Radio Chatskill

Can you imagine seeing a giant millipede the same size as a car? Well, a massive creature just like this existed 340 million years ago.

Joe Johnson is our resident science guy and he’s here with the story of that millipede with up to 64 legs and other science stories that caught his eye, including a mega-meteorite that might have helped early life on Earth to thrive and a fungus that grows more vigorously when it feels good vibes

As many give thanks with family and friends this week, The New York Department of Environmental Conservation reminds folks to be thankful for our environment too by taking actions to protect and preserve our natural resources. 

We spoke to Kristine Ellsworth from the New York DEC Division of Materials Management for some tips on reducing wasted food and composting your food scraps for the holidays.

One Small Step brings strangers with different political views together to record a conversation—not to debate politics, but to learn who we are as people. Created by StoryCorps, One Small Step is an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us—even those with whom we disagree.

Radio Catskill is one of just seven stations selected nationally to host One Small Step in 2024. With participant permission, these conversations will be preserved for future generations at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

Participants Elizabeth and Nate recorded One Small Step conversations seperatlet at our Liberty studios earlier this summer and we brought them together on Radio Chatskill about their experience.

Listen all of our One Small Step conversations and others on the StoryCorps Archive HERE

StoryCorps’ One Small Step and the Radio Station Hubs are made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Image: One Small Step participants Elizabeth (left) and Nate at our Liberty studios.

"Wicked" is defying gravity at the box office. The first of two Universal Pictures films based on a Broadway prequel to "The Wizard of Oz," "Wicked," topped the domestic and global box office with $114 million at U.S. and Canadian theaters, plus $50.2 million in international markets, for a global total of $164.2 million this weekend.

Harmony in the Woods’ podcast HarmonyTALK celebrates the incredible voices and stories behind the music and recently spoke to Broadway’s Dan Micciche, Music Director and Conductor of "Wicked,"who shared insights on the musical and the "Wicked" movie.

HarmonyTALK host Host Lisa Champeau appeared on Radio Chatkill for a unique look behind the curtain at what it takes to keep one of the world’s biggest shows running and to share more about the podcast.

Ulster County will commemorate Sojourner Truth Day on Tuesday, November 26, with two free events celebrating the life and legacy of the renowned abolitionist and women’s rights advocate who escaped enslavement in the county.

The day will begin with a historic marker reveal ceremony at 11:00 AM outside the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, where Truth won her son’s freedom. The event will feature remarks from Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis, Dr. Weldon McWilliams of SUNY New Paltz Black Studies, and Sojourner Truth’s sixth-generation granddaughter, Barbara Allen.

In the evening, a gathering at the Ulster County Restorative Justice Center at 6:00 PM will feature a reenactment of Truth’s iconic “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech performed by Rev. Deborah Zuill, a song selection by Rev. Evelyn Clarke, and a drum selection by Ubaka Hill, a nationally-known percussionist, singer/songwriter, inspirational speaker, visual artist, teaching artist and facilitator of sacred ceremony. The event will also display court artifacts related to Truth’s life and times. Light refreshments will be served.

Sojourner Truth, born in 1797 in what is now Ulster County, became the first woman to win a court case against a man and dedicated her life to advocating for abolition and women’s rights. Her powerful voice and unwavering commitment to justice continue to resonate today. Everyone is encouraged to attend these free and important events.

Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the events. 

The Delaware River Basin Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday to gather comments about the abnormally dry conditions throughout the four-state watershed.

It was hard on the heels of New York City’s announcement on Monday that it was suspending its long-planned work on the Delaware River Aqueduct, which would plug a leak in the tunnel that carries about half of New York City’s water under the Hudson River.

Meg McGuire of Delaware Currents –the news project dedicated to telling the story of the Delaware River from its headwaters in the Catskill Mountains of New York to the Delaware Bay, where it meets the ocean - appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the possibility of declaring a drought on the river.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths here in New York and across the U.S., but the American Lung Association’s 2024 “State of Lung Cancer” report reveals positive news. 

The lung cancer survival rate has improved 26% in the last five years. The report also presents opportunities for New York to further improve lung cancer survival by increasing access to screening and biomarker testing.

We spoke to Mike Seilback, Assistant Vice President for Public Policy for American Lung Association, about the report's results. 

A free Community Thanksgiving Lunch will be held on Thursday, November 28, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Blue Fox Motel (5670 NY-97, Narrowsburg, NY 12764). The event is a collaboration between Tusten Social and the Blue Fox Motel, aiming to provide a warm and festive meal for community members.

Chef Bruno Carvahlo will cook a traditional Thanksgiving feast for all guests. The event is open to anyone who might find themselves alone during the holiday or simply wishes to share a meal with others. 

"We are delighted to partner with The Blue Fox to create a friendly and delicious experience this Thanksgiving, particularly for those who otherwise might find themselves alone during the holiday," said Greta Knutzen, Co-Founder of Tusten Social.

Meg Sullivan, Co-Owner of Blue Fox Motel, added, “A strong community is built around shared experiences, and there’s no better way to connect than over a table filled with great food. We are delighted to provide a space where everyone can convene, enjoy themselves and give thanks.” 

The event also supports the Narrowsburg Ecumenical Food Pantry's Holiday Gift Drive. Attendees can buy $5 and $10 gift cards at the door to benefit local families in need. 

RSVPs are required by Monday, November 25, to guarantee sufficient food for the free event. Community members can reserve spots by emailing [email protected]. 

To support local farmers and connect them with consumers, Wayne County has introduced the AgroLegacy brand. This initiative helps local producers, processors, markets, and eateries amplify their voices and raise awareness about the exceptional agricultural products grown in the region. It also makes it easier for consumers to support local businesses and the families behind them, fostering a sense of community and pride in the food they eat.

Zachary Jones, Co-Chair of Wayne Tomorrow!’s Ag Task Force and Sustainable Agriculture Specialist for Wayne County’s Conservation District says AgroLegacy is more than just a brand; it’s a movement to sustain and grow local agriculture for future generations. 

Award-winning playwright and JACK partnership artist Camille Simone Thomas is deep into developing her powerful new play "Sweet Blood." Currently in residence at the NACL Theatre, Thomas is exploring the intricate relationship between text, song, and dance as she crafts the story of three free Black Maroon/Taino women in 18th-century Jamaica.

Set in 1727, "Sweet Blood" follows these women as they face the looming threat of colonialism and the impending sugar revolution that will bring centuries of chattel slavery to the Caribbean. The women must decide how far they are willing to go to protect their land, their people, and their freedom as the British colonial forces approach. The play grapples with the realities of survival, revolution, and resistance in a rapidly changing world.

On Friday, November 22, NACL will host a reading of selected scenes from this work-in-progress, followed by an audience discussion of the play’s major themes. The event provides an opportunity to witness the early stages of Thomas’ creative process and engage with the powerful questions posed by the narrative.

"Sweet Blood" is an exploration of how far individuals will go to challenge the oppressive forces of colonialism, capitalism, and white supremacy. It delves into the complex dynamics of survival, resistance, and the question of what it truly means to be a revolutionary in a world where freedom is under constant threat.

About Camille Simone Thomas
Camille Thomas is a 5th generation Detroiter and first-generation Jamaican playwright whose work often focuses on cultural legacies, ancestral wisdom, spirituality, and the struggle of Black femmes to achieve liberation. Her work interrogates how colonial and capitalist forces shape the lives of Black people, particularly women, and the ways in which they fight for their survival.

Her previous work has been showcased at prestigious venues including The Connelly Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, Playwrights Horizons, Dixon Place, and the Detroit Public Theatre Company, among others. Her web series *Gro Up* was featured at the Academy Award-qualifying Reel Sisters Film Festival, the PanAfrican Film Festival, and the Martha’s Vineyard Virtual Film Festival. 

Thomas has been recognized for her bold voice in the theater world, receiving accolades such as the 2023 New Harmony Project finalist and the 2023 Van Lier New Voices Fellowship Semi-finalist. She is also an associate artist with the Sanguine Theatre Company and has held fellowships with the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute’s DEAR fellowship and The Theatre Producers of Color.

JACK Partnership
JACK, an award-winning multidisciplinary theater space in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, is a key partner in supporting the development of Thomas’ work. JACK provides artists with access to the NACL residency center to develop new work that will ultimately be produced at the Brooklyn venue. JACK’s programming centers on artists of color and those working toward collective liberation, and they present over 75 performances a year across theater, dance, and music.