The Mountain Eagle

11/14/25

Community Dialogue on Health on WIOX Radio

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 11/14/25 | 11/14/25

ROXBURY – Access to affordable health care and social services in our rural upstate Catskill region will be the topic of a community dialogue on a live, special program of “HealthCetera in the Catskills” on WIOX Radio on Wednesday, November 19th, from 1:00 to 3:00pm.

HealthCetera’s weekly program host, Diana Mason, PhD, RN, FAAN, brings considerable background and knowledge to the discussion, including her work as the Senior Policy Service Professor, Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement, George Washington University School of Nursing and as Programme Director for the Global Nursing Leadership Institute, International Council of Nurses.

Joining Diana on the broadcast will be Richard Siegel, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-R), Certified Ethics Consultant (HEC-C) and adjunct professor at the Silberman School of Social Work (Hunter College, CUNY). Invited speakers will include representatives from our local hospitals, governments and social service agencies.

Planned topics for this Healthcetera discussion include: What will the anticipated Federal program changes and budget cuts mean to our local area? How will our Medicaid recipients be impacted? What will be the ripple effects on rural hospitals, nursing homes and mental health programs? How will Federal changes affect other social determinants of health, such as SNAP benefits? What role do state government and community support play in the health and well-being of our neighbors and ourselves?

The HealthCetera Health Policy Special will be broadcast on WIOX Radio 91.3FM. It will also live stream online at wioxradio.org and on MTC Channel 20. Guest speakers will participate via Zoom and recorded for future broadcast opportunities.

The public is invited to participate by submitting questions via email to HealthCeteraCatskills@gmail.com in advance of (and during) the broadcast.

For more information, contact Diana Mason at djmasonrn@gmail.com.

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Roxbury Halloween Celebration Brings Community Together

By Robert Brune

ROXBURY – On October 25, Friends of Roxbury hosted a festive family-friendly Halloween party featuring a pumpkin carving contest, DJ dance music, and seasonal treats at the Roxbury Arts Group. The event was a resounding success raising over $2,500 for the Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department, showing strong community spirit and support.

Partygoers voted for their favorite imaginatively carved and decorated jack-o’-lantern pumpkin entries in adult and kids’ categories.

Lively DJ, June Vetter, kept the energy high while guests enjoyed homemade finger foods, sweets, and a “design-your-own” caramel apple station.

Local artist Ricky Zia designed limited-edition Roxbury Halloween 2025 T-shirts, which sold out completely. Generous donations from local businesses—including gift cards and special items—added excitement and raised funds through raffle tickets.

“This celebration was about more than pumpkins and costumes—it was about neighbors coming together to support one another and raise money for a good cause,” said organizers from Friends of Roxbury. “We’re thrilled to see such enthusiasm and generosity from our community.” The Roxbury Halloween event exemplifies the power of grassroots collaboration, blending art, fun, and philanthropy to create lasting impact.

For anyone wishing to contribute to Roxbury Fire Department, checks can be mailed to Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department: PO box 514 Roxbury, NY 12474

Friends of Roxbury and Volunteers

Robin Factor

Judith Maguire

Steven Tedaldi

June Vetter

Ricky Zia (artist)

Brit Blanco

Robert Bird

Tim Lafontaine

Esther deJong

Chris Durham

Roxbury Fire Department

Anthony Liberatore Safety Officer

Jim Bouton President

Edie Mesick Secretary

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MUSINGS OF A LOCAL By Iris Mead - The Unveiling of A New Stone for a Revolutionary War Soldier

A few of the many descendents of Sylvenus Kelly. Left to right: Iris Mead, Joyce Kelly Martin, Linda Kelly Armour Rear: Joe Todd, Marilee Todd Asher, Randy Kelly, Adrian Todd

A few of the many descendants of Sylvenus Kelly braved a raw and rainy Sunday afternoon to honor a Revolutionary War soldier who was buried in the Bedell Cemetery around 1825. He proved himself as a Patriot when he joined the local Dutchess County militia to fight against the British. As a native of that area, unlike many in Dutchess County who sided with the British, Militiamen like Kelly defended civilians in Dutchess and Westchester Counties from Loyalist raiders who looted farms to help equip the British forces. After serving two short terms as a soldier during this period of the war, he enlisted in the 3rd Regiment of the Dutchess County Militia and marched to Peekskill to keep British forces from advancing further north until George Washington could arrive with the Continental Army. Later Kelly was drafted into the Continental Army and served as a Private for six months until his discharge on December 12, 1782.

He and three cousins, also veterans, and their families left the Hudson Valley for the wild Catskills. They arrived sometime before 1803. Historical records list Sylvenus as a juror in Middletown in 1803 and later as a resident of Stratton Falls, Roxbury in 1810 and 1820. He died around 1825. It is thought that he may have spent his last years in a house built by his son, Sniffin, near the Bedell Cemetery where he is buried.

His tombstone, long missing, has now been replaced by funding from a grant provided by the Delaware County Historical Association (DCHA). The new stone was carved by Michael A. Angelicola of Connecticut. After the dedication with remarks by Diane Galusha, Middletown Town Historian, and Dr. Samantha Misa of the DCHA, there was a reception in the old Advent Christian Church near the cemetery.

This was the first celebration in our area of the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War and the first event in our area of the Patriot Recognition Project that will document the lives and legacies of the early soldiers who fought for freedom from Britain. If you would like to help with this project and are familiar with online sources to research veterans’ lives, their families, if they migrated beyond Middletown or what happened to them, contact Diane Galusha of the Historical Society of Middletown (HSM) There are at least 26 Revolutionary War veterans confirmed to have lived in Middletown whose lives HSM would like to research.

HSM telephone: 845-586-2400

www.mtownhistory.org

historicalsocietyofmiddletown@gmail.com

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Americana Roots Band to Perform at Pine Hill Community Center

PINE HILL – Annie & the Hedonists, a Capital Region-based band known for its blend of vintage blues, jazz, and folk music, will perform at the Pine Hill Community Center on Saturday, Nov. 15.

The concert is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Led by vocalist Annie Rosen, the band draws inspiration from female blues and jazz legends such as Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald. Their repertoire also spans acoustic blues, Western swing, gospel, and old-timey tunes.

Joining Annie Rosen are Jonny Rosen on guitar and vocals, Peter Davis on piano, clarinet, and tenor guitar, Don Young on upright bass, and Jerry Marotta on drums.

The band has received multiple nominations for the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards, winning Blues Artist of the Year in 2020 and 2025.

There is a suggested donation of $10 for the concert. The Pine Hill Community Center is located at 287 Main Street.

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Park Update Nearly Complete - $1.5 Million 2026 Budget Adopted

By Mary A. Crisafulli

BOVINA - A written report from Councilmember Jillienne LaFever and head of the playground project indicated that work is nearly completed. Supervisor Tina Molé read the report at a regular town council meeting on November 6. The council began working towards updating the existing playground at the corner of County Highway 6 and Maple Avenue in 2024.

Although the playground is not officially open yet, only minor items need to be completed. The gate needs a latch, and there are two pieces of wood that will be rounded off for safety, LaFever's report said. Once official signage is received and installed, the playground will be open for play.

The playground was last renovated in 2000. Updates include new fencing and various structural enhancements, maintaining the wooden structure. Repairs included replacement of all four jungle gym platforms with pressure-treated wood, replacement of the balance beam, new cedar roofing for the covers, caps for the uncovered posts, and repairs to one low pull-up bar post. The wiggly bridge was replaced with a solid flat bridge level with platforms. All wooden surfaces were sanded and stained with a clear, playground-compliant stain.

The project was funded through a $170,000 O'Connor Foundation grant and donated funds from the Bovina 5K race, totalling around $5,000. The contractor constructed the benches, swings, and basketball court free of charge.

Budget

Following a public hearing, the board adopted a 2026 budget of $1,564,496, representing a $59,448 increase over the 2025 budget. The budget is roughly $47 under the 2% tax cap. Of the budget, $1,040,198 will be raised by taxes, including those from special districts. The general budget is $502,046, and the highway is $790,623.

The budget includes the following annual salaries for elected officials: Supervisor Molé, $23,599; council members, $3,370 each; Highway Superintendent Edward Weber, $64,174; Town Clerk and Tax Collector Catherine Hewitt, $16,956; and Town Justice Thomas D. Lamport, $9,452.

The budget is available for review on the town website at bovinany.org.

Other Business

The following monthly bills for October were paid: $62,950 for general expenses, $571 for water, $5,035 for septic, and $13,491 for the highway department.

The unofficial election results include 210 votes for Supervisor Molé, 240 votes for Clerk and Tax Collector Hewitt, and 258 votes for Highway Superintendent Weber, all of whom ran unopposed. The unofficial results for the town councilmember are Penelope Brackett, 115 votes; John Salak, 143 votes; John Ciccone, 146 votes; and Mark Rossley, 203 votes.

The council agreed to hold payment for the Delhi swim lessons program and review the decision made in 2024. Councilmember Evelyn Stewart-Barnhart believes it was decided not to pay for the Delhi program, as Bovina residents can attend the Andes program for free.

Councilmember Marni Greenberg developed a list of items for the town to move forward with after having completed the Town Comprehensive Plan. The first objectives include developing a town email to enhance communication regarding events, emergencies, and other town updates, as well as initiating a review of zoning and subdivision laws.

Hewit reported an issue with locating files on town-abandoned roads from the 1800s. She has a pending request for a resolution indicating an officially abandoned road, which has been challenging to locate. Molé will seek guidance from the County.

A resident complained that the street lights are shining into their home, Greenberg reported. NYSEG will install shields at a cost of $100 each. The board approved conducting a survey among all those living near the lights to determine the number of shields that should be installed. During public comment, Rossley suggested just installing the one shield where an individual requested it, rather than conducting a survey.

The council entered an executive session to discuss a personnel issue.

The next regular town board meeting is scheduled Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m.

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SPEAKER ON NOVEMBER 22 ABOUT NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY AND FIBER TRADITIONS

ARKVILLE — Justin Wexler, noted scholar of Lenape history and culture, will give an illustrated talk as the last of Catskills Folk Connection’s activities associated with its exhibit “Indigenous Delaware County: Lenape and Mohawk Fiber Traditions.” On Saturday, November 22 at 10:00am (note time change), he will speak at the auditorium of the Catskill Watershed Corporation, 669 Co. Hwy 38, Arkville NY 12406, about the broader culture and history of pre-colonial Native Americans in the Northeast, including Lenape and Haudenosaunee fiber traditions. Not a Native American himself, Mr. Wexler has immersed himself in the study of the ecology of the forest that surrounds his Cairo home and the lifeways of its original inhabitants. He has gained a BA in History and Anthropology from Marlboro College, and both a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching and a Professional Certificate in Environmental Policy from Bard College. He is well-known as a speaker in the Catskills and Hudson Valley, on land and on the water. He and his wife, Anna Plattner, offer programs in Native American history, ethnoecology, forest farming and eco-camping through their educational organization Wild Hudson Valley, with a mission to “inspire learning and build connection through shared experiences in nature.”

“Justin has been invaluable in creating Catskills Folk Connection’s exhibit of Mohawk and Lenape fiber arts, with his deep knowledge not only of history but also botany and ecology that represents the context of these Native American nations’ fiber traditions,” says Catskills Folk Connection’s Executive Director, Ginny Scheer. The exhibit can be seen in the Erpf gallery of the Catskill Center, 43355 State Highway 28, Arkville NY 12406, Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 am to 4 pm. The exhibit features Lenape artist Theresa Johnson’s baskets, Mohawk artist Marilyn Isaac’s fingerwoven traditional sashes and Mohawk artist Wilma Cook Zumpano’s elaborate raised-bead embroidery. “Without Justin and Anna,” says Scheer, “we would not have found a Lenape artist with works to include in the exhibit, nor others whose photos of the fiber process are shown on the exhibit’s wall panels.” With Justin’s and Anna’s input, the exhibit gives a balanced presentation of Lenape and Mohawk contributions to the history and contemporary fiber art of these nations.

The illustrated talk is free. No registration is required, but an RSVP would be appreciated to gscheer.mcs@gmail.com or 607-238-9162. This program of exhibit, workshops and illustrated talk are funded by the O’Connor Foundation, by the Delaware County Arts Grants, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered in Delaware County by the Roxbury Arts Group, and is supported by Catskills Folk Connection’s generous donors..

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Catskill Watershed Corporation Launches New Workforce Development Program

ARKVILLE — The Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC) is proud to announce the launch of its new Workforce Development Program, a competitive grant initiative designed to strengthen the workforce capacity within the West of Hudson (WOH) Watershed region.

The program provides funding to help individuals gain the knowledge, skills, training, certifications, professional licenses, and technical expertise needed to pursue and obtain a wide range of careers within and supporting WOH Watershed. By investing in workforce development, CWC aims to foster a well-trained, adaptable labor force that supports the region’s economic vitality while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental stewardship.

“This program is about building opportunity from within our communities,” said Jason Merwin, CWC Executive Director. “By supporting education, skill development, and career access, we’re helping residents and businesses thrive together while protecting the natural resources that make this region so special.”

Program Goals and Opportunities
The Workforce Development Program encourages projects that address workforce needs and create pathways to employment, including:

Training and skill-building in sectors with current and emerging job opportunities within the WOH Watershed economy;
Education and training for local residents in Watershed-related careers; and
Paid apprenticeships and internships offering hands-on experience.

How It Works
CWC will accept grant applications twice per year: the first Friday of February and the first Friday of June. Applications will be evaluated by the CWC Board of Directors based on eligibility and alignment with program goals.

Eligible applicants include:

Public, private, or charter schools (K–12), colleges, universities, vocational or trade schools, and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES);
Not-for-profit organizations;
Public entities such as municipalities, towns, villages, counties, and special-

purpose districts; and

Private incorporated employers.

Projects may include apprenticeships, internships, mentorships, professional training programs, seminars, career development events, or the purchase of small supplies and technology directly related to workforce development initiatives.

How to Apply
Application materials and full program guidelines are available at https://cwconline.org/. Interested organizations can contact Gemma Young, Workforce Development Program Manager at 845-586-1400 ext. 109 or workforce@cwconline.org for more information.

The CWC is a locally based and locally staffed non-profit Local Development Corporation responsible for environmental protection, economic development and education programs in the New York City Watershed West of the Hudson River. www.cwconline.org

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Kittens in the Catskills Burlesque Show Had the Crowd Roaring for More

Co-Producer and performer Ms Fifi Dupree kicked things off for the evening.

Neil of Fortune held Q&A competitions with gift baskets from Cheetah Kitchen, Union Grove Distillery, Rip Van Winkle Putt Putt, Lively Harvest Dispensary, and others.

By Robert Brune

ARKVILLE — Neil of Fortune and Fifi Dupree presented their second burlesque show of the year at Union Grove Distillery in grand fashion, with plenty of flair, humor, and sparkle. The “Kittens in the Catskills” event packed the house, delivering a night that was equal parts comedy, satire, and celebration of performance art.

The sold-out crowd responded with cheers and laughter as performers took the stage in a dazzling lineup of costumes, choreography, and classic burlesque timing. Each act built on the next, drawing from the long tradition of burlesque’s blend of sensuality, wit, and theatrical showmanship.

Burlesque has deep roots reaching back to 19th-century England, where it began as parody theatre mocking the seriousness of opera and ballet. By the early 20th century, American performers such as the Minsky brothers transformed it into a uniquely American art form one that mixed glamour, striptease, and satire to powerful effect. Neil of Fortune and Fifi Depree’s show nodded to that legacy while keeping things fresh and Catskills-local, with a wink and a laugh at every turn.

As the night came to a close, one couldn’t help but feel that this small-town spectacle carried the same pulse that once lit up stages in New York City and beyond. For a few glittering hours, the Union Grove Distillery became part of that storied tradition where art, humor, and self-expression collide under the warm glow of stage lights.

“Backstage Burlesque” by Sofia Flash

(for the legends, the lights, and the lens)

Backstage, the air hums with sequins and secrets.

A slow curl of hairspray drifts like memory,

the scent of powder and passion mingling

with the faint echo of applause from another lifetime.

A performer adjusts her garter

a small act of rebellion,

an art older than shame.

Every mirror here holds a thousand reflections:

Candy Carmelo’s feathered fans whispering,

Dixie Evans’ laugh glittering down the corridor,

Tempest Storm’s presence — eternal, electric, divine.

You can feel them

the ghosts of glamour and grit

woven into every rhinestone, every costume seam.

Women who carved freedom from desire,

who built cathedrals out of spotlight and skin.

In these photographs,

you see more than bodies;

you see the ritual of becoming.

A fan opens like a prayer.

A corset laces like a secret kept too long.

A woman exhales and becomes infinite.

The click of a camera captures what time cannot erase

the sacred in the sensual,

the courage in the curve,

the strength in the softness.

Because Burlesque was never just about taking something off.

It was about showing what remains.

It was survival draped in satin,

defiance painted in red lips,

a language of resilience spoken through glitter and grace.

Now, in the glow of the museum lights,

the past and present breathe together

the legends and the living,

the muses and the mirrors.

And somewhere, between flash and shadow,

art becomes truth again.

(Suggestion for all the snowbirds flocking south)

Sofia Flash is a photographer and writer from Ft Pierce Florida. She will be presenting her burlesque photography the World Erotic Art Museum (WEAM) in Miami, FL starting Dec 1. Follow her on Instagram @sofiaflashphoto.