February Extension Connection 2017

USPS-525-100

Extension Connection

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

Save the Date

Cornell Country BBQ & Live Auction Nobody does BBQ Chicken like Cornell!

VOLUME LXXXXVIII NO. 2

Hand crafted hats, scarves, mittens, and crochet dolls were donated to children in Nepal as part of the CCESC Intergenerational Textile Group’s 2016 community service project. PC: Kidstown International

Take Out or Stay In!

Upcoming U pcoming Events Events & Programs Programs WIC Vegetable & Fruit Webinar Farm Law 101 We Connect Global Citizenship

FEBRUARY 2017

Issue Issue Highlights Highlights Hay Storage Considerations: Don’t Waste It! New Type of Squash Reveals Ripeness

Farm Fa rm to to fork fork dinner, din d inne ner, r, live lliv ive e music, musi mu sic, c, and and the the best bes b estt auction au auct ctio ion n experiences expe ex peri rien ence ces s the the Catskills Cats Ca tski kill lls s have have to to offer! offe offer! r!

Save Energy, Save Dollars

Join us on Saturday, September 16, 2017

FSMA & GAP Grower Training

Is Your Refrigerator Running?

How to Catch It!

Raise a Puppy, Save a Life!

Wellness for Adults

FAMACHA Certification

Aging in Place among Rural Adults

at the the Extension Ext E xten ensi sion on Education Edu E duca cati tion on Center, Cen C ente ter, r, 64 64 Ferndale-Loomis Fern Fe rnda dale le-L -Loo oomi mis s Road, Road Ro ad,, Liberty Li Libe bert rty y

Pheasant Chick Order Deadline Sullivan Worksite Wellness Coordinator Training See page 12 for more events!

CCE Sullivan Spotlights See page 14 for Fast Facts and a Valentine’s Day recipe you’ll love!

Welcome W elcome to to the the Issue!

Issue!

Table Table of of Contents Contents

Page 3 Letter from the Executive Director

Page 8 The Benefits of Water Consumption

Page 14 February Focus: Fast Facts, Cool Tools, & News to Use!

Page 4 Hay Storage Considerations: Don’t Waste It!

Page 9 Positive Interactions - A Balance of Social & Physical Responses

Page 16 In Case You Missed It

Page 10 Keeping It Safe: Aging in Place among Rural Adults

Page 20 CCE Sullivan Spotlights

Page 5 Let Mobile Apps Make Life Easier Page 6 New Type of Squash Reveals Ripeness Page 7 Is Your Refrigerator Running? How to Catch It! Page 8 Wellness for Adults

Page 11 Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing & Skilled Therapy Services Page 12 Upcoming Events & Programs

Page 18 Upcoming Events & Programs Page 22 Opportunities for You Page 24 Sponsorships Page 26 Last Member Exchange Page 28 Save the Date: BBQ

The Extension Connection (USPS-525-100) is published monthly for $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.

REGULAR OFFICE HOURS 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday-Friday Phone: 845-292-6180 Fax: 845-292-4946 Website: www.sullivancce.org E-mail: sullivan@cornell.edu Twitter.com/ccesullivan Facebook.com/ccesullivan Instagram.com/cce_sullivan_county

2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Donna Willi..............................President Robert Kaplan..................Vice President John Kiefer...............................Secretary Dawn Boyes.............................Treasurer Amy Erlwein Pamela Fisk Christopher Gozza Sonja Hedlund John “JP” Lang Earl Myers Klu Padu Luisa Parker Glenn Pontier Terri Ward

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EXTENSION CONNECTION Edited by: Nicole Slevin & Colleen Monaghan Designed by: Centermost Marketing, LLC Produced by: Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County 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 advertisements for the Extension Connection.

STAFF MEMBERS Colleen Monaghan............................................................................Executive Director SueAnn Boyd......................................................................Healthy Schools Coordinator Wanda Cruz..............................................................Healthy Communities Coordinator Emily Devore.............................................................Healthy Communities Coordinator Dayna Gaeta.........................................................Community Horticulture Coordinator Marylin Jones..........................................................................4-H Program Coordinator Bonnie Lewis..........................................................................Dependent Care Educator Michelle Lipari..................................................................................Ag & 4-H Educator Vincent LoCascio..................................................ESNY Community Nutrition Educator Erica Lynch.......................................................................Catskills Kitchen Coordinator Melinda Meddaugh.....................................................Ag & Food Systems Team Leader Barbara Moran....................................................4-H Animal Science Program Educator Nicole Slevin.........................................................................Communications Manager Kaitlyn Smith............................................................Administrative & Program Assistant Tara VanHorn.......................................................................................Finance Manager Sean Welsh..........................Energy & Consumer Educator and Operations Coordinator John Wilcox.......................................................................Building & Grounds Manager

Extension Connection

February 2017

Dear Friends of Extension: Happy New Year, Sullivan County! I’m so happy to thank CCE Communications Manager, Nicole Slevin and designing consultant, Lindsay Wilcox for their amazing work on reformatting the Extension Connection newsletter. Every month many hours go into creating this mail-based resource for our members. This new template will save time that can be used to provide more timely follow up on the hundreds of inquiries a month we receive. You’ll notice the newsletter sponsors are highlighted in one place instead of dispersed throughout the publication. We think this is great because you no longer have to dig through the articles to find those supporters. If you or a business you know would like to be on that spread too, all you need to do is reach out to us at 845-292-6180 or sullivan@cornell.edu for monthly rates.

You’ll also notice that February is the last month for the Member Exchange at the backend of the newsletter. We did a survey about half-way through last year and the majority of our members, while they often use the Exchange, thought it would be a good idea to fill the page with more educational articles and opportunities for people to take classes or engage with CCE. Even though there will be no more Member Exchange in the Extension Connection, CCE still has the community bulletin board in the lobby of the Extension Education Center and folks can post their business cards, flyers, and “for sale” items in that space any time. Just stop in to see us if you’ve got something to post!

To close 2016, Andy Turner, director of NYS 4-H helped us celebrate a new state and local strategic plan for the 4-H Youth Development program; bade farewell to two outgoing board members, Steve Mogel and Janet Threshman, who have served Extension with passion and excellence; welcomed two new board members, John Kiefer and JP Lang; and got us ready to welcome two new staffers to the Extension team. The new 4-H Animal Science Program Coordinator, Barbara Moran, comes to us part-time with decades of experience in livestock, animal science, and youth development and is looking forward to growing volunteer support and educational clinics that can enhance 4-H independent and club members’ experiences with their animals throughout the year, including at fair. See more on Barbara in the Staff Spotlight section of this issue.

This week, we also welcome Malinda Ware as the Health and Community Development Program Leader. Malinda will provide program direction and leadership for staff in the Nutrition & Healthy Families, and Community & Economic Vitality program areas. We’re looking forward to having another partner in our work to reach out to underserved folks in the county.

We’re also looking forward to bringing back some events and activities we’ve done in the past. Look out for the good ‘ol Cornell Chicken Barbeque this year, as well as the 9th Annual Garden Tour, formerly hosted by SullivanArc and graciously handed over to CCE’s Horticulture and Master Gardener Volunteer Programs, in partnership with Sullivan Renaissance.

With a new cohort of Master Gardener Volunteers graduating next month, we’re looking forward to responding to Helpline calls a little quicker, and having 18 more boots on the ground to respond to community requests for horticulture talks and workshops for both the English and Spanish speaking communities.

Ag & Food Systems work kicked-off with Farm Law 101 training, and we’re consistently seeing 30-60 participants in related workshop offerings. We hope to keep that interest growing through another beginning farmer series and support continue to the Catskills Food Hub, farmers’ markets, and small scale food processors in the Catskills Kitchen.

With 2016 being a good year with staff setting the foundation for program growth, as executive director I need to turn my sights back to the Capital Improvements Plan and Campaign. The 2015 investment from the Gerry Foundation, NYS Dormitory Authority, and a few special private donors was just the beginning to ensuring the Extension Education Center is a warm, safe, accessible experiential learning facility for the next 50 years. With another $300,000 in high priority projects to be completed, including the ongoing replacement of the heating, ventilation, and cooling systems in the building and complete replacement of the parking lot and sidewalks, we have an urgent situation. We are down to one fully accessible entrance to the building and as our program participants increase, it is challenging to ensure safe entry for mobility impaired individuals. If you have leads or resources to help us reach this fundraising goal, please reach out to me directly.

As always, thank you for your faith in and support of Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County. I am so pleased that we have been able to grow our capacity to bring you quality, research-based solutions and programming to the Sullivan County community and we look forward to continuing to do so in 2017.

Until next month, stay warm and stop in to see us soon.

Warm Regards,

Colleen Monaghan, Executive Director, cm638@cornell.edu

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Extension Connection

February 2017

HAY STORAGE CONSIDERATIONS: DON’T WASTE IT! Submitted by Michelle Lipari, Ag & 4-H Educator Now may be a good time to think about hay storage. In some parts of the Northeast, haymaking has been tough due to the drought conditions. Make sure you put more thought into storage so less waste will occur.

Large bales are a convenient form of hay for one-person operations. These bales can be moved, stored, and fed relatively easily with the right equipment. Hay loss can occur when baling, moving and feeding so some loss is unavoidable.

The biggest loss – both dry matter and digestibility – occurs with outdoor storage. Dry matter loss can reach 50% depending on the beginning quality, storage conditions and length of storage.

It is not always realistic or practical to build a barn to store hay. Below are some tips to minimize waste from outdoor storage.

Hay that has been tightly baled tends to shed water better. The outer layer forms a thatch to reduce water infiltration. What helps with shedding precipitation is placing the bales lined up tightly together end to end. Pick a site that has good ventilation, away from hedgerows and wooded areas. This gives bales a better chance to dry out from air movement.

LOSSES OF HAY STORED USING 6 METHODS

Type of Storage On ground, no cover On tires, no cover On ground, covered On tires, covered Net wrap on ground In barn Row spacing of at least 3 feet for good air flow and sunlight penetration is an excellent strategy. It’s also a good idea to keep vegetation mowed between rows.

Ideally, bales should be stored off the ground. Hay stored directly on the ground may lose up to 12 inches on the bottom of the bales due to wicking action. Find some waste material such as old fence posts, pallets or tires and place the bales on top. Gravel or stone may work too.

Research was conducted by University of Tennessee animal scientists comparing different methods of storing large round bales of grass hay on operations in the state. The hay was cut and baled in June.

The bales were weighed at the time of harvest and storage. Then they were weighed again the following January at the time of winter feeding.

The table above lists the type of storage and the resulting percentage hay loss.

Note the difference between storage in the barn and on tires, covered. Some small changes can make a big difference!

Plastic tarps can be relatively inexpensive when the saving from reducing loss is calculated.

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Extension Connection

February 2017

% Hay Loss 37% 29% 29% 8% 19% 6%

Source: Adapted from Nancy Glazier, Northwest NY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team

DHI Report Sullivan County December 2016 Herdcode HERDOWNER

SAMPLE NO. TYPE BREED COWS

21470096 BRANDON PETERS DAIRY

DHI-AP

H

102.6 21391

764

678

21470120 J&E WEISSMANN FARMS

DHIR-AP H

44.4 20607

745

628

21470146 THONY'S DAIRY

DHI-AP

H

58.0 18829

747

600

21470374 WEISSMANN MSHORTHORNS DHIR-AP M

16.0 17794

633

551

21470021 GLASSEL, ROBERT

DHI-AP

H

51.5 17587

640

546

21475167 SWAN LAKE DAIRY

DHI-AP

X

.

.

MILK FAT PROTEIN

.

.

DHI Report Sullivan County November 2016 Herdcode HERDOWNER

SAMPLE NO. TYPE BREED COWS

21470096 BRANDON PETERS DAIRY

DHI-AP

H

102.5 21469

773

679

21470120 J&E WEISSMANN FARMS

DHIR-AP H

43.6 20875

757

636

21470146 THONY'S DAIRY

DHI-AP

H

57.9 18925

752

603

21470021 GLASSEL, ROBERT

DHI-AP

H

51.5 17587

640

546

21470374 WEISSMANN MSHORTHORNS DHIR-AP M

16.3 17618

631

546

.

.

21475167 SWAN LAKE DAIRY

DHI-AP

X

.

MILK FAT PROTEIN

.

LET MOBILE APPS MAKE LIFE EASIER

NYCAMH NOW ACCEPTING FOR JOHN MAY FARM SAFETY FUND

Submitted by Melinda Meddaugh, Ag & Food Systems Team Leader Consider these 10 mobile apps as a foundation for using your smartphone as a tool to make you more efficient, productive, and profitable.

Who can apply?

1. Commodity Prices | Track corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, lean hogs, live cattle, feeder cattle, and more. The app has a clean interface and is simple to operate. As one Android Market reviewer commented, it is “dead-on right all day, every day”.

2. Cash Grain Bids | Simply input your ZIP code to find out cash bids and base levels in your area. Get bids from the five elevators closest to you.

The program is geared towards smaller farms of all commodities.

Awardees must meet the following eligibility requirements: 1. Resident of New York State 2. Active farmer (part-time or full-time)

3. Weather Underground | There are many weather apps, and this one holds up as well as any of them. Lots of information is available, including temperature, visibility, and humidity. View hourly and seven-day forecasts, too.

3. Annual farm gross receipts are $10,000 – $100,000 OR dairy farm has fewer than 400 milking cows.

4. USDA News Reader | Create your own news feeds, learn about recovery plans and programs, and easily navigate the massive US Department of Agriculture website in a mobile-friendly environment.

What types of projects are applicable?

5. Virtual Farm Manager | This subscription-based service helps you store, view, and log information about your fields. There are many other management apps; this one is notable because it was developed by farmers Jacob Fannik of Max, ND, and Ryan Raguse of Wheaton, Minn.

6. SoilWeb | USDA–National Resources Conservation Service soil survey information at the touch of a button. The app works with your phone’s GPS receiver to identify soil properties anywhere in the lower 48 states where there is cell phone coverage.

7. MyTraps | This subscription-based service allows farmers and consultants to place insect traps wherever they want and then track the movement of insect pests across their fields throughout the season. This provides data that helps users to more accurately target their insecticide applications to areas where there are concentrated populations.

8. Livestock Manager | A lot of mobile apps are targeted to livestock producers. This particular one allows users to track various information about their animals, including parentage, transport information, medicine administration, and more.

9. Agrian Mobile | View product labels and material safety data sheets for more than 8,000 crop protection products. Browse usage rates, pre-harvest and re-entry intervals, worker safety information, and more.

10. Mix Tank 2.0 | Calculate the proper mixing order of tank mix. After determining the tank-mix parameters, you can create field notes on volume per acre, nozzle type, etc., for records.

Source: USDA.gov Page 5

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February 2017

Any project that directly improves safety on the farm will be reviewed.

Some examples include but are not limited to: 1. The purchase and installation of equipment to improve animal handling safety 2. Repairing or replacing broken or outdated machinery that poses a safety risk 3. Repairing or replacing faulty electrical systems 4. Making necessary changes to operations to become OSHA compliant 5. Adding or replacing worn out safety signage

Applications may be submitted at any time and may be obtained online at http://www.nycamh.org/ programs/john-may-farm-safetyfund/ or by calling NYCAMH at 800-343-7527

NEW TYPE OF SQUASH REVEALS RIPENESS Submitted by Dayna Gaeta, Community Hort. Coordinator

Honeynut squash H h PC: PC Emily E il Rodekohr R d k h How do you know when squash is at its ripest and tastiest? Most vegetables offer a unique hint. Bananas turn a summery yellow. Peaches are soft but not too squishy. Squash, however, is an anomaly in that it shows no exterior sign of ripeness.

At least it didn’t until Michael Mazourek, assistant professor in plant breeding and genetics, bred one into it.

All it took was a little color.

With his new honeynut squash, it’s now possible to see where an individual squash is in its eight-week ripening process. Beginning as a bright green color, like a zucchini, and then — depending on temperature, sunlight, and other factors — it turns orange in the last couple weeks, signaling it has achieved peak flavor and nutrition.

The ripeness indicator he bred into the squash will allow consumers to see on the outside just when the squash is at its ripest.

cooked right, and it’s ripe.”

This mini-butternut has more color, sweetness, and fine texture than any butternut squash on the market, according to Mazourek. Commercially, the squash really took off last year, and now it can be found at farmers’ markets and national retailers.

The roots of Mazourek’s squash reach back to the 1980s at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, where Richard W. Robinson, professor emeritus of horticulture, crossed a buttercup and a butternut squash. Although the resulting vegetable never made it to market, this research was continued years later by Mazourek’s predecessor and adviser, Molly Jahn, professor of plant breeding and plant biology, who made a dedicated push to get university-created products out to seed companies and consumers.

Mazourek was able to refine this honeynut squash after soliciting feedback from growers, most significantly chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill, a leading farm-totable restaurant in New York City, who has been a frequent collaborator. Rather than steaming squash, Barber prefers to roast it until it caramelizes. This procedure unlocked new flavors that Mazourek then sought to capture.

Since joining Cornell in 2008, Mazourek has been a leading innovator in a movement to breed vegetables that appeal to the palate. The result, he said, is better tasting vegetables that encourage people to eat more nutritious food.

For the infrequent squash eater, this change may make all the difference.

“This really shows plants can be unique, exciting, and have different flavors,” Mazourek said. “There’s so much variation out there in plants and food, and we’re really just skimming the surface.”

“We’re trying to help people have healthier diets,” Mazourek said. “Usually when we have people do the taste test, they say they’ve never had squash like this before — what’s the secret? Well, it’s

Source: David Nutt, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences https://cals.cornell.edu/news/ color-changing-squash-reveals-ripeness

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February 2017

Curried urried Squash Sq Squas Apple Soup Yield: 4 servings • 4 Tablespoons butter • 1 Cup p chopped Vidalia or sweet onion • 1 Small apple, pp ((Braeburn or Granny y Smith), peeled, cored, chopped • 2 Cloves garlic, crushed • 1 Teaspoon curry powder • 1/2 Teaspoon salt coriander (crushed • 1/4 Teaspoon p with mortar and pestel) • 1/8 Teaspoon crushed red pepper • 2 Cups p chicken broth, or water (can use vegetable broth) • 1 Cup apple cider • 2 Cups p p pumpkin p or butternut squash puree • 1 Cup light cream or half and half • 1/4 Cup maple syrup

1. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium high heat. Add onion, apple, and garlic and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add curry powder, salt, coriander, and red pepper; cook for 1 minute.

2. Add broth, cider and boil gently, uncovered for 15-20 minutes.

3. Stir in pumpkin, cream, and maple syrup; cook gently for 5 minutes.

4. Blend in pot with hand blender (stick blender). If you don’t have one, transfer to food processor or blender to puree soup. Return back to pot and simmer gently. DO NOT BOIL. 5. Ladle soup in bowls, serve piping hot.

Enjoy!

Substitutions: Any squash or pumpkin works (even canned). Pears can replace apples. Coconut or almond milk, or plain yogurt, can be substituted for the cream/half & half.

IS YOUR REFRIGERATOR RUNNING? HOW TO CATCH IT! Submitted by Sean Welsh, Energy and Consumer Educator Since your refrigerator is on all the time, it is a great appliance to take a hard look at to make sure it’s running as efficiently as possible. Even if you aren’t able to replace your existing refrigerator with a new model, there are some things you can do to help your refrigerator run more efficiently. Below are some energy saving ideas: • Check the Temperature | For energy savings and food safety, experts state that ideal home refrigerator/freezer temperature is 37-40 degrees for the refrigerator and 5 degrees for the freezer.

If you have a separate freezer, it should be 0 degrees.

• Allow for Air Circulation | To allow air to circulate around the condenser coils, leave a space between the wall or cabinets and the refrigerator or freezer, and keep the coils clean. This is very important as dust accumulation blocks heat release and makes the compressor run longer.

• Inspect the Door Seals | Loose seals allow for air leakage. Refrigerators without magnetic seals can be checked for tightness using a dollar bill. Close the refrigerator door on a dollar bill so that it is between the seal and the unit. If the bill slides out easily, or falls out, your seal isn’t tight. Be certain to check at the top, sides, and bottom of the door. Door seals can be replaced.

• Consider the Unit’s Location | Position your refrigerator away from heat sources such as a heating vent, an oven, a range, a dishwasher, or direct sunlight from a window. The extra heat will make the compressor work harder.

More importantly, there must be adequate circulation around the compressor and condensing coil so that heat can escape.

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• Defrost Regularly | Manual defrost models use less energy than automatic defrost; however, in order to keep them running at maximum efficiency they should be defrosted regularly. When ice builds up inside the unit, it causes the compressor to run longer in order to keep the unit cool.

• Minimize Openings | Opening and closing the refrigerator and freezer door allows cool air to escape. Know what you are going to get out of the refrigerator/ freezer before opening. Encourage this behavior with family members as well.

• Consider Food Storage | A full freezer operates more efficiently than one that isn’t. When storing foods, make certain they are in tightly covered containers and allow foods and liquids to cool before putting in the refrigerator/freezer.

• Drinking Water | Use your water feature instead of drinking bottled water.

It will save you money and help the environment at the same time.

LTC OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM SEEKS NYS VOLUNTEERS The LTC Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) is dedicated to ensuring that residents in long term care facilities have good care and are treated with dignity. Being an Ombudsman volunteer is both challenging and rewarding.

Volunteers receive extensive training to advocate for, educate, and empower family members and residents living in nursing homes, assisted living, and family type homes. They can make a big difference in the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

• Rethink the 2nd Refrigerator | Many families have a second refrigerator, usually located in a utility room, basement, or garage. While a second refrigerator may come in handy on occasion, it can be expensive to run -- especially if it is an older model.

Think carefully about what you store in this refrigerator and determine if the extra storage for the items is worth the additional yearly cost ($100 or more) of running the unit.

The LTCOP is seeking volunteers who can contribute a minimum of two hours a week to help residents in facilities, in their communities. The Hudson Valley LTCOP currently has volunteer opportunities in Dutchess, Ulster, Orange, Sullivan, Columbia, and Greene counties.

If you are interested in other cost saving appliance and home energy efficiency suggestions, register for the next Save Energy, Save Dollars class on Feb 16.

To volunteer in another area of New York State, please go to the “Who is My Ombudsman” page on the NYS LTC Ombudsman Program’s website: http://www. ltcombudsman.ny.gov/whois/ index.cfm.

Source: (www.extension.org) Retrieved from http://articles.extension.org/ pages/29114/how-to-increase-theefficiency-of-your-home-refrigerator, on January 11, 2017.

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February 2017

To volunteer in the Hudson Valley, please call 845-229-4680 or email Gloria@hudsonvalleyltcop.org.

WELLNESS FOR ADULTS Submitted by SueAnn Boyd, Healthy Schools Coordinator

For healthy aging, regular physical activity is vital. It can help delay, prevent, or manage many costly chronic diseases faced by adults 50 years or older. Physical activity can also reduce the risk of

premature death. Despite these benefits, 31 million adults age 50 or older are inactive. Adults who cannot meet Physical Activity Guidelines (e.g., 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week) should be as active as their abilities or conditions allow. Getting any amount of physical activity still offers some health benefits. Some is better than none.

Helping inactive people become more active is an important step towards better health. Communities that offer design enhancements and healthy lifestyle programs create a culture that supports physical activity for everyone. Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC) at Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County works with local officials and school districts to design environments where it is safe and easy for people of all ages and abilities to be active. We encourage our communities to open and promote activity in schools, on walking

trails, and at our parks.

What else can we do to increase activity in our lives? Everyone can be physically active with friends, family, and work colleagues on a regular basis. Create a worksite wellness team with your coworkers and start counting your steps.

Serve up cheese and crackers instead of cookies. Or start a biggest loser contest, or weekly lunch potluck to experiment with healthy meals.

For more ideas about how to promote wellness in your work, community, or organization, contact us at 845-292-6180.

Sources: CDC.gov, Cornell University, Concepts of Fitness and Wellness, Charles Corbin

THE BENEFITS OF WATER CONSUMPTION Submitted by Emily Devore, Healthy Communities Coordinator Consuming water is known to be important, but what benefits does it have to one’s health? Water helps the body in numerous ways. Just a few of those benefits are water’s ability to keep body temperature normal, lubricate and cushion joints, prevent dehydration, and help the body remove wastes through different methods. Adequate water intake throughout the day is beneficial to overall health, and there are ways in which individuals and groups can increase daily water consumption.

Small, sustainable actions individuals can make include infusing water with fruits and/or vegetables to improve appearance and taste, carrying a water bottle, choosing water above sugar-sweetened beverages, and eating food with a high water content such as tomatoes and Page 8

melons. Worksites may also serve water at meetings to provide employees with the option of drinking water over sugarsweetened beverages.

The Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC) team works with worksites, schools, and convenience stores in communities within the Fallsburg, Liberty, and Monticello school districts to increase access to healthier foods and opportunities for physical activity.

The CHSC team may work with business owners and stakeholders through the worksite wellness and convenience store initiatives on ways to increase access to water.

If you would like to learn more about how the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities initiative can increase water intake in your community or worksite, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County office at 845-292-6180 or visit www.sullivancce.org and look for

Extension Connection

February 2017

information under Food & Nutrition.

Sources: Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Plain water, the healthier choice.

Retrieved on January 10, 2017 from https:// www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/ plain-water-the-healthier-choice.html.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Water and Nutrition. Retrieved on January 10, 2017 from https://www.cdc.gov/ healthywater/drinking/nutrition/index. html.

Cornell University Cooperative Extension Sullivan County. Retrieved on January 10, 2017 from http:// sullivancce.org/food-nutrition/ creating-healthy-schools-communities.

Healthy Meeting Hacks. Center for Science in the Public Interest. (August 1, 2016). Retrieved on January 10, 2017 from https://cspinet.org/resource/ healthy-meeting-hacks.

POSITIVE INTERACTIONS – A BALANCE OF SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESPONSES Submitted by Marylin Jones, 4-H Program Coordinator

behaviors”. Even though we may not be aware of danger on a cognitive level, on the neurophysiological level “our body has already started a sequence of neural processes to facilitate adaptive defense behaviors such as fight, flight, or freeze”.

as dangerous rather than pleasant, and a face that is neutral may be judged as angry. However, in a calm state, neutral would be recognized as neutral and as one opens up to engage people, who start reacting back.

or disconnected. This connection even affects the act of listening, a “motor” act that tenses muscles in the middle ear, muscles also regulated by the facial nerve that controls eyelid lifting. When one is interested in what someone is saying, the eyelids lift and simultaneously the middle ear muscles tense. Conversely, in an unfamiliar environment, one may become hypervigilant or withdrawn, with a potential of misreading everything on a conservative level relating to survival. In a conservative state the nervous system evaluates anything that may be neutral

• Do try moving into social relationships instead of away, as a way to reduce slight anxiety.

What determines how human beings act toward each other when they meet? Is the response a product of learning from culture, family experiences, and other In the article, “Don’t talk to me now, socialization processes? Recent scientific I’m scanning for danger - How your With social interactions an integral research has expanded our knowledge nervous system sabotages your ability component to our experience as human of human behavior by identifying a to relate”, Ravi Dykema interviews beings, it is important to understand the neurobiological process programmed Porges to illuminate the science behind biological as well as social influences on into our human DNA that triggers and human adaptive defense behaviors, our system of engagement, to empower affects our responses. The process has and the Polyvagal Theory that Porges us with knowledge in the features we read been identified as neuroception, where developed for understanding human as well as show other people, in our facial neural circuits of human anatomy process response. The vagus, a major nerve of the expression, intonation of voice, head nods, information from the environment through parasympathetic system comprises two and hands movements. the senses, continually TIPS TO FACILITE CALM IN SOCIAL INTERACTIONS: evaluating Some tips to risk and facilite calm - Make eye contact and express with your face. distinguishing in social - Modulate your voice. whether interactions: situations or • Make eye - Adjust your circumstances to feel safer (a quiet place). people are safe, contact.

- Listen to voices, separate them from other sounds. dangerous, or • Express with life threatening. your face.

- Move into social relationships instead of away.

Understanding • Modulate your these voice. physiological • Adjust your responses to environment is an important circumstances to feel safer, e.g., a branches, one of which links to the cranial quieter place. tool in social interactions, particularly in nerves that control facial expression and teaching, caregiving, and working with • Do listen to voices, separate them from vocalization, affecting one’s appearance background sounds. diverse audiences or those with special of being alert and engaged, withdrawn needs.

A leading researcher of neuroception, Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. University of Chicago, notes how the biological process explains why a baby coos at a caregiver but cries at a stranger or why a toddler enjoys a parent’s hug but views hugs from strangers as an assault. Because of our heritage as a species, neuroception takes place in the primitive parts of our brain without our conscious awareness.

The detection of a person as safe or dangerous triggers “neurobiologically determined prosocial or defensive

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Sources: Dykema, Ravi “Don’t talk to me now, I’m scanning for danger” How your nervous system sabotages your ability to relate. Nexus, March/April 2006 Porges, Stephen W. Neuroception: A Subconcious System for Detecting Threats and Safety. Zero to Three, May 2004. (accessed through http://stephenporges. com/index.php/articles-and-interviews)

KEEPING IT SAFE: AGING IN PLACE AMONG RURAL ADULTS Submitted by Bonnie Lewis, RN, Dependent Care Educator Adults aged 65 and older represent the fastest growing age demographic in the United States (West, Cole, Goodkind, & He, 2014). The number of older adults is expected to double to nearly 80 million by 2040 (West et al., 2014). Older adults may require specialized goods and services and those in rural areas are faced with unique challenges. However, many older adults reside outside metropolitan or micropolitan areas (West et al., 2014).

Most older adults prefer to age in place (Keenan, 2010). The term age in place refers to “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2013, “aging in place”).

Successful aging in place can be less costly than formal care. The annual cost of assisted living and long-term care generally ranges from $39,516 to $83,585 (West et al., 2014). With a median income of $21,225 (Administration on Aging, 2014), fewer than 20% of older persons have enough financial resources to live 3 or more years in a formal care setting.

Many more cannot afford even 1 year (West et al., 2014).

Aging in Place and Healthful Homes Aging in place can provide numerous benefits to older adults and their families. Aging in place can help older adults maintain autonomy, reduce cost of living, and improve feelings of social connectedness (Cook, Martin, Yearns, & Damhorst, 2007). The seven principles of healthful housing (US Department of Housing and Urban Development, n.d.) can serve as a template for structuring risk reduction education and help guide aging in place (see Figure 1). For example, consider the principle “keep

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it safe”. Interventions such as removing throw rugs or installing stairway handrails can reduce the risk of falls. Among older adults (those 65 or older), falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries (CDC, 2012). Hospital care resulting from a fall can be costly, averaging $17,086 (CDC, 2009).

Seven Principles of Healthful Housing A research pilot study sought to answer the following question: How do rural older adults sustain a safe and secure living environment? The primary aim was to understand simple ways to improve healthful aging in place. The long-term goal was to assist in creating safe living environments. To achieve these goals, functional capacity/hazard indicators and resources necessary for home safety/ security were assessed.

Economic situations and limited control over life circumstances made participants feel vulnerable. Participants experienced some difficulties in developing living arrangements or lifestyles to fit their needs.

The following home assessment categories were assessed: • Fire hazards/carbon monoxide, electrical/water temperature

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• Emergency medical, disaster preparedness • Flooring/hallways • Kitchen, bedroom, bathroom(s), closets/storage areas • Parking areas, entrances Each home had at least one issue related to electrical, fire, or carbon monoxide poisoning. Issues included: • Lack of fire extinguishers or expired fire extinguishers • Lack of smoke detectors or nonfunctional smoke alarms • Lack of carbon monoxide alarms or nonfunctional carbon monoxide alarms in homes with combustion appliances • Flammables located within 3 ft of fire/ heat sources • Lack of ground fault circuit interrupters on electrical outlets located near water sources, • Overloaded outlets and power strips • Exposed wiring • Excessive grease/clutter on cooktops Each home had at least one issue that increased the risk of falls. Issues included: • Lack of clear space to maneuver within and between rooms; • Clutter in home (furniture and accessories); • Carpeting/rugs that was not secure and/or level; • Lack of grab bars and railings in key locations; • Damaged flooring, sidewalks and parking areas; • Inadequate/insufficient/ineffective lighting (both inside and outside the home); and Each home lacked a 3-day disaster kit, a safety article recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It was suggested that participants consider creating 3-day disaster kits.

This study involved a small number of rural older adults. The small size limits statistical power; associations of causation cannot be made. Aging in place education and resources, older adults may be able to adapt in ways that allow them to be self-reliant and resilient while remaining at home.

Source: Adapted from: Extension Journal, Inc. ISSN 1077-5315

MEDICARE COVERAGE OF SKILLED NURSING AND SKILLED THERAPY SERVICES Submitted by Bonnie Lewis, RN, Dependent Care Educator Accessing physical therapy and other skilled services can be a challenge for nursing home residents, their families, and the advocates who work with them.

Too often, the patient or family is told therapy services are denied or terminated because a determination has been made that the individual is no longer improving or has “plateaued”.

In fact, improvement is not required to obtain Medicare coverage for skilled nursing and skilled therapy services, including physical therapy.

The federal government (CMS) has provided the following for clarification:

1. No “Improvement Standard” is to be applied in determining Medicare coverage for maintenance claims that require skilled care.

2. Medicare has long

recognized that even in situations where no improvement is possible, skilled care may nevertheless be needed for maintenance purposes (e.g., to prevent or slow a decline in condition).

3. The Medicare statute

and regulations have never supported the imposition of an “Improvement Standard” rule in determining whether skilled care is required to prevent or slow deterioration in a patient’s condition.

4. Thus, such coverage

depends not on the beneficiary’s restoration Page 11

potential, but on whether skilled care is required, along with the underlying practicality and necessity of the services themselves.

5. Justification for treatment

would include, for example, objective evidence or a clinically supportable statement of expectation that: In the case of rehabilitative therapy, the patient’s condition has the potential to improve or is improving in response to therapy; maximum improvement is yet to be attained; and, there is an expectation that the anticipated improvement is attainable in a reasonable and generally predictable period of time. In the case of maintenance therapy, the skills of a therapist are necessary to maintain, prevent, or slow further deterioration of the patient’s functional status, and the services cannot be safely and effectively carried out by the beneficiary personally, or with the assistance of nontherapists, including unskilled caregivers.

on the beneficiary’s need for skilled care and not be based on lack of improvement for a beneficiary who requires skilled maintenance nursing services or therapy services as part of a maintenance program in the SNF HH, or OPT [Skilled Nursing Facility, Home Health, or Outpatient] settings.

7. CMS Manual System, Pub 100-02 Medicare Benefit Policy.

Available at https://www.cms. gov/Regulations-andGuidance/ Guidance/Transmittals/ Downloads/R179BP.pdf.

JJUSTIFICATION FOR MEDICARE THERAPY SERVICES: “skills of a therapist p are necessary y to maintain, prevent,, or slow p further deterioration of the patient’s p functional status.”

6. Therefore, denial notices

should contain an accurate summary of the reason for denial, which should be based Extension Connection

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Source: Long Term Care Community Coalition http://www.ltccc. org/publications/documents/

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February Focus: Fast Facts, Cool Tools, & Neews LITTLE KNOWN BLACK HISTORY FACTS

February is National

One in four cowboys was black. It is believed that the real “Lone Ranger” was an African American man named Bass Reeves.

• Black History • Adopt a Rescued Rabbit • American Heart • Chocolate Lover’s • Deaf History • Library Lover’s • Multiple Sclerosis Awareness • Senior Independence • Women’s History

The first licensed African American female pilot was named Bessie Coleman.

Originally established to educate freed slaves to read and write, the first of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities was Cheyney University in Pennsylvania, established in 1837.

The earliest recorded protest against slavery was by the Quakers in 1688.

Month

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. improvised much of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

Source: PBS.org

Temperature can affect appetite.

A cold person is more likely to eat more.

Cornell University endowed the nation's first professorships in American history, musicology, and American literature.

Like snowflakes, no two cows have exactly the same pattern of spots.

Nearly 1/3 of high school students play video or computer games for 3 or more hours on an average school day.

Learn English

Learn Spanish

Entrepreneur, noun

Good morning!

A person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with a considerable amount of risk.

Did you sleep well?

Extension Connection Connecttion i

Sensational Six-Layer Dinner INGREDIENTS 2-3 raw, sliced potatoes (medium size) 2 cups sliced carrots ¼ teaspoon black pepper ½ cup onion, sliced 1 pound 90% lean ground beef, browned and drained 1 ½ cups fresh green beans cut into bite size pieces 1 can of condensed tomato soup *Be Creative: Use peas or corn instead of green beans. Use your favorite cream soup instead of tomato soup.

DIRECTIONS Lightly oil or spray baking dish with cooking spray.

Layer potatoes, carrots, pepper, onion, cooked beef, beans, and soup in order.

Cover.

Bake at 350ºF for 45 minutes or until tender and thoroughly heated.

Uncover and bake 15 more minutes.

Yields about 6 servings

.... . . . . . . . . . . . ¡Buenos días! ¿Durmió bien?

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to Use! Plus a Special Valentine’s Day Recipe

February uary y 2017

Source: https://fnec.cornell.edu/2016/11/03/sensational-six-layer-dinner/ Adapted from Loving Your Family, Feeding Their Future – The Healthy Family Guide Book

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February Focus: Fast Facts, Cool Tools, & N LITTLE KNOWN BLACK HISTORY FACTS

February is National

One in four cowboys was black. It is believed that the real “Lone Ranger” was an African American man named Bass Reeves.

• Black History • Adopt a Rescued Rabbit • American Heart • Chocolate Lover’s • Deaf History • Library Lover’s • Multiple Sclerosis Awareness • Senior Independence • Women’s History

The first licensed African American female pilot was named Bessie Coleman.

Originally established to educate freed slaves to read and write, the first of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities was Cheyney University in Pennsylvania, established in 1837.

The earliest recorded protest against slavery was by the Quakers in 1688.

Month

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. improvised much of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

Source: PBS.org

Temperature can affect appetite.

A cold person is more likely to eat more.

Cornell University endowed the nation's first professorships in American history, musicology, and American literature.

Like snowflakes, no two cows have exactly the same pattern of spots.

Nearly 1/3 of high school students play video or computer games for 3 or more hours on an average school day.

Learn English

Learn Spanish

Entrepreneur, noun

Good morning!

A person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with a considerable amount of risk.

Did you sleep well?

Extension Connection Connecttion i

Sensational Six-Layer Dinner INGREDIENTS 2-3 raw, sliced potatoes (medium size) 2 cups sliced carrots ¼ teaspoon black pepper ½ cup onion, sliced 1 pound 90% lean ground beef, browned and drained 1 ½ cups fresh green beans cut into bite size pieces 1 can of condensed tomato soup *Be Creative: Use peas or corn instead of green beans. Use your favorite cream soup instead of tomato soup.

DIRECTIONS Lightly oil or spray baking dish with cooking spray.

Layer potatoes, carrots, pepper, onion, cooked beef, beans, and soup in order.

Cover.

Bake at 350ºF for 45 minutes or until tender and thoroughly heated.

Uncover and bake 15 more minutes.

Yields about 6 servings

.... . . . . . . . . . . . ¡Buenos días! ¿Durmió bien?

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to Use! Plus a Special Valentine’s Day Recipe

February uary y 2017

Source: https://fnec.cornell.edu/2016/11/03/sensational-six-layer-dinner/ Adapted from Loving Your Family, Feeding Their Future – The Healthy Family Guide Book

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RIGHT TO FARM LAW

4-H SEDA MEETING

MG VOLUNTEER TRAINING

November 30, 2016

December 7

Fridays!

One hundred (100) municipal leaders and farmers joined us to welcome Bob Sommers, from the US Department of Agriculture for a run down on Right to Farm Laws and how municipalities can use the law to support agriculture and good neighbor relations year-round.

4-H WINTER WORKSHOPS December 3 Fifty (50) children came to the Education Center to work with 25 volunteers from the Calico Geese, Liberty Belles, Master Food Preserver Volunteers, Master Gardener Volunteers, 4-H project leaders, and others to create “make-and-take” crafts for the holidays. This annual event books fast and completely every year.

CCE thanks the volunteers who made it possible!

CCESC ANNUAL MEETING December 7 The CCE board of directors, staff, and community members heard from NYS 4-H Director Dr. Andy Turner at the 102nd Annual Meeting. Dr. Turner highlighted the mission and vision of NYS and praised the strategic planning and program efforts of the CCE Sullivan 4-H Youth Development program.

CCE Sullivan hosted the South East District 4-H Association (SEDA) consortium with representatives from Sullivan, Ulster, Orange, Rockland, Putnam, Westchester, Dutchess, Suffolk, and Nassau Counties for their annual organizational meeting. With a new local 4-H strategic plan underway, the group shared successes, challenges, and opportunities for the new year.

4-H SNOWMOBILE SAFETY

WINTER POINSETTIA SALE

December 15

December

A full class of 15 youth received the NYS required Youth Snowmobile Safety certificate of completion for riders aged 12 and over. With snowmobiling accidents happening locally year after year, we are proud to be able to provide young people and their families with the knowledge and skills they need to enjoy riding safely.

Master Gardener Volunteers raised more than $500 for CCE’s Horticulture and Master Gardener Volunteer program through the Winter Poinsettia Sale. Special thanks to Monticello Greenhouse and all our buyers and helpers for making this pop-up fundraiser a success!

INTERGENERATIONAL TEXTILE GROUP

ARTISAN CHEESE MAKING December 13-15 Thirteen (13) foodies and food business owners filled the Catskills Kitchen for the three-day cheese-making workshop.

Chock full of science-based information and hands-on activities, participants made three different kinds of cheese, took home moist bundles of mozzarella, and sent hard cheeses to ripen for three months.

The group will get back together when the final product is ready for consumption.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County celebrated its

102nd Annual Meeting Page 16

A cohort of nine (9) new Master Gardener Volunteer trainees meet for half-days, two Fridays per month to learn the ropes of horticulture, botany, entomology, pedology, ediphology, and more from Cornell University, Extension, community, and current volunteer guest speakers in preparation for extending CCE’s horticulture programming through the Helpline and community outreach.

December 16 Youth and adult partners gathered for the monthly Intergenerational Textile Project meeting to knit and crochet warm goodies for themselves, and to make donations to local and foreign charities. Next project will donate to the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless and Safe Passage. Participation is free and open to all interested. No experience necessary!

100 Municipal leaders and farmers joined Right to Farm Law workshop

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POINSETTIA SALE RAISED OVER FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS!

40 Volunteers

We Connect Global Citizenship Program kicked off the series with speakers from

Bolivia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION January 14 & 19, 2017 Forty (40) 4-H volunteers received two days of training on the latest trends in positive youth development and state and local 4-H regulations, mission mandates, potential project and activity ideas, and goals for the 2017 program year. CCE thanks our volunteers for their commitment to “Making the Best Better”!

WE CONNECT GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM

Over150 people participated in the 29th Annual 4-H International Night

CATSKILLS FOOD HUB January 26 CCE Sullivan hosted the very first producer meeting for the Catskills Food Hub, an independent 501(c) 3 working to build an online marketplace and fee for a service distribution center to serve farmers and food processors in Sullivan and surrounding counties. Over 20 producers and interested partners attended.

FALLSBURG WINTER CARNIVAL

January 19

January 22

With funding support from the NYS 4-H office at Cornell University and Sullivan Renaissance, the 4-H team and volunteers offered the first ever We Connect Global Citizenship session to Liberty Middle School students in the Boys & Girls Club afterschool program! Over a dinner of Puerto Rican style rice and chicken stew, participants heard from 4 Latina speakers about their experience growing up in Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. They even learned some interesting facts about their own background. The program will continue once per month for the rest of the school year.

Creating Healthy Schools and Communities staff joined with the Fallsburg Central School District to host the annual Fallsburg Winter Carnival for 1,500 students and their families. Multiple exhibits and activities were to highlight the local delights of winter, and the CHSC display was planned to put a special focus on healthy fun. The carnival was cancelled but the Wellness Committee continues to work on policies, practices, and activities to engage students and the community and improve their health.

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were trained

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4-H INTERNATIONAL NIGHT January 27 For the 29th year in a row, CCE Sullivan’s 4-H team hosted more than 150 youth and family participants for 4-H International Night. 4-H clubs and Independent members showcased their research on our global neighbors, performed skits, shared ethnic cuisine, and celebrated the diversity of Sullivan County.

SAVE ENERGY, SAVE DOLLARS January 31 Participants at Monticello Housing Authority (MHA) were scheduled to learn how to make their homes more energy efficient at this free workshop. Through easy, inexpensive steps, the NYSERDA class teaches how they can reduce energy bills in the long term by taking simple, low-cost actions. Each person in attendance recieves a free energy-saving light bulb with which they can replace an incandescent bulb in their homes and get them started saving energy, and saving dollars! The MHA workshop was postponed due to snow until next month.

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CCE Sullivan Spotlights

4-HSpotlight DILLAN H.

Volunteer Spotlight LILY STETTNER a very busy Clinical Social Worker who has retired from multiple positions over her productive career, is a wonderful volunteer for Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County’s Caregiver Resource Center for the past two years.

As a volunteer, Lily traveled to Burlington, VT to be trained as a Class Leader in the Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC) program, an extensive training on caregiver self-care tools. The PTC program, known for its strong base in teaching communication techniques and tools to deal effectively with emotionally challenging situations, is very much in sync with Lily’s approach to effective counseling. Lily’s wealth of clinical experience, compassion, and down-toearth style benefits the family caregivers participating in the PTC series. The family caregivers find her humor and gentle suggestions comforting and helpful as they make tough caregiving decisions.

We (and many others) thank Lily for her calming and reassuring approach to often challenging situations; she is a wonderful addition to our CCE volunteer group!

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has found his passion for breeding, raising, and showing rabbits. He recently started attending the 4-H Working Together Rabbit Program held at CCESC throughout the year. Dillan raises mini lops, Americans, Florida whites, and New Zealand rabbits. He started his career in rabbits at the Sullivan County Youth Fair in Grahamsville, where he got his first taste of showing. Now Dillan travels to American Rabbit Breeder’s Association (ARBA) rabbit shows with fellow rabbit program members.

Some of Dillan’s recent accomplishments include taking Best Doe and Litter, multiple Best of Breeds at the Grahamsville Little World’s Fair, and achieving second place in his age division for showmanship. He is excited about his plans for the upcoming 4-H year! On an ARBA level Dillan’s achievements include: Multiple Best of Breeds with his Florida whites, Multiple Best of Breeds, Best Opposite of Breeds, Best of Varieties, and Best Opposite of Varieties with his sibling New Zealands. He really enjoys getting to talk with all the different breeders who share his interests at the ARBA shows.

Dillan even won his first Reserve Best in Show at an ARBA show in Fulton, NY with his homegrown New Zealand buck!

Congratulations!

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Staff Spotlight BARBARA MORAN started work as the new 4-H Animal Science Program Coordinator this January.

In addition to her history as a CCESC member, volunteer, and supporter, she has a wealth of knowledge in the agriculture industry.

Barb has a bachelor’s degree in animal science, and is a New York State certified animal science teacher. She owns and operates a local family farm and has over 30 years of experience in the horse industry. In her “spare” time, she runs the 4-H Aggies club and has assisted with 4-H Youth Fair Livestock Auction, as well as various other ag-based programs for youth and adults alike.

The 4-H team will work to orient her to Extension and 4-H operations as she begins to coordinate clinic and outreach opportunities for clubs and members interested in growing their knowledge and skills in the animal sciences. Barb’s office hours are 8:30 – 11:30 am and she will be in the field evenings and some weekends. Call the office or e-mail her at bjm292@cornell.edu.

We welcome Barb to our Youth & Family Development team!

CCE Sullivan Spotlights

Partner Spotlight UNITED WAY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY United Way of Sullivan County, located at 33 Lakewood Avenue in Monticello, NY, is a private not-for-profit agency that works to improve the lives of Sullivan County residents by building strong and vital communities. Their services include: developing and maintaining the regional 2-1-1 phone hotline (a comprehensive information and referral line for a wide variety of health and human service needs); Wardrobes for Work; emergency food and shelter assistance; a Coordinated Children’s Services Initiative (this program is designed to reduce the number of unnecessary residential placements of kids with serious emotional or behavioral problems); “Carlie’s Crusade” (a program focused on child safety by teaching kids how to prevent abduction and victimization, and safe internet practices); food drives; gang awareness seminars; and a program called “Project Care”.

Nominate a Star Know someone who deser deserves rves the shine of the spotlight? t?

Email Nicole Slevin: nas96@cornell.edu

Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County (CCESC) staff has faithfully partnered with the United Way to participate in Project Care, joining their “Adopt-a-Family” program for over sixteen years. The United Way provides the conduit to reach out and help those in need, enabling the CCESC staff to help those less fortunate and provide some happiness and hope to disadvantaged children who might otherwise be overlooked at the holiday season.

CCESC staff members, on average, have “adopted” a dozen children each year, sending bags of toys (easily over 375 gifts) and warm hats, gloves, or mittens to help meet the Christmas and Hanukkah wishes of the family members.

Please keep the United Way in mind during these cold winter months. More than 90% of all donations are used to fund programs right here in Sullivan County.

You can reach them at 845-794-1771.

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Scholarships for Everybody Earle & Elizabeth Wilde Scholarship For high school seniors | Award: $2,000 Deadline to apply: April 15 Open to graduating high school seniors from the Sullivan County area who plan to continue their education in an agricultural related field at either the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill or Morrisville.

Skoda Family Scholarship Fund For high school seniors | Award: $500- $4,000 Deadline to apply: April 15 Open to graduating high school seniors from the Sullivan County area who plan to attend Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA and major in Agriculture. Orange County graduating high school students who plan to attend Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA and major in Agriculture and students from Sullivan County currently enrolled in Delaware Valley College majoring in Agriculture may also apply.

4-H Livestock Auction Scholarship For high school seniors | Award: $500 Deadline to apply: June 1 Open to enrolled 4-H members who are high school seniors with a B or better GPA and actively participated in the Sullivan County 4-H Livestock Auction for at least 2 years.

Family & Consumer Science Scholarship For general public | Amount Varies Deadline to apply: Rolling To stimulate interest in human ecology/ home eco-nomics. In the event of financial limitations that prevent a Sullivan County resident from receiving educational services, program fees may be partially or entirely covered by this scholarship. Sponsored by community homemakers groups & Sullivan Renaissance. Inquire with CCESC. Agriculture & Community Horticulture Scholarship For general public | Amount Varies Deadline to apply: Rolling To stimulate interest in agricultural and community horticulture related topics. In the event of financial limitations that prevent a Sullivan County resident from receiving educational services, program fees may be partially or entirely covered by this scholarship.

Sponsored by our friends at Sullivan Renaissance. Inquire with CCESC.

Learn More and Apply!

SULLIVANCCE.ORG | 845-292-6180 Page 22

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The Last Member Exchange

ANIMALS & SUPPLIES

Cattle Feed Bran $160 ton delivered call 845-292-9224 for information Ewes, lambs for sale. Il de Franc x Dorset crosses. Easy keepers. All twins, some blacks. Triplet 2 year old ram. Freezer lambs. La Mancha doe and female twins.

Apple Pond Farm 845 482 4764 Rabbits for all Reasons and Chicks to Hens of Many Breeds. Member of A.R.B.A. for 37 years. 845-888-0274 Oak Ridge Farm – Horses Boarded, Large Indoor arena, excellent quality hay grown on farm, lessons available 845-482-4686 Lashside Farm. Full board or turnout.

845-292-3765 Retired Horse Boarding on 45 acre farm.

Your horse will be well taken care of on our peaceful farm. 845-482-4779 Lambs, Baby Goats and Hay 845-434-7764 Registered Polled Hereford Bulls for Sale. Bred cows. Call Stone Ridge Farm 845-439-4359 Trout for sale. 6”-8” Brook Trout. Delivered or picked up. Call Beaverkill Trout Hatchery for details. 845-439-4947 Bring us your retiring horse or those in need of rest. We will provide personalized care on our 50 acre farm at reasonable cost. Heaven’s Gait Farm 1-516-721-9173.

For Sale Royal Palm Turkeys White Birds Breeding Stock, Polled Hereford Bulls and Cows Call 845-439-4359 Goats for sale. 845-252-7434 Sheep flock reduction: Dorset x Ile de France twin and triplet ewes, bred to lamb late April.May. Black/white. Excellent mothers. Closed flock. Yearling lambs also. Apple Pond Farm 845 482 4764.

Milking cross bred Alpine, Saanen does for sale in April.

AUTOS & OTHER VEHICLES 4 person peddle boat, Large, Mint heavy duty ~ 2003 Arctic Cat pantera, 2 up(seater) 2000 miles, mint condition snowmobile ~ Artic cat 370cc snowmobile 1000 miles. Mint condition Page 26

Call for prices Pete (845-557-8678) petetraina4u@yahoo.com

Motorcycle List-new-$500.00 845-2924013 also Swinton Quicktime Coal and Wood Antique Stove.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Hot water radiators 25.5” x 15.5” to 47” [10 total] and 19” x 36.5” and 39” BO 203-740-0167 Men’s size 8 chest high fishing waders with felt soles. Worn once paid $200 asking $85. 914-237-2329.

Buhler Grain 180 Roller Mill PTO Drive Auger Discharge new $4000. 8”x24’ Auger Electric Motor & Hopper Never Used $1000 call 845-292-6960.

5 foot 3 pt. hitch Woods Finish Moore RM59. Asking $500. 434-6850

16 x7 dual axle Cargo Mate Trailer for $2,500, call Denise at 845-807-7540

For Sale: 4X4 Round Bales $15.00 ea.

845-482-4061

5 Power Angle Plow for 1980’s CJ Jeep all controls work $450 845-985-7052

HAY – Square Bales - Local Delivery available 845-887-4582

John Deere 3010, Diesel, WFE, Dual Hyd. Outlets, Rops. Asking $6,000.

845-551-1649

Hay 1st, 2nd, 3rd square, round and wrapped. Protein – 19.1 – 22.6 composted. Topsoil, sand, gravel and cattle. 845-985-7866

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

Hay square bales 845-807-2532

Need great bags & purses? Contact Tanya@ Initials,inc.www.myinitials-inc. com/tanyahuggler ; tanyasinitialsinc@ gmail.com ; (845)807-7502 ; Initials,inc.

Creative Partner.

Round Hay Bales for sale – 583-6024

Little Bear of Aspen Snow Shoes—2 pr. $45 973-890-1747 Leave message 300 gal gas tank with hand pump on skids $300.00 845-647-8506 Casio- multi function display electric keyboard with stand. 845-887-5288 Lawn Stork-A sign you rent out when someone is having a baby. Start your own business $200.00 OBO 845-557-6090 Maytag 16 cu freezer 2 yrs old $200; Full Size Microwave $25; 2 two drawer file cabinets $10 ea. Dorm size fridge $10 2925098 Narrowsburg Yarn for sale. Alpaca 2 ply& core yarn 516-941-7207 2 slots machines, mint working condition.

Lights and sound with tokens ~ Antique Mantle clocks (mint) Many other items Pete 845-557-8678 petetraina4u@yahoo. com 1983 Glassport 19’ 7’’ inboard/outboard, 350 Chevy and 20’ dual axle trailer. Needs work. Make offer. 203 740 0167

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February 2017

HAY FOR SALE

4x4 Second cutting hay. $40 in the field waded. 292-7042

FARMERS’ MARKET CORNER Mountain Side Farm 100% Grass Fed Beef & Pure NY Maple Syrup 845-742-6281, 845-733-4809 Wacky Weeds Produce Natural Grown Certified Wholesale Farmer 845-693-1153 Muthig Farm - Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Maple Jelly, Maple Sugar. Tours in March by apt. 845 -292-7838 Justus Asthalter Maple Syrup Inc. – New & used maple equipment & supplies for all size maple producers. Syrup, Cream, Candies, we ship anywhere. Sugar Hill Containers and Leader glass in stock.

Call us at 845-292-8569 or email family@ justusmaple.com/ www.justusmaple.com CATSKILL MOUNTAIN HONEY Pollen, propolis, Royal Jelly, bee supplies & equipment. Hives supers frames from our shop. Save $$ - Jim Kile 845-647-6759 Farm fresh real food prepared and delivered weekly. Naturalcontents.com 888-551-8625 Wahldairyfarm.com Home grown

The Last Member Exchange Pork, Beef and Eggs. Guinea Fowl – 845-887-5737

Free photographic app’ts by appointment 845-434-3147 Liz

Asian Specialty Vegetables. Charlie Koh. Seon Organic Farm 631-599-0072

Lawrence I. Oestrich- Licensed land Surveyor, Estimates, Boundaries, and Subdivisions. 845-791-4541

Nutritious and Delicious Home Made Soups and Breads delivered to your door.

Woodridgesoupemporium.com Organic Garlic for sale; reasonable prices.

Call John 845-292-1195 “Dogs Luv’em” all natural Murray’s chicken dog treats. 845-283-1128 Story’s Neversink Plant Co.-Rare succulents and interesting plants. By app’t. Only. John W. Story, Proprietor 845-985-5071 Korwan’s Nursery Rhododendrons, perennials, trees, shrubs, and woodcarving. Landscaping 845-482-3345 Beaverkill Trout Hatchery- top quality trout, brook, brown & rainbow for sale.

Trout preserve open Apr.1- Labor Day845-439-4947 email: troutlady61@yahoo. com THEODORA ORGANIC FARM Email: Theodoraorganicfarm@gmail.com- 646710-0505 “No Farms, No Food” On farm vegetable and fruit stand open Saturday 10-2. River Brook Farm, Cochecton, NY 845-932-7952 Fertrell organic fertilizers, soil amendments and complete soil testing with recommendations available.

Baron Organics, Products & Support, Jeffersonville, NY 12748. 845-482-3902 BK Logging Firewood for Sale—Standing Timber Wanted hard & soft wood 845-292-4942 Garden Lovers – consider joining a garden club. Meets 3rd Tues. of each month. Call 845-794-6139

FOR BETTER BUSINESS Steven N. Mogel Attorney At Law 457 Broadway, STE 16A Monticello, NY 12701 www.sullivancountylawyers.com 845-791-4303 Klein’s Tax Service. 25+ Years Experience.

(845) 292-9225 Page 27

Licensed Security Guards & Any size property patrol. Alarm & camera installation with central station. Since 1980” When you are away your neighbors will play” Reasonable rates. 845-557-8678. petetraina4u@yahoo.com Marshall & Sterling provides a full line of property & casualty insurance, personal insurance for home, auto and life, group benefits and health plans-please call Brian Seigerman at 845-794-5544 ext 2615 for free no obligation quote.

Muthig & Sons - Landscaping - Logging Decks - Roofs - Firewood (845) 807-1711 Clown for all occasions, info @ www. misssunshinetheclown.com for all your party entertainment. 845-807-6222 Wurtsboro Veterinary Clinic- 163 Sullivan St. Box 190, Wurtsboro, NY 12790 845-8884884 Dr. Linda Tintle, Dr. Dean Tinter, Dr. Nancy Odell, Dr. Joe D’Abbraccio Norbert’s Clock Repair. Antique specialist. Fair Price. For estimate/pickup 845-887-5831 Old interesting barn finds? Call for free appraisal 482-4901 Hartley Consulting, INC. Strategic Development for Non Profits. www. hartleyconsulting.com

Majek Furniture- Full Line Furniture and Mattress showroom; www.Majekfurniture. com

FOR A BETTER YOU Strumpflers Mt View Cottages 845-252-7494 Jin Shin Jyutsu, Near Grahamsville.

Energetic, Harmonizing 647-6572 Yoga classes near Neversink Dam. Gentle stretches for seniors and beginners.

Schedule Mon, Wed, Sat a.m. Thurs. p.m.

I free introductory class. Yoga improves flexibility & health. Reiki sessions by appt. Relieve stress & pain. Call Joy 845-292-7870

REAL ESTATE Catskill Brokers, Inc. Real Estate Services.

Cynthia L. Johnson, Broker. Woodbourne, NY 845-434-7860- email: catskillbrokers@ hvc.rr.com For all your real estate needs come for a visit and stay for a lifetime. “Trout Town USA” Roscoe, NY. Sullivan County, Delaware County – Lilly@elliot-pomeroy. com McKean Realtors – Farms and Lake Front Homes 845-583-6003 Barbanti Realty- 40 years in business- 845-292-2800 Rieber Realty, Monticello, NY 845-7940211. www.RieberRealty.com

Duke Pottery. www.dukepottery.com Pottery Studio, Art Gallery, Gift Shop.

Open Year Round, Fri, Sat, Sun 11:00-5:00 or by chance. 855 Co. Rd. 93, Roscoe, NY

WANTED

O&L Digital Photo- Weddings, Sweet 16, Birthdays, Baptisms and special events.

Album packages & DVD video. 845-9325020 or 917-693-9891 www.dbase.com or olima@msn.com

Wanted: Speedex Tractors Parts & Accessories 845-557-8030

FURNITURE & HANDMADE ITEMS Visit Charlie Barbuti Furniture Mall for all your furniture and mattress needs. 2924826 - www.barbutifurniture@verizon.net

Extension Connection

February 2017

Looking for a piglet to raise for 4 months for slaughter. 733-4031 or emaill ler384 @hotmail.com

Wanted: Llama for pet. Please call 845-482-3509 Wanted: Side Delivery Hay Rake in Working Condition. Call Mike 482-3628

Save the Date

Cornell Country BBQ & Live Auction Nobody does BBQ Chicken like Cornell!

Take Out or Stay In!

Farm Fa rm to to fork fork dinner, din d inne ner, r, live lliv ive e music, musi mu sic, c, and and the the best bes b estt auction auct au ctio ion n experiences expe ex peri rien ence ces s the the Catskills Cats Ca tski kill lls s have have to to offer! offe of fer! r!

Join us on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at the the Extension Ext E xten ensi sion on Education Edu E duca cati tion on Center, Cen C ente ter, r, 64 64 Ferndale-Loomis Fern Fe rnda dale le-L -Loo oomi mis s Road, Road Ro ad,, Liberty Libe Li bert rty y