Radio Chatskill

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts will turn up the volume for its Horizon Happy Hour on June 11, showcasing a lineup that celebrates rock and roll across generations. 

Writer, musician, and longtime local rocker Mike Edison and his band Rocket Train Deluxe will  be joined by fellow teaching artist and singer-songwriter Kali Seastrand, as well as the Rock Camp Ambassadors—student musicians from Bethel Woods’ youth rock program.

Mike Edison and Peter Negroponte—known for his work with the band Guerilla Toss and currently artist-in-residence at Bethel Woods--appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss helping young artists find their sound and their voice, just steps away from the original Woodstock stage.

Residents and businesses in the Town of Bethel are invited to explore practical, local solutions for a more sustainable future at the Environmental Open House Forum, scheduled for Saturday, June 15 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Duggan School Gym.

Organized by Sustainable Bethel, the forum aims to provide attendees with information and resources to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs, and protect local water quality. 

According to a town greenhouse gas emissions inventory conducted in partnership with the Hudson Valley Regional Council, residential buildings and vehicles account for 77% of Bethel’s total emissions. In response, the forum will spotlight ways residents can improve heating and cooling systems, transition to electric and hybrid vehicles, and explore options like community solar to reduce energy use.

Water quality—consistently identified as a top concern among residents—will also be a major focus. While literature from partners including the Department of Health, Riverkeeper, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will be available, organizers plan a more in-depth forum on water issues later this year.

Attendees will have the chance to speak directly with representatives from:

• NYSEG, offering advice on home energy audits and improvements
• Local wastewater management companies, providing guidance on septic tank maintenance
• Community solar providers, discussing renewable energy options
• A landscape architect, with tips on native plantings and reducing chemical fertilizer use
• County officials, sharing composting information and updates on infrastructure, including the new airport terminal
• Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, presenting on their ongoing sustainability efforts rooted in the legacy of the 1960s

In addition, organizers will showcase a newly acquired battery-powered lawnmower and other energy-efficient equipment, purchased with recent grant funding, to demonstrate alternatives to gas-powered tools.

Jeffrey Allison, Chair of Sustainable Bethel, said the forum is designed to make sustainability more accessible to everyday residents.

More information is available at the Sustainable Bethel page on the Town of Bethel’s website:
https://townofbethelny.us/sustainable-bethel

Residents may also contact Sustainable Bethel by email at [email protected] or by calling (845) 583-4350 Ext. 102.

The future of the Delaware Valley Job Corps Center in Callicoon — and dozens of similar training centers nationwide — remains uncertain, but a federal court ruling has temporarily halted efforts to shut them down.

On Wednesday, a U.S. District Court judge in New York City granted a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from proceeding with its plan to suspend operations at contractor-operated Job Corps centers across the country. That includes the Delaware Valley Job Corps in Sullivan County.

The decision follows a lawsuit filed by the National Job Corps Association against the U.S. Department of Labor, arguing that only Congress has the authority to dismantle the long-running workforce training program for low-income youth.

A Sudden Closure Order

Jennifer Cha, of Adams and Associates, which operates the Callicoon-based center, told Radio Catskill the center received a “termination for convenience” notice from the Department of Labor on May 29. The order directed them to immediately stop all student training, begin sending students home, and shutter the facility by June 30.

“We were told to immediately start sending students home and provide a list of any students that would not be gone within a week,” said Cha. “It was not a pause — it was a closure.”

The sudden shutdown would have affected 177 students and 101 staff members, many of whom were left reeling from the uncertainty. The center is one of the largest employers in Sullivan County.

Vulnerable Students Caught in the Middle

Among the most at-risk students are those without stable housing. Nationally, about 20% of Job Corps students are unhoused or aging out of foster care. Cha confirmed that while some students were able to return home, others had no safe place to go.

“We do not send any students away without them having a home of record to go to,” she said, noting that several housing-insecure students remained on site. “Luckily, we were granted the restraining order and did not have to proceed with full closure.”

Training Resumes — For Now

The June 4 ruling allowed the center to resume operations, restart training, and begin welcoming students back. As of this week, about 100 students are back at the Delaware Valley campus, continuing their pursuit of high school diplomas, trade certifications, and internship experiences.

“For many, they were just about to complete their program — earn a diploma, a certification, or finish an internship,” Cha explained. “Everything halted. But this ruling allowed us to restart and help students continue building the future they’ve been dreaming of.”

More Than a School

Established under President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty, Job Corps offers free residential career training for low-income individuals aged 16 to 24. At the Delaware Valley center, students train in eight different trades, work toward high school diplomas or GEDs, and receive life skills training — from budgeting to reading a lease.

“The program is 24/7 — academic, technical, and independent living skills are all taught in a supportive environment,” said Cha. “It prepares young people not just to work, but to live independently.”

Staff and Community on Edge

While no staff layoffs have occurred yet, Cha acknowledged that the initial closure order caused deep anxiety.

“There’s been no employment impact so far, but definitely emotional impact — fear and concern for the students, and for their own futures,” she said.

The court’s temporary ruling has brought some relief, but uncertainty looms ahead of a scheduled injunction hearing on June 17.

“It’s a moment to breathe,” Cha said. “But we’re cautiously optimistic.”

A Call to Action

Cha urged community members to support the program by contacting their congressional representatives.

“This program is critical in rural communities like Sullivan County. Not every student goes to college — we need skilled tradespeople,” she said. “When these students graduate, they become contributing members of society. Their tax dollars go on to support future students.”

She also expressed gratitude to local residents and leaders: “Sullivan County has been so supportive. And now, with everything happening, we just ask people to raise their voices and let our leaders know Job Corps matters.”

A court hearing on the future of Job Corps centers nationwide, including the Delaware Valley location, is scheduled for June 17.

The Deep Water Literary Festival returns to Narrowsburg in just two weeks, and this year’s lineup promises timely conversations. Among the highlights is a panel titled Ordinary Rebels, which explores the quiet courage behind everyday acts of resistance.

The conversation brings together three acclaimed writers—Suzanne Cope, Rebecca Donner, and Peter Pomerantsev—for a powerful exploration of what it means to stand up to authoritarianism not through grand, heroic gestures, but in the small choices that can spark lasting change.

Bethel-based author and journalist Suzanne Cope joined us in the studio for a preview of the panel and its themes. Cope’s book Women of War uncovers the untold stories of Italian women partisans during World War II—civilians who smuggled weapons across mountains, hid explosives under their coats, and organized behind the scenes to fight fascism.

“These women weren’t seen as threats,” Cope said. “They were underestimated—and that was their power.”

The panel’s central question—when does an ordinary citizen become a rebel?—resonates strongly in today’s political landscape, as concerns over rising authoritarianism grow both in the U.S. and globally. 

Cope says resistance doesn’t always begin with confrontation—it can start with sharing information, reading up, talking to neighbors. “It’s often a small choice that anyone can make,” she said. “And one person supporting another becomes a network, and then a movement.”

That sentiment echoes throughout Cope’s research. During WWII, resistance efforts often relied on countless unseen supporters. “One person on the front lines might’ve needed 15 people behind the scenes—cooking, hiding, feeding, organizing. It was collective power,” she explained.

The Ordinary Rebels panel aims to highlight those unsung heroes—then and now. Alongside Cope will be Rebecca Donner, whose book All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days tells the story of Mildred Harnack, an American student who ran Berlin’s largest underground resistance cell. “She was a teacher. I’m a teacher. And I appreciate how she anchored everything in political education,” Cope noted.

Peter Pomerantsev, known for his work on propaganda and disinformation, rounds out the panel. Together, the trio brings personal, historical, and global perspectives to the theme of resistance through story.

Cope hopes that audiences walk away from the discussion feeling empowered, not overwhelmed.

“Everyone has something to bring to the table,” she said. “Even if it’s just talking to a friend or doing some reading. That’s how change begins.”

The Ordinary Rebels panel takes place Friday, June 21 at 4:30 p.m. at the Tusten Theatre as part of the Deep Water Literary Festival. For more details and the full festival lineup, visit deepwaterfestival.com.

Radio Catskill is a media partner of the Deep Water Literary Festival. Learn more about Suzanne Cope’s work at suzannecope.com.

On June 4, the U.S. District Court for New York’s Southern District temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s effort to suspend Job Corps centers. That would have included seven centers across New York State, including the Delaware Valley Job Corps Center in Callicoon, N.Y.

Last week, the U.S. Labor Department announced it would pause operations at 99 Job Corps centers by the end of June as part of Trump’s efforts to shrink the federal workforce. A U.S. district judge has since issued a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against any efforts to eliminate the Job Corps program without Congressional authorization. Radio Catskill's Kimberly Izar has more.

Gun owners across the country are being urged to take a moment this week to evaluate how—and how well—they're securing their firearms. It’s all part of Gun Storage Check Week, a national initiative organized by Project ChildSafe and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearm industry’s largest trade association.

The aim is simple but urgent: “Make sure it’s secure.”

For Timmy Oh, CEO of Vera Safety, the message is deeply personal—and practical. Speaking with Radio Catskill, Oh explained that many gun owners keep firearms in easily accessible but unsecured places like nightstands or atop refrigerators. The idea is to be ready in case of an emergency, but Oh warns that this can have dangerous consequences.

“Children can find these spots. Intruders can too,” Oh said. “That’s why we’re helping gun owners understand that real security means some form of authentication—like a lock, key, keypad, or biometric sensor.”

Oh’s company, Vera Safety, started in Upstate New York when he was just 17 years old. Drawing inspiration from his uncle, a longtime officer in the LAPD, Oh saw a major gap in the market: gun owners wanted fast access and secure storage, but existing solutions rarely offered both.

So he designed one.

Vera Safety’s flagship product bridges the gap between a holster and a safe. “The handle is visible. You can grab it, and your thumb hits a biometric sensor. It unlocks in 0.2 seconds,” Oh explained. “You can mount it to your nightstand or even inside your car.”

The company has since gained national attention and support from gun owners, stores, and major industry groups.

While Gun Storage Check Week is voluntary and emphasizes peer-to-peer education, the conversation around gun safety inevitably intersects with politics. Oh recognizes that some states, like New York and California, have pushed storage requirements through legislation. But he says change is often more effective when it comes from within the community.

“When something becomes a mandate, people might reject it just because it’s from the government,” Oh said. “But if it’s coming from trusted sources—like the NSSF or fellow gun owners—it’s more likely to be accepted and followed.”

Research shows fewer than half of gun owners consistently store their firearms securely. Oh believes that’s a fixable problem—if people have the right tools and information.

“Hiding a gun is not the same as securing it,” he said. “We’re encouraging people to find a solution that works for them. Whether that’s a free cable lock or a biometric safe, there are options.”

Gun Storage Check Week continues through the weekend, with a clear call to action: evaluate your storage practices, and make sure it’s secure.

Learn more at ProjectChildSafe.org or through participating local firearm safety initiatives.

 As Medicare Fraud Prevention Week unfolds from June 2 through June 6, advocates across the country are sounding the alarm on a growing and costly threat: Medicare fraud. The issue impacts not only the federal healthcare system, but also millions of seniors, their caregivers, and families.

In New York, the effort is led by the New York StateWide Senior Action Council, which administers the state’s Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program. At the helm is Executive Director Maria Alvarez, who has made it her mission to educate and empower older adults to recognize, report, and stop Medicare fraud before it causes harm.

A $60 Billion Problem

Medicare fraud is estimated to cost the federal program $60 billion annually, according to the Council. But the damage goes beyond dollars—it includes stolen medical identities, stress for families, and even compromised health outcomes.

Scams can range from billing for services never provided to sending unnecessary medical equipment—such as braces or testing kits—often ordered without a patient’s knowledge or consent.

Know the Signs: Prevent, Detect, Report

Alvarez emphasizes a three-part strategy to fight fraud:

• Prevent: Read your Medicare statements carefully.
• Detect: Watch for unfamiliar providers or services you didn’t receive.
• Report: If something looks wrong, contact the Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-333-4374 or visit www.nysenior.org.

During this week, the SMP is offering special outreach programs and encouraging participation from caregivers, families, healthcare providers, and community members.

How to Get Involved

Beneficiaries can track their services using free My Health Care Trackers, available from the StateWide Council. Caregivers are urged to help their loved ones register at Medicare.gov, avoid giving out Medicare numbers by phone, and watch for unusual shipments or bills.

Healthcare professionals are being asked to educate patients on scam awareness, and community members can help by staying alert to unusual behavior—such as seniors buying large amounts of gift cards, a common scam tactic.

The SMP also offers group presentations and can partner with community organizations for educational events.

A Year-Round Effort

While the focus is heightened during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, Alvarez reminds the public that the threat is ongoing—and so is the support.

For more information or to request assistance, call the New York Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-333-4374 or visit www.nysenior.org.

This week, a powerful gathering of voices is taking place in the Catskills. The Outrage: A Queer Writers’ Residency has returned to NACL for its second year, offering a week-long creative haven for LGBTQ+ playwrights, screenwriters, and storytellers.

Founded by playwright and Yulan resident C. Julian Jimenez, The Outrage was born from a need to create space where queer writers can write, share, and grow—without having to justify or explain their queerness. It's not just a residency—it's a refuge.

This Saturday night, the public is invited to hear the results: excerpts from new works in progress, shared by a dynamic group of writers.

Julian Jimenez and  CQ Quintana discuss the residency’s purpose and the urgent need to uplift queer voices in today’s America. 

This Sunday, the hills of Kerhonkson will come alive with the sound of twangy guitars and the shuffle of boots on the dance floor. "Kerhonky Tonkin’ in the Field" is an afternoon of live honky tonk, barbecue, and dancing under the stars.

Among the performers is Andrea Maddox, frontwoman of Andrea Maddox and the Hey Y’alls, a six-piece Americana band based in the Hudson Valley. 

With roots in Tennessee , Andrea brings a modern spin to classic country with songs full of heart, wit, and danceable melodies.

Lani Sciandra, also known as DJ Catsilk — a longtime community DJ— and Mark Partridge, who performs as Ambient Barn, are bringing immersive synth-driven soundscapes to life at the FirstFriday Of Funk event at New Memories in Parksville, NY. 

Together, they help host Foundation of Funk, a popular monthly dance party that celebrates diverse music, art, and community connection between the Delaware and Hudson Rivers. 

They discuss their inspirations, the multi-room dance experience they’re curating for June 6th, and how their unique blend of music, visual art, and community engagement is energizing the regional scene.