Radio Chatskill

This weekend, the Big Eddy Film Festival returns to Narrowsburg, New York, showcasing independent films that challenge, entertain, and unite audiences. Radio Catskill is proud to serve as a media partner for this celebration of countercurrent, independent storytelling.

Among the featured films are Melody Roscher’s Bird in Hand and Elegance Bratton’s Move Ya Body: The Birth of House. Bird in Hand, the Saturday Night Spotlight film, is a comedy-drama exploring family, desire, and the surprises that unfold during a mother-daughter visit in the Catskills. Move Ya Body: The Birth of House traces the origins of house music in Chicago, highlighting the genre’s roots in queer and Black culture and its global impact.

When asked about the significance of their films at the festival, Roscher said, "The story is is driven by a main character that I feel is very underrepresented in mainstream movies. She's a biracial woman who's failing at most things in her life and really trying to understand herself better and her identity and how to build it … I feel that it's a story that resonates for a lot of people, no matter who they are, but also really spotlight spotlights the difficulty of of being biracial."

Elegance highlighted the communal power of house music: "House music is the music of togetherness. It's about being, you know, on a dance floor with people of different races, different sexuality, different genders, but somehow we're united by this beat. The possibility that people who are so different from one another can be united by the same rhythm is threatening to those who seek to keep us apart."

Both filmmakers emphasized the intimate, community-focused experience of festival screenings. Roscher noted, "I really love just the collective experience in the theater that a crowd can have when they're feeding off of each other. That's the power of film and cinema. You can go into a room with a bunch of people you don't know and interact in storytelling together."

Elegance added, "Big Edy gives me an opportunity to meet my audience and to get to know them and for them to get to know me. It's just a chance to like form community around the work in the most direct way."

Catch Bird in Hand on Saturday night and Move Your Body: The Birth of House on Sunday at noon during the Big Eddy Film Festival in Narrowsburg. For tickets and the full lineup, visit bigeddyfilmfest.com
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The Woodstock Playhouse will host a unique benefit concert this Saturday, September 27, blending timeless classical music with unforgettable film moments. The event supports both the Woodstock Film Festival and the Woodstock Symphony Orchestra.

Ken Wagner of the Symphony Orchestra says the power of live music deepens the cinematic experience. “We’ll play a film clip highlighting certain music like Strauss’s the music in the Space Odyssey or the original unmasking scene from The Phantom of the Opera. The music was by Bach. So, we’ll play snippets of that and then have it still and our pianist will continue that scene live. And you know there’s nothing like live theater, live music. It’s such a better way of connecting with an audience.”

The concert will feature pianists Anna and Dmitri Shelest, a Ukrainian duo known for their piano four-hands performances. “When they do the four hands together it just swells the sound,” Wagner added.

Mike Hassan, member of the Woodstock Film Festival's Board of Directors, noted the diversity of the program, which includes everything from Strauss in 2001: A Space Odyssey to Rachmaninoff in Jurassic Park and Philip Glass in The Truman Show. “What we want the audience to do is have that 'a-ha' moment where they realized that came from Rachmaninoff instead of Somewhere in Time,” he said.

The concert takes place Saturday, September 27, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Woodstock Playhouse, 4 Playhouse Lane, Woodstock. Tickets are available at woodstocksymphony.org and woodstockplayhouse.org.

The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) rolls out the red carpet for the 13th annual Big Eddy Film Festival, running September 25–28. From student shorts to international features, this festival celebrates bold, counter-current storytelling rooted in the Catskills.

"We celebrate counter-current narratives and films inspired by the rural imagination. Our selections come through long-standing relationships with filmmakers, submissions via platforms like FilmFreeway, and recommendations from our team of advisors who scout independent works nationwide," said DVAA Executive Director Ariel Shanberg. 

Highlights include:

• Thursday, Sept. 25: 20th anniversary screening of Good Night, and Good Luck at the Tusten Theater, with a post-film discussion on journalism, free speech, and holding power accountable with Radio Catskill's Board President and journalist Pete Madden, Board Member and documentary filmmaker  Elizabeth Hope Williams and Community Advisory Board Member and journalist Steve Yaccino. All proceeds benefit Radio Catskill. 
• Friday, Sept. 26: Countercurrent Shorts at Krause Hall and opening night feature The Gesuidouz, a Japanese film about a punk band retreating to the countryside to create their masterpiece.
• Saturday, Sept. 27: Youth-focused films, student shorts from Vassar, Ithaca, and beyond, French narrative Jim’s Story, and local Rural Shorts like Hypnoscape, There’s No Crying in Baseball, and Catskill Talks from Radio Catskill's Patricio Robayo. Evening festivities include a VIP filmmaker reception and a public music party at The Parlor.
• Sunday, Sept. 28: Too Short to Suck micro-shorts, Move Ya Body: The Birth of House exploring the roots of house music and LGBTQ culture, and closing documentary Future Council, following young environmental activists across Europe.

For the full schedule and tickets, visit bigeddyfilmfest.com.

Sullivan County legislators still can’t agree on where to put a gateway housing shelter. Some critics warn that the clock is ticking to apply for funding for the facility before state funds are gone, but that funding is no longer available.

On Wednesday, New York's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance suspended accepting funding applications for the key housing program the county was planning to apply for.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar was at the legislative meeting yesterday as tensions unfolded and brings us this report.

The Fair Hill Therapeutic Riding Center in Waymart, Pennsylvania, is helping people of all ages and abilities experience healing, growth, and learning through therapeutic riding and equine-assisted therapy.

Founded in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Fair Hill offers evidence-based equine-assisted programs for individuals with disabilities, children in foster care, and youth who have experienced developmental trauma. The center provides services regardless of participants’ ability to pay, making therapeutic horsemanship accessible to all.

Sally Wasylyk, President of Fair Hill, explained, “Horses are incredibly sensitive to human behavior. They bond with people only when they feel authenticity, and this makes them key partners in therapeutic programs.”

Fair Hill’s programs go beyond pony rides. Participants engage in grooming, groundwork activities, and riding sessions designed to improve balance, coordination, strength, and cognitive skills, while fostering emotional growth. 

One participant, Caitlin, a 34-year-old adult who is blind and recovering from strokes, has seen dramatic improvements in her mobility, strength, and overall well-being through these sessions.

Maintaining these programs requires significant funding. The center relies on donations, volunteer support, and fundraising events such as the upcoming Swing for the Hill Golf Tournament. Costs include horse care, veterinary services, and program staff.

Community support is vital. People can volunteer, sponsor a rider or a horse, make donations, or help spread the word about Fair Hill’s mission. “Every contribution helps make equine-assisted therapy accessible to those who benefit most,” Wasylyk said.

Learn more or get involved at fairhill.farm and follow Fair Hill on Facebook.

On Tuesday, September 16, medical professionals and cancer survivors from New York joined over 750 people across the county on Capitol Hill to send a clear message to Congress - fund cancer research! They’re with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and are working to remind elected officials about the importance of protecting grants on behalf of the National Institute of Health, the National Cancer Institute, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

These three organizations have been the main supporters of cancer research across the country. Now, in the face of drastic budget cuts, staff eliminations, and policy shifts under the Trump administration, funding that has helped drive cutting-edge cancer research could be in jeopardy. Last month, the Supreme Court allowed the National Institute of Health to withhold almost $2 Billion in grants to cancer research institutions, making the advocates’ mission timelier than ever.

Radio Catskill’s Genevieve Hartnett spoke with two of these advocates - Diane Nathaniel, a stage III colorectal cancer survivor and Valerie Burger, an oncology nurse and medical leader, live on Capitol Hill that morning about the importance of early detection and how the work of these agencies have their saved lives.

This week on Science Stories with Joe Johnson, our resident science guy highlighted three fascinating developments—from NASA’s Mars rover discoveries, to evolving cheese molds, to a spectacular lineup in the night sky.

NASA’s Perseverance Rover Finds Possible Biosignatures on Mars

Big news came out of the September 10th issue of Nature and a NASA press conference this week. The Perseverance rover, which has been exploring Mars since 2021, has made intriguing findings in Jezero Crater—an area believed to have once been a lake about 28 miles across and up to 100 feet deep.

The rover is now studying the Bright Angel Formation, a site of fine-grained, light-colored mudstone. Early analysis revealed organic carbon, the type that forms bonds typical in living systems. Using a powerful microscope, NASA scientists observed tiny nodules nicknamed “poppy seeds.”

Tests with an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer showed these nodules contain iron, phosphorus, zinc, and phosphate minerals. On Earth, such structures can form either from high-temperature chemical reactions or as byproducts of microbial activity.

“This is not proof of life,” Johnson emphasized, “but it’s a possible biosignature worth studying.” 

Samples collected by Perseverance may eventually be returned to Earth for deeper analysis. So far, the rover has secured about 30 samples with six collection tubes still empty.

Cheese Mold Evolution in Vermont

Closer to home, scientists from Tufts University studied microbial changes at Jasper Hill Farm in Vermont, known for its Bailey Hazen Blue cheese.

Originally, the cheese rind grew green mold from the Penicillium genus. But when researchers returned years later, the rind had turned white. DNA sequencing revealed that a mutation disrupted a key gene, ALB1, which normally drives melanin production.

Without the pigment, the mold stopped expending energy on coloration—giving the white variant an advantage in dark cheese-aging caves. Interestingly, the green strain still outperforms the white in light.

“This is evolution in action,” Johnson explained, comparing it to cave-dwelling creatures that lose pigmentation or eyesight when no longer needed. Beyond food science, the finding could offer insights into microbial adaptation and potential applications in biotechnology.

A Parade of Planets in the Sky

Finally, stargazers have a show to look forward to this week. Early risers will be able to see Venus low on the eastern horizon just before dawn, with Jupiter high above and the waning crescent moon moving between them. On September 19, the moon and Venus will appear in a close conjunction alongside the star Regulus.

Meanwhile, Saturn reaches opposition on September 21, meaning it will shine at its brightest this year. Uniquely, Saturn’s rings will appear nearly invisible from Earth because they are edge-on—making this a rare chance to see the planet without its iconic bands.

The weekend also brings the new moon on September 21, followed by the autumnal equinox on September 22, marking the official start of fall.

“Don’t worry about telescopes or binoculars,” Johnson said. “These sights will be visible to the naked eye.”

Farm Arts Collective in Damascus, Pennsylvania, is bringing nationally recognized artists to the Upper Delaware Valley this weekend for its second annual Alone Together Solo Festival. The three-day event runs Friday, September 19 through Sunday, September 21, 2025, with performances each evening at 7 p.m.

The festival showcases original solo works by guest artists from across the United States, expanding Farm Arts Collective’s mission of blending agriculture, art, and community.

“We wanted to throw the net a little bit wider and invite colleagues and friends from the greater national community,” said artistic director Tannis Kowalchuk. “It’s a way to broaden our horizons and create intercultural exchange right here in our agricultural center.”

Featured Performances

• Friday, Sept. 19 – Remember You Will Die by Maureen McGugan of Scranton, PA. McGugan, director of arts and culture for Lackawanna County, explores society’s avoidance of death.
• Saturday, Sept. 20 – Nine Pictures by Ashley Sparks of Los Angeles, CA. Sparks brings her background in civic engagement and ensemble theater to a personal, multimedia performance.
• Sunday, Sept. 21 – Cetacean (The Whale) by Deek Weaver & Company. This large-scale multimedia piece is part of Weaver’s ongoing series about extinct and endangered animals.

Though billed as a solo festival, several artists incorporate musicians, projections, and collaborators, pushing the boundaries of solo performance.

Post-Show Conversations

Each evening includes “Break the Ice” discussions with guest moderators. On Friday, writer Josh Liveright will lead the conversation following McGugan’s show. On Sunday, Brett Kaiser of NACL Theatre will respond to Weaver’s whale performance.

Community Exchange

On Monday, Sept. 22, festival artists will join Farm Arts Collective’s resident ensemble for a private work exchange—sharing creative methods and strengthening ties between local and national performers.

“We don’t have to travel to see this work—it’s coming to us,” said company manager Jess Beveridge. “It enriches our community and creates lasting connections.”

More festival details at farmartscollective.org

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessing high-quality dental care is already difficult for low-income families. But in rural communities, the need is even greater, where limited public transportation and a shortage of dental providers make care even more challenging to find.

Liberty-based dental hygiene nonprofit PRASAD saw a 40 percent increase in children patients from 2023 to 2024 after they expanded their mobile clinics in Sullivan County, says PRASAD’s Executive Director Dr. Cecilia Escarra. Still, she’s worried that a stigma around dental care and limited available providers serving low-income patients continues to stagnate access.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with PRASAD’s Executive Director Dr. Cecilia Escarra about their work.

Potentially the most extensive harmful algal bloom in the Hudson River in nearly 40 years was observed, according to local science advocacy nonprofit Riverkeeper.

Radio Catskill's Kimberly Izar spoke with Riverkeeper's Science Director Dr. Shannon Roback about the harmful algal blooms and a new water quality tool that helps the public understand the latest algal bloom stretch.