How SPCA Protects Companion Animals (Aired on September 28, 2012)

Host Jonah Triebwasser and Catherine Forbes

Host Jonah Triebwasser and Catherine Forbes

Catherine Forbes, Dutchess County SPCA Director of Development, discusses the no-kill Hyde Park shelter with a 141-year history of providing shelter and services for unwanted, abused, abandoned, or neglected animals. SPCA Adoption Counselors are trained to match families with pets, now called “companion animals.” Using a rescued puppy as an example, Ms. Forbes describes the medical attention veterinarians provide that finally allows a rescued companion to live a happy life in a good home. She offers many suggestions for protecting pets, such as a microchip (small as a grain of rice) injected under the skin for easy identification. The Hyde Park’s yearly Annual Petwalk, a unique and well-known county fair for dogs now in its 18th year, includes activities such as competitions in catch-a-ball, racing, tail wagging, singing, speaking, begging, tricks, and so forth, as well as unusual activities like “paw reading.”

Learn More:
Dutchess SPCA Contact number 845 452-7722; Volunteers: 845 454-5345 X 103
Call for drop-in on clinic days at 636 Violet Ave., Hyde Park, NY.
Dutchess County SPCA
County Fair for Dogs

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September 28, 2012 · Posted in Dutchess County, Quality of Life, Service Organizations  

Peace Bells across the Hudson (Aired on September 21, 2012)

Seated: L to R: Substitute Co-host Dave Kruger, Doug Marbel Sturomski. Standing: Co-host Sarah O’Connell

Seated: L to R: Substitute Co-host Dave Kruger, Doug Marbel Sturomski. Standing: Co-host Sarah O’Connell

Rotarian Doug Martin Sturomski discusses the Worldwide Peace Bells Foundation and the work it does to promote peace. Mr. Sturomski believes strongly in Rotary’s message of achieving peace through service. His Peace Bells across the Hudson this year, where symbolically people on two sides of the bridge will meet in the middle, is a fund raiser supporting Family Promise, a non-profit organization that helps families in economic distress. Discussing the historical significance of the bell symbol in most countries around the world, Mr. Sturomski shares his belief that “peace is on the move” and will soon overshadow the preference for conflict. His website asks visitors to commit acts of peace and gives many examples of how to do so.

Learn More:
Peace Bells Along the Hudson
World Wide Peace Bell Foundation (includes Peace Bells across the Hudson)
Email Doug Sturomski

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September 21, 2012 · Posted in Events, History, Hudson Valley, Peace  

Dave Kruger, Chair of Vocational Training Team (Aired on September 14, 2012)

Seated: Dave Kruger. Standing: Co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell

Seated: Dave Kruger. Standing: Co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell

Pleasant Valley Rotarian Dave Kruger, Chair of District 7210’s Vocational Training Team, a professional exchange program, discusses how this program promotes international goodwill and understanding. Mr. Kruger describes Rotary’s positive impact in the world with its various successful humanitarian programs throughout its 100+ year history, starting with Rotary’s influence in the formation of the United Nations. Some of these programs include ShelterBox, Polio eradication worldwide, Peace and Ambassadorial Scholarhips, and more. Mr. Kruger says he always finds it “inspirational” how Rotarians meet major critical challenges in the world by working together in service to others “to further the greater good.”

Learn More:
Rotary International’s Vocational Training Team

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September 14, 2012 · Posted in International Exchanges, International Programs, Peace, Vocational  

Protecting our Water Supply (Aired on September 7, 2012)

Seated: Carolyn Klocker. Standing: Co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell

Seated: Carolyn Klocker. Standing: Co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell

Carolyn Klocker, Senior Water Resource Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension in Dutchess County (CCEDC), discusses important updates about our water supply, describing and emphasizing watersheds and their importance. She provides easy methods that will conserve and protect our water supply and corrects misinformation about our knowledge of water. Ms. Klocker also describes the vital work of the CCEDC, which strives to extend the educational resources of Cornell Univerity and the NYS Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Human Ecology, Veterinary Medicine, etc. In addition, Ms. Klocker explains the program called “No Child Left Inside,” a movement in the United States that seeks to encourage environmental literacy for students between kindergarten and 12th grade. Ms. Klocker says: “Water will be the next oil. The more we conserve it, the better off we’ll be.”

Learn More:
Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County (845 677-8223)
Dutchess Watershed Coalition
NYS Master Watershed Steward Program
No Child Left Inside (Wikipedia)

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September 7, 2012 · Posted in Education, Environment, Health, Quality of Life, Water Projects