Celebrate Italian Culture and Cuisine at the Vibrant Italian Festival (Aired October 1st 2023)

Ulster County Italian American Foundation

 

The upcoming Italian Festival in Kingston, New York, set to take place on October 8th, is generating excitement with its vibrant celebration of Italian culture. Organized by the Italian American Foundation, the festival will be held on the picturesque Kingston waterfront in Ulster County. It aims to celebrate and preserve Italian heritage, featuring an array of Italian food vendors offering everything from sausage and peppers, meatballs, pizza, and calzones, to mac and cheese, cannoli, espresso, and fried dough. In addition to the Italian delicacies, the festival will cater to diverse tastes with food trucks serving Jamaican, Mexican, and other cuisines. Local restaurants like Mariners Harbor and Savona’s Pizza will also join the festivities.

The festival won’t just be about food; there’s an impressive lineup of entertainment and fun activities planned. Visitors can enjoy performances by opera singer Andrew Holben, the jazz quartet Leonisa Ardizon, the flamenco Italiano band Vince Chiarelli, and a tribute to the Rat Pack by Michael Dell. The headliner for the event is Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses, ensuring an upbeat and lively atmosphere. Additionally, a second stage will feature artists from O Positive, showcasing a variety of music genres including Portuguese and Brazilian folk, West African, Mexican folk, and jazz.

For those interested in other types of cuisine, there will be a farmer’s market with fresh veggies, and non-Italian food options like hamburgers, hot dogs, tacos, and jerk chicken. Beverages won’t be left out, with beer and wine available, and Medza Corona as a sponsor.

Transportation to the festival is well thought out, with buses provided by Ulster County Rural Transportation to ease the parking challenges. The festival is poised to become an annual highlight, offering a day filled with continuous music, a variety of food options, and cultural exhibits. There will even be a spaghetti-eating contest for the more adventurous attendees.

For more information about the festival, visitors can check out the Ulster County Italian American Foundation’s website. With its combination of delicious food, entertaining music, and cultural richness, the Italian Festival in Kingston is an event not to be missed.

 

Links For Information

Ulster County Italian American Foundation

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December 20, 2023 · Posted in Hudson Valley ·  

Feeding Hope: Sparrows Nest’s Support for Families Battling Cancer (Aired September 24, 2023)

 

In a recent episode of Radio Rotary, a heartwarming story unfolded about Sparrows Nest, a charity providing meals to families grappling with serious illnesses. Founded by Krista Jones, the organization emerged from a deeply personal experience. A decade ago, Krista was moved by her friend’s struggle with stage 4 colon cancer, particularly the challenge of maintaining proper nutrition. This led her to start cooking meals for her friend and her family, offering much-needed relief during a difficult time.

Following her friend’s passing, Krista felt compelled to expand her efforts. The charity, named Sparrows Nest in memory of a song played at her friend’s funeral, symbolizes the care and protection she aimed to provide. What started in Krista’s home kitchen soon outgrew its bounds, requiring a larger space to accommodate the increasing number of families in need.

Currently, Sparrows Nest serves around 430 people weekly, with an ambitious goal to double this number. Their varied menu ensures that families receive different meals each day, fostering a sense of food security. The organization, detailed at sparrowsnestcharity.org, encourages involvement and provides information on how to receive assistance or volunteer.

Sparrows Nest’s reach extends beyond just the patients; it also supports caregivers who need strength to care for their loved ones. This holistic approach to care has made the charity an essential pillar in the community. The organization is actively seeking volunteers for various roles, including meal delivery drivers and those willing to help with homemade cards and goody bags.

In addition to their regular services, Sparrows Nest is expanding to a larger facility. This move will not only enhance their capacity to serve cancer patients but will also allow them to assist individuals with other types of illnesses in the future. They aim to serve up to a thousand people a day in the new facility. Fundraising efforts for this expansion include a capital campaign and a live auction.

Radio Rotary, sponsored by various local businesses and Rotary Clubs, provides a platform for stories like that of Sparrows Nest, emphasizing the importance of community initiatives and the impact of individual actions. Through such stories, the show highlights the power of compassion and the difference it can make in the lives of those facing life’s toughest challenges.

 

Listen to the recording: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/nnry9l7ksFb

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December 11, 2023 · Posted in Hudson Valley ·  

Join the Fight Against Alzheimer’s at the Walkway Over the Hudson Event (Aired September 17, 2023)

Radio Rotary recently featured Meg Boyce and Tina Eckert from the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter, highlighting the critical issue of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, impairs a person’s ability to perform daily activities due to physical changes in the brain. These changes include the buildup of sticky plaques, the presence of tau protein, and overall neurodegeneration, often impacting short-term memory first.

Tina Eckert plays a pivotal role in organizing the Walk to End Alzheimer’s events, crucial fundraisers for Alzheimer’s research and support programs. The upcoming walk, scheduled on the Walkway over the Hudson on October 14th, invites participants to register at duchessulsterwalk.org. The event is vital for raising funds for Alzheimer’s research and support, with the Red Hook Rotary Club and other Rotary clubs actively participating. Notably, the Alzheimer’s Dementia Rotarian Action Group, a national team, has impressively raised over $500,000 since 2019.

The program also sheds light on the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s and its history, including the story of the first diagnosed case. Recent advancements in research, including new treatments that slow the disease’s progression, were discussed. However, challenges like access to PET scans and Medicare coverage limitations were acknowledged.

The episode emphasized the importance of mental health awareness, encouraging listeners to seek help for conditions like anxiety and depression. Furthermore, it concluded with a discussion on modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s, such as diet, exercise, and sleep, reinforcing the importance of lifestyle choices in disease prevention.

The Walkway Over the Hudson event stands as a beacon of hope and support for those affected by Alzheimer’s, representing a unified effort to combat this challenging disease. The program encouraged listeners to participate in this event, emphasizing the power of community involvement in making a difference.

Learn More:  www.dutchessulsterwalk.org

Listen to the recording: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radio-rotary/episodes/Join-the-Fight-Against-Alzheimers-at-the-Walkway-Over-the-Hudson-Event-e2d4j7e

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December 11, 2023 · Posted in Hudson Valley ·  

From Hope to Healing: Rotary’s Efforts in Haitian Nursing Education (Aired September 10, 2023)

In a recent episode of Radio Rotary, a significant focus was on the commendable efforts of Rotarians Roberto Bonner and Fanfan Joseph in supporting nursing education in Haiti. This initiative, which emerged following the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, has led to the establishment of a vital nursing program. Both Bonner, the president of the Pleasant Valley Rotary Club, and Joseph, a past president of the Carpathian Rotary Club in Haiti, have been instrumental in this project.

The nursing program, a comprehensive four-year course, includes a variety of classes and practical training. It equips nurses in Haiti with skills beyond typical nursing tasks, enabling them to perform functions such as taking vital signs, prescribing medications, and even suturing wounds. This expanded role is particularly crucial given Haiti’s high need for medical professionals due to past disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes.

The program’s success is evident in its outcomes. It has already seen the graduation of one class of 16 students, with an upcoming graduation in December for 18 more students. Graduates from this school are well-prepared to assist in disaster situations, a critical need in Haiti. The school’s accreditation by the health ministry and the requirement for students to pass a national exam for their authorization license ensure the quality and credibility of the education provided.

In addition to the focus on the nursing school, the episode also shed light on the services provided by Hudson River Housing and Mental Health America of Dutchess County, offering resources and assistance for those in need. The Pleasant Valley Rotary Club’s financial support for the nursing school in Haiti underscores Rotary’s commitment to service and global health initiatives. The nursing school, offering various departments like economy, tourism, computer science, and more, has a website and contact number for those interested in supporting or learning more about their impactful work.

This episode of Radio Rotary not only celebrated the achievements of the nursing school in Haiti but also emphasized the broader network of support and sponsorship from various organizations and Rotary clubs, showcasing a community united in its efforts to make a positive global impact.

 

Learn More:  univ.laferriere.com

Listen to the recording : https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radio-rotary/episodes/From-Hope-to-Healing-Rotarys-Efforts-in-Haitian-Nursing-Education-e2d4ir4

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December 11, 2023 · Posted in Hudson Valley ·  

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