Healthcare heroes honored by Radio Catskill

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — Radio Catskill, the public radio station for the Catskills and northeast Pennsylvania,  announced its 2021 Community Awards honoring “Healthcare Heroes” for making a difference in their communities through extraordinary contributions in the face of uncertainty.

The ceremony takes place from 5 p.m to 7 p.m. on September 30, at the Barn at Callicoon Hills in Callicoon Center.

The people to be recognized are:

Jonathan Schiller and Suzanne Lange, on behalf of Garnet Health Medical Center–Catskills

Frederick Jackson, on behalf of Wayne Memorial Hospital and Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers

Nancy McGraw. Sullivan County Public Health

Amanda Langseder, Sullivan 180

Julie Pisall, The Kingfisher Project

Tickets cost $75 per person and may be reserved at https://wjffradio.kindful.com.

County requests community input on Ag Innovation Center

HONESDALE, PA — Area residents, farmers and entrepreneurs can share their thoughts on how a key Wayne Tomorrow! project takes shape.

An online survey asks for insight into what functions, services and programs should be included in a proposed Agriculture Innovation Center. Responses are due September 24.

In July, the Wayne County Commissioners hired Agricultural & Community Development Services (ACDS) to conduct a feasibility study and develop a business plan for the center, which resulted from the Wayne County economic plan for agriculture and the county’s need for a new home for the food pantry.

Wayne Memorial Hospital likely will also use the facility to help implement their new food program for chronic disease management.

The survey will inform the feasibility study and set the scope for the center, which will not only serve as a local processing plant for various agricultural goods, but also provide a space for agricultural education, research and development, and a place for residents to buy local products.

The project grew out of the Economic Plan for Agriculture, also prepared by ACDS in 2018-19, that analyzed the current status and the potential growth of Wayne County’s Agricultural Sector as a means of encouraging sustainable economic development in the region.

The Agricultural Innovation Center is being designed to support farmers and entrepreneurs and strengthen the local food system.

Take the five- to 10-minute survey at https://bit.ly/391vgZo before September 24.

Wayne County Community Foundation receives grant to feed the hungry

HONESDALE, PA — In April 2020, as the country locked down in the face of the pandemic, the Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF) created the Emergency Food Relief Program, in partnership with the Wayne County commissioners.

It helped to support emergency food needs in Wayne County and now purchases food from local farmers for the food pantry program.

The fund recently received a grant for $1,500 from the Robert and Rose Cavanaugh Fund to Feed the Hungry Poor, administered by the Scranton Area Foundation, to continue to support these efforts.

“Emergency food needs existed pre-pandemic and continue today and being able to connect our community members to fresh, local produce and support our regional farmers simultaneously has been a great benefit for the community,” said Ryanne Jennings, executive director for the WCCF.

The grant will help, but donations are always needed, Jennings said.

Donations of any amount will help feed neighbors, friends, and family. The WCCF will continue to purchase dairy, eggs and produce from local farmers for the county’s pantries.

Donations can be made online at www.WayneFoundation.org, or checks can be mailed to the Wayne County Community Foundation, 214 Ninth St., Honesdale, PA, 18431 with “Emergency Food” on the memo line.

 

The O&W rail trail, featured at the Mountain Dale Fall Festival. This was taken near Hurleyville.

 

Fun for all at the Mountain Dale Fall Festival

MOUNTAIN DALE, NY — The MountainDale Rail Trail Fall Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 25, on the trail behind the firehouse.

It’s not just about the scavenger hunt or the prizes or the chance to explore downtown Mountain Dale. There’s also the rail trail, which follows part of the former O&W Railroad.

The event is hosted by the Kiwanis of Woodridge, NY, Foundation.

Admission is free. Rain date is Sunday, September 26.

To learn more, contact Jill Weiner at 845/798-6058 or Diane Garritt at 845/866-3204.

The new paving job at the Berlin Township Community Center.

UDC grant helps get Berlin parking lot paved

 BEACH LAKE, PA — Berlin Township  paved the parking lot of its community center, thanks to funds received from the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) The $15,000 received was part of the “Townships, Technology and Sustainability” grant obtained for UDC by Representatives Jonathan Fritz (PA-111) and Mike Peifer (PA-139), and Senator Lisa Baker (PA-20).

Paving the lot, according to the UDC, improved safety, increased handicapped accessibility and reduced the amount of dirt tracked into the building.

Once the township school, the community center now houses the board of supervisors’ meeting rooms and the township secretary’s office. It is also rented out for meetings by other groups.

The total fee for the job, paid out to Joseph Blacktopping from Honesdale, was $18,875.

For more information on the UDC and its activities, visit www.upperdelawarecouncil.org or its social media pages, or call the Narrowsburg, NY office at 845/252-3022.

Wayne/Pike Farm Bureau holds farm tour

PAUPACK, PA — Wayne/Pike Farm Bureau recently held a legislative farm tour at the Paupack Blueberry Farm in Pike County. Owners Bobby and Carol Morgan walked participants through the blueberry fields while explaining the particulars of blueberry production on their U-pick operation.

Learn more about the farm at https://paupackblueberryfarm.com.

“The Wolf Man” howls again in a new biography

WURTSBORO, NY — Character actor Lon Chaney Jr., best known for his portrayal of the Wolf Man in classic Universal monster movies, has been dead for nearly 50 years. 

He also played Lennie in “Of Mice and Men.” He was famous—although not as famous as his father, Lon Chaney Sr. Still, at the height of his career, the son was paid $180,000 a year, the equivalent of $2.5 million today. 

It wasn’t enough. He suffered from depression and drank heavily. In 1948, he swallowed 40 sleeping pills and almost killed himself. 

Local author Bill Fleck, a retired high school English teacher, has just published “Chaney’s Baby: Lon Jr., The Wolf Man, 1948, and the End of a Dream,” about that time in the actor’s life.

“I’ve been a Wolf Man fan since I was in fourth grade,” said Fleck. “I read all the behind-the-scenes books as a kid. If Chaney’s suicide attempt was mentioned at all, it was an afterthought, a throw-away. It didn’t dawn on me that it was a pivotal event in his life until I decided to do some research. Why did he want to die?”

 “Chaney’s Baby” is his third book. It’s currently available on Amazon, and will be out in paperback on October 1.