Hello and Happy New Year, Sourcers!

Let’s see what we’ve got today!

📖Literary Societies

🎶Local Sounds

☕Latte Selections

Before we dive in, I want to address something that happened this week. As you may have heard, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting voted to disband earlier this week. For some folks, that might feel like a gut-punch to wrap up a year that has largely consisted of gut-punches. Hearing the words “brought to you by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting” has always had a sort of calming effect for millions of folks, and CPB’s dissolution is inarguably a loss. CPB was created in an almost miraculous act of bipartisan politics, the culmination of a fight that went on for decades, and it stood strong for over 58 years. 

But at the risk of telling you something you already know, CPB is not PBS or NPR. Those entities, and the hundreds of member stations that connect them, are still here and still going. The last year saw the end of the penny, Jimmy Cliff, and CPB, but WSKG is still in it thanks to support from people like you.

This week, we’re turning the spotlight on a little storefront on Main Street in Freeville. Since 2024, this spot has been the home to the Freeville Literary Society, a spot for readers and book lovers created and run by Amy Dickinson, former advice columnist for the Chicago Tribune, Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, and general star of the area literary community.

Dickinson’s cozy little spot on Main is a treasure trove of books available to borrow (but don’t call it a library; it’s a whole thing), and also hosts regular movie nights, with the film selections curated largely by Dickinson. Over the holidays, they screened established Christmas classics like Die Hard, along with obscure up-and-comers like It’s a Wonderful Life. 

This Friday at 6:30pm, they’re showing the Oscar-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher. Before seeing this movie, if you’d told me an octopus was going to make me cry, I would have told you to get outta town. But friends, this octopus will make you cry.

The screening at the Freeville Literary Society is free and open to the public, but even if you can’t make it, it’s worth a visit. Sometimes there is an awesome dog hanging out there.

Speaking of awesome dogs!

On Thursday at 6pm, we’re hosting a screening of the Season Six premiere of All Creatures Great and Small at the WSKG Studios in Vestal, with some ACG&S-themed activities. The show does not, however, have any octopi, so to really cover your bases, you should probably attend both. The screening is also free and open to the public, but pre-registration is preferred.

Lastly, since we’re talking screenings, the Park Church in Elmira has been hosting regular screenings of films intended to facilitate community conversations. Next Wednesday, January 14th at 7pm, the Meaningful Movies series will be showing Sugarcane, an award-winning documentary about investigations into Canada’s Indian residential schools. This one’s free, as are the popcorn and cookies.

That’s what we’ve got this week. Happy to be back at it as we lurch and stumble into 2026 together, Sourcers!

Yours,

Bob Proehl

Locally Sourced editor

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☕ Java Journeys: Paula’s Coffee House, Endicott NY

What’s better than coffee? Free coffee.

And that’s exactly what led me to my most recent Java Journeys stop—Paula’s Coffee House in Endicott.

I received a birthday email last week letting me know I had a $10 reward waiting for me at Paula’s, and honestly, that felt like a sign from the universe. Win! I didn’t waste much time planning my visit because Paula’s is already a favorite of mine—especially when it comes to their creative, out-of-the-box drinks.

Before heading over, I always do what any responsible coffee lover does: check their social media to see the drink of the day. Paula’s never disappoints. Their specials are always fun, funky, and usually something I would never think to order on my own—which is exactly why I love them.

The morning of my visit, the drink of the day was a Blueberry Pistachio Muffin Latte. Let me break that down: blueberry, pistachio, and peanut butter latte, topped with blueberry espresso whipped cream and waffle pieces.

I know. What?!

I was skeptical—but intrigued. And one thing about me? I’ll try just about any coffee once.

To my surprise, this combination was absolutely delicious. The pistachio was the most dominant flavor, giving the drink a rich, nutty base, while the blueberry espresso whipped cream tied everything together in the most unexpected way. What you’d think would be overly sweet was actually perfectly balanced—just the right amount of sweetness, tons of flavor, and a solid punch of espresso. Creative, comforting, and totally worth stepping outside my usual order.

Beyond the drinks, one of the things I love most about Paula’s is their deep connection to the community. Every visit, I make a point to stop by the “Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve” corkboard hanging near the pickup station.

Here’s how it works: customers who are able can purchase an extra menu item—coffee or food—and attach the receipt to a coffee sleeve, along with a note describing who they’d like that treat to go to. The sleeves might say single dads, teachers, snow plowers, or even someone who just lost their job. When someone who fits that description comes into Paula’s, they can bring the sleeve to the register and redeem it for a free pick-me-up.

I love this so much because it captures something really special: sometimes we’re in a place where we can give a little extra, and sometimes we’re the ones who need it. Paula’s makes space for both—and reminds us that kindness can be simple, meaningful, and as comforting as a warm cup of coffee.

Brothers Tom and Mike Cataldo are back with a new full-length album under their two-piece garage rock project Stay Off the Fence. The brothers Cataldo released their first full-length, Bring It Back Home, in 2021. With Mike on drums and Tom on guitar and vocals, their most recent album, Keep on Rocking, is a continuation of their raw, high energy, blues inspired rock n roll sound. 

While the overall sound is consistent with their first album, there is one noticeable difference: fast, classic, face melting guitar solos. These are not the tender, delicate solos of modern pop rock bands. These are a tip of the hat to AC/DC, Jimi Hendrix, and Guns N Roses. Melodic and lightning fast guitar shredding. Don’t be deceived though. These songs are still dynamic. They still bring it down only to build it up bigger and louder! 

If you’ve had the pleasure of experiencing their live performances, you know the sound and energy put out by two people is nothing short of magical. Their shows are sweaty and raucous, while also respectful and safe. You can find yourself letting loose in the pit but never have to worry about getting hurt. This is the kind of show that when you fall down everyone is looking out for you and trying to pick you back up. 

If I had to pick one song on the album that is catching my attention it would be “Greenhouse.” A bit slower than the other songs but that does not take away from the intensity of it at all. The verse has lots of great space, the minimal aspect of the verse makes the weight of the chorus hit that much harder. And when the chorus hits, it comes in swinging in like a 12 story ogre. The guitar riff in this non-vocal chorus takes up so much of the stereo field, it’s a thick, dense tone but still cuts through the mix. That combined with the down and dirty drum beat with Mike riding on the crash cymbal and pummeling the drums into submission. And of course this wouldn’t be my pick without a ripping guitar solo, so don’t be shy when reaching for the volume knob!

Give this album a listen on any of the streaming platforms and definitely go out and experience Stay Off the Fence in person! 

What albums from bands around our area are you enjoying? Please share it with us by sending an email to mmicha@wskg.org