Radio Chatskill

Bar Veloce must remain closed after the Town of Tusten Zoning Board of Appeals rejected an effort by the owner to overturn the shutdown of the Narrowsburg business tied to fire and building code violations.

Code Enforcement Officer Jim Crowley revoked the bar’s certificate of occupancy on August 28, stating that the business could not legally allow people inside until safety concerns were addressed.

The notice said, “You cannot open this eating and drinking establishment known as Bar Veloce until fire and building code issues are addressed as per Section 107 on safe structures and equipment of the New York State property maintenance codes.”

Earlier that same week, the town received notice that an engineering report submitted in support of the bar’s rooftop deck had been forged.

Appeal Must Go to State Regulators

Bar Veloce’s attorney argued the closure was flawed because it came without an inspection.

“His basis for revoking the C.O. was this claim that there was imminent danger to the premises,” the attorney said. “It’s beyond my understanding how he could have made that determination without having conducted an inspection of the premises.”

The ZBA ruled that because the action was based on New York State fire and building code, it cannot intervene.

Board members told representatives of the business, “You can make that argument, but you can’t make that argument to us,” according to a report from the River Reporter’s Liam Mayo.

After the meeting, the bar’s attorney told Mayo the zoning board was only the “first stop” in the appeals process and said they “are going to keep fighting this and will take it to court if necessary.”

Rooftop Deck Requires Separate Review

Even if the ground floor is allowed to reopen, the rooftop deck will remain closed. The town planning board separately rescinded its previous approval after learning of the forged document. Mayo said the business would need to reapply for that permit if it wants the upper level back in use.

Ongoing Dispute With Neighboring Business

The bar has faced years of opposition from neighboring Narrowsburg Union, which has raised issues including parking and code compliance. Mayo said the dispute has often turned on “technicalities, like jurisdictional issues and timings of disputes.”

He noted some residents argue small businesses need flexibility. The town’s code officer has previously said, “If he strictly enforced every regulation in the book, everyone would be in violation of property maintenance, everyone, including myself.”

Students in Sullivan County are getting hands-on lessons in nutrition, ecology, and teamwork—right in their schoolyards.

The Catskill Edible Garden Project, started in 2012 by Sullivan 180, Catskill Mountainkeeper, and Cornell Cooperative Extension, has grown from four gardens to 15 in 2025. These edible gardens give students a chance to plant, harvest, and explore while learning about healthy eating and the natural environment.

Liberty Elementary School’s garden coordinator, Christy Green, said garden days are transformative. “Every time they discover something or make a connection, it’s exciting. They go and tell you about it and want to know more,” she said.

Students grow tomatoes, beans, potatoes, lettuce, kale, and herbs, enjoying the harvest themselves or donating extras to school meals. Gardens also provide academic enrichment, physical activity, and lessons in collaboration and responsibility.

Sullivan 180 garden coordinator Eva Bednar said the key to success is simply starting small. The program also offers grants to schools, daycares, and youth-focused nonprofits, with applications opening Nov. 15.

For more information or to get involved, visit sullivan180.org.

 New York residents began receiving full monthly benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November, even as the federal government shutdown continues to cast doubt over future payments. 

Here’s what you need to know:

• Under an order from Governor Kathy Hochul, the state’s agencies were directed to proceed with full benefits for November. “Folks have already started receiving full November SNAP benefits in the state of New York… and that’s expected to continue over the course of this week,” said John Liddle, Commissioner of Health and Human Services and Social Services in Sullivan County.

• The deployment follows a federal district court ruling requiring full funding of SNAP payments, which was temporarily stayed by the Supreme Court of the United States. 

• Despite the state’s advance, the backdrop remains precarious: a looming lapse in federal SNAP funding due to the shutdown, which led New York to declare a state of emergency and mobilise $65 million in state funds to support food banks and vulnerable households.

• In Sullivan County, where nearly 15 % of the population — about 12,000 residents — rely on SNAP, Liddle said local agencies are working overtime to keep up with the shifting guidance. “It’s a lot of work, I’ll be honest … but local agencies have really stepped up,” he said.

• He warned that while SNAP benefits are moving, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) remains “in the dark,” adding: “We have no way forward for HEAP benefits right now because that’s completely dependent on the shutdown ending.”

• Residents still can apply for SNAP and use their EBT cards; unused benefits remain available. However, continued lapse of federal funding could mean delays or reductions in future months. 

For help, New Yorkers can visit the website of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) or their local Social Services department.

As food insecurity rises across New York, hunters are stepping up to help their communities through a long-running venison donation program coordinated by Feeding New York State.

The program, now in its 15th year, allows hunters to donate deer to registered meat processors. The meat is then packaged into one- or two-pound portions and distributed to local food banks and pantries. Each year, hunters donate roughly 60,000 to 70,000 pounds of venison — enough to fill two truckloads of meals for families in need.

“It’s an opportunity for hunters to donate that high-protein meat that’s always requested at food pantries and emergency programs,” said Kathleen Stress, executive director of Feeding New York State. “Once you tag your deer and bring it to a processor, you fill out one form indicating you want it donated to a food bank. From there, the meat gets processed and distributed through that food bank’s service area.”

Stress emphasized the importance of safety and proper handling, including the use of non-lead ammunition, to ensure families can make informed choices about consumption. “We want to make sure families have the information that allows them to decide whether venison is the best choice for their household,” she said.

The program comes as New Yorkers face increased food insecurity amid delays in federal SNAP benefits during the government shutdown. “We are preparing mass and mobile distributions to meet the needs of community members,” Stress said. “But sadly, we are not going to be able to food bank our way out of this.” She urged residents to contact elected officials about the importance of SNAP, noting that food banks typically provide one meal for every nine meals SNAP can provide.

Venison donations are just one part of Feeding New York State’s broader effort to reduce food waste and increase access to nutritious food. Since 2022, its food recovery program has redirected 65 million pounds of edible food to local food banks. The organization has also distributed 4.6 million pounds of dairy and 148 million pounds of produce in the past fiscal year.

Stress said the programs not only support families in need but also help local farmers and producers. “We work closely with our donors, farmers, growers, and producers to ensure our food banks have the resources they need,” she said.

Hunters, processors, and community members interested in participating in the venison donation program can find more information at feedingnys.org

Rural and Migrant Ministry hosted a Car Caravan and Vigil in Monticello yesterday to stand in solidarity with Immigrants facing racial profiling and lack of due process as ICE Raids continue to happen across the country.

Radio Catskill's Genevieve Hartnett attended the event yesterday and has a postcard to share about a truly meaningful afternoon

Ann Talman was just 22 when destiny — and a striking resemblance — landed her onstage with Hollywood royalty.

The Broadway actor, filmmaker and singer was cast as Elizabeth Taylor’s daughter in the 1981 revival of The Little Foxes. It was her first major role. It became the start of a lifetime friendship.

“We met on the very first day of rehearsal, and from that moment on she was the most warm, wonderful sort of stepmother,” Talman said. “She sensed that I was motherless — my mother had just died — and she instinctively took me under her wing and mothered me for the rest of her life.”

Talman toured with Taylor for 18 months and remained close with her until the icon’s death in 2011. Now, Talman is sharing that story through song and memory in her acclaimed cabaret show, Elizabeth Taylor and the Shadow of Her Smile. She performs it this Saturday and Sunday at The Parlor in Narrowsburg as part of The Parlor Presents series.

A connection written long before Broadway

Talman laughs at the notion of fate — but it’s hard to ignore in her story.

“From the time I was a toddler, my mother noticed I looked exactly like young Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet,” she said. “People would stop me to say it. Then I auditioned for The Little Foxes, and when Elizabeth met me, she hugged me and whispered, ‘Oh my God, I feel like I’m looking at myself from National Velvet.’”

The show intertwines Talman’s own coming-of-age with intimate scenes from Taylor’s life — including a side of Taylor the public rarely saw.

“She was hilarious — a great practical joker with a famous cackle,” Talman said. “But she was also very authentic and down-to-earth. She loved being a mother and a grandmother.”

Music as storytelling

The cabaret features Broadway standards and selections from the Great American Songbook — each chosen to reflect Talman’s bond with Taylor.

“One of the first songs I picked was Long Before I Knew You,” she said. “I felt like I always sort of knew her, even before we met.”

Other favorites include “If They Could See Me Now” and “Mira” from Carnival — a nod to Talman’s hometown of Upper St. Clair outside Pittsburgh.

An especially emotional moment comes when Talman recounts Taylor’s pioneering AIDS advocacy.

“I was with her in London in 1981 and ’82 when AIDS started rearing its head,” Talman said. “We immediately lost friends. I watched her dive into action and use her celebrity for good.”

Her tribute includes the story of how “That’s What Friends Are For” became an anthem for AMFAR — the foundation Taylor helped create.

A star reborn — up close

Talman has performed the show in renowned rooms like 54 Below and Feinstein’s. But she says smaller, more intimate spaces — like The Parlor — are where the magic truly happens.

“The audience has shared that they really feel like Elizabeth comes alive,” she said. “There are moments where I become her — the cackle, the voice — and the closer people are, the more powerful it is.”

Keeping the legacy human

For all of Taylor’s fame, Talman hopes audiences walk away remembering the woman behind the diamonds.

“She was a mensch,” Talman said. “A genuinely good human with a huge heart. So generous. That’s what I want people to feel.”

 The Metropolitan Opera’s live HD simulcasts are back at SUNY Sullivan’s Sea League Theater this Saturday, kicking off the 2025-26 season with Puccini’s beloved La Bohème.

“This is the most popular of all operas — everyone knows it,” said Dan Rigney, SUNY Sullivan’s assistant director of development. “Even if you’ve never seen an opera, you’ve heard Puccini’s music. And Broadway fans? Rent was based on this story.”

The HD experience brings the opera house to Sullivan County, complete with backstage access, interviews, and behind-the-scenes magic. Lead soprano Giuliana Gregori stars as Mimi, tenor Freddie Di Tommaso as Rodolfo, and local baritone Sean Michael Plum plays Schaunard.

Doors open at noon Saturday, Nov. 8, with the simulcast starting at 1 p.m. Early arrivals can enjoy a pre-show discussion and refreshments from Never Sink General Store. Tickets at sunysullivan.edu/met-opera.

As the federal government shutdown drags on, millions of Americans face food insecurity. In New York, 3 million people risk going hungry after SNAP food assistance was delayed and partially funded.

The New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) is stepping in with a $1 million emergency effort, providing $50 preloaded EBT cards to the neediest families.

"We saw this coming," said Dr. David Sandman, President and CEO of NYHealth. "This is the first time SNAP benefits have ever been in peril. Families are stressed, not knowing where their next meal will come from."

SNAP, the nation’s most powerful anti-hunger tool, supports 42 million Americans. With benefits only partly funded for November, families face tough choices between food, rent, and utilities.

"Food prices are at record highs, and more New Yorkers are food insecure than during the pandemic," Sandman said. "This is the worst possible time to cut off assistance."

NYHealth’s cash assistance program allows families to shop for food with dignity and autonomy, while also supporting local stores and the food economy.

Food banks and pantries are overwhelmed. The state has fast-tracked $100 million to help, but supply chain and staffing challenges remain.

"Every donation counts," Sandman said. "Support local food pantries and provide healthy foods like oatmeal, tuna in water, and vegetables. Together, we can help families get through this crisis."

For more information, visit nyhealthfoundation.org
or see local food pantry listings at wjffradio.org
.

Underage drinking and drug use remain a serious threat in local communities, and officials say Jared’s Law is putting more responsibility directly on adults.

The county’s social host law — named for a local teen killed in a drunk driving crash — makes it illegal for anyone 18 or older to provide alcohol or cannabis to minors. Penalties can include fines and even jail time.

“It holds adults accountable,” said Dawn Wilkin, director of prevention services at Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan and Ulster. “Even though you may be 18 and not legally able to drink, if you provide to somebody younger, you’re still treated as an adult.”

Wilkin says the law is only as effective as the community that supports it.

“It really does depend on adults in the community to make the report,” she said. “Law enforcement will follow up.”

As cannabis becomes more widely accepted, Wilkin said young people are especially at risk.

“There’s this perception that because it’s legal, it’s fine,” she said. “It’s not the cannabis of the 1960s or ’70s — the strength is much stronger now. And if the perception of harm is low, use will increase.”

She also pushed back on the idea that teens are safer drinking or using at home, supervised by parents.

“You think you have control — but once substances are introduced, you are not going to be able to contain that situation,” she said. “And you cannot give someone else’s child a drink. Then you break the law.”

Wilkin stressed what science already shows: the brain is still developing well into a person’s mid-20s.

“The sooner you introduce substances, the larger the possibility that child will end up with an addiction,” she said.

Catholic Charities continues working with community partners and schools to reach both parents and youth before issues escalate. Outreach includes prevention education, resource guides and public awareness campaigns countywide.

“Parents and guardians are still the number one deterrent to any substance use,” Wilkin said. “You have your whole life ahead of you. Don’t rush it. Enjoy being young while you’re young.”

More information and support are available at ccCsos.org or by calling 845-794-8080, extension 2531.

One brings awe and stories from the natural world; the other brings jokes about death and a refusal to wear pants. Together, Connor Garvey and Shanna in a Dress promise a River Vibes show unlike any other.

Garvey’s indie-folk music is known for rich narratives inspired by the natural world. “I love starting from a place of wonder and of awe,” he said. “Each song has its own unique journey.” His recent album, Another End of the Year, explores human experiences during the pandemic, including joy, loss, and parenthood.

Shanna in a Dress, the stage name of songwriter Shanna Enright, blends humor with emotional depth. “I think I just see the world as a big joke,” she said. “Even though it matters, none of this matters, and that helps me bring lightness into the supposed turmoil we create for ourselves.” Her upcoming album, Sweet Spot, celebrates embracing life’s sweet spots with clever wordplay and personal insight.

Both artists praise The Cooperage’s intimate setting for creating close connections with audiences. Garvey said, “To share your songs with people who really listen and lean in — that’s the real payoff.”

The concert is part of the River Vibes series at The Cooperage in Honesdale on Sunday. More information: thecooperageproject.org, connorgarveysongs.com, shannainadress.com.