Radio Chatskill

Residents from across New York's 19th Congressional District, from Sullivan to Chenango counties, attended Rep. Josh Riley’s Monday town hall on rural healthcare at SUNY Sullivan. Riley said he has long opposed Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, which could cut coverage for 1.5 million New Yorkers.

But some attendees came – and left – feeling skeptical. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar reports.

 Callicoon ArtWalk this Saturday, Oct. 11, will feature a showcase of short films at the Callicoon Theater, highlighting local and international creativity.

“I started this, I think at least six, seven years ago, and I’ve been doing it every year with Krissy Smith at the Callicoon Theater who was totally super supportive,” said organizer Elizabeth Ennis. “I try to keep it all short and really represent how insanely creative it is up here.”

The program mixes new works with rarely seen films, including an 1980s hand-drawn animation by Lisa Crafts. Audience feedback will be encouraged at the 12 p.m. showing.

Local filmmakers Ali Azios and Marcus Brooks will also be featured. “It’s a short film of our son telling a joke except for his joke is completely unintelligible. But it’s hilarious.” they said.

The day continues with the Too Short to Suck Film Festival at , featuring ultra-short films under two minutes from filmmakers of all ages. “Anyone can submit a film. It can be shot on your phone. Some children made films that were incredible,” Ennis said.

The full schedule and more information are at visitcalicoon.com.

State Senator Peter Oberacker, who represents New York’s 51st District, officially threw his hat in the ring for New York’s 19th Congressional District Tuesday at Holiday Mountain in Bridgeville.

Surrounded by local Republican leaders, including Sullivan County GOP Chair Rob Dougherty, Congressman Mark Lawler of the 17th District, and Assemblyman Chris Tagg of the 102nd District, Oberacker called the 19th “one of the most important districts in the state.”

Family, Freedom, and Opportunity

Oberacker tied his campaign to personal values and future generations. “The greatest title I'll ever hold isn't senator and it ain't congressman. It's pop pop. And that's why I'm running,” he said.

“Because I want my grandkids and yours to have the same opportunities that I had. To grow up in safe communities, to live in the country that protects our freedoms, and to stay here in upstate New York to build their lives. Instead of feeling forced like they have to leave. They have the opportunity to live and achieve the true American dream. That's the fight, that's the mission, and that's why I'm asking for your support, for your faith, and for your vote.”

“Because soil is our… And together, rooted in that same soil, we can build a stronger New York and a stronger America,” he added.

Riley Campaign Responds

The 19th District seat is currently held by Democrat Josh Riley, who defeated Republican Mark Molinaro in 2024. Earlier Tuesday, Riley’s campaign manager criticized Oberacker as an Albany insider with close ties to corporate interests, promising a head-to-head comparison if Oberacker wins the Republican nomination.

Oberacker brushed off the statement. “Well, uh I mean you know I haven't seen him around so I'm not really too worried about that. They can say whatever they want. In reality, I think my record stands for itself, you know, in here. Work work the district, people know me and I think people will vote for me in that capacity. So not worried about what anybody says.”

What started as a federal grant has blossomed into a countywide movement connecting Sullivan County farms with school cafeterias — and reshaping how students experience lunch.

The School Nutrition Action Coalition, supported by partners including Sullivan 180, Cornell Cooperative Extension and local school districts, formed when Sullivan 180 received a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant last year aimed at strengthening ties between local farms and schools.

“The USDA grant was really what brought everyone to the table,” said Denise Frangipane, executive director of Sullivan 180. “The goal was to build a collaboration around getting a better connection between our local regional farms and our school cafeterias.”

The coalition now includes every school district in Sullivan County, along with food service directors, staff, and community organizations. Together, they’re working toward a shared vision: providing two free, healthy, locally sourced meals each day to every student — and making the cafeteria a place where food is celebrated.

A New Kind of Lunchroom

When the coalition began, universal free meals were still a dream. But that vision is now reality. New York State last year passed universal free school meals for all students — a change that helps make the coalition’s work more impactful.

“Our goal is to really enhance the lunch experience,” Frangipane said. “It’s not just about what’s on the plate, but about making the lunchroom a happy, educational space — a place where students want to be.”

That means introducing students to fresh, local foods — and helping them understand where those foods come from and why they matter.

“For some of our students, this may be the only meal they get in a day,” Frangipane said. “So it’s our best shot at giving them something healthy and nourishing.”

From Chicken Nuggets to Carnitas

For Dara Williams, food service director at Sullivan West Central School District, the shift toward scratch cooking and local sourcing has been both a challenge and a dream fulfilled.

“This has been something I’ve dreamed of since I became a school lunch manager,” Williams said. “The idea that local farms could supply products we could prepare and serve — it’s really exciting.”

The change, however, means more work in the kitchen. Gone are the days of heat-and-serve frozen meals. Now, staff spend their days washing, peeling, slicing, dicing, and cooking from scratch.

“It takes a whole team, every day, to make it happen,” Williams said. “But it’s worth it. We love doing it.”

Williams said the district works closely with local farmers to source fresh meat and produce — often on a first-name basis.

“I’ll call up Tony Campanelli and say, ‘Hey Tony, how you doing? Can I get some chicken?’” she said with a laugh. “And he says, ‘No problem, Dara. Whatever you need.’ It’s great to have that relationship.”

Stretching Every Dollar

Despite the enthusiasm, challenges remain — especially around cost.

School meal programs rely primarily on USDA reimbursements, which Williams said hover around $4.75 per lunch. That has to cover everything from food to labor to supplies.

“We have to be creative and frugal,” she said. “There are procurement rules, bidding processes, and documentation. It’s not easy. But we’ve come a long way.”

Teaching Through Taste

For Joy Leon, nutrition and physical activity educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, connecting food, learning, and community is at the heart of the effort.

“When Sullivan 180 received the farm-to-school grant, the goal was to connect the cafeteria, the classroom, and the community,” Leon said. “That involves almost everyone in Sullivan County.”

Leon and her team help schools organize taste tests, where students sample new menu items and vote on what they like using sticker boards.

“It’s a fun way for students to engage,” she said. “Given the opportunity, kids will try new things.”

One recent hit at Sullivan West: a turkey carnita rice bowl, which nearly sold out. Next on the menu — a chicken and vegetable lo mein bowl.

Crunching Into Community

This fall, the coalition is marking the Big Apple Crunch, a statewide celebration of New York-grown apples. Each student will bite into a local apple around the same time in October — a simple, shared act that highlights the bounty of local agriculture.

Other upcoming events include farm-to-school days, classroom nutrition lessons, and school gardens.

At Sullivan West Elementary, a Farm to School Fair on October 16 will feature local farmers, food vendors, and even farm animals for students to meet.

“It’s one of our favorite days of the year,” Williams said. “The students love it.”

Feeding the Future

Beyond the events and the meals, Frangipane said the coalition is building something bigger — a sustainable, community-based food culture that supports both students and local farmers.

“We’re holding Sullivan County up as a model for other communities,” she said. “If we can accomplish this here, I think you can accomplish it anywhere.”

Because for these partners, lunch isn’t just lunch — it’s an opportunity to learn, to nourish, and to connect.

“Food is better when it’s shared,” Frangipane said. “And through this coalition, we’re sharing something really meaningful with our students — and our whole community.”

The federal government remains closed today amid a bitter impasse on Capitol Hill over competing congressional spending bills—one backed by each party. The stalemate is already raising concerns here at home.

In Sullivan County, local officials are monitoring the situation closely. John Liddle, commissioner of Health and Family Services, says while there’s been little immediate impact so far, a prolonged shutdown could have serious consequences for public health and social services.

Liddle oversees the county’s public health, social services, and mental health divisions. He said programs most vulnerable to funding interruptions include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). SNAP benefits are funded through the end of October, but November payments remain uncertain. Meanwhile, HEAP—which typically starts November 1—has no authorized funding until Congress passes a spending bill.

While many county services rely primarily on state and local funding and will remain open, Liddle warned that low-income residents could feel the effects first if federal benefits lapse.

To fill potential gaps, Sullivan County is coordinating with local charities and service providers through a collaborative effort called the United Sullivan Project, connecting residents with resources from groups like Catholic Charities, Action Toward Independence, and the Federation for the Homeless.

Still, Liddle acknowledged that those nonprofits face their own financial pressures. “It’s a stressful and unstable time to say the least for funding,” he said.

Looking ahead, Liddle emphasized the importance of volunteerism and community support to strengthen local safety nets. “Anything folks can do to support their local food pantries—whether it’s volunteering, donating time, food, or cash—will help if federal money doesn’t come our way,” he said.

As uncertainty continues in Washington, Liddle’s advice for residents is simple: stay connected.

This Friday, October 3rd, Homegrown Hurleyville singer songwriter Mekayla Rayne will be playing a one night only set at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre.

After captivating audiences all around the country, Mekayla is returning back home to make her headlining debut of her very first full length concert.

Radio Catskill's Genevieve Hartnett spoke with Mekayla ahead of the event about finding her love for music in the Catskills and revealing a new side of her artistry to her hometown.

Our resident science guy Joe Johnson has more on three recent discoveries — one from deep human history, another from cutting-edge agricultural science, and the third from the night sky — are offering new insights into our past, our future, and the universe around us.

A 30,000-Year-Old Toolkit in the Czech Republic

A study in the August issue of the Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology details the discovery of a Paleolithic toolkit at Milovice 4, an archaeological site in the Czech Republic first uncovered in 2009 during road construction.

Radiocarbon dating of charcoal found at the site places the layer at roughly 30,000 years ago, during the Upper Paleolithic. Archaeologists associate the site with the Gravettian culture, hunter-gatherers known for their Venus figurines.

In 2021, researchers found a toolkit consisting of 29 blades and bladelets grouped together as if once wrapped in animal skin. The collection included spear points, scrapers, drills, and blanks for making additional tools. Some had been sharpened or repaired, and the materials — including flint, chert, and even one piece of opal — came from as far as 50 to 80 miles away.

“Normally when they find tools, they’re scattered — one here, one there,” said Johnson, Radio Catskill’s resident science contributor. “These were all together in a group, like somebody set down their kit and never picked it back up.”

For archaeologists, the find offers more than cultural context; it offers a glimpse of one individual’s life 30 millennia ago. “The fact that these things were found together and likely from one person connects us to an individual,” Johnson said. “That gives us some insight into what life may have been like 30,000 years ago.”

New Hydrogel May Boost Farming

A second story, published in June in the American Chemical Society’s Agricultural Science and Technology Journal, highlights a new hydrogel developed at the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa.

Hydrogels are water-absorbing polymers already used in products from diapers to contact lenses. The new version is made from carrageenan, a natural compound from red algae, and is fully biodegradable.

Researchers report that the hydrogel not only retains water but also promotes plant growth as a “biostimulant,” reducing the need for fertilizers. In tests with Italian watercress, it supported healthy growth in hydroponic systems while using significantly less water.

“This stuff could also be added to soil to help it retain water,” Johnson explained. “It’s 100% biodegradable, it’s sustainable, and future versions may even have sensors built in that change color to show plant health.”

Beyond water conservation, the technology may one day support farming in space. “If we ever try to grow food on Mars, the soil there is basically poisonous,” Johnson said. “Something like this hydrogel might be a way forward.”

Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon Brightens

Finally, astronomers are tracking comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon, first observed in January by the Mount Lemmon Observatory in Arizona.

Initially expected to remain faint, the comet emerged from behind the sun in July brighter than predicted. Currently visible only with binoculars or a small telescope, it could become visible to the naked eye by late October.

On October 20, the comet will pass 55 million miles from Earth, coinciding with a new moon and dark skies. It will reach its closest point to the sun on November 8.

“Comets never do what they’re predicted to do,” Johnson noted. “This one came out from behind the sun a lot brighter than we thought it would, and that’s a promising sign.”

Observers hoping to spot the comet should look northwest about an hour after sunset in a location with a clear horizon. Johnson recommends patience and preparation: “Take about 20 minutes to let your eyes adjust, and remember your phone camera is often more sensitive than your eyes. You might see the comet on your screen before you spot it in the sky.”

Communities across the country are figuring out how to close their incinerators, but Sullivan County is considering building a new one. Earlier this summer, the county issued a draft RFP for a waste-to-energy facility as part of its broader plans to prepare for the region’s anticipated growth of trash over the next decade.

On Monday evening, a coalition of activists organized an emergency town hall in Monticello to push back against the proposal. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar reports.

The Catskills were once the heart of the Borscht Belt, where towns like Parksville and Livingston Manor buzzed with resorts, entertainers, and families seeking a summer escape. This weekend, the Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project unveils its 14th marker in Parksville, with another following later this month in Livingston Manor. More than commemorating the past, these markers bring history alive through art, music, food, and film.

Photographer, historian, and curator Marisa Scheinfeld, along with photographer Isaac Jeffreys, are helping capture and share the story of the Catskills and the Borscht Belt through this ongoing project.

“Parksville, just like so many other towns, had an immense Borscht Belt history,” Scheinfeld explained. “It had the Young’s Gap Hotel—the first all-inclusive, year-round resort. It offered unbelievable amenities. There was an iconic film screen there in 1950. It hosted amazing entertainers, and you know, just had everything. I think we have like 28 hotels in Parksville as our count.”

The Young’s Gap Hotel, a pioneer in the all-inclusive model and featured in the film Catskill Honeymoon, holds a special legacy. “Yeah, all-inclusive—Marissa really nailed it,” Jeffreys said. “They had their own radio show, part of WVOS. We have a photo of it from the 1940s where they were hosting, I believe, the Mac Schwartz Company, talking about brochures for the season. So, they really had their own sort of compound going on there.”

Even smaller resorts like the New Brighton Hotel and the Grand Hotel contributed to the town’s vibrant culture, but Young’s Gap was “one of the big anchor resorts in the county,” Jeffreys added. “It could go up there with the Laurels and Grossingers and the Nevele. It just kind of dropped off in the late ’60s, so it doesn’t get remembered as much. But it’s really one of the big ones.”

The Parksville marker also highlights Sunset Acres, an African-American resort, acknowledging a broader, more inclusive history. “About less than 10—about a handful of African-American hotels in the area—and Sunset Acres actually, I have to give Isaac all the credit for discovering that,” Scheinfeld said.

Jeffreys shared the story of uncovering Sunset Acres: “I heard about this hotel once before, probably four or five years ago, seeing an eBay listing for a brochure. One day I veered off onto Benton Hollow Road in Parksville, which is now basically covered by Route 17. The property looked like a Borscht Belt hotel, but I couldn’t find much information. Then, at Town and Country Antiques in Liberty, I found a stack of unposted postcards from Sunset Acres. Only one image was shown—a poolside photo with the main building in the background—but finding a full-color 1960s postcard from this place, so close to where it was, was really special. I think we kind of brought it out of obscurity, which is fun.”

The Parksville dedication this weekend will be a full celebration, with music, food, and a film screening. Scheinfeld shared details: “John Conway will be speaking at the ceremony. We have some hotel descendants there. At 2:00, it’s at the intersection of Parksville Road and Short Avenue, then we’ll move down the street to New Memories, Conflux Gallery, Art Collective, and Double Up. We’re partnering with the Parksville Art Center for ‘Meet Me in Parksville.’ There will be live music, wine and cider, food from Double Up, and a special screening of Catskill Honeymoon, filmed at the Young’s Gap. It’s a real-time capsule period piece with classic Catskills scenes—golf, tennis, calisthenics, sunbathing—and we’re really thrilled.”

Scheinfeld emphasized the project’s dual purpose: “In some ways, it’s almost like a eulogy for the hotels that existed once but no longer exist. But it’s not just about what once was. Parksville is a vibrant place today, and this event celebrates both past and present.”

Later this month, the project moves north to Livingston Manor, which hosted at least 40 hotels. “Livingston Manor was really unique in offering resorts for young people—specifically singles and couples,” Scheinfeld said. “Two hotels, White Row and The Waldemere, are being honored. There were 41 hotels, 12 bungalow colonies. It’s a tremendous history.”

The markers also recognize entertainers known as “Tumlers,” performers who shaped American comedy. Jeffreys explained: “Tumblers were everywhere—nightclubs, but really by the pool during the day. They created a thriving, fun atmosphere. Many were comedians starting out, testing material, seeing how people responded. It’s a special era, and people who come to the dedications talk about it with pure joy. We’re happy to honor that.”

The upcoming dedications are:

• Parksville: Sunday, 2:00 p.m., intersection of Parksville Road and Short Avenue.
• Livingston Manor: October 18, 2:00 p.m., intersection of Main and Pearl, with an “Illy Talk” at 3:30 p.m. at Caskey Art Space, followed by an after-party at Sunshine Great Colony.

More information is available at www.maytheborschtbewithyou.org, with updates on Instagram and Facebook. For more about Scheinfeld’s work, visit marisascheinfeld.com, and for Jeffreys, isaacjeffreys.com.