Radio Chatskill

Tuesday, March 18, is National Ag Day, a time to recognize and celebrate the hardworking farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers who keep our country fed.

And today, we’re recognizing some of our local egg farmers and the rollercoaster ride they’ve been on as they deal with the threat of avian flu.

The spread of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has ravaged flocks around the country and around the world, disrupting supply and fuelling higher food prices.

Here in our region, Avian flu was detected on an Ulster County farm in January, resulting in the deaths of all but two birds, then on a Delaware County farm in a flock of 150 chickens, geese, and ducks in February 

But— there’s possibly good news for egg farmers and egg consumers – the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows a sharp decline in egg prices.

The drop in wholesale prices is thanks to the absence of major bird flu outbreaks so far in March, which has allowed the nation's egg supply to start recovering.

Radio Catskill reporter Kimberly Izar spoke to egg farmers and poultry veterinarians to understand how they’re dealing with fluctuating markets and the deadly disease.

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger has appointed poet and music critic Mike Jurkovic as the county’s 2025 Poet Laureate.

Jurkovic, a resident the Shawangunk hamlet of Wallkill, follows Kate Hymes of New Paltz, who held the inaugural title created by Metzger in 2023.

Originally from the South Bronx, Jurkovic has lived in Ulster County for over 30 years. He is the president and co-founder of Calling All Poets, a Hudson Valley-based poetry organization and series now in its 26th year.

Jurkovic’s poetry, celebrated for its expressive and surreal style, has appeared in literary journals across the U.S., including those in New York City, San Francisco, Baltimore, and London. Jurkovic has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and has published several poetry collections, including "smitten by harpies & shiny banjo catfish" (2016), "Eve’s Venom" (2014), and "Purgatory Road" (2010). His work has been featured in over 400 magazines and anthologies.

Beyond writing, Jurkovic co-chairs the Music Fan Film Series at the Rosendale Theatre and hosts NuJazzXcursions on WVKR-91.3FM at Vassar College.

Radio Catskill’s Miguel Santiago Colón spoke to Jurkovic about his goals for the poet laureate role. 

We’re living in a world that is rapidly changing, some of it to our liking, and some not.  With all that is going on, how do we maintain and strengthen our sense of community?

The Committee for Equity & Justice , a subcommittee of Sullivan Allies Leading Together (SALT), says it's time to listen and share and gain a better understanding of how we can build a vibrant community together.

They’re hosting a community conversation at the Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library in Monticello, NY, on March 13 and Committee for Equity and Justice member Judy Balaban spoke about the importance of finding common ground during uncertain times on Radio Chatskill. 

The federal funding freeze announced by the Trump administration is destabilizing some local programs despite court interventions.

In the wake of frozen federal funding, the Sullivan Fresh Food Security Program is grappling with financial uncertainties but remains committed to providing essential food resources to the community. 

The initiative, a collaboration between Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Sullivan and Sullivan Allies Leading Together (SALT), has been a lifeline for many residents, offering access to fresh, healthy food through the Community Cupboard and Mobile Farmers Markets.

However, in February, all federal funding for the program was unexpectedly frozen, creating a significant setback for the effort to sustain these services.

Melinda Meddaugh, the Ag & Food Systems Sr. Issue Leader at Cornell Cooperative Extension, Sullivan County, appeared on Radio Catskill to discuss the challenges the lack of funding is presenting for the program. 

One of the most commonly used stimulants in the world is caffeine. According to recent research, over 90% of adults use it regularly to improve alertness, energy levels, and their mood. There are many debates about whether or not caffeine is good or bad for you. The purpose of this article is not to consider that fact, but to provide you with a few ways you can make your caffeine intake a little bit healthier. I personally consume caffeine regularly and have found the tips in this article to help me tremendously.

Caffeine is often used first thing in the morning to wake up. While caffeine is a stimulant, it provides its effects by binding to adenosine receptors. Adenosine is a substance that naturally occurs in our bodies and one of its main jobs is to relax and dilate our blood vessels. The amount of adenosine in our blood stream increases throughout the day and as it increases, we tend to feel sleepier. One of the best ways to improve the effectiveness of caffeine is to wait 90 minutes after waking before consuming it. By waiting, you will allow the adenosine levels in your body to rise slightly, making the caffeine more effective at blocking the receptors, making you feel more alert. If the caffeine we are consuming is more effective, this will help us consume less of it each day. 

Another way to make our caffeine intake more effective and less destructive to our bodies is to eat food and drink water before consuming caffeine. Consuming caffeine on an empty stomach puts a lot of stress on our bodies and causes the release of cortisol, which is a hormone our body releases when we are stressed. Cortisol tells our bodies we need to increase blood sugar because we may need to fight or flight. This rush of a release of blood sugar sets us up for uncontrolled blood sugar levels all day long. Eating food and drinking water before consuming caffeine will help stabilize both our blood sugar and cortisol, making the caffeine more effective and less damaging to our bodies. 

Many caffeinated beverages also contain a lot of unnecessary sugar. If you are consuming a drink with the purpose of consuming caffeine, then it’s important to also note how much sugar you’re consuming along the way. Sugar is very detrimental to our health. While it is not something we can or need to avoid completely, there are a lot of places we can be more mindful of our consumption, and in our drinks is one of them. If you consume caffeinated beverages often, consider switching to one that doesn’t contain sugar. This will help you get your desired benefit without putting your body under the extra stress of dealing with sugar, too.

Lastly, get to know your body’s caffeine tolerance. It is recommended by the FDA that we keep our caffeine intake under 400 mg per day. By implementing these strategies, you may realize that you don’t need to consume anywhere near that much caffeine. Notice how caffeine from different sources make you feel and choose the source that makes you feel your best.

Maggi Fitzpatrick is the Health and Wellness Columnist for the Sullivan County Democrat and her column "Moving Toward Health" appeared in the paper on March 11, 2025. 

The Overlook, a new nonprofit newspaper, describes itself as "community journalism serving Hunter, Hurley, Olive, Saugerties, Shandaken and Woodstock."

At a time when newspapers in America are disappearing at a rate of about 2.5 per week, The Overlook is attempting to buck that trend with community coverage and investigative reporting, served up weekly, in a free subscription model.

In the latest episode of Kaatscast: The Catskills Podcast, host Brett Barry speaks with its inaugural Editor-in-chief, Noah Eckstein, who's taking the lead in shaping a promising new publication in a part of the Catskills where news coverage is sparse.

Three prominent members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus are appealing to fellow Republicans not to get in the way of making massive cuts to Medicaid — likely necessary for financing the party-line bill to enact broad swaths of President Donald Trump's domestic agenda, according to reporting by Politico.

In an op-ed for Fox News on Monday, Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris and members Chip Roy and Eric Burlison argued they aren't calling for massive cuts to the safety-net health insurance program, but rather reforms that would "reverse its explosive expansion" that has left Medicaid "unsustainable."

In his own op-ed for the USA Today Network, titled  “Medicaid is vital to New York and the U.S. It must be protected," Doug Wirth, the president and CEO of Amida Care, New York State’s largest Medicaid Special Needs Health Plan, shared his personal experiences with Medicaid and shared his broader views on its importance, as well as the policy implications and advocacy for protecting the program.

Wirth also serves on the Association of Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) board of Directors where he chairs their Medicaid Committee.

Doug Wirth appeared on Radio Chatskill. 

The Roscoe-Rockland Chamber of Commerce has announced the recipients of its annual Two-Headed Trout Awards, recognizing the Dette family and Phil and Donna Vallone for their contributions to the community. The awards will be presented at the 64th Annual Two-Headed Trout Dinner, the Chamber's main fundraiser, on Saturday, April 5, at the historic Rockland House. 

Wendy LaManque, co-chair of the Two-Headed Trout Dinner Planning Committee, previewed the dinner and honorees on Radio Chatskill. 

The dinner, dating back to the 1940s, marks the opening of trout fishing season in "Trout Town USA" and celebrates Roscoe's heritage. It also serves as a platform to honor individuals who embody the spirit of the town through two awards: the Joan Wulff Excellence in Fly Fishing Award and the Golden Trout Community Service Award.

This year, the Joan Wulff Excellence in Fly Fishing Award will be bestowed upon the Dette family and Dette Flies, recognizing their generations-long dedication to fly fishing. The family, owners of Dette Flies, the oldest family-run fly shop in the world, have significantly contributed to the sport, making Roscoe a fly-fishing destination. The award will be presented to Joe Fox and Kelly Buchta, the fourth generation owners of the shop. 

The Golden Trout Award honors Phil and Donna Vallone for their impactful contributions to Roscoe's business landscape.  The couple is recognized for their work in establishing the Trout Town Inn and the Roscoe Beer Company, among other contributions to the community.

As fear grows over issues like deportation, family separation, and cuts to vital services, faith leaders in Pike County are uniting to address a critical issue: mercy for the vulnerable. 

Inspired by a sermon from Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., Delaware Valley Action! is hosting a roundtable discussion with local faith leaders on March 12 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Delaware Valley Action! Community Engagement Center in Milford, to explore how various faith traditions can support those most in need.

Ed Graegert of Delaware Valley Action! and Rev. Jenn Lovallo of the Milford United Methodist Church shared their own faith perspective on mercy.

It’s Flood Safety Awareness Week in New York State. The annual campaign, held in partnership with the National Weather Service (NWS), aims to remind New Yorkers about the dangers of flooding and how to prepare for emergencies.

The NWS emphasizes that flooding can occur any time of year in New York, urging residents to stay informed about weather and river forecasts, especially those living near streams or rivers. 

The increased risk of flooding is a growing concern nationwide due to climate change. Flooding is responsible for billions in damages and nearly 100 deaths annually in the United States.

Mitchell Gaines of the National Weather Service in Binghamton appeared on Radio Chatskill with safety precautions to consider.