HVNY News + Notes (1/22/24)
RABID FOX BITES TWO MORE IN PEEKSKILL: According to Westchester County officials, two more people were bit by a rabid fox in Peekskill over the weekend. The fox was euthanized after testing positive for rabies last Saturday, after it bit two other people, according to the Westchester County Department of Health.
The first two victims were receiving preventative medical treatment prior to the fox testing positive for rabies. The two residents that were subsequently bit by the fox were not initially receiving treatment for rabies at the time, but “are now under a doctor’s care,” officials added.
“If you are bitten or scratched by a wild animal, you must immediately contact the Westchester County Health Department – your life depends on it,” Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD, said. “Exposure to rabies when left untreated can lead to death. In this case the two subsequent individuals saw the news reports about the rabid fox and called the Health Department. That one news report and one phone call – quite literally saved their lives.”
The Westchester County Health Department is reminding residents that unusual behavior in an animal may be the first sign of rabies. A rabid animal may become either abnormally aggressive or unusually tame. It may lose fear of people, become excited, irritable, or appear particularly passive and lethargic. Staggering and frothing at the mouth are sometimes noted.If you came in contact with the fox in Peekskill, call the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People should avoid all contact with all wild animals – especially baby wild animals. https://www.westchestergov.com/home/all-press-releases/10053-rabies-alert-rabid-fox-killed-in-peekskill + https://www.westchestergov.com/home/all-press-releases/10055-two-more-people-come-forward-after-being-bit-by-rabid-fox-killed-in-peekskill
Application Open for 2024 Music in the Parks performers: Applications are now open for performers for The City of Kingston’s 2024 Music in the Parks series.
Music in the Parks is the City of Kingston’s free, family-oriented concert series held at various Kingston park locations on Saturday evenings during the summer. Selected ensembles will receive an honorarium.
Due to a large number of Kingston-based artists interested in performing, an application process has been established. The deadline for submissions is February 29, 2024. The 2024 Music in the Parks performer applications can be found at https://www.kingston-ny.gov/musicintheparks
The Music in the Parks 2024 Selection Panel will be conducting reviews in early March. Selected performers will be notified by mid-March. All applicants will receive a response once selections are completed. Applicants not selected will be kept and considered in the event of an opening.
Norah Jones has been named the featured artist for this year’s Bardavon Gala in Poughkeepsie: The nine-time Grammy Award-winner will take the stage on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 8pm for a “rare, intimate theatre show.” Tickets on sale Tuesday, January 23 for members, and Friday, January 26 at 10am for the general public. Tickets
FYI: The FDR Library Museum exhibits will be closed January 22-23, 2024 for deep cleaning.
Still happening:
Call for submissions: The Second Annual March “Monologue” Madness is seeking original submissions of all genres for its second annual event taking place on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Pieces must be 10 minutes or less. Scripts or video clips must be received by the Morton Memorial Library in Rhinecliff by January 31, 2024. Accepted play authors will be notified by March 1, 2024. Email submissions to sandy@mortonrhinecliff.org or in person at the library at 82 Kelly Street, or via snail-mail: PO Box 157, Rhinecliff, New York 12574.
CALL FOR ART: Visual art + talent for the Morton Memorial Library’s Annual Talent Show. Deliver your piece by Saturday, February 17, 2024. Email sandy@mortonrhinecliff.org with any questions.
Resolution to hike more this year? Take the 2024 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge by hiking at all six DEC-owned fire towers in the Catskills between Jan. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024. The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit the region’s remaining fire towers located on Balsam Lake Mountain (Hardenburgh), Hunter Mountain (Hunter), Overlook Mountain (Woodstock), Red Hill Mountain (Denning), and Tremper Mountain (Shandaken), as well as the newest and sixth fire tower opened in fall 2019. The 80-foot-tall Upper Esopus Fire Tower is located at the Catskills Visitor Center in Mt. Tremper. Once completed, submit a log of completed hikes along with a favorite photo to CatskillsChallenge@dec.ny.gov, or via mail. Entries must be postmarked by January 6, 2025. All participants who complete the challenge will receive a letter and a commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge patch designed with the 2024 completion year. The first 1,000 finishers will also receive a one-year subscription to DEC’s Conservationist magazine. Again this year, finishers who completed the challenge multiple times will receive an additional commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge prize. DEC will offer a bonus prize entry to finishers who also submit a photo of themselves practicing Leave No TraceTM while participating in the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge (e.g., picking up litter, carrying out, planning and preparing for their hikes, staying on the trail). Full details can be found at the 2024 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge page.
