[caption id="" align="alignright" width="140"]Tony Blair. Photo from Wikipedia.[/caption]James M. Odato reports in Capitol Confidential, the Albany Times-Union's political blog, that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is planning a two-day conference on government response to disasters and emergencies, with a lot more emphasis, it seems, on "terrorism" and less on the sort of emergency one might expect, or wait for, in Greene County. The Governor’s Summit on Emergency Preparedness Oct. 29 and 30 at the state convention center in Albany will be paid for by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and will feature former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and CNN’s national security analyst Peter Bergen, who once interviewed Osama Bin Laden. Read Capitol Confidential for the full story.

Casey Seiler at Capitol Confidential reports that Republican U.S. Senate candidate Wendy Long was in Albany Thu., Sept. 6 mentioning Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s continued support for embattled Democratic New York Assemby leader Sheldon Silver. “I’m just saying her family and she stand to benefit from the relationship with Speaker Silver — they have benefited from that relationship,” Long said. “So I think it’s especially important, given that appearance of that relationship and given the fact that she has held herself out as someone who would stand up for women, to come forward and call for Speaker Silver to step aside.... In analogous situations, Kirsten Gillibrand when she was running in 2006 didn’t waste any time in calling for Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert to step aside because of how he was handling the Mark Foley allegations back then. … Yet when it’s not to her political benefit, she’s not interested in standing up for women.” Gillibrand campaign spokesman Glen Caplin responded: “I’m not going to comment on this baseless trash from a struggling campaign.” The video above, of the entire quetsion-and-answer session with the media in ALbany, is from Kyle Hughes of NYSNYS. See the full story in Capitol Confidential.

Barack Obama's acceptance speech, for the Democratic nomination for president.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 86F; low 61F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 86F; low 63F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast.
Today's forecast is specific to Acra, in Greene County:

Today: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Friday, otherwise sunny, with a high near 82. Friday night, mainly after 5 a.m. scattered showers are possible, with a low around 60.

The outlook through the weekend:

Saturday: There is a 70 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. Saturday night, showers are also likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 54. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Sunday: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71, a low around 49.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68, a low around 47.

Sunrise today: 6:27 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:19 p.m.
Length of the day: 12 hrs., 52 min.

Town meetings

Today is the first Thursday of the month.
(WGXC suggests you call ahead to confirm meeting time and location.)

WGXC is not aware of any town meetings today.

The day ahead at WGXC: Programming notes

8 a.m. Democracy Now! Expanded Convention Coverage WGXC will carry daily the Democracy Now! expanded two-hour broadcast during the 2012 Democratic National Conventions. Amy Goodman and the Democracy Now! will travel to Charlotte to report from the streets, to the suites, to the convention floor.
7 p.m. Guest DJ: The Honeygun Power Hour Marc Anthony Thompson is guest DJ until 9:30 p.m.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="200"]John Cage would have turned 100 this week. Photo from Wikipedia.[/caption]
120 Hours for John Cage
Sat. Sept. 9, 2012
1 a.m.: In a soundscape, ORBIS (12:45)
2 a.m.: The Inventor of Silence, Todd Merrell (06:04)
3 a.m.: This Is Not 0'0" (homage to John Cage in the Year of his Centennial), David Moscovich (04:32)
Noon: Gowanus Mix, Jean-philippe Antoine (29:04)
1 p.m.: Riverbroadening , Matt Davis (28:30)
4 p.m.: Cashier Concerto, Ingeborg Entrop (03:20)
5 p.m.: Slow Birds, Ecoarttech (28:00)
7 p.m.: 5984))NODE, _7397468193684(, -----, ((166720107461622)), Scott Danek (06:04)
8 p.m.: 4'33" for Public Bus, Seth Kim-Cohen (03:12)
9 p.m.: The Inventor of Silence, Todd Merrell (06:04)
10 p.m.: Radio Daze, Linda O Keeffe (06:22)
11 p.m.: ombre, Daria Baiocchi (10:21)

Next week -- beginning Sept. 9: During the WGXC Fall Pledge Drive please help us meet our goal of raising $30,000 to cover the station's annual operating expenses. Tune in for special guests and programming all week, Get a head start by going to wgxc.org/donate.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="170"] Phoenix manufactures the netting used in produce bags.[/caption]

Tom Casey reports in the Register Star plastics company Phoenix Hudson Manufacturing LLC is about to make Hudson its headquarters. The plastics extrusion plant will occupy a portion of the 70,000-square-foot building located on North Second St., once home to the Emsig Button Factory. Company president John Tonelli told the paper the lease was signed Tues., Sept. 4, and that machinery is currently being installed. The company should begin operations sometime in October. Phoenix expects to employ 20 to 25 people, in both skilled and unskilled positions, including experienced machine operators, salesmen and warehouse workers, by the end of 2012. Phoenix melts down resin pellets into plastic netting that is used for a variety of purposes, such as gauze, bags for fruits and vegetables, and for deer and construction fencing. Read the full story in the Register Star.

This Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 8-9 the Fifth Annual Village of Catskill Studio Tour includes 20 artists, galleries, and museums open in Catskill, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Tasha Depp from the Greene County Council on the Arts, talked with Ron Diamondstein on the "WGXC Afternoon Show" at the Catskill Community Center Wed., Sept. 5, about the show. There is a preview exhibition Sept. 7, at 6 p.m. at M. Gallery, 350 Main Street in Catskill. Click here to listen to the interview.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced new regulations for Hudson River herring, often used as bait by those hoping to lure striped bass. River herring (alewife and blueback herring) spend most of their life in the ocean but return to the Hudson to spawn. "River herring are part of New York's native fauna and need to be more intensively managed to provide long-term, sustainable populations," said Martens. "These unique fish are important to New York's waters and many New Yorkers enjoy their return to tidal waters each spring." The new rules:
• Establish a recreational open season and a daily creel limit.
• Permit angling only (e.g. no nets) in the tributaries and embayments.
• Reduce the size of allowable nets in the Hudson River proper for both recreational and commerical fishers.
• Require charter boats to register with the DEC to be eligible for a special boat creel limit, and increases monthly reporting requirements for their catches..
The list of waters where the harvest of river herring is prohibited are: the Delaware River and its tributaries, all streams in Bronx, Kings, Manhattan, Nassau, Richmond, Suffolk, and Queens counties, and Westchester County streams that are tributary to the East River or Long Island Sound. The Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), a cooperative interstate fisheries management organization, of which New York State is a member, recently confirmed that coast- wide river herring stocks are depleted. The blockage of rivers by dams, habitat degradation and overfishing led to the depletion of the river herring stocks along the Atlantic coast. For additional information about DEC Marine Resources- Hudson River Fisheries programs, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/76525.html or contact DEC's Bureau of Marine Resources at 845-256-3071 or by email at r3hrf@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

The Daily Freeman is reporting its parent company, the Journal Register Company, is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the second time the firm has done so since 2008. The company will seek to implement a prompt sale. In a letter, Chief Executive Officer John Paton stated the bankruptcy filing is voluntary and normal business operations are expected to take place through the sale, which is expected to occur in approximately 90 days. Paton said while the firm remains committed to and has made progress in its transition to digital operations, a combination of declining print revenue and legacy costs have impeded that transformation. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 86F; low 61F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 86F; low 63F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast.
Today's forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Patchy dense fog before 9 a.m. Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny. High near 84; low near 62.

The outlook through the weekend:

Friday: A slight chance of showers after 11 a.m. Party sunny. High near 85; low around 67.
Saturday: A chance of rain and thunderstorms, then rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. Partly sunny. High near 80. Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm overnight. Low around 61.
Sunday: A chance of showers throughout the day and overnight. Mostly cloudy. High near 75; low around 53.

Sunrise today: 6:26 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:20 p.m.
Length of the day: 12 hrs., 54 min.

Town meetings

Today is the first Thursday of the month.
(WGXC suggests you call ahead to confirm meeting time and location.)

ANCRAM Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
AUSTERLITZ Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall, 812 Route 203, Spencertown (392-3260).
COPAKE Planning Board meets at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
GHENT Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
KINDERHOOK Zoning Board of Appeals meets at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).
WINDHAM Town board meets at 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 371 State Rt. 296, Hensonville (734-4170).

The day ahead at WGXC: Programming notes

8 a.m. Democracy Now! Expanded Convention Coverage WGXC will carry daily the Democracy Now! expanded two-hour broadcast during the 2012 Democratic National Conventions. Amy Goodman and the Democracy Now! will travel to Charlotte to report from the streets, to the suites, to the convention floor.
Noon Crossroads in Rhythm hosted by Alan Skerrett
2 p.m. The Art of the Hudson Valley: Francine Hunter McGivern, Founder and Creative Director at CR10, discusses the new contemporary arts project in Linlithgo, Columbia County. Under the nom d’art of Jungle Red, McGivern developed important experimental work in theater, performance and cabaret as a member of the New York underground from the late 1970s through the 1980s. In 1977 she founded Jungle Red Studios, an alternative venue for interdisciplinary activities and a focal point for her multimedia installation work. With host is Chad Weckler.
7 p.m. The Jazz Disturbance: Sheila Jordan Interview with vocalist, educator, and 2012 NEA Jazz Masters Award recipient Sheila Jordan. Jordan will be performing at Main Street Jazz at Gallagher's Banquet Hall in Cairo, NY, Fri., 8 p.m., Sept. 7, with her show, “Bebop to Freebop.” The NEA Jazz Masters award is the highest federally-supported award for jazz artistry. Hosted by Cheryl K. Symister-Masterson

1 a.m. 120 Hours for John Cage: 4'33" for Public Bus, Seth Kim-Cohen (03:12)
2 a.m. 120 Hours for John Cage: Staticage, David Schafer (32:51)
3 a.m. 120 Hours for John Cage:: Punkt - Radiophonia #2, Emidio Buchinho (04:10)

Next week -- beginning Sept. 9: During the WGXC Fall Pledge Drive please help us meet our goal of raising $30,000 to cover the station's annual operating expenses. Tune in for special guests and programming all week, Get a head start by going to wgxc.org/donate.

W. T. Eckert reports in The Daily Mail the Greene County Democrats endorsed candidates for the upcoming local elections at the opening of the committee's campaign headquarters in Catskill, Tues., Sept. 4. In a county that has historically been a Republican stronghold, Greene County Democratic Committee Chairwoman Doreen Parsley Davis announced the committee is fielding seven candidates for Greene County Legislature: Sondra Clark (District 6, Windham) Harry Lennon (District 8, Cairo), Kevin Lennon (District 1, Catskill), Joe Kozloski (District 1, Catskill), Vincent Seeley (District 1, Catskill), James Van Slyke (District 5, New Baltimore) and Larry Gardner (District 7, Hunter). The committee also endorsed Julian Schreibman in the newly configured 19th Congressional District race, Cecilia Tkaczyk of Duanesburg in the newly formed 46th State Senate District and former Albany Police Spokesman and Round Top native James Miller in the 102nd State Assembly District. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Susan Campriello is reporting in The Daily Mail developers hope to get a final approval this month from Catskill village officials to construct a Mavis Discount Tire store on Central Avenue. The proposed 6,100-square-foot store would be located between Catskill’s firehouse and the Walgreens store, according to Nancy Richards, secretary to the village Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, and developer Tiffany Marsh. At the Sept. 17 Planning Board meeting, planners will discuss storm-water issues, equipment storage and the building’s sign. If the project receives Planning Board approval that night, construction could start before the end of the year, and the business could open its doors by spring, according to Marsh. It was estimated as many as 10 people may be employed at the tire center. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300"]From NY Governor's office.[/caption]WGXC’s Dharma Dailey talks to reporters, citizen journalists, bloggers, Tweeters and Facebook updaters about how they covered the storm. In the hope we can face the next emergency a bit better prepared, we will share our findings in the Forum on Flood Coverage. The public is welcome to attend. The Forum will be recorded for broadcast on WGXC 90.7-FM at 8 a.m. Sat., Sept. 8, and at 2 p.m., Sept. 13. This is part of “After the Flood,” WGXC’s coverage of the one-year anniversary of the storms surrounding Hurricane Irene and their impact on the WGXC listening area. Forum will be held at Scribner Hollow Lodge, 13 Scribner Hollow Road, Hunter, NY 12442. 518-263-4211

William J. Kemble reports in the Daily Freeman Village of Catskill officials, Tues., Sept. 4, reviewed  fire department spending at a town board meeting in advance of negotiations for a new fire protection contract, That contract is expected to cost the town five percent more next year. Village President Vincent Seeley assured Town Board members there was no diversion of funds from the $166,000 the town paid for fire protection services. The village Fire Department budget for 2011-12 totaled $360,504. The discussion came one week after town residents rejected a proposal to establish a joint town-village fire district. Village voters approved the plan, but support from both voting blocks was necessary for passage. A joint session of the town and village boards will be held Sept. 10, to discuss the terms of the next contract. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

[caption id="attachment_22334" align="alignright" width="334"] Brian Dewan, giving a radio reading Aug. 4, 2012 at Wave Farm in Acra.[/caption]
For artist George Quasha's "What is..." art project, where he asks artists what art, or poetry, or music is. Catskill's Brian Dewan came equipped with his own radio theatre about "what is music" Aug. 11 live on WGXC. Click here to listen.
PLAY BRIAN DEWAN RADIO THEATRE 8:22

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 84F; low 64F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 82F; low 64F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast.
Today's forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between noon and 5 p.m. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82; low near 62.

The outlook for the next three days:

Thursday: Patchy fog before 8 a.m. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms overnight. Otherwise, mostly sunny. High near 85; around 64.
Friday: A slight chance of showers after 2 p.m. Party sunny. High near 83; low around 64.
Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 79; low around 65.

Sunrise today: 6:25 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:22 p.m.
Length of the day: 12 hrs., 57 min.

Town meetings

Today is the first Wednesday of the month.
(WGXC suggests you call ahead to confirm meeting time and location.)

CAIRO Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 512 Main Street, Cairo (622-3120).
GHENT Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, P.O. Box 98, Ghent (392-4644).
GREENE COUNTY Meetings for Human Services, Health, and Education Committees at 6 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
GREENPORT Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Greenport Town Hall, 600 Town Hall Drive, Hudson (828-4656).
HUDSON Hudson Common Council Youth & Aging Committee meeting, 6 p.m., and Arts, Entertainment & Tourism Committee meeting at 6:45 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
LIVINGSTON Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, County Rte. 19, Livingston (851-9441).


The day ahead at WGXC: Programming notes

8 a.m. Democracy Now! Expanded Convention Coverage WGXC will carry daily the Democracy Now! expanded two-hour broadcast during the 2012 Democratic National Conventions. Amy Goodman and the Democracy Now! will travel to Charlotte to report from the streets, to the suites, to the convention floor.
10 a.m. @Issue: Robin Andrews Columbia County Supervisor Robin Andrews, Democrat of Claverack, discusses the TCI fire and cleanup, and her campaign for the State Senate, with host Victor Mendolia, chairman of the Hudson City Democratic Committee and first vice chair of the Columbia County Democratic Committee.
Noon After the Flood: Forum on Flood Coverage: WGXC's Dharma Dailey talks to reporters, citizen journalists, bloggers, Tweeters and Facebook updaters about how they covered the storm. In the hope we can face the next emergency a bit better prepared, we will share our findings in the Forum on Flood Coverage. The public is welcome to attend. The Forum will be recorded for broadcast on WGXC 90.7-FM at 8 a.m. Sat., Sept. 8, and at 2 p.m., Sept. 13. This is part of "After the Flood," WGXC's coverage of the one-year anniversary of the storms surrounding Hurricane Irene and their impact on the WGXC listening area.
4 p.m. WGXC Afternoon Show: Artist and teacher Tasha Depp will be on hand to talk about this weekend's Catskill Artist and Gallery Tour. Local news and events will be announced, and interesting music will be played. Ron Diamondstein and Jill Sutton operate the controls from the Catskill Community Center.
1 a.m. 120 Hours for John Cage: In Determining John Cage, Shonni Enelow, Michael Garofalo, Josh Hoglund (10:22)
2 a.m. 120 Hours for John Cage: Six lines, some of which are broken, Folkestone Fringe (1:04:00)
3 a.m. 120 Hours for John Cage: Landscape Under Construction, John McDonough (35:56)

Next week -- beginning Sept. 9: During the WGXC Fall Pledge Drive please help us meet our goal of raising $30,000 to cover the station's annual operating expenses. Tune in for special guests and programming all week, Get a head start by going to wgxc.org/donate.

Billy Shannon reports in the Register Star Ronnybrook Dairy Farm of Ancramdale was awarded the third annual Victoria A. Simons Locavore Award, Mon., Sept. 3. Members of the Osofsky family, who operate the 40-employee farm, were present on the final afternoon of the Columbia County Fair to accept the $1,500 award for their work promoting local agriculture. Laura Pensiero, owner of Gigi Hudson Valley, which includes a Rhinebeck restaurant, a Red Hook market and a catering business, took second place. Liz Beals of Beth's Farm Kitchen came in third. The award was established to honor the late Simons, longtime editor of The Independent newspaper and former executive director of Columbia County Bounty, for her passionate support of local agriculture. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Barbara Reina reports in the Register Star two-year-old noise complaints against the Glencadia Dog Camp in Stuyvesant will be heard later this month by town officials. The public hearing follows a May court decision to review a noise violation against the camp issued in 2010. The same court decision also allowed camp owner Will Pflaum to run the business in a residential neighborhood. The hearing is a continuation of Pflaum's appeal from a notice of violation issued by  Zoning Enforcement Officer Gerald Ennis. The public hearing will take place Tues., Sept. 18 at Stuyvesant Town Hall. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 77F; low 64F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 75F; low 66F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast.
Today's forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene ounty:

Today: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. High near 76; low around 66.

The outlook for the next three days:

Wednesday: Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10 a.m, then a chance of rain and thunderstorms between 10 a.m. and noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy. High near 83; low around 6. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
Thursday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 85; low around 62.
Friday: Most sunny. High near 84; low around 59.

Sunrise today: 6:24 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:24 p.m.
Length of the day: 13 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the first Tuesday of the month.
(WGXC suggests you call ahead to confirm meeting time and location.)

CATSKILL Town Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill (943-2141).
COPAKE Park Commission meets at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
DURHAM Town Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham (239-8260).
LEXINGTON Town Board meeting at 7 p.m., at Municipal building, 3542 Route 42, Lexington, (986-6303).
LIVINGSTON Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, County Rte. 19, Livingston (851-9441).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Finance Committee meets at 5 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State St., Hudson.

The day ahead at WGXC: Programming note

8 a.m. Democracy Now! Expanded Convention Coverage WGXC will carry daily the Democracy Now! expanded two-hour broadcast during the 2012 Democratic National Conventions. Amy Goodman and the Democracy Now! will travel to Charlotte to report from the streets, to the suites, to the convention floor.

Next week -- beginning Sept. 9: WGXC's Fall Pledge Drive will begin with a goal of raising $30,000 toward the station's annual operating expenses. Tune in for special guests and programming all week, Get a head start by going to wgxc.org/donate.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="350"]Frank Hagan's home on the Batavia Kill on Route 23 in Cozy Hollow in Prattsville now has chains holding it down. Photo by Jess Puglisi.[/caption]Jess Puglisi and Lynn Sloneker talk with residents of Prattsville and Lexington on "After the Flood: Prattsville Remembers Irene" from 2-3:30 p.m. Mon., Sept. 3 on WGXC 90.7-FM. Residents tell about their experience during the flooding that resulted from Hurricane Irene that obliterated much of their town, along with observations about the first year of recovery. Prattsville, a town of 700 situated at the junction of the Batavia Kill and the Schoharie Creek, was left in ruins after both bodies of water flooded with unanticipated speed and force. Residents interviewed include Beth and Donald Ballard, Michelle Petricini, Frank Hagan, David Murphy, Ronald Jones, Kaitlynn Cross, Melinda Sokoll, and Lynn Byrne.