August Extension Connection Magazine 2022

Extension Connection

USPS-525-100

Sullivan County

YOUR LINK TO LOCAL, RESEARCH-BASED SOLUTIONS TO BETTER YOUR LIFE

VOLUME XCIII NO. 8

AUGUST 2022

4-H Youth showing English with their project horses at the State Qualifying Horse Show on July 17th.

Upcoming U pcoming Events Events & Programs Programs

Issue Isssue sue Highlights Higghhligghhts

Free Farm Stands & Mass Distribution

Minimizing Deer Damage in Vegetable Crops

4-H A Year in Textiles Challenge

Pillars of Healthy Homes

Sullivan Fresh Farmers’ Markets

CCE Spotlights: Katie Rose Lugauer, ADA Bathroom

School Wellness Summer Symposium

Year One’s Success Creating Healthy Schools and Communities

Liberty Unity Festival Sullivan County Youth Fair

More than a Handshake: Negotiating and Drafting an Effective Hunting Lease for Your Farm or Ranch

4-H Pumpkin Growing Contest

Seniors and Pets: Some Considerations

Virtual Caregiver Support Groups

2022 Sullivan Fresh Farmers’ Market Schedule and Currency

See more events and opportunities on sullivancce.org/events.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

4-H State Qualifying Horse Show Check out page 12 for fast facts about Fair Season, the human body, and more!

Welcome W elcome to to the the Issue!

Issue!

Page 3 Message from the Executive Director Page 4 Minimizing Deer Damage in Vegetable Crops Page 6 June DHI Report Page 7 Pillars of Healthy Homes Page 8 More than a Handshake: Negotiating

Table Table of of Contents Contents and Drafting an Effective Hunting Lease for your Farm or Ranch Page 11 CCE Spotlights!

Page 12 Fast Facts!

Page 14 Year One’s Success Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Page 15 Beans and Greens Page 17 Seniors and Pets:

Some Considerations Page 18 Sullivan Launches 988 Suicide and Crisis Line Page 19 4-H State Qualifying Horse Show Page 20 2022 Sullivan Fresh Farmers’ Market Schedule and Currency Page 23 Thanks, Sponsors!

The Extension Connection (USPS-525-100) (USPS 525 100) is published monthly for $25.00 $25 00 enrollment by Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, located at 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Suite 1, Liberty, NY 12754-2903. Entered at Liberty, New York, as a periodical class matter.

Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in section 412, Act of February 24, 1925. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Extension Connection, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Suite 1, Liberty, NY 12754-2903.

OFFICE HOURS

EXTENSION CONNECTION

Hours: Mon - Fri | 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Phone: 845-292-6180 E-mail: sullivan@cornell.edu Website: www.sullivancce.org Facebook.com/ccesullivanagfood Instagram.com/ccesullivan YouTube: bitly.com/ccesullivan

Produced by: Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Edited by: Nicole Slevin Nikolados, Erin Denman & Colleen Monaghan Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with DisAbilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

NOTICE: Official endorsement of advertisers and their products is not intended by the acceptance of their sponsorships for the Extension Connection.

STAFF MEMBERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dara Smith............................President John “JP” Lang...............Vice President Denise Frangipane................Secretary John Kiefer............................Treasurer Nadia Rajsz.................Legislative Rep. Adam Hughes..................Cornell Rep. Marcie Ehrman Freda Eisenberg Amanda Langseder Juanita Sarmiento Gary Silver Gary Silverman Justin Sutherland

PROGRAM COMMITTEE Alex Alorro Heather Brown Roberta Chambers Samara Ferris Cynthia Hernandez-Gonzalez Robert Kaplan DeeDee Malloy Desmond Oxford McDaniel Danielle Sykes Eugene Thalmann Deborah Worden

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Colleen Monaghan..............................................................................Executive Director Patricia Avery......................................Caregiver Resource Center Program Coordinator Thomas Bosket....................................................................SALT/DFC Program Manager SueAnn Boyd.........................................................Healthy Schools Program Coordinator Fabio Campanati............................Sullivan Fresh & Shop Taste NY Program Coordinator Elizabeth Clancy-DiBartolo.......................................Sullivan Fresh Program Coordinator Martin Colavito................................................Community Cupboard Program Manager Wanda V. Cruz...............................................Healthy Communities Program Coordinator Erin Denman...............................................................................Operations Coordinator Kristopher DiBartolo.....................................Seasonal Sullivan Fresh Market Coordinator Kathlene Gasior...........................................................Horticulture Program Coordinator Kaylin Klein..................................................Seasonal Sullivan Fresh Market Coordinator Katie Rose Lugauer...................................................................4-H Program Coordinator Erica Lynch..........................................................Catskills Kitchen Program Coordinator Melinda Meddaugh.......................................................Ag & Food Systems Issue Leader Vivian Monsanto...............................................................................Finance Coordinator Barbara Moran................................................4-H Youth Development Program Manager Bee Moser.........................................................................SNAP-Ed New York Nutritionist Clarisse Owens..........................................Food Systems Program Manager, Local Foods Kendra Payne.............................................................................Digital Marketing Manager Vanessa Petrossian..................................Director of State & Regional Ag Market Initiatives Abyssinia Pla El...................................................................................Finance Coordinator Michelle Proscia..............................................................................Agriculture Educator John Mastrangelo............................................................................Assistant Ag Market Manager Nicole A. Slevin Nikolados...............................................Administrator & Director of DEI Ashley Tully...............................................Food Systems Program Manager, Ag Business Tara VanHorn.........................................................................................Finance Manager Malinda Ware........................................................................................Program Director Sean Welsh..............................................................................Energy Resource Educator John Wilcox..........................................................................................Facilities Manager Judy Arpadi, Cherene Audain, Christopher Jones.................................Ag Market Coordinators

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Hello friends of Extension and 4-H community!

With the Sullivan Fresh and Sullivan Catskills Farmers’ Markets in full swing across the county, we hope you’re taking the season to enjoy all the locally grown fresh fruits, veggies, dairy, poultry, livestock and grains that Sullivan County farms have to offer! We live in such an agriculturally rich community and it’s easy to forget that sometimes in the off season. Please get it while you can! For more information on farmers’ markets across the county please visit https://homegrownwithheart. com/ for days, times, locations, and vendors!

With August here, we’re looking forward to the Annual Sullivan County Youth Fair, hosted with our friends from the Neversink Agricultural Society at the Grahamsville Little World’s Fair August 19-21. Please come support Sullivan County Youth and over 100 animal and still exhibits!

In addition, please save the date for our 109th Annual Meeting, a good old fashioned mixer, tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 26th at 6:00pm!

Lastly, we anticipate several openings on CCE Sullivan Program Advisory Board and Board of Directors in 2023. Please contact Colleen at cm638@cornell.edu or 845-798-1258 if you are interested in serving a three year term.

As always, thank you to our membership for your enthusiastic support as we continue Extension work in Sullivan County!

Enjoy these dog days of summer.

My very best,

Colleen Monaghan Executive Director, cm638@cornell.edu

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MINIMIZING DEER DAMAGE IN VEGETABLE CROPS Information provided by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Vegetable Specialist Cornell Vegetable Program Submitted by Michelle Proscia, Agriculture Educator

A comprehensive plan is needed to manage deer on your farm.

Understanding the biology, habitat and feeding habits is a good first step. See the fact sheets listed in the resource section below.

Your management plan will depend on the size of the farm or field you wish to protect, your location, tolerance for damage and

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the resources you have to direct towards this project.

Here are some of the options: EXCLUSION To deter deer during the vegetable growing season, single-strand electric fences can be used in combination with a repellent. Alternatively, pieces of aluminum foil with peanut butter when placed at three to four foot intervals along the fence attract the deer to touch the electric fence (photo).

High-visibility, electric polytape fences on fiberglass stakes provide

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another low-cost, portable design that can effectively reduce deer damage to vegetable crops.

The fact sheets listed below provide detailed information on these and other types of fencing.

SCARE DEVICES The key to using these devices is to move them every day if possible. Look to see where the deer are coming into the field and seek to break their habit of coming there. CVP specialist Robert Hadad has had good success with Rubber Coyotes on his property. The cost is about

$55 each, and he used a total of 4 decoys for a 2 acre field. Other devices include scare balloons, scarecrows, noise cannons and the like. Deer become habituated to these devices in a few days.

POPULATION CONTROL Managing deer population will go a long way towards minimizing damage to vegetables and other crops. Techniques include habitat management and hunting. Contraceptive methods are costly and the effectiveness on REPELLENTS population reduction is One local grower reports controversial. The NYS success in using highly DEC will help landowners fragrant deodorant soap with a management plan. in combination with the The Deer Management electric fence. A variety Assistance Program of chemical repellents are (DMAP) seeks to help labeled for use in New landowners implement York. The repellents work site specific deer best when deer pressure management on their is light, however, some lands. Under the program, damage must be tolerated. the DEC issues a special Repellents should be permit and a determined applied before feeding is number of deer tags to likely to occur. Repellents a landowner or resource are cost-effective on small manager, or a group of acreages. They may need landowners or resource to be reapplied every managers, whose property 3-4 weeks. Costs may be is in need of site specific reduced by mixing with deer management efforts. other crop protectants DMAP permits are valid (make sure to read the for use only during label first). the open deer hunting seasons and can only be used by licensed hunters.

BUFFER STRIPS For many, this is the Deer prefer certain “right” time to harvest types of crops such as deer. Only deer without snap beans, dry beans antlers or having antlers and soybeans. Planting measuring less than three a buffer strip of such inches in length may be crops may limit feeding taken under the authority to those crops, and keep the deer out of your other of a DMAP permit.

Applications for permits vegetables. valid during the fall big

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game hunting seasons must be postmarked

by September 1. More information on the DMAP program can be obtained at http://www.dec.ny.gov/ animals/33973.html or by calling your local DEC office.

Source: Kikkert, Julie. “Cornell Cooperative Extension Cornell Vegetable Program.”

Minimizing Deer Damage in Vegetable Crops - Cornell Vegetable Program Cornell University - Cornell Cooperative Extension. Accessed July 21, 2022. https://cvp.cce.cornell.edu/submission. php?id=235.

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DHI Report:

June

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PILLARS OF HEALTHY HOMES extinguisher on hand.

(In NYS building science professionals and building auditors make The eight pillars of a sure that all combustion healthy home illustrate equipment is properly why working with working and gas lines are a building science not leaking.) professional who has 4. Keep it well specific trainings in ventilated: ensure building science can areas of the home that aid and help create the have evaporating or healthiest of indoor condensing water are environments for folks to ventilated. Areas such live, work and play safely. as bathrooms and The United States kitchens should be Department of Housing supplied with fresh air and Urban Development to reduce concentration outlines the eight of contaminates in one principles of a healthy area of a home. Building home. They are: science professionals 1. Keep it dry: make sure are trained in ventilating indoor spaces. water is not entering your home through leaks 5. Keep it pest free: all in the roof system or pests coming in from the poor drainage. Check outside are looking for interior plumbing for any food, shelter and water. leaks.

Any cracks and openings can be sealed to prevent 2. Keep it Clean: air leaks and pests from control the source of coming in. (Implemented contaminants and dust, building science using effective cleaning strategies improves this.) and wet cleaning methods.

6. Keep it contaminant free: if your home or 3. Safety: keep poisons building was built labeled and out of reach prior to 1978, look of children. Secure to cautiously repair loose rugs. Make sure deteriorating paint that child play areas are could be lead based. Test free of hard and sharp your home for radon, an objects. Ensure smoke odorless, dangerous gas and carbon monoxide that can enter homes detectors are installed through soil, crawlspaces and working properly and cracks in the with a working fire Submitted by Sean Welsh, Resource Educator and Community Energy Advisor

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foundation.

7. Keep your home maintained: routinely inspect, clean and take care of minor repairs prior to becoming larger repairs.

8. Thermal control: working with a building science professional or auditor can help buildings to maintain adequate temperatures in summer and winter, reducing risk from temperature extremes.

As discussed above, there is a true intersection with our health and our buildings, giving even more merit to home energy improvements over time.

A renter or homeowner can connect with Sean Welsh, Community Energy Advisor, on how to determine if you are eligible for one of the NYS energy efficiency programs reach out to 845-292-6180 ext. 127 or sw288@cornell.edu.

Source: “Healthy Homes for Healthy Families.”

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MORE THAN A HANDSHAKE: NEGOTIATING AND DRAFTING AN EFFECTIVE HUNTING LEASE FOR YOUR FARM OR RANCH future arbiter, can easily look back to a written agreement to determine A hunting lease is a what, exactly, was mutually-beneficial agreed-upon. One lesserarrangement between known consideration is a landowner with land that most states have a to spare and a hunter “Statute of Frauds,” which looking for exclusive and is a rule requiring that guaranteed access to contracts lasting longer hunting land. However, a than a year—as many simple handshake and an hunting leases do—must exchange of cash between be in writing in order to parties is not always be enforceable. enough to ensure smooth sailing in a hunting lease The Basics agreement. There are Every contract must numerous variables, and contain certain details endless opportunities for in order for it to be disagreement, when two enforceable. For a hunting or more parties share land in this way. To avoid lease, this includes the names and addresses of disputes—or to at least resolve them efficiently— the parties involved, a description of the land it is best for the parties subject to lease, the to set out in writing the duration of the lease, and boundaries and innerthe amount of rent to be workings of their lease arrangement. This article paid. discusses to terms you A hunting lease should address and agreement should include in your hunting always identify both the lease agreement. landowner, known in legal terms as the “lessor,” Put in in Writing and the hunter, known First and foremost, your as the “lessee.” The hunting lease agreement land subject to the lease should be in writing. For should be described in as one obvious reason, what much detail as possible, one party promises orally including both common is not easily provable, and legal descriptions whereas a written lease of the land. One way documents every detail to avoid confusion is to of the agreement made. attach a map of the leased The parties, as well as any area as an addendum to Submitted by Colleen Monaghan, Executive Director

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the lease. This map can depict the roads and points of entry that the lessee is permitted to use, as well as areas where the lessee may clean animal carcasses or dispose of refuse.

A hunting lease should clearly define the durational term of the lease, whether it be monthly, annual, or otherwise. It should also specify whether the agreement automatically renews at the end of each lease term, or whether the parties must proactively agree to renew the lease in advance. The lease should detail how much cash rent is due, at what interval, and by what form of payment. The landowner may consider asking for a security deposit up front, which may be used to cover any expenses in repairing damages caused during the lease.

Additional Considerations The most effective way to avoid disputes is to make the hunting lease agreement as detailed as possible with respect to which activities are or are not permissible for each party. In addition to the basics, you may consider

including the following in your lease: • The species of animals that may be hunted; • The number of each species that may be hunted; • The types of weapons that the lessee may use; • Whether the lessee may bring guests, and the number of guests permitted; • Whether the lessee may construct improvements (e.g., hunting blinds, tree stands); • Whether the lessee may use hunting dogs; • Whether the lessee may use any facilities on the leased land (e.g., sheds, bunks); • What kind of vehicles the lessee may bring, and where those vehicles may be driven; • Whether the lessee can transfer the lease to another party without permission; • Potential damages owed if either party violates the terms of the agreement; • What happens if there is a natural disaster that makes the land unsuitable for hunting; • What happens if the landowner wants to sell the land; and • When and how either party can end the lease

agreement.

and when you are allowed to enter the leased area, for what purposes, and Preparing for Disputes with what kind of notice to While the primary goal of the lessee. Furthermore, a hunting lease agreement if you have already leased out your land to another it to avoid any disputes party for another use between the parties, (e.g., agricultural, mining, a secondary goal is to or drilling), or if you roadmap what should have plans to do so in the happen in the event that future, the lease should a dispute nevertheless specify this as well. arises. To that end, a hunting lease should include the parties’ wishes As the landowner, you regarding the means to should also consider how resolve any potential to (1) prevent injury or disputes. This includes damage caused by the whether the parties lessee’s activities on plan to use alternative your land, and (2) protect dispute resolution (e.g., yourself from liability in mediation or arbitration), the event that any such which court will have injury or damage occurs. jurisdiction over any One way to minimalize legal proceedings, which injury or damage is to state’s laws will apply include provisions in your when interpreting the lease agreement ensuring agreement, and whether that the lessee is properly parties will be allowed to licensed to use firearms recover any reasonable and to hunt, that the attorneys’ fees incurred in lessee follows appropriate a dispute. firearm safety, that the lessee does not engage in hazardous activities such Tips for the Landowner as drinking while hunting, and that the lessee follows If you are the landowner, all applicable state and there are a few things federal laws. The hunting you should keep in mind lease agreement should before signing a hunting contain a provision lease agreement. First, informing the lessee make sure that the lease that he or she assumes agreement preserves the risks of hunting and your right to use the land is responsible for any in any way that you intend harm resulting therefrom. to during the course of the The agreement can also lease term. For example, require that the lessee the lease should specify if purchase insurance to Extension Connection

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cover the costs of any injury or damage, and it can provide that the lessee will indemnify— i.e., pay back—the landowner for any costs resulting from injury or damage caused by lessee’s activities on the land.

Keep in mind that a hunting lessee may be spending more time on your land than you do.

To that end, it may be in your interest for the lease to include certain responsibilities for the lessee in the supervision of your land. For example, a hunting lease agreement can contain provisions holding the lessee responsible for reporting or preventing certain hazards, such as wildfires or the presence of trespassers.

Tips for the Hunter If you plan to lease someone else’s land, it is important that you inspect the area in advance of signing an agreement to make sure that the leased area meets your expectations and is suitable for your hunting needs. Read the lease closely and make note of the ways in which the lessor may continue to use the land during the course of the hunting lease.

Finally, use caution in bringing guests with you Page 10

to hunt on the leased land, as you may be liable for any damage or injury that your guests cause.

New York Office: 535 Fifth Avenue, 4th Floor New York, NY 10017

Final Thoughts

212-427-2049

cari@rinckerlaw.com Whether you are a landowner planning to www.rinckerlaw.com lease your property for hunting purposes, or a hunter hoping to lease land, it is important to understand that lease agreements are binding contracts with significant consequences. Given the variables at stake, hunting leases should be carefully tailored for the unique needs of each party involved. It is advisable for either party to hire an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction to help craft or review a suitable hunting lease agreement.

At a minimum, consider reviewing this article with your counterparty to ensure that your hunting lease agreement will address all salient subjects and avoid future costly disputes.

For more information contact: Cari Rincker, Esq. Rincker Law, PLLC Licensed in IL, NY, NJ, CT, KY, TX and DC Illinois Office: 301 N. Neil Street, Suite 400 Champaign, IL 61820

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Source: Rincker, Cari. “More that a Handshake: Negotiating and Drafting an Effective Hunting Lease for Your Farm and Ranch,” Rincker Law PLLC. July 18, 2022. Accessed July 19, 2022. https:// rinckerlaw.com/.

CCE Sullivan Spotlights

Staff Spotlight KATIE ROSE LUGAUER Meet our new 4-H Program Coordinator, Katie Lugauer!

Katie grew up on Long Island and moved to Roscoe during high school. Always a horse person, Katie could always be found at the barn. Katie graduated from SUNY Sullivan with an associate degree in Nursing and has worked in the medical field throughout Covid. Katie has been a 4-Her in Delaware County, a horseback riding instructor, a 4-H leader in Sullivan County, as well as Secretary of the Sullivan County Horse Council. Katie can be found spending time with her multitude of animals, Chad an Off the Track Thoroughbred, Baby a Paint pony, Cookie the rabbit, and Macy a Jack Russell Terrier puppy.

Building Spotlight NEW ADA ACCESSIBLE BATHROOM The two small bathroom stalls on the lower level of the Extension Education Center have been renovated using USDA grant funding into one fully ADA/wheelchair accessible family and gender-neutral bathroom. This renovation was part of CCE’s wider capital project to update the building and grounds including constructing an ADA parking lot, an ADA accessible teaching kitchen with state-of-the-art technology, on-brand color pallets, energy efficient facility upgrades, new security features, a sensory garden, new signage on the Turtle Spring Fitness & Nature Trail, and more to come.

Peter did a great job!

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August Focus: Fast Facts, Cool Tools, & News to Use

on! s a e S r i a F s i t s Augu

The first state fair was held in 1841 in Syracuse, New York.

It was a two-day affair at the end of September attended by somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 people.

“You have to make sure; your fair week is all about fun, laughter, rides and lights.”

-Unknown Page 12

The New York State Fair is the home of the hot beef sundae , created to substitute for the ice cream sundae.

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If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days, you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee.

DID YOU K Your brai NOW…. n about thr weighs e pounds, b e two poun ut over is water! ds of that By the time your grandmother is 72 years old, her heart will have chalked up over two-anda-half BILLION beats!

If you were freeze dried, like coffee, 90% of your weight would be the real you, and 10% would be the little critters that call your body their home.

Every time you lick a stamp, you are consuming 1/10 of a calorie.

On average people fe ar spiders more than they do d eath.

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In ancient Egypt, Priests plucked EVERY hair from their bodies, including their eyebrows and eyelashes.

Source: Fleitas, Joan.“Amazing facts about the human body...” Lehman.edu. Lehman College, 2007.

Accessed July 14, 2022. https://www.lehman. edu/faculty/jfleitas/bandaides/bodies.html.

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YEAR ONE’S SUCCESS CREATING HEALTHY SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES Submitted by SueAnn Boyd, Healthy Schools Program Coordinator

SueAnn Boyd, Healthy Schools Coordinator & Bee Moser, SNAP-ED Nutritionist collaborated with the Fallsburg Central School District Wellness Committee to create a place for children to get physical activity before, during and after school.

Well done ladies!

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SENIORS AND PETS: SOME CONSIDERATIONS • Those with pets often develop healthy exercise routines. After all, Fido has to be walked Adopting a pet, no matter regularly. how old we are, is a • Seniors report a renewed major life commitment. sense of purpose when Seniors may wonder how having a pet. A furry they will care for their companion must be pets as they age and cared for and a person if it is wise to continue may feel needed. having a pet. This is a Nothing says you are very personal decision needed more than a based on many factors friendly purr and nudge for which there is no “one to get up and feed me size fits all” answer.

NOW. What we do know is • Certain pets may provide that owning a pet is security. A barking dog physically and mentally may deter an intruder beneficial, no matter from attempting to enter how old you are. Studies a home uninvited, even if show that just 15 minutes the bark originates with of bonding with a pet a five-pound chihuahua. can reduce levels of the Most thieves do not fight or flight hormone want anything to draw cortisol and increase attention or alert others levels of the feel-good to their presence. hormone serotonin. This • Having a pet often result may immediately result in increased social in a decrease in blood interactions. Trips to pressure, heart rate, and the vet, the groomer, stress. Over the long pet store, walks in the term, these interactions park, etc. all increase the may have a beneficial opportunity for social effect on cholesterol interactions. levels, improve depression, and may In addition to the even fight heart disease positives, there are other and stroke. factors that Seniors should consider when Six Major Reasons to deciding on having a pet.

Adopt a Pet Pet ownership can be costly. Studies estimate • Having a pet is calming the average first-year and may reduce anxiety cost of dog ownership and stress. to be approximately • Pet ownership provides $800.00. The maintenance companionship and include feeding helps reduce loneliness. costs the animal, preventative Submitted by Patricia Avery, Caregiver Resource Center Program Coordinator

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vaccinations, illness/vet bills, and grooming to name a few. The physical needs of a pet should also be considered along with any limitations a senior may have in meeting them. Is the senior able to walk the dog, bend and lift cat litter or food bowls?

Many of us have heard the stories or have had friends or relatives that have fallen over their much-loved pet. Falls are a significant concern for seniors as a fracture may be life-changing or even life-limiting for some.

It is estimated that over 86,000 falls each year are attributable to tripping over a pet.

After consideration is given to each individual’s unique situation, and the decision to move forward with pet adoption is made, the next question becomes what type of pet? Senior pets, defined as 8 years old or older, may be a good fit. Typically, a Senior pet is calmer, may be housebroken, and generally prefers a quieter home. Many organizations offer special programs for Seniors to adopt Senior pets which have reduced fees for adoption.

For those for whom a pet may not be the best option, many senior centers and care centers offer pet therapy Page 17

programs. Specially trained pets are brought in to interact with the Senior participants.

Locally, the Office for Aging has sponsored an animatronic pet distribution program for Seniors with dementia or cognitive impairments.

Lifelike cats or puppies that meow, move, or bark, are provided at no cost to the Senior. The animatronic pet provides the opportunity to hold and interact with a “pet.”

Adopting and caring for robotic pets results in benefits similar to those provided by real pets. For additional information on this program contact Pat Avery, Caregiver Resource Center at 845292-6180, ext.122. or the Sullivan County Office for Aging at 845-807-0241.

(Animatronic pets are distributed as available.)

Source: “Seniors and Pets,” AginginPlace.org.

July 18, 2022. Accessed July 20, 2022. https://aginginplace.org/seniors-andpets/.

Takahashi, Linda. “Best Robot Pets for Dementia for 2022,” robotpetfriends. com. March 18, 2022. Accessed July 20, 2022. https://www.robotpetfriends.com/ best-robot-pets-for-dementia/.

Ballinger, Barbara. “The Healing Power of Pets for Seniors,” AgingCare.com. July 18, 2022. Accessed July 20, 2022. https:// www.agingcare.com/Articles/benefitsof-elderly-owning-pets-113294.htm.

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Sullivan Launches 988 Suicide and Crisis Line For those experiencing a mental health crisis, or having thoughts of suicide, help is now available 24/7/365 by dialing 988.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and its chatbased counterpart, www.988lifeline.org, will be able to: • Connect people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis to a trained counselor who can address their immediate needs and help connect them to ongoing care.

• Reduce health care spending with more costeffective early intervention.

• Reduce use of law enforcement, public health, and other safety resources.

• Meet the growing need for crisis intervention.

• Help end stigma toward those seeking or accessing mental healthcare.

The 988 Lifeline is now available across NYS and offers a critical link to mental health and substance use services. Public Safety Commissioner Tom Farney notes “People should also continue to feel welcome to call 911 if a lifethreatening emergency is at hand.”

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4-H STATE QUALIFYING HORSE SHOW Submitted by Barbara Moran, 4-H Youth Development Program Manager

Each year different levels of young equestrians from Cloverbuds to Seniors compete in the 4-H State Qualifying Horse Show.The events consist of both Hunt Seat and Western classes, giving Junior and Senior riders a chance to qualify to compete at the New York State Fair. The Sullivan County Horse Program is offered year round to both horse and non-horse owners.

Congratulations to all those who participated in this year’s show!

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SULLIVAN FRESH FARMERS MARKET SCHEDULE AND CURRENCY

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Notify CCE Sullivan if you have a change of address: 845-292-6180 sullivan@cornell.edu