Volume LXXXXVI, No. 1 Liberty, NY -:- January, 2015 (USPS) 525 - 100

Towing a Livestock Trailer

Frequently Asked Questions for the Maple Producer

Invasive Plants ~ Japanese Barberry

Gardening Tips for January

Planting Winterberry

Small Steps to Health and WealthTM

CCESC Celebrates 100th Annual Meeting

Cupcake Bakers Debut in the EaT Kitchen

Why is Nutrition Important?

Cheeseburger Bake

Butternut Squash & Chicken Tzimmes

CCESC Community Comes Together

for Winter Workshops

Break the Ice...Go Fishing!

Youth Trebuchet Launch a Success

Preparing to Become Your Parents’ Caregiver

How to File a Medicare Appeal

FCA Releases Nine New Publications for Caregivers

4-H International Night

Youth LEGO Mindstorm NXT Robotics Class

Philadelphia Flower Show Bus Trip

CCESC Master Gardener Plant Sale

Launch Day for the 4-H Shooting Sports program Trebu-

chet. Pumpkins were launched 200-300 feet.

For more information see page 19.

Winter Workshops were a huge success.

For more pictures and information see page 22.

Page 2 Extension Connection January, 2015

The Extension Connection Edited by: Nicole Slevin

Layout & Design by: Tracey Argent

Produced at Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County

Joan Howard……..…...…..…………………..………..President

Earl Myers……………….………………….........Vice President

Glenn Pontier……………………………...…………...Secretary

Donna Willi..………………………….…….…………Treasurer

Staff

Colleen Monaghan...……………..…………...Executive Director

Melinda Meddaugh……..Ag & Natural Resources Issue Leader

& County Ag Planner

Sean Welsh………………………...Youth, Family & Community

Development Issue Leader

Michelle Lipari………………...Ag & 4-H Community Educator

Susan Dollard……………………...Master Gardener Coordinator

Nicole Slevin………………………Director of Communications

Bonnie Lewis……….......Caregiver Resource Center Coordinator

SueAnn Boyd………………..…...Sr. Administrative Assistant &

Master Food Preserver

Marylin Jones...…………………….….4-H Community Educator

Tracey Argent…………………...….Office & Personnel Manager

Maria Grimaldi……….…………….Special Projects Coordinator

Tara Van Horn...…………………………..Finance Administrator

John Wilcox…………………….....Building & Grounds Manager

Message from the Executive Director 3

Towing a Livestock Trailer 4

Frequently Asked Questions for the Maple Producer 6

Growing Sweet Potatoes 8

Invasive Plants ~ Japanese Barberry 9

The Garden Gate - Gardening Tips for January 10

Planting Winterberry 11

Philadelphia Flower Show Bus Trip 12

Financial Fitness - Small Steps to Health and WealthTM 13

Upcoming Programs & Events 14

CCESC Celebrates 100th Annual Meeting 15

The Extension Connection (USPS-525-100) is published monthly for $25.00 enrollment by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County, located at 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Suite 1,

Liberty, NY 12754-2903. Entered at Liberty, New York, as a periodical class matter. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in section 412, Act of February 24, 1925.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Extension Connection, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Suite 1, Liberty, NY 12754-2903.

Mission: The Cornell Cooperative Extension system enables

people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships that put experience and

research knowledge to work.

Cooperative Extension in New York State provides Equal Program and Em-ployment Opportunities. New York State College of Agriculture and Life

Sciences, New York State College of Human Ecology, and New York State

College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, Cooperative Extension Associations, County Governing Bodies, and the United States Department of

Agriculture, cooperating.

NOTICE: Official endorsement of advertisers and their products is not intended by the acceptance of their advertisements for the Extension Connection.

Necessary Business

REGULAR OFFICE HOURS 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ~ Monday-Friday

Phone (845) 292-6180

Website: www.sullivancce.org

Email: sullivan@cornell.edu

Twitter @ccesullivan

Facebook \ccesullivan

Cupcake Bakers Debut in the EaT Kitchen 16

Why is Nutrition Important? 17

Cheeseburger Bake 17

Butternut Squash & Chicken Tzimmes 18

Youth Trebuchet Project a Success 19

Out & About - Break the Ice...Go Fishing! 20

CCESC Community Comes Together for Winter Workshops 22

Preparing to Become Your Parents’ Caregiver 23

How to File a Medicare Appeal 24

FCA Releases Nine New Publications for Caregivers 25

January, 2015 Extension Connection Page 3

Colleen Monaghan, Executive Director

cm638@cornell.edu

It’s a new year here at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sul-

livan County and the staff is working day and night to pull

together all the success stories and challenges we faced in

2014 so we can reflect and plan for a great 2015. You’ll see

the results of this information gathering in February when

we release our annual report, which will come in place of

your regular issue of Extension Connection. We hope that

you will read the report and use it as a tool out in the com-

munity to show others the many services, opportunities, and

supports available through CCESC, and to encourage active

participation of your fellow Sullivan County neighbors in

our organization.

A quick review of the activities, events, and partners serves

as a teaser to the annual report and shows CCESC either of-

fering directly, or partnering to offer dairy, beef, poultry, and

vegetable farmer education workshops and technical assis-

tance visits, consumer assistance, senior caregiver resources

and respite, horticulture education, youth development expe-

riences, tax and finance education and preparation, volunteer

opportunities in every life area, supports for people with spe-

cial needs, recreation and physical activity possibilities, liter-

acy and math programming, food preservation, family budg-

eting guidance, technology and space exploration, and more.

Already in motion for the first quarter of the new year is the

grand opening of the Entrepreneurial and Teaching (EaT)

Kitchen, which will be on January 30th and will feature local-

ly catered light refreshments prepared on-site, testimonials

from our first entrepreneurial users, a ribbon cutting, and

announcement of the first series of program offerings and

opportunities for the Kitchen. Ag staff are working with our

partners in Orange and Ulster Counties on formalizing the

Southeast Regional Livestock Team, which will enable us to

deliver more livestock related program and workshop offer-

ings by pooling our resources across county lines. And 4-H

youth and adult leaders are training and preparing to take

their leadership skills on the road to Albany in February to

make sure the voices and needs of young people in Sullivan

County are heard at the our state’s capital.

With the breadth of programming mentioned above, there is

a place for everyone with Cornell Cooperative Extension. It

is in this context that CCE is moving into 2015. We are de-

veloping internal systems that will help us create and main-

tain our relationships with you, our members, and the larger

community. Systems that we hope will help us better com-

municate how to engage with us, as program participants,

members, and as volunteers. We hope that by the end of the

year, each and every individual in Sullivan County under-

stands all that Extension does and how to be a part of it.

Most importantly, CCESC staff is creating policies, proce-

dures, and systems that will give us the tools we need in-

house to field your inquiries, understand your interests,

needs, and strengths, and work in partnership with you for a

better Sullivan County.

In February, you will see the roll out of our new interactive

website. The new site will allow for timely educational tips

and announcements, online transactions, various ways to

contribute and receive special CCE benefits, the ability to

request farm visits for assistance from our agriculture staff,

and many more features. By summer, friends of Extension,

youth and adults alike, who would like to engage with and

participate in Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan Coun-

ty’s work, will be able to trust that there is a volunteer and

program inquiry, screening, training, and support system in

place here that is easy to navigate and responsive to the com-

munity’s needs.

As I’m sure you know change takes time, especially for an

organization with as many program areas as Extension. So

again, I thank you in advance for your patience with us as we

continue to offer the quality educational programming and

volunteer opportunities that you have come to know and

love. As we make changes from the inside out, we will make

sure we have the capacity to meet the changing needs of our

community. Look out for our annual report publication next

month. For now, enjoy the slower, shorter days, and may

you and yours rest easy as we settle into a new year.

Page 4 Extension Connection January, 2015

View from Stone Ridge Farm with pond

Towing a livestock

trailer is a common

practice on most farms

and ranches. Livestock

trailers, also referred to

as stock trailers, are

used to move livestock

between locations, haul

show animals to county

fairs, and transport ani-

mals to processing

plants.

To safely tow a livestock trailer, your truck must be capa-

ble of towing the weight of the trailer plus the added

weight of the livestock. Check with the manufacturer to

determine the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight (GCVW),

which includes the tow vehicle's weight plus the loaded

trailer weight. The GCVW rating can be located in the ve-

hicle's serial number or in the operator's manual. When cal-

culating the weight, remember to include the weight for

fuel, passengers, and cargo.

The manual for the trailer should specify a maxi-

mum tongue weight—the amount of the trailer's weight

that presses down on the truck's trailer hitch when using

a bumper pull trailer or the truck's bed when using

a gooseneck trailer. The majority of the weight (85% to

90%) should be carried over the axles so that only 10% to

15% of the weight is carried on the tongue.

Before using a livestock trailer, check both the truck and

the trailer to ensure that they are in good working condi-

tion. In addition, take the following actions:

Latches and safety chains: Double check the latches

and the safety chains and cables between the truck and

trailer to make sure they are fastened securely. Make

sure you are using a ball that is the correct size for the

trailer.

Trailer brakes: Inspect the breakaway cable or brake

system. Manufacturers recommend that any trailer ex-

ceeding 1,000 lb. have its own brake system, but you

should also check state regulations regarding brake

system requirements.

Wheel bear-

ings: Repack the wheel bear-

ings on a regular basis and

replace as necessary.

Electric Wiring and

Connections: Make sure all

wiring is in good condition.

Trailer connectors should

match the truck connectors.

Check to make sure that

all the lights (brake light,

turn signals, and tail lights)

on both the truck and the trailer are working. Make

sure the electrical connection is securely plugged into

the truck.

Tires: Examine the tires for signs of dry rot, wear, or

damage, and make sure that all tires, including the

spare and inside dual tires, have the correct air pres-

sure. Consider replacing tires at least every five years,

regardless of use.

Lug nuts: Inspect the lug nuts regularly to ensure they

are properly tightened.

Trailer: Inspect the trailer floor to make sure it is stur-

dy and clean. If more traction is needed, install rubber

matting. Consider replacing floor boards that are show-

ing signs of wear or rot.

Battery: If you use battery-powered accessories, en-

sure that your emergency battery is charged and ready

for use.

Brake controllers: Test your brake controllers and

make adjustments as needed depending on the weight

of your trailer.

- The first step in testing your electric brakes is to

locate the controller or adjustor, which is typically

located beneath the instrument panel on the

tow vehicle. The controller has an adjustment but-

ton (+ or -) and sliding lever. You may need to use

the controller to increase braking power (+) for

heavier loads or decrease braking power (-)

for lighter loads.

(Continued on page 5)

Submitted by Michelle Lipari, Ag and 4-H Livestock Community Educator

January, 2015 Extension Connection Page 5

(Continued from previous page)

- Once you have located the controller, slowly move

forward on a level surface and shift the tow vehicle

transmission to neutral. Use the slide lever on the

brake controller to bring the load to a stop using the

trailer brakes.

- If the trailer brakes cause the truck to jerk, your

trailer brakes are adjusted too high. Lower the brak-

ing power on the trailer until the trailer comes to a

smooth stop. If the truck and loaded trailer do not

slow to a stop, the brake controller must be adjusted

to a higher level.

Loading the Trailer

Loading animals into a trailer can sometimes be a frustrating

task, but there are steps you can take to make the task safer

and, ideally, easier. For example, lower the back of the trail-

er as much as possible so that animals may step into the trail-

er without having to step up. Remember to be patient and

calm during the loading process so that you do not scare or

stress the animals. Additional recommendations include the

following:

Weight distribution: When using a bumper pull trailer,

place the heaviest animals in the front of the axles. Load

older and larger animals first, followed by younger and

smaller animals.

Ties: When tying animals in the trailer, use slip

knots and tie securely at head height in the trailer.

Visibility: Make sure animals can see you when you

enter and exit the trailer, when you are in the trail-

er, and when you tie or untie them.

Squeeze and pinch points: Remain alert to the dan-

ger of being pinned between animals and trailer

sides and being pinched by the trailer gate.

Gates: Once the animals are loaded into the trailer,

quickly close the gates and ensure that they are se-

cure.

Protrusions: Inspect the trailer for broken or sharp

objects protruding into the trailer. These items

should be repaired immediately to prevent an injury

to an animal or operator.

Traveling

When driving on any roadway, always maintain a safe

speed, keep your headlights on, and stay alert. Your braking

time increases when you are towing a full trailer, so maintain

a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you and leave

adequate room to stop. Plan your travel time carefully, and

be aware that weather can cause delays by impacting road

conditions and animal comfort.

Do not lock the the trailer when you are transporting ani-

mals. In the event of an emergency, rescue workers will be

able to more quickly gain access to an unlocked trailer. For

your animals’ safety, do not allow them to hang their heads

out of the trailer, where they could be injured by flying ob-

jects.

Source: Livestock trailer safety. (2012) Farm and Ranch

eXtension in Safety and Health (FReSH) Community of

Practice. Retrieved from http://www.extension.org/

pages/64391/livestock-trailer-safety.

Page 6 Extension Connection January, 2015

Submitted by Melinda Meddaugh, Ag Issue Leader

Q. What is maple flavor?

A. Around 300 different natural flavor compounds have

been found in pure maple syrup, though not all in the same

syrup. Your nose detects most of these compounds. There

is a compound linked to maple flavor that is present in all

pure maple products, but varies in amount between produc-

ers and time of year. Other prominent flavors are sugars,

caramel, and vanilla. Nutty, buttery, floral (honey), cereal,

chocolate, and coffee flavors can be found in some syrups.

As is the case for most natural products, maple syrups have

complex flavor chemistry to delight your sense of taste and

smell.

Q. Does syrup quality vary from one region, state, or

province to another?

A. Syrup flavor is affected by soil type, tree genetics,

weather conditions during the maple season, time during

the season when the sap is collected, and processing tech-

nique. Producers in every region consistently are able to

produce good tasting, high quality products, but no region

is always better than another. Pure maple is a natural prod-

uct with considerable variation in flavors. Like wines, this

variation should be sampled and enjoyed.

Q. What is the difference in syrup grade?

A. Maple syrup must meet exacting standards for purity.

High quality pure maple syrup can be made only by the

evaporation of pure maple sap, and by weight may contain

no less than 66 percent sugar (Brix). In Vermont and New

Hampshire the minimum sugar content is 66.9%. Maple

syrup is classified according to its color, which is a rough

guide to flavor intensity. The darker the syrup, the stronger

the flavors.

New York Grade A Light Amber or Vermont Fancy —

the lightest of the three classifications has a mild, deli-

cate flavor

Medium Amber — a bit darker with a fuller flavor

Dark Amber — the darkest of the three grades has a

stronger maple, caramel, and other flavors

Grade B — has the strongest flavors

Q. How does syrup grade vary for New York, Ver-

mont, Quebec, and Ontario?

A. Most maple-producing states and provinces have their

own laws regulating syrup sold in those states. States with-

out such regulations must follow the USDA regulations.

Vermont and New Hampshire require a slightly higher min-

imum density of sugar than is required by the regulations in

other areas, though many producers use the higher density

guidelines. All US regulations use the USDA. color stand-

ards, but have different words to describe the colors. Cana-

da uses different color standards, which leads to slightly

darker syrups in each color grade. Syrups produced entire-

ly within Vermont may have “Vermont” as part of the

grade designation. Significant amounts of the syrup sold by

Vermont companies are produced in other states and prov-

inces.

Q. Does syrup quality vary from one region, state, or

province to another?

A. Syrup quality is affected by weather conditions during

the maple season, time during the season when the sap is

collected, and processing technique. Some producers in

every region consistently are able to produce light color,

high quality products, but no one region is better than an-

other.

(Continued on page 7)

January, 2015 Extension Connection Page 7

(Continued from page 6)

Q. Is maple syrup produced all through the United

States? The world?

A. Maple syrup is produced only in the northeastern

United States and eastern Canada, the region in which sugar

maple is found. Although maple syrup is not produced in

other regions of the world, some other species of maple are

tapped. For example, in Korea, people tap a maple species

called Acer mono and pipe the sap from the mountains

down to the village. They drink the sap but do not boil it to

produce syrup. Birch trees may be tapped in Alaska and

Siberia but the sap is lower in sugar content and quality

than maple sap.

Q. In cooking, what is the equivalent amount of ma-

ple syrup for white sugar? Can maple syrup be used as

a substitute for sugar?

A. Maple syrup can be substituted for white sugar in

cooking. Use 1 cup maple syrup for 1 cup white sugar. Re-

duce liquid in recipe by three tablespoons for each cup of

syrup used. Maple sugar can replace white sugar in equal

amounts.

Q. What is the shelf-life for maple products?

A. The shelf-life for maple syrup in a properly filled and

sealed container is over one year. The shelf-life for maple

syrup after initial opening is about six months in the refrig-

erator. The shelf-life for un-coated maple candy is about

two weeks on the shelf or in the refrigerator, and for coated

maple candy about six months at room temperature.

(Coated maple candy should not be kept in the refrigerator.)

The shelf-life for maple cream is about two months in the

refrigerator, but it can be stored frozen for a long period of

time.

Q. Is the sugar in maple syrup healthier than white

sugar?

A. The sugar in maple syrup is sucrose with small

amounts of glucose and fructose sugar. White sugar is su-

crose. There is no direct scientific evidence that maple syr-

up is healthier than white sugar. Diabetics need to treat ma-

ple syrup and sugar as they do other sugar products. Be-

cause it is a less refined sugar, maple products contain min-

erals, antioxidants, and other compounds that have been

shown to have health advantages in other foods.

Q. Is maple syrup organic?

A. The overwhelming majority of maple syrup is pro-

duced in forests where no herbicides or pesticides have

been applied. Therefore, most maple syrup would be con-

sidered organic.

What is required for syrup to be labeled "organic"? The requirements are stated by the particular organic certi-

fication organization, but generally state no use of substanc-

es (for example, fertilizers or pesticides) in the production

process that would alter the pure nature of maple syrup.

By: Stephen Child, Cornell Maple Specialist

¡Sullivan Renaissance

en Español!

Since 2001, Sullivan Renaissance has fos-

tered community pride through beautifica-

tion and volunteerism. Now we are extend-

ing our hand out to the Spanish speaking

community of Sullivan County.

¡HABLAMOS ESPAÑOL! We invite our

Spanish speaking neighbors to become vol-

unteers right in their home towns. Sullivan

Renaissance will provide bilingual transla-

tors who will remove the language barrier.

Contact Ari Mir-Pontier, Liaison to the

Spanish Speaking Community

Tel: 845-295-2434

apontier@sullivanrenaissance.org

Page 8 Extension Connection January, 2015

I started growing sweet potatoes two years ago. This past

year’s yield was more than twice that of the first year, with

a total of 115lbs from 20 slips. However, the one variety

(ex. cultivar) called Georgia jet is very prone to deep fur-

rowing (see photo) as a result of uneven amounts of water,

from thundershowers, which is beyond anyone’s control,

according to horticulture specialist I spoke to from Burpee

Seed Company. Although still edible, it is just not worth

the time to cut the furrows to remove any remaining soil,

thus losing a good portion of the potato. Next spring, I will

only be ordering the cultivar, beaugard, which is resistant

to furrowing from uneven amounts of water. The attached

photo is of the beaugard variety.

Hoe the soil from both sides of the intended line to get a

hill about 18 inches high. With good tilth (remember that

word) it’s fairly easy to achieve this.

Next, a furrow is made about two

inches deep on top of the hill, where

a soaker hose is placed. Cover the

hill with black plastic to warm up the

soil, preferably a week before plow-

ing. The plastic stays in place the

entire growing season. The slips are

placed 12 to 18 inches apart in the

row. I sprinkle a little miracle grow

between the slips to help ensure they get off to a good start.

If the weather is too cold for plowing, the slips are packed

in moist paper toweling or newspaper. Horticulture spe-

cialists tell me that the slips can also be put into water.

Happy Sweet Potato Pie!

Richard is shown here with a heavy duty hoe he made. The

hoe is able to handle the hilling needed to grow sweet po-

tatoes successfully. Richard will have the hoe available for

purchase at our annual plant sale.

DHI November, 2014

70096 Brandon Peters

Dairy

DHI-AP H 96.9 22003 751 675

70120 J&E Weissmann

Farms

DHIR-AP H 35.2 20275 734 624

70146 Thony’s Dairy DHI-AP H 54.4 19327 762 594

70374 Weissmann

MShorthorns

DHIR-AP M 23.8 17390 624 537

70093 Hughson, Wilfred DHI-AP H 137.1 16398 675 524

70375 Ashluck Farm DHI-AP X 32.1 16056 548 489

70021 Glassel, Robert DHI-AP H 46.1 13579 474 404

By Richard Schulman, Master Gardener Volunteer

January, 2015 Extension Connection Page 9

Berberis thunbergii

(barberry family)

Threats to Native

Habitats: Japanese

barberry has es-

caped from cultiva-

tion and is progres-

sively invading nat-

ural areas. It is a

particular threat to open and second-growth forests. An es-

tablished colony can eventually grow thick enough to crowd

out native understory plants. Traversing through dense

patches of barberry can be difficult and even painful. Birds

eat the red berries, thereby spreading the shrub into new are-

as.

Description: Japanese barberry is a dense woody shrub with

numerous arching spine-bearing branches. It usually grows

about three feet high, but occasionally reaches up to six feet.

A single spine grows off the stem beneath each cluster of

small wedge-shaped leaves. Its small yellow flowers are four

-parted and can occur alone or in small clusters. Flowers

appear in May, and the fruits—red oblong berries—persist

on the plant into the following winter. In the fall, the leaves

of Japanese barberry turn attractive shades of red and or-

ange. Fall foliage color is one of the reasons this plant has

been widely planted as an ornamental.

Habitat: Japanese barberry is found in old fields, in open

woods, on floodplains, on ledges, along power lines, and on

roadsides. In Maine it occurs in thickets, on roadsides, and in

open areas. Plants are both sun- and shade-tolerant, and in-

vasions of relatively undisturbed woodlands are becoming

more common. It grows successfully in a variety of soil

types.

Distribution: Japanese barberry is native to Asia. It was

brought to North America in the late nineteenth century and

has been widely planted as an ornamental. It has escaped and

naturalized (is established and reproducing in the wild) as far

north as Nova Scotia, south to North Carolina, and west to

Montana. In Maine, Japanese barberry has been documented

in five counties. It probably occurs in more, particularly the

southern counties, but has been under-collected due to a gen-

eral lack of interest in weedy species.

Control: Mechanical removal is recommended because it is

effective and may cause the least disturbance. Japanese bar-

berry is one of the first plants to leaf out in spring and is

therefore easy to distinguish from other shrubs. Whole

shrubs may be removed with a hoe or weed wrench. Use of

thick or sturdy gloves is recommended to provide protection

from the spines. Plants can resprout from roots, so remove as

much of the roots as possible. Regular mowing can prevent

barberry from returning once it has been removed. In areas

where mechanical removal is not practical, such as rock

piles or outcrops, a glyphosate herbicide can be used. Con-

sult a licensed herbicide applicator before applying herbi-

cides over large areas.

Sources:

Josselyn Botanical Society of Maine. 1995. Checklist of

the Vascular Plants of Maine, Third Revision. Orono,

ME: Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station.

Haines, A. and T.F. Vining. 1998. Flora of Maine. Bar

Harbor, ME: V.F. Thomas Co.

The Nature Conservancy of Vermont. 1998. Invasive

Exotic Fact Sheet: Japanese Barberry. Montpelier, VT.

Brunelle, H. and B. Lapin. 1996. Invasive Plant Infor-

mation Sheet: Japanese Barberry. Middletown, CT: The

Nature Conservancy of Connecticut.

Gleason, H.A. and Cronquist, A. 1991. Manual of Vas-

cular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent

Canada. New York: New York Botanical Garden.

Japanese barberry (photo by Leslie Mehrhoff,

courtesy of the New England Wild Flower Society)

Submitted by Susan Dollard, Master Gardener Program Coordinator

Page 10 Extension Connection January, 2015

Susan M. Dollard

Master Gardener Program Coordinator

Holiday Plants

Holiday plants are not necessarily designed

to endure past the season. Many have been

forced in greenhouses to bloom and may not

adjust well to your home environment. Don’t

feel guilty about tossing out poinsettias, cyc-

lamen, gloxinia or other holiday plants, when

they are no longer looking good. “Green

thumbed” gardeners who want to keep these

plants going can, with the proper conditions.

Some can make good houseplants.

Christmas cactus, in particular, will bloom again next year

with little care. The same rings true with amaryllis bulbs.

They can live for 50 years or more. Be sure to give them as

much light and humidity as possible, but keep them cool at

60-65 degrees F. Keep them away from heat sources and

drafty doorways. Be sure to punch holes in or remove the

decorative foil or it will collect water and cause root rot.

Place newspaper between cold windows and windowsills at

night to prevent chilling. If you have questions about the

individual care of any of these plants, please call the Cor-

nell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Master Gar-

dener Volunteer Helpline on Wednesdays between 9:00 am

and 12:00 pm or leave a message and we will get back to

you the following Wednesday.

House Plants

Be sure not to overwater or fertilize your houseplants now.

Many have gone dormant. If you heat with a woodstove or

wood furnace this heat tends to be very dry and you may

need to water and mist them more often. It is best during

the winter to feel the soil before watering, don’t go by a

calendar schedule. Spider mites thrive in hot dry conditions;

put infected plants in the shower to wash away the pest.

This also removes dust and gives them much needed hu-

midity.

Why not cut back some of your leggy plants? You can root

them to make more plants for yourself or a friend. Some

cuttings will begin to root in a few days if kept in clean wa-

ter. Transfer them to soil. Again, if you need

more details about particular plants and how

to root them call the MGV Helpline.

Outdoors

If any of your trees or shrubs have broken

branches due to weather damage, you can

safely prune them off now. However, now is

not the time to do cosmetic pruning. If you

haven’t tied together or supported the

branches on evergreen shrubs consider doing

it before the next snowfall. Gently remove any heavy snow

accumulation from stressed branches with a broom.

Now is a good time to do some indoor groundwork for the

coming garden season. Consult nursery and seed catalogs to

order for this coming spring. Since its January, start a gar-

den journal. Write down whatever you buy or are given and

where you planted them. It’s good to keep a record of what

and when plants bloom and for how long. You’ll be glad

you have a garden journal next year when you are perusing

garden catalogues.

Why not sharpen and care for your garden tools so they’re

ready when you are? Call us for further details on caring for

your tools. We will be glad to help.

Don’t forget to check your bird feeders on a regular basis.

Bird watching in the winter months can be a very relaxing

thing to do. Get the kids involved identifying birds and fill-

ing feeders. The birds need your help getting through our

severe winters.

Save that cut Christmas tree. Put it out in the yard with

treats for the birds and wildlife. Afterwards, its braches

make great compost when shredded. Some townships offer

to do this for you. The trunks can often be used for fencing

or garden stakes next spring.

Gardeners are perpetual optimists; they plant for the future.

Spring really is coming.

January, 2015 Extension Connection Page 11

Submitted by Susan Dollard, Master Gardener Program Coordinator

General Information The winterberry bush also referred to as ilex verticillata, is

a deciduous variety of holly that is native to the eastern part

of the United States. It is used as an ornamental shrub and

for holiday decorating. Several mammals and species of

birds feed on the berries; however they are poisonous to

humans. Sources indicate that winterberry can grow 3-12

feet and as tall as 15 feet. It changes colors throughout the

year with creamy white flowers in early summer followed

by bright red berries that decorate the tree from summer

through winter.

Winterberry is best planted in autumn and can do well in

USDA Zones 3-9.

Soil pH for planting needs to be between 4.5 and 7.5 for

ideal growth.

Location

Full sun or partial shade

The location should be somewhat sheltered if you expe-

rience extreme temperatures or climatic conditions.

The soil pH of the planting site needs to be between 4.5

and 7.5 for ideal growth.

Some sources recommend a moist location. Winterberry

will grow in dry or wet soil; however, if the soil is WET

it tends to spread and form thickets.

Planting Once you have selected your planting site your next step is

to dig a hole for your winterberry holly bush. This hole

needs to be about 16 inches deep. Use a tape measure or a

yard stick to achieve the correct depth.

Place the plant in the hole and fill it in using a mixture of

sand and garden soil. This plant prefers fine grained to me-

dium grained soil. Pack down the soil around the winterber-

ry’s stem stock to secure it in an upright position.

Allow at least four feet between each plant.

If you want your winterberry holly bushes to produce ber-

ries you need to plant a male and a female winterberry close

enough to enable pollination. Usually if they are planted

within 40-50 feet of each other they will do just fine.

Plant one male for every 3-5 females. Blooming time must

be the same for the male to pollinate the female

If you are concerned about deer kill of your winterberries

then plant a higher ratio of female to male winterberries in

your yard. This will ensure that enough female winterber-

ries will survive to reproduce.

Maintenance After your winterberries have been planted they will need a

little care during the year.

Prune winterberry plants during the non-growth periods of

the plant’s lifecycle, which is fall and winter. Trim the

shrub to maintain shape and size; remove dead growth. In

general little pruning is required but pruning will help man-

age the shape and spread of the plant.

Fertilize winterberry once a year either in the fall or in the

early spring before it starts to grow. A basic, balanced ferti-

lizer will work well.

Add mulch to winterberry plants to give them an extra layer

of protection during harsh winters.

Source:

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/plant-grow-winterberry-

bushes-54328.html

Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-plant-

a-winterberry-bush#ixzz3Kqo55WGt

Page 12 Extension Connection January, 2015

Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Master Gardener Volunteer

Helpline Changes Hours for Winter Season The Master Gardener Horticulture Helpline will be changing their hours of service to 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on Wednes-

days only from November through March. The number is 845-292-6180. Messages can be left at any time but will only

be returned by volunteers on Wednesdays from 9:00 am to

12:00 pm. Email questions can be sent to scmghelp-

line@cornell.edu

The Horticulture Helpline offers unbiased, research-based

information and advice to many home gardeners annually.

The Master Gardener helpline provides the public with free

gardening advice. Other services offered are pH soil testing

and insect and plant identification.

Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by Cornell Cooper-

ative Extension of Sullivan County and are experts in the art

and science of gardening. They provide the public with gar-

dening programs and activities that draw on the horticulture

research and experience of Cornell University.

Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Master Gardeners

Enjoy a relaxing bus ride and a day of incredible exhibits and vendors!

The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is an annual event at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in March. It is the

world’s oldest and largest indoor flower show, attracting more than 260,000 people annually. The Show features

large-scale gardens, elaborate landscapes, and over-the-top floral creations.

Space is limited! Registration and payment is required to hold your seat

No REFUNDS

Call 845-292-6180 or email smd243@cornell.edu

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

$75 Includes Admission

Boarding 7:45 am

Returning 9:00 pm

Gerald J. Skoda Ext. Ed Ctr

64 Ferndale-Loomis Rd. , Liberty, NY

January, 2015 Extension Connection Page 13

Small Steps to Health and Wealth ™ is a

curriculum from the land grant Cooperative

Extension system which could help many

with New Year’s Resolutions. It focuses on

the links between personal and financial

health. Many of us each new year have

some type of outward, or self-conscious res-

olution connected to the topics of finance or

fitness. This curriculum examines what

those similarities are and focuses on how

individuals can take small steps each day to

realize long-term success.

Anyone seeking New Year’s resolutions in the areas of fit-

ness or finance could look over some of the curriculum at

http://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/. There are many helpful tidbits

in there about strategies which could be applied to daily life

and moving one’s goals forward in a positive direction.

The main idea behind the series is that small, positive daily

actions improve both health and personal finance over a long

term approach. To make these long term goals have as posi-

tive an impact as possible, participants are asked to make a

conscious effort to learn and educate themselves about fi-

nances and fitness, whether it be reading an article or watch-

ing a television program. Learning more about the topics of

health and wealth is the first step toward reaching goals. An

excellent resource to help can be extension.org, which con-

tains material and links on both subjects. Begin a filing sys-

tem to store resources for reference down the road.

Next, to enable yourself to act upon what you have learned

about the topics, set aside periods of time to actually imple-

ment strategies. Setting up a chunk of your day-to-day life

to concentrate on either a financial topic like working up a

family budget or putting aside 10 to 15 minutes to exercise,

start with a conscious choice to commit to the activity within

that time period.

Moving ahead, deciding to incorporate these small daily ac-

tion steps into your daily routine can be challenging but lead

to big positive differences in one’s life. Remember, there are

no magic bullets for a better self, it takes daily progress and

can seem like a long road. Taking small consistent steps to-

ward your long term goals will, over time, lead you to your

destination.

Below are research based tips on the men-

tioned topic areas regarding improving

health and wealth. Please consult your

doctor before moving ahead with any phys-

ical fitness routine.

Daily Health Behaviors: Avoid drinking sugar-sweetened bever-

ages (e.g., regular soda and sweetened wa-

ters and iced teas)

Eat 7 to 9 servings of fruits and vegeta-

bles daily

Get at least 7 hours of sleep per night

Eat an adequate amount of fiber

Consume less than 1,500 mg of sodium per day

Eat foods low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol

Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity, at least 5

days per week.

Daily Financial Behaviors: Follow a written spending plan (budget) for spending

and saving money

Save at least $1per day and/or loose change in a savings

account and/or a can or jar

Avoid using payday loans, car title loans, pawn shop

loans, cash advances, and other high-cost debt

Eat at least two meals a day prepared at home instead of

at a deli or restaurant (excluding traveling)

Use advertisements, apps, coupons, promo codes, sales,

and/or discounts to save money on purchases

Do something proactive every day to save money or re-

duce expenses

Sources:

Small Daily Action Steps (December, 2014) Retrieved from

http://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/message/message.asp?

p=Finance&m=289 on December 1, 2014

Personal Finance (December, 2014) Retrieved from http://

njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/message/message.asp?

p=Finance&m=289 on December 2, 2014

Page 14 Extension Connection January, 2015

Felting Class - January 9th

International Night - January 30th

Shooting Sports Instructor Training February 20th - 22nd

Robotics Class - February 26th

See below for more information

Philly Flower Show - March 3rd

See page 12 for more information

Master Gardener Plant Sale - May 30th

Stay tuned for more information

Call 845-292-6180 for more information on

the above programs or

email sullivan@cornell.edu

Friday, January 30, 2015 (Snow-date February 6, 2015)

Noon—1:00 pm Light Refreshments Served

Opening Reception of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County

Entrepreneurial and Teaching (EaT) Kitchen Mark your Calendars to Celebrate and Learn About

the Newest Community Facility.

Gerald J. Skoda Extension Education Center 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road Liberty, NY 12754

Youth LEGO Mindstorm NXT Robotics Class

Science, technology, and problem-solving are not only fun and rewarding, but are proven paths to successful careers and a

bright future for youth!

Build an understanding of basic science concepts related to robotics

Apply the processes of scientific inquiry and engineering design

Build skills in science, engineering, and technology

Use the tools of technology to enhance their learning

Explore related careers in these fields

Apply the skills and knowledge they are developing to new challenges

Space is limited! Registration is required: Call or email 845-292-6180 nas96@cornell.edu

Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015 5:30 – 7:30 pm

$5 4-H Members

$10 Non-Members

Extension Education Center, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Rd. Liberty, NY

January, 2015 Extension Connection Page 15

We would like to thank the over 70 people who attended our 100th Annual Meeting on December 11, 2014. The support for our

anniversary and the outstanding volunteers and partners whom we elected and recognized was truly something to celebrate!

Welcome to the following new members of our program advisory committee:

Susan Hrynko, Erika Malmgreen, Richard Sheldon, Theresa Viele, & Dave Weiss

Congratulations to the following for their commitment to our mission in Sullivan County:

Volunteers of the Year: Karen Coombe, April Kackos, & Barbara Sush

Friend of Extension: The Moran Family

Organizational Friend of Extension: Sullivan BOCES

Dr. Scott Peters gave an intriguing talk about Extension Reconsidered and the importance of our organization in the past, now,

and in the future. We were so happy to have him.

Refreshments included delicious, homemade cupcakes courtesy of K&H Confections - the first entrepreneurs to rent our new

community EaT Kitchen!

Pictures: Top left: Sean Welsh with Volunteer of the Year recipients April Kackos and Karen Coombe. Center: Barbara Sush,

Volunteer of the Year being congratulated by Susan Dollard. Top right: Melinda Meddaugh with Barbara and Ed Moran,

Friend of Extension award recipients. Bottom left: Sullivan BOCES students of the Natural Resources program, Superinten-

dent of Schools Lawrence Thomas, and Executive Director of Instructional Programs Debra Fuchs-Nadeau, and instructor Sam

Rogers, Organizational Friend of Extension recipients. Bottom right: Dr. Scott Peters, keynote speaker.

Page 16 Extension Connection January, 2015

Submitted by Maria Grimaldi, Special Projects Coordinator

Sisters Kimberly and Heather Boyd of K&H Confections, assisted by their mom Sandy, were the first entrepreneurs to use

the EaT Kitchen in November and December. Over 600 specialty cupcakes were produced in a few hours. It was an awe-

some task which involved the production of six different flavored varieties of batters, fillings, and frostings. The EaT Kitch-

en’s professional baking equipment was put to full use and rose to the task at hand much to the satisfaction of the bakers.

The cupcakes were sold at the annual SUNY Sullivan Craft Fair in November and at the Holiday Craft Fair at Bethel Woods

in December. The ladies look forward to being regular users of the EaT Kitchen as they grow their business to include a

variety of specialty cakes.

January, 2015 Extension Connection Page 17

Your food choices each day affect your health — how you

feel today, tomorrow, and in the future. Good nutrition is an

important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Combined with

physical activity, your diet can help you to reach and main-

tain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases

(like heart disease and cancer), and promote your overall

health.

The Impacts of unhealthy eating habits have contributed to

the obesity epidemic in the United States: about one-third

of U.S. adults (33.8%) are obese and approximately 17%

(or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents ages 2—19

years are obese. Even for people at a healthy weight, a

poor diet is associated with major health risks that can

cause illness and even death. These include heart disease,

hypertension (high blood pressure), type 2 diabetes, osteo-

porosis, and certain types of cancer. By making smart food

choices, you can help protect yourself from these health

problems. The risk factors for adult chronic diseases, like

hypertension and type 2 diabetes, are increasingly seen in

younger ages, often a result of unhealthy eating habits and

increased weight gain. Dietary habits established in child-

hood often carry into adulthood, so teaching children how

to eat healthy at a young age will help them stay healthy

throughout their life.

The link between good nutrition and healthy weight, re-

duced chronic disease risk, and overall health is too im-

portant to ignore. By taking steps to eat healthy, you'll be

on your way to getting the nutrients your body needs to stay

healthy, active, and strong. As with physical activity, mak-

ing small changes in your diet can go a long way, and it's

easier than you think! Now that you know the benefits, it's

time to start eating healthy in the new year.

Sources: www.myplate.gov

www.cdc.gov

Submitted by SueAnn Boyd, Master Food Preserver

Ingredients:

1 ½ pounds 95% lean ground beef or ground turkey

1 ½ teaspoons onion powder

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon black pepper

1/3 cup ketchup

4 ounces low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)

8 ounces buttermilk refrigerator biscuits (10 biscuits)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

3. In a large skillet, brown ground turkey or beef with onion powder, garlic powder and black pepper over

high heat; drain.

4. Add ketchup and cheese; mix well.

5. Pour into the baking dish.

6. Place biscuits on top of the beef mixture and bake 8-10 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden and cooked

through.

Yields about 6 servings

Source: Adapted from Eat Smart New York! Recipe Book

Six 8.9 ounce servings:

Calories 520

Fat 13g

Saturated Fat 5g

Sodium 1310 mg

Cholesterol 105 mg

Total Carbs 53g

Protein 45g

Fiber 2g

Page 18 Extension Connection January, 2015

Tzimmes (pronounced "tsim-iss") can also be made with brisket and is often served during the Jewish New

Year. A fairly sweet dish, it's said to offer wishes for a sweet year ahead.

8 servings | Prep Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes

Ingredients

9 cups cubed peeled butternut, buttercup or Hubbard squash, (1-inch cubes)

1 cup small pitted prunes

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 medium shallots, thinly sliced and separated into rings

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon dried, oregano

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

8 skinless, bone-in chicken thighs, (about 3 1/2 pounds),

trimmed

1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth

1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest

1/4 cup orange juice

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Place squash, prunes, garlic, shallots, cinnamon, oregano, thyme,

1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a large bowl and mix well. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle

chicken with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and place on top of the vegetables. Mix broth, orange zest and

juice in a small bowl and pour over the chicken. Cover the baking dish with foil. Bake for 40 minutes. Uncover

and continue baking until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through, basting often, about 1

hour more. Tip: For quicker prep; look for cubed butternut squash in your market's produce section.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving : 398 Calories; 11 g Fat; 3 g Sat; 4 g Mono; 101 mg Cholesterol; 46 g Carbohydrates; 32 g Protein;

7 g Fiber; 404 mg Sodium; 1330 mg

Up-Coming Master Food Preserver Classes

The following have been tentatively scheduled for the 2015

year, with more following in the summer and fall.

For details call 845-292-6180 or email srb46@cornell.edu.

January 31st - Jerky and Dehydrating

February 21st - DIY Pet Treats

March 7th- Cheese making

April - Canning Fish

May - Jams & Jellies

January, 2015 Extension Connection Page 19

On December 13th at The Sportsmen’s

Den in Callicoon NY the Cornell Coop-

erative Extension Sullivan County 4-H

Environmental Education and Shooting

Sports Program (CCESC 4-H EESS)

capped off months of work on its trebu-

chet project.

A trebuchet is a mechanical thrower, a

simple machine based on the lever, do-

ing to stones and other unprepared ob-

jects what the bow and ballista do to ar-

rows and bolts. Like a catapult, the projectile is placed at the

end of a long beam. In contrast, the projectile was often

placed in a sling to give the projectile an extra boost of ener-

gy. Also in contrast to the catapult, the trebuchet was pow-

ered by a direct downward pull on the beam rather than by a

stretched rope or other spring. In early and smaller trebu-

chets, the downward force came from many people “pulling

down” the shorter end of the beam which flipped up the

longer end. The later and larger trebuchets had large counter-

weights that provided the downward pull, using gravity as

the power generator. The trebuchet was introduced into Eu-

rope in the 12th century.

Volunteer instructors first led an instructional class describ-

ing the trebuchet project, and distributing project plans to 14

youth back on September 5th. The project then continued into

a construction phase with youth and volunteers meeting on

Saturdays in mid-September through October to build the

working trebuchet. Youth were, along the way, introduced to

the formula needed to calculate how far pumpkins could be

thrown, following 4-H STEM (Science Technology Engi-

neering Mathematics) initiatives. In November, the volunteer

instructors test-launched the trebuchet for safety and struc-

tural soundness, led by engineer Jennifer Sheldon and mate-

rials scientist Robert Lacey. These tests were successful and

showed a maximum distance that would be achieved with

four to five pound pumpkins.

On December 13th 2014 at the public launch of the trebuchet

NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, Sullivan County

Treasurer Nancy Buck, former Callicoon Town Clerk Tess

McBeath, and 40 other spectators were in attendance as the

trebuchet project launch was implemented. CCESC 4H

EESS instructors led 30 youth through the math, using the

distance equation, for approximating how close in proximity

a selected pumpkin could come to the target. The volunteer

instructors and youth then displayed an exhibition of the

trebuchet in action launching successfully, with youth calcu-

lations coming within 9% to 40% of the

intended landing area, with the average

variance being 21½% . Leading causes for

the discrepancy were: pumpkin weight

(very light and very heavy pumpkins ex-

hibited the largest variance), the colder

temperatures affecting bearing spin and the

sling rope (the braided rope stretching as it

warmed in use), length of the sling rope

(slightly longer than during the testing

phase) and the trebuchet being frozen to

the ground inhibiting rocking motions that

aid loft.

Contributors and donors to this project who Cornell Cooper-

ative Extension Sullivan County 4-H Environmental Educa-

tion and Shooting Sports program would like to thank are the

Diehl family, Sportsmen’s Den, Superior Lumber, Kohler

Lumber, Coon Rock Rod and Gun Club, Betty Long, Kitty

Vetter, CCE Program Committee, CCE 4-H Strategy Com-

mittee, and Liberty Iron Works.

Any youth or volunteers interested in the Cornell Coopera-

tive Extension 4-H Environmental Education and Shooting

Sports program are welcome to join or call the Cornell Co-

operative Extension Sullivan County office at 845-292-6180

for more details.

Source: http://web.grinnell.edu/courses/ant/S00/ANT154-01/

vick/treb.html

Submitted by Sean Welsh, Youth Family & Community Development Issue Leader

The youth calculated the distance and landing area.

Page 20 Extension Connection January, 2015

Ice Fishing Basics | Ice fishing

opportunities abound in New

York State. Winter anglers

catch a variety of fish; primarily

perch, sunfish, pickerel, north-

ern pike, and walleye. In addi-

tion, many waters throughout

New York State are open to

fishing for trout, lake trout and,

landlocked salmon.

Fishing through the ice requires

skill and knowledge as does

open water angling. But, anyone

can ice fish successfully if he/she does the homework.

Learning about the water to be fished, the equipment and its

capabilities, proper clothing and safety precautions are all

part of a successful, enjoyable winter fishing experience.

Perhaps the best way to get started is to accompany a friend

or neighbor on a half-day ice fishing outing. If you are una-

ble to locate anyone to go with, the next best alternative is to

visit a tackle shop in a popular ice fishing area. The proprie-

tors are interested in seeing that you have a successful and

enjoyable trip and will provide you with all of the necessary

equipment. You may also watch for announcements of local

ice fishing contests or tournaments run by local sportsmen's

clubs -- ice fishermen tend to be a highly social group, eager

to share tips, techniques, and stories.

For a first trip, try to pick an opportune weather day -- re-

member those blustery January days will soon fade into mild

February and spring-like March days which often provide

some of the most productive ice fishing of the season. What-

ever the day you decide to go ice fishing, be sure to check

the ice for safety.

Cutting the Ice | Getting through the ice is not as hard as it

might seem. There are a variety of tools available that make

this "essential task" fairly simple. Perhaps the simplest is an

old-fashioned "spud" bar which your grandfather may have

used on his ice fishing trips. Spuds are often the cheapest

way to cut a hole in the ice and work reasonably well on ice

up to about a foot thick. Hand-powered augers, which are

slightly more expensive than spud bars, are easy to operate

and offer the best all-around compro-

mise for moderate ice conditions. Try to

purchase an auger appropriate to the

species of fish that you are seeking. An-

glers who fish for yellow perch, sunfish

and other pan fish frequently favor ice

augers 4", 5" or 6" in diameter because

of their light weight and the speed that

they bore through the ice. Anglers who

fish for larger fish, such as trout, lake

trout, landlocked salmon, and northern

pike, frequently prefer an ice auger

which will make a larger hole -- an ap-

preciated feature during the often-tricky

landing of these large fish. But remember, cutting an 8" hole

requires the removal of almost twice as much ice as a 6"

hole, so don't buy an ice auger much bigger than you will

need. For the avid ice angler or for thicker, more extreme ice

conditions, more expensive, gas-powered augers provide the

ultimate in speed and convenience, albeit at a sacrifice in

weight and portability. Power augers come in diameters up

to 10" and the size of the hole makes little difference in the

speed or difficulty of cutting the hole.

Ice Fishing Methods | Ice fishing methods include "jigging"

with short, light fishing rods, and using tip-ups. There are

many different kinds of jigging poles and tip-ups. Much of

the equipment is easy to make.

Jigging involves the use of a jigging rod or hand line and a

small jigging spoon or lure which is often "sweetened" with

a piece of bait. The jig is designed to dart around in different

directions when it is jerked up and down by the angler.

The tip-up is basically a spool on a stick holding a baited

line suspended through a hole in the ice. When the bait -

usually a minnow - is taken by a fish, the pull on the line

releases a signal, such as a red flag.

(Continued on page 21)

Nicole Slevin, STEM Community Educator & Director of Communications nas96@cornell.edu

January, 2015 Extension Connection Page 21

Submitted by Marylin Jones, 4-H Youth Development Community Educator

Ice Safety | Safe ice is the number one consideration. A mini-

mum of three to four inches of solid ice is the general rule for

safety. Ice thickness, however, is not uniform on any body of

water. The guidelines presented here are based on clear, blue,

hard ice on non-running waters.

The American Pulpwood Association has developed a table

for judging the relative safety of ice on lakes and streams.

This is just a guide; use your own good judgment before go-

ing out on any ice. Avoid areas of moving water, including

where streams enter the lake, and around spillways and dams.

Note: This guide is based on clear, blue, hard ice on non-

running waters. Slush ice is about 50 percent weaker. Clear,

blue ice over running water is about 20 percent weaker. Be

cautious in areas where "bubblers" are used to protect docks.

They can produce thin, unsafe ice some distance away. Be

especially alert in areas near shore, over moving bodies of

water and on lakes and ponds where streams enter or exit.

Remember, use the buddy system while ice fishing - it saves

lives.

Fishing Regulations | In New York State, general angling

regulations limit anglers to two jigging lines (or hand lines)

and five tip-ups in most waters. Each tip-up must be marked

with the operator's name and address; the operator must be in

immediate attendance when the lines are in the water. Since

special regulations apply on many waters, review the current

fishing regulations guide when planning an ice fishing trip -

and don't forget your current year's fishing license. To identi-

fy good ice fishing waters in the area where you plan to fish,

contact the DEC Regional Fisheries Office for that area.

Fishing Regulations for Sullivan County can be found at the

following link: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/31157.html.

Source: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7733.html

Ice Thickness Table

Ice Thickness Permissible Load

2 inches one person on foot

3 inches group in single file

7.5 inches one car (2 tons)

8 inches light truck (2.5 tons)

10 inches truck (3.5 tons)

12 inches heavy truck (7-8 tons)

15 inches 10 tons

20 inches 25 tons

(Continued from page 18)

Page 22 Extension Connection January, 2015

The skies cleared just in time for the annual CCESC 4-H

Winter Workshops to take place on December 6th from 1:00

-3:00 pm with approximately 50 youth taking advantage of

this learning experience. The continued success of this

event, which features 10 stations of make-and-take activi-

ties for youth, is due to the overwhelming support of

CCESC volunteers and program leaders. With over 25 in-

structors, assistants, and teen leaders available, each child

had the support needed to help them find success in each

activity. Representatives from CCESC’s Master Gardeners

and Master Food Preserver programs as well as many 4-H

and community leaders were on hand to add their skills and

guidance to a wonderful afternoon of creative exploration.

Each year the popular event features affordable activities

that families can easily reproduce at home. Crafts utilizing

recycled items are always among those planned as well as

community service projects. This year the Sullivan County

Meals on Wheels Program will be the recipient of two sta-

tions of activities: handmade cards of cheer for a variety of

occasions as well as gift boxes fashioned from re-purposed

greeting cards and filled with treats. The community ser-

vice stations only require that one item be made for dona-

tion before a youth makes one to take home.

Chair of the event is CCESC 4-H and Master Food Preserv-

er Volunteer, Karen Mariner, who guides the committee of

Winter Workshops volunteers in selecting appropriate ac-

tivities for the occasion. To keep registration fees afforda-

ble, planning always begins with the donated and recycled

supplies they have available. For more information about

this program or other 4-H Youth Development opportuni-

ties, contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan

County office.

Submitted by Marylin Jones, 4-H Community Educator

January, 2015 Extension Connection Page 23

Bonnie Lewis, RN—Caregiver Resource Center Coordinator

November was National Family Caregiver Month. It kicks

off the holiday season for me ~ celebrating with the caregiv-

ers who do so much for their parents or spouses. During No-

vember and December, we have family celebrations and per-

haps a chance to ‘catch-up’ with extended family. Then this

leads into thinking about the new year~ what do we look

forward to and what challenges will we be facing? This may

be an opportune time to go through what things a caregiver

can do to make it easier for their parents or other older rela-

tives who may need help.

You have either talked about (or seen) what an older family

member is dealing with. What are their struggles or com-

plaints? There is no real training program for family care-

givers, but there are things you can do to make it easier when

the time comes that you need to step in to help your parents.

The simplest, but perhaps most useful thing is to get a loose

leaf notebook. Into that book you will enter all sorts of infor-

mation you will eventually need to know. In so doing, you

will have conversations with your mom and dad on vital top-

ics that typically never get raised until it is too late.

So what should go in the book? Start with the basics:

A list of all your parents’ bank accounts

While you are doing that, you may want to consider

becoming a co-signer; that will greatly facilitate

managing their money if something happens to them.

You need a list of all their insurance policies.

Medicare numbers for Parts A and B

Medgap (to cover deductibles and co-payments),

Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D

Life insurance and long-term care insurance. (If they

don’t have one or more of these, you might want to

discuss why and whether it is worth reconsidering.)

All their doctors (and dentists, optometrists, etc.)

You need their names, addresses and phone numbers.

Ultimately, you will become the case manager and you

will want to record all their appointments.

Their diagnoses - What conditions do they have? Are all

of them being treated?

A list of all their medications - This could be a good

time to review their medications with a pharmacist to

look for ways to simplify things and eliminate duplica-

tions and potential conflicts.

Their advance directives - Have you discussed their feel-

ings about how aggressive they would want to be in

treating serious problems that could arise? They may

well be more willing to have that conversation than you

are.

Information about their finances - Investments, assets,

pensions and retirement information (including Social

Security).

They may not want to share that information, but you

need to at least know who to contact to find out about

them in case of an emergency. A lawyer? A broker? A

financial adviser? When was the last time they looked

at their investments and their annual income?

A publication “I Have Put My House In Order” (available

for free in the Caregiver Resource Center library) is a book-

let that contains these questions (and others). It touches on

all important categories with spaces to properly fill in the

information.

Remember: if you die with no will or trust, in effect, the state

will make your ‘will or trust’ for you (you have died

‘intestate’). Your property is distributed in accordance with

fixed provisions in the state’s laws.

Now that you have done such a good job getting ready to

take on your parents' affairs, is it time you did the same thing

for yourself?

SOURCE: Robert L. Kane MD, Next Avenue in partnership

with PBS. http://www.nextavenue.org

Page 24 Extension Connection January, 2015

Ideally, Medicare will pay its share of

your health costs without you having to

do anything. In reality, it doesn't always

work that way. You may sometimes

find that Medicare hasn't paid enough --

or at all -- for a drug, a doctor's visit, or a

treatment that you needed. Perhaps Med-

icare stopped paying for a service or a

drug it once covered. If that happens,

and you feel that Medicare should pay,

you can file a Medicare appeal.

Filing a Medicare appeal might seem intimidating, but it's

usually worth the effort; more than 70% of Medicare appeals

are successful. So if you put in the time, the odds are good

that you'll get what you need.

Filing a Medicare Appeal

The process of filing a Medicare appeal depends on what

type of plan you have. The appeal process generally has

five levels. If your original appeal is denied, you may pro-

ceed to the next level, and so forth.

Whenever Medicare approves (or denies) payment, you'll

get a record of it on the "Medicare Summary Notice" you

receive every three months in the mail. To file a Medicare

appeal, here's what you do:

1. Look over the notice and circle the items in question.

2. Write down the reason you're appealing, either on the

notice or on a separate piece of paper.

3. Sign it and write down your telephone number and Med-

icare number. Make a copy.

4. Send it -- or a copy -- to the Medicare contractor's ad-

dress listed on the notice.

5. Include any other documentation that supports your ap-

peal.

6. Make sure to file your Medicare appeal within 120 days

of the date you received the Medicare Summary Notice.

You may also file a fast appeal if you believe Medicare

should continue paying for a service. Your health

care provider should provide you with a notice with instruc-

tions on filing. You need to call the Quality Improvement

Organization listed on the notice to request a fast appeal. If

you miss the deadline on the notice, call 1-800-MEDICARE

(1-800-633-4227) to get the phone

number of your state's Quality Improve-

ment Organization.

Medicare Advantage.

Filing an appeal is potentially a little

trickier with Medicare Advantage plans.

You're dealing not only with Medicare,

but with the rules set by the private in-

surance company that runs your pro-

gram. Start by working through the

individual insurer, which should have

provided you instructions on how to make a Medicare ap-

peal. If the insurer denies your claim, it is then reviewed by

an independent group affiliated with Medicare.

If you think that your Medicare Advantage program's refusal

is jeopardizing your health, ask for a "fast decision." The

insurer is legally bound to get you a response within 72

hours.

Medicare Prescription Drug Plan

Each appeal processe differs, because Medicare Prescription

Drug Plans are run by outside insurance companies with

their own rules. But in general, if your drug plan won't pay

for a drug that you need, here are the steps you should take:

1. First, talk to your doctor about the situation to make

certain that you can't take a different drug that is cov-

ered by your plan.

2. If that's not possible, ask your doctor to write an expla-

nation about why you need this particular drug. (Be as

specific as possible for why you need that particular

drug.) Then, either you or your doctor can submit the

request to the Medicare drug plan. Usually, these re-

quests are answered within three days, although you can

request a faster decision. This is called a coverage deci-

sion.

3. If the drug plan denies your request, you or your

designated representative can file a formal appeal by

phone or mail. Find out how the appeal process works

in your drug plan. Usually, you have to submit an appeal

within 60 days of the original coverage determination.

The plan must get back to you with a decision within a

week, or 72 hours if you've requested an expedited deci-

(Continued on page 25)

Submitted by Bonnie Lewis, RN, Caregiver Resource Center Coordinator

January, 2015 Extension Connection Page 25

Submitted by Bonnie Lewis, RN, Caregiver Resource Center Coordinator

Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) found at

www.caregiver.org offers an extensive online library of

educational materials for caregivers. The materials offer

families the kind of straightforward, practical help they

need as they care for relatives with chronic or disabling

health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and

brain trauma. Topics reflect the urgent concerns and chal-

lenges faced by the caregivers we work with every day.

The new publications include information on caring for

someone with incontinence, legal planning for incapacity,

handling grief and loss, transitioning to life after caregiv-

ing, and more.

New and recently updated additions to

FCA’s comprehensive online library:

Advanced Health Care Directives and

POLST: https://caregiver.org/advanced-health-care-

directives-and-polst

Conservatorship and Guardianship: https://

caregiver.org/conservatorship-and-guardianship

Could It Be Their Brain?: Fronto-Temporal De-

mentia Checklist:https://caregiver.org/frontotemporal-

dementia-checklist

Finding an Attorney to Help with Estate Plan-

ning: https://caregiver.org/finding-attorney-help-estate

-planning

Grief and Loss: https://caregiver.org/grief-and-loss

Legal Planning for Incapacity: https://caregiver.org/

legal-planning-incapacity

Living with Incontinence: Social and Emotional

Challenges (for the care recipient): https://

caregiver.org/living-incontinence-social-and-emotional

-challenge

Caring for Someone with Incontinence: Social &

Emotional Issues (for caregivers): https://

caregiver.org/caring-someone-incontinence-emotional-

and-social-issues

When Caregiving Ends: https://www.caregiver.org/

when-caregiving-ends

These publications, along with additional fact sheets, re-

search reports, webinars, educational videos, and more, are

all available free online on the recently redesigned FCA

website. Many of the materials are available in multiple

languages.

Founded in 1977, Family Caregiver Alliance was the first

community-based nonprofit organization in the U.S. creat-

ed to address the needs of caregivers. FCA and its National

Center on Caregiving are now nationally and internation-

ally recognized for pioneering programs—information,

education, research, and advocacy—that support and sus-

tain the important work of families and friends caring for

loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions. Vis-

it www.caregiver.org or call (800) 445-8106 for more in-

formation.

If you do not have access to a computer or the internet and

would like one of the above fact sheets (or other topic)

please call Cornell Cooperative Extension at (845) 292-

6180. A copy will be mailed out to you or you can arrange

to visit the CRC for more information.

sion. If you need help filing an appeal, get in touch with your state's State Health Insurance Assistance Program

(SHIP.)

4. If the drug company denies your appeal, you can appeal again. But this time, your appeal goes to an independ-

ent organization that works for Medicare. Your insurer will give you instructions on how to file further Medicare

appeals, should you need them.

5. If your Medicare Prescription drug plan doesn't respond to your request, you can file a grievance by calling

1-800-MEDICARE.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/how-to-file-a-medicare-appeal

(continued from page 24)

Page 26 Extension Connection January, 2015

Notice: Membership Exchange advertisements are published as a

courtesy to our members. CCESC does NOT endorse or promote and

are not liable for any loss or liability resulting from purchase, use and /

or possession of the items or services.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

2 Snow Tires for sale. HANKOOK Tubless M&S Radial. 195/60R15 88T Wiinter I-Pike, used on Ford Focus wagon.2 Steel/Poly/Nylon tread, 1Poly sidewall. Very good traction, deep grooves, no wear. Excellent condition, purchased new & used only 5 months Winter 2014 for local driving, less than 1600 miles on tires.Cindy 845-794-5497. Lv. Msg

5 foot 3 pt hitch Woods Finish Moore RM59 Asking #500 434-6850

Motorcycle camper: opens to 14 ft, Queen size sleeping area, pedestal table, attached cooler. Like new. 845-292-4013

Mens size 8 chest high fishing waders with felt soles. Worn Once paid $200 asking $85. 914-237-2329

2 pairs snow shoes—Little Bear Trapper of Aspen $45 973-890-1747 Leave Message

1983 Glassport 19’7” inboard/outboard 350 chevy and 20’ dual axel trailer Needs Work Make offer 203-740-0167

Hot Water Radiators 25.5”x15.5” to 47” (10 total) and 19”x36.5” and 39” BO 203-740-0167

WOODSTOVE- Dutchwest cast iron Convection Heater Model 2462 by Vermont Cast-ings. 2 speed fan, extra large for up to 25”logs, accessories inc. $765 or best offer 845 791-4501

SNOWBLOWER- agway gas dual stage 6 speed #523 23 inch wide $280 or best offer 845 791-4501 WANTED

Wanted: Speedex Tractors Parts & Accessories 845-557-8030

Wanted: Side Delivery Hay Rake in Working Condition Call Mike 845-482-3628

Looking for a piglet to raise for four months for slaughter 845-733=4031 or email emil-ler384@hotmail.com

HELP WANTED

Full time Healthy Food and Bakery Prep. Experience preferred. Send resumé to in-fo@javaloveroasters.com

HELP AVAILABLE

Part-time farm help available 845-434-8832

HAY FOR SALE

Hay- 2nd and 3rd cutting grass; forage analysis, 19-23% protein; $6.50 per bale; Skoda Farms 434-4373

Hay—Square Bales—Local delivery available 845-887-4582

Round Hay Bales for sale 845-583-6024

Hay 1st, 2nd & 3rd square, round & wrapped Protein 19.1-22.6 composted, topsoil, sand, gravel & cattle 845-985-7866 Hay for Sale—Round, Square, Balage, Mulch 845-482-4797 Ebert

Square Bales 845-807-2532

Mulch hay in square bales 845-292-7838

FOR A BETTER YOU

Catskill Aesthetics & Laser Center 0 Loree Ann Stanton RN-HT, CDN—Botox, fillers, laser for hair, Veins, and Brown spots, Peels 794-3030

Jin Shin Jyutsu—near Grahamsville Energetic Harmonizing 845-647-6572

Yoga & Reiki sessions for stress relief & Healing Neversink Call Joy 845-292-7870

Dr. Jorge R. Delgado. Board certified Chiropractic Neurologist. 23 yrs. Exp.. Caring, quality chiropractic care in a warm, comfortable atmosphere. Rt. 52 West, Liberty, 845-292-3455

AUTO’S & OTHER VEHICLES (Fix & Sale)

1938-39 International Stake Bed Truck Model #D-30-232 Cubic Inch Engine Rating 1.5 ton chassis #D3072207 TWG 13.200 Verg Good Shape Asking—$1200 985-7052

Charles Keating

Cell: 570-430-1045

Fax: 570-689-2688

January, 2015 Extension Connection Page 27

‘TIS THE SEASON

Portable Sawmill Services—Kiln drying, planning, lumber, tree harvesting, chip-ping, residential tree work 845-647-4181 or 845-800-5395

Firewood delivered, Logging & Excavation 845-807-3236

Brad Curry. Firewood - Landscaping - Logging - Scrap Iron 845- 807-8676

FOR BETTER BUSINESS

Norbert’s Clock Repair. Antique specialist. Fair Price. For estimate/pickup 845-887-5831

T-shirts and machine embroidery for your business, club, organization. Hats, aprons, tote bags. Local business. Mountain Bear Crafts, Livingston Manor, NY. 845-439-8050. See photos: www.mountainbearcrafts.com

Group Travel with Barbara’s Bunch. Call Barbara Hahl, 914-799-3362. Travel with Barbara- relax and enjoy!

www.misssunshinetheclown.com for all your party entertainment 845-807-6222

Muthig & Sons - Landscaping - Logging - Decks - Roofs - Firewood 845– 807-1711

Old interesting barn finds? Call for free appraisal 845-482-4901

Kleins Tax Service 25+ Years Experience 845-292-9225

Duke Pottery www.dukepottery.com Pottery Studio, Art Gallery, Gift Shop. Open Year Round. Fri, Sat, Sun 11:00-5:00 or by chance 855 Co. Rd 93, Roscoe, NY

Ohana Foods helps passionate farmers makers and producers build their brands to reach their potential

REPAIR & IMPROVEMENT

Mountain Construction Inc—Lynn Dowe—General Contracting & Custom Building, Residential & Commercial (845) 292-3374

ORGANIZATIONS

Church on the Rock—Route 52 Jeffersonville—Bible based fellowship services: Sunday 9 am bible study ~ Worship & Children's Church 10 am

FARMER’S MARKET

Story’s Neversink Plant Co. ~ Rare Succulents and interesting plants. By apt. only John W. Story, Proprietor 845-985-5071

Farm Fresh real food prepared and delivered weekly Naturalcontents.com 888-551-8625

Organic Garlic for Sale—German White and German Red Varieties $1.50/bulb call George at 292-3639

All Natural Organic Sunbird Cookies—5-6 oz. No dairy handmade with Love. Original Sunbird, Gluten Free & Vegan Kim 845-901-4706

Dogs Luv’em all Natural Murray’s Chicken Dog Treats—845-283-1128

Organic Garlic for Sale—reasonable prices—call John 845-292-1195

Nutritious and Delicious Home Made Soups and Breads delivered to your door. Woodridgesoupemporium.com

Farm fresh real food prepared and delivered weekly. Naturalcontents.com 888-551-8625

Wahldairyfarm.com Home grown Pork, Beef and Eggs. Guinea Fowl – 845-887-5737

Asian Specialty Vegetables. Charlie Koh. Seon Organic Farm 631-599-0072

AnDe’s Acre, Callicoon Center, NY. Locally raised sustainable and seasonal vegetables and eggs for the community. Apply for a weekly share though our CSA. Ask about wholesale options. Visit us at the Farmer’s Market.

Muthig Farm - Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Maple Jelly, Maple Sugar. 845 -292-7838 Justus Asthalter Maple Syrup Inc. 845-292-8569 family@justusmaple.com

Justus Asthalter Maple Syrup Inc. – New & used maple equipment & supplies for all size maple producers. Syrup, Cream, Candies, we ship anywhere. Sugar Hill Containers and Leader glass in stock. Call us at 845-292-8569 or email fami-ly@justusmaple.com/ www.justusmaple.com

Poultry, Eggs, Produce, ROOT & ROOST FARM 845-292-9126 Year Round!

CATSKILL MOUNTAIN HONEY Pollen, propolis, Royal Jelly, bee supplies & equipment. Hives supers frames from our shop. Save $$ - Jim Kile 845-647-6759

FARM ANIMALS & SUPPLIES

Lambs, baby goats and hay 845-434-7764

Rabbits for all reasons, Chicks to Hens of many breeds. Member of A.R.B.A. for 37 years. 845-888-0274

Retired Horse Boarding on 45 acre farm. Your horse will be well taken care of on our peaceful farm. 845-482-4779 Registered Polled Hereford Bulls for Sale Bred Cows. Stone Ridge Farm 845-439-4359

Oak Ridge Farm - Horse Boarding, Riding Lessons. Hay for Sale. 845-482-4686 oakridgefarminc.com

Lashside Farm, Full Board or Turnout 845-292-3765

Trout For Sale 6-8” Brook Trout Delivered or Picked-up Call Beaverkill Trout Hatchery for details 845-439-4947

Moran’s Farrier Service Experienced & Reliable Horseshoeing 845-482-3262 845-807-8937

REAL ESTATE

Catskill Brokers, Inc. Cynthia L. Johnson, Broker, Woodbourne NY 845-434-7860

EAGLE VALLEY REALTY Farms, Homes, Country Properties, Listings Needed. Gerald Euker, Broker Call: 845-252-3085

McKean Realtors—Farms and Lake Front Homes 845-583-6003

FURNITURE & HANDMADE ITEMS

Visit Charlie Barbuti Furniture Mall for all your furniture and mattress needs 845-292-4826 South Main Street Liberty barbutifurniture@verizon.net

Handmade Furniture—Beautiful items to decorate any home—- Show me a design/picture & I will build it; specialty orders local delivery options available—845-332-4095

EVENTS

Sullivan County Horse Council meets at CCE every month. Come join us and see what we are planning for 2014 call Eunice @ 845-866-6140

Auction: Every Sat at 6:00 pm—Obverfest Street, Liberty NY 845-292-2814

Garden Lovers—consider joining a garden club—meets 3rd Tues of each month—call 845-513-5263

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

5ft bush hog for sale, wrong number was listed, new number is 845-428-5005

John Deere Snow Blower 44”, fits the 500 series John Deere Tractor. Brand New, used once—Call for detalils 845-583-7818

John Deere 3010, Diesel, WFE, Dual Hyd. Outlets, Rops. Asking $6,000. 845-551-1649

2013 Kobelco Excavator NEW 20 hrs. $85,000 marilynk@mac.com

2005 Navigator 23,000 miles $15,000 marilynk@mac.com

Earl Kinney

Excavating & Trucking

Ready To Meet Your Needs Free Estimates - 40 Years Experience

DRAINAGE SEPTIC SYSTEMS

FOUNDATIONS DRIVEWAYS

ROADS PONDS

LAND CLEARING GRADING

STONE SAND GRAVEL REDSHALE

No Job Too Big or Too Small

887-5540

OFFICE - 46 ROCK AVE., HORTONVILLE EVENINGS - 887-5647

J. HUGHSON EXCAVATING, INC.

- CONSTRUCTION -

Foundations — Sand — Gravel—Fill—Topsoil

Septic Systems Installed

Trucking & Hauling Bulldozing

845-482-9826

RD #1, Box 305

Jeffersonville, NY 12748