SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — A recent statistic from the Trust for America’s Health, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit, stated, “The United States spends an estimated $3.6 trillion annually on health; less than 3 percent of that spending is directed toward public health and prevention.”
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SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — A recent statistic from the Trust for America’s Health, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit, stated, “The United States spends an estimated $3.6 trillion annually on health; less than 3 percent of that spending is directed toward public health and prevention.”
“Sullivan 180 was struck by this staggering statistic; and with that, we have turned our attention, focus and investments to prevention,” said founding chair Sandra Gerry. “What better way than focusing on our youth in their schools and in their communities?”
With this in mind, Sullivan 180 has refined its focus, a spokesperson said, and set its intentions on prevention and empowering a healthier generation.
Sullivan 180 grants and programs will continue to support efforts in Sullivan County to build a healthy community. Grant applications are now available for healthy community initiatives, community development and beautification in communities and at schools. Volunteer opportunities, workshops, scholarships and internships will be announced soon.
Sullivan 180 will continue to work with its partners and a grassroots network of volunteers to address immediate health concerns, the spokesperson said, and “to offer these grants and resources to promote innovative ways for all residents to live a healthier lifestyle.”
Health encompasses not only physical but also mental, spiritual, economic and environmental health.
Whether it’s increasing access to nutritious food, creating opportunities for physical activity; finding a sense of purpose; or building a sense of belonging—all these aspects can contribute to a healthy life and a healthy community.
For information about grants or how to get involved, email info@sullivan180.org, or call 845/295-2680.
WESTERN SULLIVAN LIBRARY DISTRICT, NY — The Western Sullivan Public Library (WSPL) will hold its annual vote for the 2023-2024 budget on Wednesday, April 19 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at each of the library branches: the Delaware Free Branch, 45 Lower Main St., Callicoon; the Jeffersonville Branch, 19 Center St. in Jeffersonville; and the Tusten-Cochecton Branch, 198 Bridge St., Narrowsburg.
In addition to the tax appropriation, voters will be asked to elect two library trustees to fill the five-year terms commencing on Saturday, July 1. Petitions nominating candidates for the office of trustee of the Western Sullivan Public Library are available from the district clerk at the Sullivan West Elementary School between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. when school is in session. All petitions must be returned to the district clerk by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 20.
An informational meeting will be held Monday, April 10 at 5 p.m. at the Jeffersonville branch. Visit the library or WSPLonline.org after March 20 for the library’s annual report and a copy of the proposed budget.
Not a registered voter? Continuous voter registration has been authorized in the office of the district clerk between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The latest date on which the district clerk will register voters is Friday, April 14.
For more information, call library director Audra Everett at 845/482-4350.
NEW YORK STATE — The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets alerted consumers about the potential of heavy metal contamination in potash products. Potash, also known as kaun or akanwu, is edible and has a salty taste. It is used to shorten cooking time and maintain the freshness and color of vegetables.
Through routine sampling, the department has found that over 93 percent of the potash samples collected and analyzed contained heavy metals. It advises against the consumption of these products, which are also often sold as a dietary supplement. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this product.
Routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ food inspectors and subsequent analysis of the product by the New York State Food Laboratory has shown that these products contain high levels of cadmium, arsenic, lead and mercury.
In 2022, sampling of products being sold at retail food stores in Staten Island and the Bronx, New York, and analyzed at the New York State Laboratory showed heavy metal levels were present at 23 times and almost six times the New York action level of one part per million (ppm) for lead and inorganic arsenic respectively. The results led to a Class 2 recall of the products, and their removal from store shelves.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the consumption of products containing heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic, has been associated with cancer, skin lesions, developmental effects, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity, diabetes and learning disabilities in humans. Heavy metals are especially harmful to vulnerable populations, including infants, young children, pregnant women and their fetuses, and others with chronic health conditions.
HIGHLAND, NY — The Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley chapter’s 13th annual Subzero Heroes fundraiser will be held at Berean Park on Saturday, February 25. The event features people dressing up in costumes and jumping into Berean Lake to raise funds to fight Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
Check-in/registration will open at 10:30 a.m., and the jumping starts at 12 noon.
Participants can register at subzerheroes.org as Heroes, who must raise a minimum of $250 to take the icy plunge themselves, or as Sidekicks, who help Heroes raise money and recruit additional team members.
The jumping order is determined by the amount of funds raised.
As in recent years, there will be a costume contest.
Culinary Institute students will be on the site with gourmet soup for participants. Hot cider and hot chocolate with marshmallows from Hudson Valley Marshmallow Company will also be available.
Sponsors are being sought for the event. For more information, contact Kyle Marin at kmarin@alz.org
Learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/hudsonvalley.
ONLINE; LIBERTY, NY — Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County is offering two specialized training series for farm and food businesses on Tuesdays and Thursdays: one on farm businesses begins at 5:30 p.m. on February 28 and lasts until Thursday, March 16, and the other covers food business, and will be held in April.
The six two-hour sessions will be held in person at the Extension Education Center, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Rd.; and online via Zoom.
The cost is $50 per session.
Consultants Rose Wilson and Erik Hassert will lead the business planning and marketing training, alongside Richard Stup from Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development; Anthony Capraro, district conservationist for the National Resources Conservation Services; and farmer Greg Swartz, owner of Willow Wisp Organic Farm.
Participants will develop and write business and marketing plans for their farm or food businesses. Technical assistance on licensing, permitting, value-added production and more will be provided. Pathways to funding and other support services will also be offered.
These series are co-sponsored by Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation (HVADC), with support from grants from the USDA.
Registration is required. Call the extension at 845/292-6180, email sullivan@cornell.edu, or visit www.sullivancce.org.
DELAWARE WATER GAP, PA — Motorists can expect River Road within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to be closed on several evenings, between 6 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. from now until mid-April, to protect breeding amphibians.
Forecasts of mild temperatures and evening rain will trigger a closure.
This closure allows vulnerable amphibians to crawl or hop to moist breeding pools. The animals can trek distances from a few hundred feet to sometimes more than a quarter mile. The road closures will help prevent them from being crushed by vehicle tires.
The amphibians are active principally at night, and have completed their journeys by dawn.
For information about the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, visit www.nps.gov/dewa, or follow it on social media at DelWaterGapNPS. You can also call the information desk at 570/426-2452.
BETHANY, PA — The Bethany Collective will hold its annual Soup-er Sunday soup sale on Sunday, February 26 to benefit the Bethany Public Library, the Bethany Historical Society and Bethany Borough.
The cost of each soup—sold in a quart-sized Mason jar—is $10.
Soup pickup at the Bethany borough and library building will start at 11 a.m. and end at 2 p.m.
“Each year, volunteers create an exciting range of new and delicious soups, while still offering traditional favorites,” said Janet Heinly, a member of the Bethany Collective, the president of the Bethany Historical Society, and a member of the board of trustees for Bethany Public Library.
The soup choices include broccoli-cheddar, butternut squash, a mild beef chili, potato leek, chicken tortellini, Pennsylvania Dutch chicken corn chowder, organic chicken vegetable, chicken and rice, chicken with homemade noodles, ham and 15-bean, homemade ramen, Philly clam chowder, ham and cabbage with white beans, hearty ham and potato, unstuffed cabbage and lentil soup with ham hocks.
The event also offers tomato Tuscany soup by Branko’s Patisserie, Level Ground’s lobster bisque, and cream of chicken with spinach and roasted red peppers by Scarfalloto’s Towne House Diner.
Many types of homemade bread are available for purchase too. You can choose from cornbread, date-nut bread, cranberry-orange, lemon, blueberry, cinnamon-streusel, banana bread or chocolate chip banana bread. The price is $3 per loaf.
The Bethany Collective began several years ago as a small group of concerned citizens interested in supporting the Bethany Public Library, the Bethany Historical Society and the Borough of Bethany. All proceeds from the Soup-er Sunday Soup Sale go toward helping these groups.
Soup lovers can find the full list of soups on Bethany Public Library’s Facebook page, and can order in advance by calling Janet Heinly at 570/470-1562.
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