Memorial gathering to celebrate the life of Dan Guenther
A Memorial Gathering to celebrate the life of Dan Guenther will be held on Saturday, June 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hasbrouck Park in New Paltz. Friends and family of Dan and Ann Guenther are invited to celebrate Dan’s life and carry on his legacy of building community.
Remembrance addresses will begin at 12 and 2 p.m. Bring your own water, a chair or blanket. Face masks are required.
Participants are invited to contribute to a Memory Wall. Bring a printed photo or a written story of a favorite moment with Dan to share. If you cannot attend the gathering, but would like to share one of your memories, email Laura Wyeth at L.wyeth@protonmail.com.
For additional information, visit https://fb.me/e/1An2HQ4P8.
Gardiner meetings offer overview of conserved lands, Open Space Plan
Laura Rose, Gardiner Open Space Commission member, will present an overview of lands preserved in Gardiner through conservation easements and land dedicated as protected parkland on June 7 at 7 p.m. She will also review the methods used for permanent preservation and the organizations involved in preserving these lands.
Nate Nardi-Cyrus, from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, will present an overview of the Town of Gardiner Open Space Plan and the township’s existing natural resources and biodiversity.
Wallkill Valley Land Trust executive director Christie DeBoer will discuss the land trust’s role in preserving land in Gardiner, to include its role in acquiring and monitoring conservation easements, on June 21 at 7 p.m. The costs involved in donating conservation easements and the tax benefits will also be discussed.
Open Space Commission member Laura Wong-Pan will introduce Gardiner’s new open space conservation program and an overview of the application process. Gardiner landowners interested in preserving their land will find out where to start.
The Zoom link for both events is www.townofgardiner.org/open-space-commission. For more information, contact gardineropenspace@gmail.com.
Sunrise scimitar presentation with Joe Rao at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library hosts a virtual sunrise scimitar presentation on Saturday, June 5 from 7 to 8 p.m. with meteorologist Joe Rao. Contact Nicole at nlane@rcls.org for the link to join. Learn about the upcoming unusual sunrise occurrence on June 10, weather conditions permitting. Early risers will be treated to the large solar eclipse which will transform the sun into a fiery scimitar. This presentation will examine the mechanics of what causes eclipses as well as look at events coming our way in the future, including the total eclipse visible from upstate New York and New England in April 2024.
Joe Rao was chief meteorologist for News 12 Westchester for 21 years, garnering 8 Emmy Nominations, as well as many awards and citations.
For further information, visit www.gardinerlibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Plant sale at Saugerties’ Trinity Church
Trinity Church, located on Route 9W in Saugerties, will be holding a plant sale on Saturday, June 5 from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Stop by to check out the variety of plants from local gardens ready to be planted in your gardens.
The sale will be held outdoors, and masks are required while on church premises.
Building inspector to oversee weed cutting in Esopus
Saugerties building inspector/code enforcement officer Eyal Saad has taken on the oversight of the weed harvesting in the Esopus Creek, formerly overseen by the village Department of Public Works. The harvester waspurchased last year from Marine Diving Service owner Zdenek Ulman. The harvester is jointly owned by the village and town of Saugerties and contractor John Mullen.
YMCA, Bike-Friendly Kingston host bike repair clinic, fix-a-flat class June 16
Bike-Friendly Kingston and the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County will be hosting a free bicycle repair clinic on Wednesday, June 16. The clinic is supported by Basch and Keegan, LLP and O’Connor and Partners, PLLC. Bring your bike to the Y parking lot on Pine Grove Avenue in Kingston between 4 and 6 p.m.
A free fix-a-flat class will be held from 6 to 7 p.m., following the repair clinic. The class is free, but you must register at the YMCA membership desk or by e-mailing the YMCA at tpolk@ymcaulster.org. The first ten to sign up will receive a bike pump, courtesy of People’s Place.
In case of bad weather, the rain date for both events is Thursday, June 17. The event is free, but donations are welcome. Be sure to bring your bike and wear a mask or other face-covering when you come.
For more information, contact the YMCA bicycle program manager, Tom Polk, at (845) 338-3810, extension 102, or e-mail tpolk@ymcaulster.org.
Movie Night in the Garden resumes at New Paltz’s Elting Library
Free movie nights at Elting Memorial Library in New Paltz will be held at 7 p.m. on Fridays, June 4, 11, 18 and 25 in the library’s Vera Rushforth Reading Garden.
The show will go on as soon as it’s dark enough to start the movie (for now, 7:45ish). Masks are required until you are seated. Seating is limited, so advance registration is required.
The schedule includes:
June 4: Moana (http://bit.ly/EMLMovieNightMoana)
June 11: Labyrinth (link coming soon)
June 18: Men in Black: International (link coming soon)
June 25: How to Train Your Dragon (link coming soon)
Hot buttered popcorn will be available, thanks to the generosity of New Paltz Equipment Rental.
The library is located at 93 Main Street. For additional information, visit www.eltinglibrary.org.
Hydrant flushing to continue in Saugerties
The Village of Saugerties water department, in conjunction with the town water department, will begin to flush hydrants and blow-offs. This may result in discolored water. The work will continue throughout the weeks starting June 7 through June 11, with most of the work being done during evening hours. The village will be flow testing on June 15 as part of an ongoing program to keep property insurance rating classifications up-to-date.
If you have questions or concerns, depending on your provider, please call the town at 246-8671 or the village at 246-8958.
Textiles exhibit opens June 5 at Ulster County Historical Society
To welcome visitors back for its 2021 season, the Ulster County Historical Society (UCHS) is presenting a new exhibition titled “Spinning & Stitching: An Evolution of Textiles in Ulster County.” This exhibition will explore early textile production tools used to turn fiber into cloth, culled from the UCHS collection with local loans. Spinning wheels, flax breaks, yarn-winders and looms – familiar to many, but not well-understood – will be explained, along with other tools of the trade.
Moving into the modern era, textiles with local stories to tell will be showcased; woven coverlets, quilts, embroidered linens and a selection of clothing will be on view. A newly interpreted “sewing room” will feature a late-19th-century Wheeler and Wilson sewing machine, along with other dressmaking tools and paraphernalia. Finally, to complement the historical collections, “Spinning & Stitching” will include a selection of contemporary textile pieces and related art by local artists and students studying fashion who reference traditional textile forms to create new work.
“Spinning & Stitching” will be on view beginning Saturday, June 5. Museum hours are Saturday and Sun from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs for $10 adults, $5 for seniors and students and is free to UCHS members. The UCHS is located at 2682 Route 209 in Kingston.
“Freedom Dreams” opens June 5 at ASK & online
The A. J. Williams-Myers African Roots Center, alongside Rise Up Kingston and Celebrate 845, present “Freedom Dreams,” an artistic salon show at the Arts Society of Kingston (ASK), located at 97 Broadway in Kingston. The exhibition will be available to view starting Saturday, June 5 at 1 p.m., both at the gallery and online at www.askforarts.org.
The show’s title “Freedom Dreams,” was inspired by Dr. Robin Kelly’s book, Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination. Kelly writes, “Without new visions, we don’t know what to build, only what to knock down. We not only end up confused, rudderless and cynical, but we forget that making a revolution is not a series of clever maneuvers and tactics, but a process that can and must transform us.” Thus, the organizers have invited artists to dream up their own world where freedom is at the center of revolution.
The salon-style show will feature both visual and performing artists and will run for four weeks at ASK, and will also be on view online.
Gülnar Babayeva’s “Revival” will also open on June 5 at 1 p.m. at ASK. “Revival” is a solo exhibition by emerging sculptor Babayeva showcasing ceramic sculptures that brings together several overlapping themes around the concept of “revival.”
During the pandemic, Babayeva experienced a revival of her sculptor identity: one that had existed in the background for years. This led to the revival of abandoned artwork, where with each sculpture the intention was turned inwardly toward healing and processing of distressing life events – in a sense, giving a breath of life to forgotten pieces echoed back as reclaiming the facets of the forgotten self. Lastly, an aspiration to contribute to the larger revival of figurative sculpture as an artform locally has emerged, leading to the main body of work in the exhibition being figurative and portrait sculptures.
The opening will also be streamed on Facebook Live from the ASK Facebook page. The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81310469907?pwd=UzR3Q3dzNmRRbHpYNEZuY0VnVGpidz09, with the meeting ID 813 1046 9907, passcode 969246.
Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m.
Woodstock Diamond Dance Festival June 19
The Woodstock Diamond Dance Festival 2021 will take place on Saturday, June 19 at 2 and 4:30 p.m., outdoors under a tent at l766 Glasco Turnpike in Woodstock. This celebration of the art of contemporary dance and music is an event suitable for all ages.
Opening the program, which has two showings, will be a premiere of Architects of Triumph, with music by Jo Blankenburg and choreography by Linda Diamond, performed by the entire Linda Diamond & Company. An outreach of hope and an uplifting message of renewal, this new work includes a section danced by Diamond with two student dancers: nine-year-old Niyah Berger and ten-year-old Luna Anata, who symbolize hope for the future through our children.
Other works include Music of the Spheres by Diamond, set to music by award-winning Woodstock composer Tom Desisto. Dancers who will perform this choreography, based on the Big Bang theory, are Michaella Barron and Marcos Antonio
Two sections from DanceVisions of Picasso will be presented. An excerpt from the Guernica section was created by Diamond under an award presented by Mayor David Dinkins for the Manhattan Cultural Council Foundation. The Les Saltimbanques section is based on the circus characters in Picasso’s Blue Period, reflecting the behind-the-scenes sadness of the glamorous circus characters. Originally the art was based on the commedia dell’arte style of performers who performed for royalty in Italy. Some of the masks are copied from this style and were obtained by choreographer Diamond during a visit to Venice while completing her MA at NYU.
“We need humor and an uplift during these difficult times. What better venue than the art of dance and music to enlighten our community with hope and reassurance of a better world?” said artistic director Diamond.
General admission costs $14, $6 for children. Reservations are required by calling (845) 679-7757.
Free screening of Mountain River June 10 at Greenville Drive-In
A free screening of Mountain River: The Esopus Creek: Headwaters to the Hudson will take place on June 10 at the Greenville Drive-in. The 73-minute film follows the Esopus Creek from its headwaters on Slide Mountain in the Catskill Mountains to the Ashokan Reservoir and on to the Hudson River at Saugerties: a journey of 65 miles. The documentary highlights the continuing challenges of climate change and ongoing conservation efforts on the creek, and it reminds us to treat the Esopus with respect.
Mountain River is filled with personal stories and anecdotes and features a lively mix of vintage and contemporary photographs and images. Footage includes interviews with New York City and New York State experts, local historians and conservationists, as well as on-the-creek fly fishing plus stories from anglers and residents. Extensive aerial footage offers a new perspective on the Esopus, the Ashokan Reservoir and the Hudson River.
Music is by Tim Kapeluck, Jay Ungar, Evan Pritchard and the late Artie Traum. It is produced and directed by Glenford filmmaker Tobe Carey and co-produced by photographer and Catskills fishing guide Mark Loete of Chichester.
Up to 190 cars can be accommodated. To reserve free tickets, visit www.simpletix.com/e/mountain-river-free-screening-to-the-commu-tickets-70568.
The drive-in is located at 10700 Route 32 in Greenville. For additional information, e-mail info@drivein32.com.
New Paltz High School presents Broadway: The Revival!
The New Paltz High School Drama Club will present Broadway: The Revival! a revue of the musicals that were on Broadway when it closed in March 2020.
Performance dates are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 4, 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. This show features the Drama Club’s ninth-, tenth- and 11th-grade students as they perform songs from shows like Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Frozen, Come from Away, Hadestown, The Lion King and many others. The songs are connected by an original script that depicts the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic in New York City.
All tickets will be sold online as presale only at www.showtix4u.com/event-details/53302. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for students, children and senior citizens.
Retired Men meet June 7 in New Paltz
The Retired Men of the New Paltz Community invite retired men everywhere to the monthly breakfast meeting on Monday, June 7 at 8 a.m., at the New Paltz Plaza Diner. Jim O’Dowd, retired social worker and local advocate for environmental issues, will talk about “Our Environment and My Retirement.”
For additional information, contact Rob Greene at rasjgreene@earthlink.net or (845) 256-9003.
Comprehensive Plan update in Gardiner
The Gardiner Town Board is currently updating the town’s Comprehensive Plan, which was last updated in 2004. The Comprehensive Plan guides all actions the town takes, from zoning to the environment to taxes, and assists town boards, committees and commissions as they deliberate on land use, investments and other decisions for the town.
This year, the town is updating the Comprehensive Plan using input from the town’s committees, outside consultants, businesses, not-for-profits and residents. This is your opportunity to provide input to guide the decisionmaking for the town for years to come. Please check your mailbox for a letter from the town supervisor describing this project in more detail and how you can help. Visit www.townofgardiner.org/comprehensive-plan for information and details.
Kingston Planet Wings demolished for intersection realignment
The demolition of the abandoned Planet Wings building in Midtown Kingston is underway and will kickstart the Broadway and Grand Intersection Improvements Project.
With the removal of the Planet Wings structure, the City of Kingston will redesign the intersection of Broadway, Grand Street, Prince Street and Pine Grove Avenue to correct a hazardous, misaligned juncture. The new design will improve traffic safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians and will include public space in a formerly blighted location.
The Broadway and Grand Intersection Improvements project area will serve as the culmination of the Broadway Streetscape Project, which runs along the Broadway corridor from the I-587 Roundabout. Now underway, the Broadway Streetscape Project optimizes traffic-light signalization and includes new sidewalks, a protected bicycle lane, upgraded crosswalks, amenities such as benches, trees and bioswales, and will include paving of the entire project area.
Mayor Steve Noble said, “By fall 2021, entering and traveling down Broadway in the City of Kingston will be an entirely new experience. From the future gateway at the roundabout, along the Broadway corridor to this new intersection at the YMCA, travelers will enjoy a safe and scenic drive through our beautiful Midtown neighborhood in the near future. We are thrilled to have a decades-old eyesore removed while making the intersection safer for all who travel there and adding public green space in an urban center. I would like to thank Assembly member Cahill for his support for this project and helping us restore the historic post office area to a space our community can be proud of.”
Funding is provided in part by $750,000 from the New York State Department of Transportation Multi-Modal Program, secured with the assistance of Assemblyman Cahill. “When I obtained the funds for much of this undertaking, our shared vision was to make this more than just a road project,” said Cahill. “We wanted to recall some beautiful memories, but also finally put to rest a brief time when hamburgers and wacky chicken took precedence over majesty and civic pride. I applaud Mayor Noble for finally ushering in this new era here in our shared hometown.”
Construction on the Broadway and Grand Intersection Improvements Project will begin in June and is expected to be completed by fall. The City of Kingston grants team will continue to seek funding for construction and landscaping of the public space. For more information, visit https://engagekingston.com/broadwaygrandintersection.
NY creates free college raffle for vaxxed young people
New York teens who have been vaccinated for Covid-19 can enter online to win free tuition, room and board at a SUNY or CUNY college. Every Wednesday for the next five weeks, ten winners will be randomly selected. Residents aged 12 to 17 are eligible, including those who received the vaccine prior to the announcement of the raffle. The program is meant to encourage young people to get vaccinated.
“Vaccination rates across the state are beginning to slow, and our greatest need is with young New Yorkers who make up a large percent of positive cases and have the lowest vaccination percentage in the state,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo in a release. “And the earlier you get vaccinated, the more chances you have to win. It’s free, there’s no appointments and you also have a chance to win a full scholarship; so, if you haven’t already done so, go get vaccinated.”
The New York State Department of Health and New York State Higher Education Services Corporation will verify the vaccination status of winners.
“Couples” opens June 5 at New Paltz’s Mark Gruber Gallery
“Couples,” a group show celebrating painters with more than just art in mind, starts on Saturday, June 5 and runs through July 24 at the Mark Gruber Gallery in New Paltz. In lieu of an artists’ opening reception during this period of transition out of the pandemic, viewers may enjoy the show during the gallery’s regular hours.
The exhibit features four painting couples: lives immersed together in art, work, families and daily life. These local artist couples include Paul Abrams and Jane Bloodgood-Abrams, Keith and Janet Gunderson, John Varriano and Marsha Massih and Karen O’Neil and Peter Clapper. Each painter is a formidable talent in his or her own right. Together they complement, supplement and make each other better. Among work, children, pets, homes and art, these couples champion, succor and strengthen one another on a daily basis.
Though these couples are known to exhibit their works individually, sometimes a related thread runs through their works collectively. One couple may present their landscapes in the classic Hudson River School style, while another may embrace light and airy contemporary still-lifes. The works created by these dynamic duos encompass a wide range of styles and subjects through a variety of media, such as oils, pastels, or mixed media. It’s intriguing to see how these artists influence each other’s works. Sometimes they paint alike, while in other instances, they break away from one another in style, media, scale, color and value. It is said that art mirrors life, but in this show, art and life are entwined.
The Mark Gruber Gallery is located in the New Paltz Plaza. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays and Mondays by chance or appointment. For more information, contact Mark Gruber at (845) 255-1241 or visit http://markgrubergallery.com.
Health and wellness coaching with Cathy Bakker at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library hosts a virtual series of health and wellness coaching opportunities with Cathy Bakker on Tuesdays, June 8 through July 27 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. and Wednesdays, July 7 through July 29 from 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Individuals may sign up for one 30-minute session every other week up to a maximum of six sessions. Sessions are $10 each. Contact Nicole at nlane@rcls.org to reserve a time slot. Individuals stuck and frustrated with unmet health and wellness goals are invited to discover what is getting in their way, and receive the help necessary to achieve their goals with holistic health and wellness coaching.
For further information visit www.gardinerlibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Marcus Strickland Quartet at Hudson Hall June 5 & 6
Hudson Hall presents two performances of the Marcus Strickland Quartet, led by the eponymous Grammy-nominated jazz saxophonist and producer. Strickland has blazed his musical trail for 20 years as a charter member of the 21st-century jazz vanguard. He has shared album credits with the likes of Robert Glasper, Bilal, Mos Def, Roy Haynes and Dave Douglas, and is as at home in the world of classic post-bop as he is in neo-soul Afro-futurism.
The Marcus Strickland Quartet performs on Saturday, June 5 at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, June 6 at 5 p.m. There will be a free livestream of the Sunday concert.
Hudson Hall is located in the historic Hudson Opera House at 327 Warren Street in Hudson. For tickets or information, visit https://hudsonhall.org or call (518) 822-1438.
Takeout chicken BBQ dinner June 24 in St. Remy
A takeout barbecue chicken dinner will be served on Thursday, June 24, prepared by Sal’s Catering in Highland. Dinners can be picked up from St. Remy Reformed Church from 4 to 7 p.m. (or local delivery upon request). The menu includes a half-chicken, beans, coleslaw and cornbread dessert.
The cost is $14. The deadline for placing an order is June 5. The church is located on Main Street in St. Remy. For tickets, contact Janet at (845) 338-6864.
Henry W. Dubois public information meeting on June 8
The Town of New Paltz and Alta Planning + Design will hold a virtual public information meeting on Tuesday, June 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom to share additional project information and to solicit feedback on various design elements for the Henry W. DuBois Drive Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project. In response to feedback from residents and stakeholders, the preferred alternative to be progressed is the shared-use path, which includes a separate bicycle/pedestrian facility along Henry W. DuBois Drive.
The meeting will begin with a 20-minute presentation in which the project team will share information related to the project’s progress, schedule and preferred alternative, followed by a design element workshop to discuss traffic-calming, a separation barrier and landscaping. The workshop will be followed by a 10-to-15-minute question-and-answer session in which participants will have the opportunity to type questions through a chat box for live answers from the project team.
For those unable to attend the meeting via Zoom, presentation materials related to the workshop elements will be available to review and provide feedback at the Town Hall, located at 52 Clearwater Road in New Paltz, through Wednesday, June 23.
The presentation will be recorded and posted to the project website and the town’s YouTube channel for those who cannot attend on the meeting date. Interested individuals may obtain project information or submit comments by visiting the project website at https://walkbikehwd.weebly.com and filling out the Google Form, or by sending an e-mail to hwd@altago.com. All comments are requested back to the project team by Wednesday, June 23. Suggestions and/or comments made at the meeting or during the public comment period will be considered by the project team as the project is progressed.
Construction will begin in 2022. The project is funded through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), which has an 80 percent share paid by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and a 20 percent share paid by the Town of New Paltz.
Tree dedication for Carol Roper
A gathering and tree dedication to celebrate the life of Carol Roper will be held on Sunday, June 6 at 3 p.m., in front of the Community Center at 3 Veteran’s Drive in New Paltz. In addition to a term as New Paltz Town Supervisor and serving on the Town Board, Roper also served her community as chair and member of the New Paltz Town Planning Board, as president and trustee of the Elting Memorial Library, as president of the town Recreation Commission, as member of the Ulster County Planning Board, as member of the New Paltz Community Partnership, as board member of the Poné Ensemble for Contemporary Music, as secretary of the Lifelong Learning Institute, and as trustee of the New Paltz Rural Cemetery. Carol’s community activities also included volunteering for the Library Fair, the Taste of New Paltz, the Halloween parade, New Paltz Eve, Clean Sweep and many other events.
All are invited to attend. CDC guidelines for outdoor gatherings will be followed.
Sloop Brewing now 72nd-largest US regional craft brewery
With the latest release of Brewers’ Association sales numbers, the Sloop Brewing Company has moved up almost 50 spots in overall sales rankings, from the 120th-largest regional craft brewery in the country to the 72nd – growing 34 percent in 2020, a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and an overall decline in sales among craft breweries. In 2019, the Brewers’ Association named Sloop the fastest-growing regional craft brewery in the country.
“It’s a real testament to how hard everyone here has worked – from our brewers to our sales team and everyone in between – despite the adverse circumstances facing breweries and the service industry around the country,” said Justin Taylor, co-owner and head brewer at Sloop. “Thanks to the dedication of our team, we were able to not just grow, but thrive.”
“2020 was a tough year for independent craft breweries,” said Joe Turco, Sloop’s director of sales. “But our partners at accounts, distributors and suppliers have shown a lot of faith in us, and we’ve been able to continue to grow. We’ve expanded into 19 states, with Sloop beer available from Florida to Maine, and we hope to continue this growth in 2021.”
“It’s a lot for a Hudson Valley brewery that started out of a garage in Poughkeepsie,” said Adam Watson, president and co-founder of Sloop. “When we were selling beer at farmers’ markets and hand-delivering kegs to local bars ten years ago, I don’t think we ever imagined this kind of growth. But Justin and our brewers make great beer, and our sales team and distributors do a great job of getting it out into the market. I’m just proud to help lead this team, excited to see where the future takes us and really, just very happy that so many people out there are enjoying the beer.”
Sloop beer, named for the boats that once moved people and cargo up and down the Hudson River, is located in East Fishkill and it also has a full-service restaurant, bar and private event space all on-site.
Birding walks with Minnewaska Park educator Nick Martin
Gardiner Library continues birding walks with Minnewaska Park educator Nick Martin on Fridays from 8 to 9:30 a.m. through September. First come, first served, up to 15 people. Although bird-centered, Martin will take time to explore and identify trees, flowers, rocks and other kinds of animals. Attendees will meet Martin at Gardiner Library for an approximate one-mile walk on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and Majestic Park. Participants are encouraged to wear waterproof boots or shoes, bring binoculars, a birding field guide or a smart device with a field guide installed. Interested participants are welcome to attend one or all Friday programs. Walks will be canceled with threat of storm.
All participants must wear face coverings and keep a minimum six-foot distance away from others who are not part of your immediate household.
For further information, visit www.gardinerlibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.
Chronic wasting disease found in deer five miles from New York State border
A fatal brain disease afflicting white-tailed deer has made its way to New York’s doorstep. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Wednesday announced a confirmed positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a white-tailed deer on a Warren County hunting preserve, just five miles from the New York State border.
Pennsylvania state wildlife officials euthanized the remaining deer on the preserve and said CWD was not detected in any of the other samples. The department has quarantined the preserve for five years and is undertaking further contact tracing to determine if there any other CWD deer in the area.
mbie deer disease, was first found in Pennsylvania in 2012. When a deer with the disease is found, the state has a set of regulations it implements in that area, including restrictions on using deer-urine-based attractants, feeding free-ranging deer, rehabilitating injured deer, and transportation of deer taken by hunters.
“Chronic wasting disease has increasingly plagued state wildlife and agricultural agencies with no sustainable solution in sight,” said Krysten Schuler is a wildlife disease ecologist and Cornell University who studies CWD. She noted that New York managed to eliminate CWD after it was detected within the state in 2005 and afterward implemented new regulations, including banning importation of live captive deer and intact deer carcasses. “This recent discovery will require additional surveillance on both sides of the border to determine if the disease breached the fence and is present in wild white-tailed deer.”
Among the changes proposed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in its new deer management plan is the banning of all deer-urine-based attractants, which have been linked to the spread of CWD.
Chronic wasting disease is “an untreatable and fatal brain and nervous system disease found in deer, elk, and moose.” Symptoms are slow to present themselves and many infected deer appear perfectly healthy. When they do appear, symptoms include: Emaciation, disorientation, loss of bodily functions, extreme thirst, death
Chronic wasting disease in humans
No cases of CWD have been reported in humans, but there is reason for concern. According to the CDC, “there is no strong evidence for the occurrence of CWD in people, and it is not known if people can get infected with CWD prions.” Multiple experiments with transmission to primates have yielded different results. Consequently, precautionary measures by hunters are advised in areas where CWD is present. These include boning out all meat and disposing of remains in a landfill.
CWD as a disease
Chronic wasting disease is “is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy” disease similar to mad cow disease in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans. In each, the cause is “prions,” a pathogenic type of protein that induces abnromal folding of the normal proteins in the brain which leads to brain damage. Prions are shed in feces, urine and saliva, and can remain present in the environment for years, including in the scavengers who feed on infected deer and in plants that take root in soil where prions are present.
CWD is progressive, always fatal, and there is no treatment.
— William Dendis
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