come.”

State officials have defended the plan as an “all of the above” energy strategy that includes continued reliance on natural gas to ensure reliability. Casey said that framing often serves as a rationale for long-term fossil fuel infrastructure that consumers ultimately pay for.

“In reality, what we see is that ‘all of the above’ is often just a door for opening continued fossil dependence,” he said. “Those investments have to be paid off over many decades, often longer than they’ll actually be used. It sets us up for stranded costs and higher rates.”

Casey also disputed claims that additional fossil fuel infrastructure is needed to keep the lights on.

“New York already has one of the most reliable systems in the entire country,” he said. “A lot of this reliability talk is flag-waving to justify certain investments.”

While energy bills are only one part of broader affordability pressures, Casey said the plan could worsen long-term costs by steering the state away from the cheapest energy pathway.

“Study after study shows the lowest-cost, highest-value system is one that leans into renewable energy, electrification, energy efficiency and flexible demand,” he said. “The more we delay that transition, the more we lock ourselves into a higher-cost, more unstable future.”

Beyond cost, Casey warned that continued fossil fuel use will harm public health.

“It means dirtier air and continued climate change,” he said. “There are increased hospitalizations and deaths because people are breathing dirty air, and we can make a huge difference by electrifying transportation, buildings and power generation.”

NRDC is urging New York to move forward with a cap-and-invest program that would put a price on carbon pollution and return revenue to households through bill credits while funding clean energy projects.

“Cap and invest puts a price on pollution and uses that revenue to lower electricity bills and invest in a cleaner, safer energy system,” Casey said. “It also sends economic signals that align everyday decisions with what delivers the most value to society.”

The debate unfolds as federal policy shifts threaten renewable energy development, including a recent move by the Trump administration to pause offshore wind leases. Casey said New York’s plan misses a chance to protect residents from those rollbacks.

“In many ways it’s capitulating to federal policymakers whose actions are making everything more expensive,” he said, citing trade and tariff policies he said are driving up energy and infrastructure costs.

Although the plan has been adopted, Casey said it leaves wide discretion to regulators and state agencies — and room for public pressure.

“We need people to make clear that they want a healthy and affordable future powered by clean energy,” he said. “That means speaking up to lawmakers, regulators and the Public Service Commission.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Casey said attention should focus on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s response to a court ruling that found the state violated its climate law by failing to implement required regulations, as well as her decision to pause cap-and-invest.

“We should be holding her accountable to put New York on the best path forward,” he said.

Hannah Bonaguro isn’t entirely sold on the phrase people use most often to describe her shop.

“I’m not sure why everyone calls it a hidden gem,” she said. “I’m like, it’s not hidden. But I guess it’s a little bit off the beaten path.”

That distinction hasn’t stopped people from finding All Sorts — a vintage shop, cafe and pop-up food space in downtown Hancock — largely through social media and online searches. This month, the business celebrates its third anniversary.

“Instagram has definitely — that is, I think, how we’re in business,” Bonaguro said. “People discovering us online. Even Brooklyn customers and clients who have houses up here or vacation up here have kind of followed along with our journey. I just think it’s guiding them in the door.”

At the same time, Bonaguro said, some of the people closest to home are still surprised the shop exists at all.

“A lot of people don’t even know that I’m here,” she said. “I’ll meet people that work in town that didn’t even know there was a coffee shop in town. I find that kind of confusing.”

All Sorts, located at 169 East Front St., opened in December 2022 as a shop focused on vintage items and provisions. Since then, it has expanded to include coffee, baked goods, cakes and an evolving slate of food pop-ups and occasional dinner service.

Bonaguro grew up in northern New Jersey and attended Bard College at Simon’s Rock in the Berkshires. After graduating, she spent about 15 years in New York City working as a barista and cafe manager, often in vintage stores, and hosting a Sunday night vegetarian supper club.

During the pandemic, she opened Your Other Left Ear, a project space-turned-retail shop in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

“So we opened a pop-up, and it was primarily vintage,” she said. “There was no food component at all.”

That shop ran for about three years, overlapping with the opening of All Sorts.

“During that time, we opened All Sorts and kind of added another state outpost,” Bonaguro said. “Then we added the cafe stuff back in.”

The result, she said, was a full circle moment.

“I kind of went from food industry, to retail, and then back to retail and hospitality and food again,” she said.

For a period, Bonaguro traveled back and forth between the city and Hancock, working in Brooklyn during the week and running All Sorts on weekends.

“For a while there was overlap, and I was back and forth trying to get this going on the weekends and working in the city all week,” she said.

Eventually, the Catskills operation demanded more attention.

“When we opened, we didn’t know it would be such a food place,” she said. “It just became clear that that’s what was needed, and I would need to be here more days than just Friday through Sunday.”

She phased out the Brooklyn shop and merged its following and website into All Sorts. The shop hosted its first pop-up in May 2023 with weekend pizza service. Since then, All Sorts has collaborated with a range of chefs, including Outer Space — an Iranian-inspired pop-up kitchen — and the Casa Masa Project, led by Bethel resident Mercedes Goliat.

Goliat hosted a Fourth of July weekend pop-up at All Sorts this summer.

“I had been to All Sorts before as a customer, and I found that place super charming,” Goliat said. “It feels like a living room. You’re surrounded by art and cookbooks and baked goods, and Hannah’s personality is super warm and cozy.”

She said the partnership worked because of shared values.

“Hannah and I share the same ethos — slow, local, handmade, reuse, recycle,” Goliat said. “I was immediately in love with all the farmers that she sources food from. It was just a really natural collaboration.”

Looking ahead, Bonaguro hopes to apply for a beer and liquor license and expand regular dinner service.

“It’s something I’ve been interested in from the start,” she said. “But without the infrastructure — staff, a fully built-out kitchen — it’s just been me building it slowly.”

Now, three years in, she said the timing feels right.

“I don’t want to just serve what I serve at the cafe during the day at night,” Bonaguro said. “I want to take it to the next level and become a dinner spot. I didn’t want to bite off more than I could chew.”

Outside the shop, Bonaguro recently appeared as an extra in Marty Supreme, a film shot locally and scheduled for release on Christmas Day. She also helped casting directors recruit residents from Hancock.

All Sorts, she said, will continue to evolve — but always at its own pace.

“I think in the new year this is what we’re going to try to do,” she said. “Yeah, that’s new news. Cat’s out of the bag.”

After weeks of back and forth amongst lawmakers and two public hearings pushing back on a proposed tax hike, Sullivan County legislators have approved its 2026 county budget.

Legislators voted 5-3 on Dec. 18 to adopt a spending plan that raises property taxes by two percent and relies on ambitious revenue projections. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar shares this update.

Murals, video production, and knitted hats are just a few of the creative projects Monticello Central School District youth are working on at the school’s ENGN program. ENGN is a local educational nonprofit based in Callicoon that helps young people use art, place, and connection to build communication and interpersonal skills.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar attended ENGN’s student art showcase at the Monticello High School yesterday and brings us this report.

The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance is putting out a big call to artists — both right now and far into the future.

The regional arts nonprofit has opened two calls for entries: a February members exhibition titled Let It All Out and its main exhibition program for 2027. Together, the opportunities invite artists to respond to the emotional weight of the present moment while also imagining ambitious projects years ahead.

The more immediate opportunity is Let It All Out, a members exhibition opening in February 2026. The show centers on emotional honesty, vulnerability and collective reflection.

“For a 2026 members exhibition, Let It All Out, DVA invites visual artists, writers and performers to share their emotions about the year ahead,” said Tanner Simon, gallery manager at the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance.  “Whether you are feeling frustrated, anxiety, hope, or desire about the coming days — let’s reach deep into our bowels and share what we’re feeling.”

The exhibition draws inspiration from psychoanalytic themes and self-examination.

“We’re kind of referencing Freudian-inspired therapy,” Simon said. “We want to dig deep into our own histories and our emotions and subconscious thoughts.”

Simon said the show responds to a broader sense of unease many people are experiencing.

“There’s a lot of anxiety and apprehension going on right now, and we need to be able to talk about it and make art about it and be audible and be seen,” he said.

All media welcome — visual, performance and literary arts

The Let It All Out call is intentionally broad. Painters, sculptors, writers and performers are all encouraged to apply.

“I’d love to see all visual artists — painters, sculptors — performing artists, maybe a visual arts performance that happens once,” Simon said. “Writers too. If there’s a reading or a collaboration, I’m really open to any proposal.”

Artists are asked to submit a short artist statement, a brief explanation of how their work connects to the theme, and three images.

“Most art expresses inward feelings whether we think it does or not,” Simon said. “Even a realist landscape — why are you making those decisions in the painting?”

The submission deadline for Let It All Out is Jan. 6, with artists notified shortly after. The exhibition opens in February.

Call for 2027 exhibitions now open

Artists ready to think bigger — and further ahead — can also apply for the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance’s 2027 main exhibition program, with submissions due Jan. 31.

“This past year we had 10 solo exhibitions and a two-person show, on top of our members show and Art & Sixes,” Simon said. “This call is special because you can apply for a solo show, a two-person show, a three-person show or a full group exhibition.”

Curators are welcome to apply as well.

“You could be a curator who already has a group of artists in mind,” Simon said. “It’s all fair game.”

Selections are made 
by a panel of artists, arts administrators and community members, rather than a single curator.

“We’re not just focused on one place,” Simon said. “We’ve had artists from Sullivan County, Ulster County, Pennsylvania, New York City — really the whole Northeast region.”

While artists from anywhere may apply, Simon said the focus remains on work that connects to the region.

“We want the exhibition to relate in some way to the community values here or be in dialogue with them,” he said.

Artists will be notified of 2027 selections by late spring or early summer.

More information at delawarevalleyartsalliance.org 

Food pantries are usually bracing for shortages. The Highland Lions Club is facing the opposite problem: too much food and not enough visitors.

The Lions Club opened its new community food pantry in late summer, and donations poured in almost immediately. Shelves are full. Supplies are steady. But organizers say many residents who could benefit either don’t know the pantry exists or may feel hesitant about asking for help.

“We built the pantry in August. It was ready to open and do business in September,” said Greg Hatton of the Highland Lions Club. “We got an immediate response from a very generous public — the townspeople of Highland.”

The pantry is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is meant for anyone in need, no questions asked. It is located at 219 Airport Road, built into the side wall of the Yulan Post Office.

But its location may be part of the challenge.

“We’re a little bit off the beaten path,” Hatton said. “We’re not — there’s not lots of flags up.”

Other food pantries in the area sit along Route 97 or near Town Hall in Eldred and have been established longer. As a result, Hatton said, the Lions Club pantry has struggled to get food “out the door.”

“If food’s not going out, the pump is not working and it will jam up,” he said.

Rethinking what people actually need

Early donations leaned heavily toward canned goods and cooking staples — pasta, rice and ingredients for home-cooked meals. But Hatton soon noticed a pattern.

“The only thing that was going out was the prepared sauce,” he said. “That was a big light bulb going off.”

Many pantry users, he realized, may not have kitchens at all.

“They may be living in an SRO, they might be living in their car,” Hatton said. “They may not have propane or electric.”

After sharing that insight with donors, the food changed — and so did the impact.

The pantry began receiving shelf-stable, ready-to-eat items: tuna in foil packs, ramen noodles, protein shakes and fully cooked beans in cartons that can be eaten without heating.

“These are things I’d never seen before,” Hatton said. “The community responded in really creative ways.”

One anonymous donor even assembled a complete holiday meal.

“It’s a full chicken dinner — stuffing, turkey breast, green beans, gravy, mashed potatoes,” Hatton said. “Remarkable. Kudos to whoever you are.”

More than food on the shelves

The pantry has also received pet food, cat litter and small Christmas gifts — hand-knit bags and decorated picture frames — offering dignity and care beyond basic nutrition.

“It kind of gets to the heart of it,” Hatton said.

Despite the abundance, Hatton said outreach remains the biggest hurdle.

“Curiously, when you research food pantries, there’s lots of information about balanced meals and calories,” he said. “But there’s nothing about outreach — how to reach people who are in need.”

That’s why he’s asking the community for help spreading the word.

How to find the pantry

The Highland Lions Club Food Pantry is located at 219 Airport Road in Barryville and is open 24/7. More information is available through the Highland Lions Club Facebook page.

Hatton sums up the mission with a simple phrase.

“Let there be food for all,” he said.

Assembly Member Paula Kay is asking residents to give the gift of life this holiday season, sharing a deeply personal story that inspired her own commitment to blood donation.

"December 22nd happens to be my father's birthday. He passed in 2019," Kay said. "When he was in the hospital before we brought him home on hospice, the day I found out the really, really bad news about him, there was a New York blood donor drive going on right outside the hospital. I was feeling like there was nothing I could do for my dad, and I walked outside. I said, 'Maybe I can do something else,' so I gave blood."

Kay said the experience offered a sense of purpose during a difficult moment. "I felt like I couldn't do anything directly for my father that day, but maybe I could help some other people and other families in need."

She emphasized why donations are particularly critical during the holiday season. "There may be more accidents, hospitals may be fuller than normal, and it’s important that we have enough blood to cover whatever could happen so our medical professionals can do their jobs."

For first-time donors, Kay shared what to expect. "You walk in and see friendly, smiling faces. You sit in a chair, get snacks, something to drink, and because it’s cold, we’re giving out hats and gloves. It’s a great way to get a sense of community. In that hour, you’re helping people and can walk out knowing you’ve done something really good for your community."

Kay said her personal experience is a reminder that small acts can make a meaningful difference. "Sometimes in life, you can’t fix everything, but you can help others. Giving blood is one way to do that."

Reflecting on the season and the recent mass shootings across the world , Kay encouraged residents to embrace kindness and community. "All year I’ve talked about kindness. As we head into the holidays, it should be a special time with family and friends. I would encourage everyone—Jewish, non-Jewish, any community member—to go to a local menorah lighting. It’s a sense of community, a reminder of the light, coming out of darkness."

The blood drive will be held Monday, Dec. 22, from 1–7 p.m. at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, NY. Donors can register at nybc.org using code 71078.

Winter weather can be tough on people, but it can be dangerous for pets, too. Cold temperatures, road salt and antifreeze all pose risks, especially for puppies, senior pets and short-haired breeds.

“When it comes to snow and the things that you might encounter outdoors, that obviously includes snow, ice and salt that we use all the time,” said Dr. Aleksandra Ascione of Milford Animal Hospital, an AAHA-accredited veterinary practice serving the Northern Poconos. “So their paws are constantly at risk for injuries, and just from being exposed to all those things they can crack and cause issues.”

Ascione said one of the simplest ways to protect dogs in winter is also one many pets dislike.

“There are very simple things that you can try doing, like putting booties on your dog’s paws,” she said. “They might hate it, but it will keep them protected.”

She also recommends paw balms and creams to keep pads moisturized and prevent cracking, as well as wiping paws after pets come inside.

Cold weather can be especially hard on puppies, senior animals and short-haired breeds. While many people assume fur is enough, Ascione said that is not always the case.

“Not necessarily, because when it comes to the tiny little ones, the young ones and the older ones, the way that they regulate their body temperatures might not be as efficient,” she said. “We don’t want to overexpose them to low temperatures.”

She added that sweaters or jackets can help, but moderation is key.

“A little bit of playtime in the snow is absolutely lovely, but we want to make sure they are not actually shaking from how cold it is outside,” Ascione said.

How long is too long outdoors depends on the individual animal.

“Absolutely, it changes based on age, breed, and also every pet is different,” she said. “Personally, my own dog will get the zoomies for about five minutes and then she starts to shake. So the moment that I see that we’re starting to get cold, we go back inside immediately.”

Road salt and chemicals present another winter hazard, particularly antifreeze.

“Antifreeze is a big one,” Ascione said. “That is something that is very dangerous to pets. Antifreeze has a sweet taste to it, so it can make it that much more attractive to pets — they don’t know better.”

If a pet is exposed, she stressed urgency.

“In case your pet ever is exposed to antifreeze, don’t wait,” Ascione said. “Just make sure that you get your pet to an emergency place ASAP.”

Cat owners should also be cautious during cold weather. Ascione warned that cats sometimes seek warmth under vehicle hoods.

“It’s important to check before you start your car,” she said.

Knowing when to seek veterinary care can be challenging, but Ascione said pet owners should trust their instincts.

“You know your pet the best,” she said. “If you start picking up on anything that is just not quite right, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

She suggested keeping recent cold exposure in mind.

“Have that in the back of your head that, ‘Hey, we have been outside for a little bit long,’” Ascione said. “If there’s anything that worries you, just reach out to us and give us a phone call.”

Even indoor pets may need adjustments during winter, particularly when activity levels drop.

“Diet can be a big thing,” Ascione said. “If they don’t really go outside as much as they would in the warm season, we might want to make sure that they are not gaining weight too much.”

As the holiday season approaches, Ascione offered one more reminder for pet owners.

“Things we don’t really see as a threat during Christmas time can actually become a threat to pets,” she said, citing ornaments, sweets, tinsel, ribbons and Christmas lights. “If your pet is curious enough, they can turn anything into a potential threat.”

Governor Kathy Hochul has until midnight on Dec. 19 to sign or veto the  Local Input in Community Healthcare Act, or LICH Act, legislation aimed at giving communities more notice and input when hospitals plan to close. The bill passed the state legislature for the second year in a row.

“[The LICH Act] would require ample advance notice to the public if a hospital wants to close. It would also require much greater engagement of the community that would be affected by a closure. And it would strengthen the state review process to better protect patients,” said health policy consultant Lois Uttley.

Hospitals at Financial Risk
Uttley said looming federal cuts and rising costs put many hospitals in jeopardy.

“Unfortunately, federal cuts to healthcare funding are looming and they are threatening the financial viability, frankly, of many new hospitals. Rural hospitals, such as those in the Catskills and urban safety net hospitals are considered to be especially at risk. So that's why we need much stronger state oversight and community engagement to protect patients' access to care when their hospitals are proposing to downsize or even close entirely,” she said.

Uttley added, “That's not surprising. Many, many rural hospitals all across the country and also here in New York are already financially at risk. And once the provisions of the so-called 'Big Beautiful Bill,'which I would call the 'Big Ugly Bill,' go into effect, hospitals are going to be losing a lot of money. The bill cuts 900 billion dollars from Medicaid funding over the course of maybe 10 years. It also eliminates the enhanced subsidies that people have been getting for health insurance plans that they purchase through the Affordable Care Act plans like the New York Exchange. The result of all this is going to be that more people will be showing up at hospitals with no insurance or really inadequate insurance and that will mean that hospitals will be, you know, having to care for people without proper reimbursement. Their costs for charity care and their so-called bad debt costs will be going up and up.” 

How the LICH Act Would Work
Hospitals would need to submit a Certificate of Need application before closing or downsizing. 

“That would trigger two important requirements. There would have to be an independent assessment of how medically vulnerable local residents would be affected and what steps should be taken to mitigate that impact? And second, the proposed closure would have to undergo public review by experts serving on the State Public Health and Health Planning Council and at a meeting where affected patients could testify,” Uttley said.

Call for Action
Advocates are urging New Yorkers to contact the governor before the Dec. 19 deadline.

“We are very concerned that she's going to once again veto the LICH Act and say, 'Well, look, I just had my Department of Health update its hospital closure procedures.' We don't think those closure procedures are anywhere near what's needed to really protect New Yorkers who could lose their hospitals. So, we're encouraging concerned New Yorkers to call the governor's office at 518-474-8390 and tell her that we need her to better protect New York's patients,” Uttley said.

In 2025, American Red Cross volunteers in Eastern New York answered more than 700 disasters, from home fires to severe storms, and provided over $1 million in direct financial assistance to help neighbors recover.

Blood and platelet donors also contributed more than 110,000 life-saving donations, while volunteers deployed nationwide to support communities affected by disasters.

John Vale, executive director of the American Red Cross in Eastern New York, described the scope of the organization’s work: “When I look to the work of the Red Cross, you really see it every day. I think it starts with maybe one of the most basic services we provide, which is being the primary provider to our hospitals here in New York State for blood products. So, in addition to those life-saving blood products, we also mobilize relief to families affected by disasters that includes home fires here in our Eastern New York region. We also train individuals in life-saving skills and services. And then also, last month, of course, we celebrated our veterans. So, the Red Cross is also a proud supporter of our veteran U.S. military personnel, also our active military families. By being a part of Red Cross, you can feel incredibly good, just supporting your communities and across the country.”

Vale noted that the holidays bring heightened risks. “During the holidays, we see across the country a 20% increase in our disaster responses. We understand our families, there’s increased risks, that includes cooking and heating sources. During a typical November and December here in our Eastern New York region, we assist nearly about 500 people that are affected by fires, storms, and other disasters. It’s an ongoing scope of operation for us, and we’re incredibly thankful to our teams of volunteers and our donors that allow us to carry out this work at a local level.”

He also stressed the importance of blood donations. “Just like disasters, the need for blood is constant. It’s incredible to see that showing the support. You had mentioned 110,000 local blood and platelet donations. If you went out there and you donate, that’s about three units could help save three individuals. These are patients that rely on that consistent blood supply to survive and heal. Blood on the shelves is the way we can make sure we help people local, but again that blood really through our networks, it could be used to support individuals. I think my last donation made its way up to Albany, so it’s really incredible to see my blood just getting out there to help someone in need.”

Vale emphasized the continued need for donations during the holiday season. “We do see that dip. If you’re healthy and eligible to donate, now is the time of giving. December is the national month of giving. Your donation can really bring hope and healing this holiday season. Disasters don’t take holidays, and neither do our volunteers.”

He also praised volunteers’ dedication. “These are our neighbors, typically. It takes a tremendous emotional impact on us, but our team members take a lot of pride in getting out there and really helping their neighbors heal after a tremendous event like a home fire or another disaster. There’s no shortage. We are always calling upon new volunteers to come out and join us. Joining us has actually never been easier. We’ve really worked towards making our volunteer registration and application process a lot simpler.”

Volunteers can explore opportunities ranging from disaster response and blood drives to supporting veterans and military families. Interested individuals can email [email protected] or visit redcross.org/volunteer.

Looking ahead, Vale said, “Every year it seems to be another new year. You hear that word is unprecedented disaster seasons. We continue to train and prepare ourselves locally. Our volunteers do go out and support disasters across the country. Earlier this year, we had volunteers going to Alaska, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Texas, Tennessee, and Missouri. By being part of this Red Cross movement, it’s really quite powerful. We had a volunteer that just returned from responding to the Alaska typhoons a couple of weeks ago. Here in New York State, you can have such an incredible impact, especially helping others.”