TRR photo by Sandy Long

Fascinating fungi

Microscopic fungi are believed to number more than one million species, and they play varied and often valuable roles. Yeast fungi are used to leaven bread and enable the production of wine and spirits. Antibiotics like penicillin and cephalosporin are derived from fungi, along with the anti-rejection drug cyclosporin, enabling human organ transplants.

Fungi that are large enough to see with the naked eye are called macrofungi. In the forest ecosystem, they play important roles, converting dead wood to soil and returning vast amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

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September draws me deep into the garden, where its fullness is evident in smooth bulbs of tawny butternut squash swelling under their leafy vines. Soft green Italian heirloom zucchini form a bush, and are delicious sliced thinly and sautéed with new onion. A beautifully formed white scallop of Patty Pan squash is ripe and ready to offer up its nutty flavor to taste buds.

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New rail trail opens in Woodridge

WOODRIDGE, NY—The Fallsburg O&W Rail Trail Committee held a ribbon-cutting and trail dedication on Sunday, August 30 in Woodridge. The ribbon-cutting took place at the Veteran’s Memorial Park on Roosevelt Avenue in downtown Woodridge, next to the gazebo and rail-trail sign.

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