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Hello Cornell Cooperative Extension!
Summer’s in full swing and July brings all the vibes. We’re talking smoky BBQs, poolside lounging, road trips, staycations, and the buzz of summer camps. Whether you're diving into adventure or soaking up chill time, let’s make sure safety stays top of mind so the good times keep rolling.
Grill Master Goals:
Hosting a cookout? Don’t let the heat crash your party. Keep cold foods on ice and pop leftovers back in the fridge ASAP. Food spoils fast in the summer sun, and nobody wants to deal with tummy troubles. Keeping food safe = keeping everyone smiling.
Sun Smart = Summer Smart:
Whether you're catching rays for 10 minutes or all day, sunscreen is non-negotiable. UV rays are no joke. They can lead to sunburns and serious health risks down the road. Reapply often, cover up, and keep that skin glowing safely. (Pro tips below.)
More Than Just Sunshine — July Is About Awareness Too:
July is also National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month; a time to recognize and support the unique mental health challenges faced by underrepresented communities. Let’s uplift conversations, share resources, and create space for all voices. Because summer wellness goes beyond the physical.
Keep reading for safety tips, sun protection know-how, and ways to support mental health in your community.
BTW- the FCE Team truly appreciate the support and dedication of our families, collaborators, sponsors and advocates. We cannot continue the services and support without you!
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Understanding Health Care Inequality and Mental Health Awareness
Discrimination in health care continues to impact communities of color, especially when it comes to mental health and substance use. Many people in minority groups face unfair treatment, cultural stigma, and deep-rooted mistrust in the medical system, making it harder to access the care they need.
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to spotlight these issues and work toward solutions. While progress is being made- like expanded coverage through the Affordable Care Act- there’s still a long way to go to ensure mental health care is inclusive, respectful, and accessible for all.
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Summer Food Safety Tips
As temperatures rise, the risk of foodborne illness increases because bacteria thrive in warm conditions. According to Dr. Emilio Esteban, Under Secretary for Food Safety, it is crucial to remember essential food safety steps to protect friends and family during outdoor activities. Always start with clean hands, washing them
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thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds when available, or using hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if water isn't accessible.
When transporting perishable foods to places like the pool, beach, or cookouts, use coolers or insulated containers with ice, frozen gel packs, or frozen beverages to maintain a safe temperature below 40°F. Keep drinks and perishable foods in separate coolers to avoid frequent opening, and store coolers in the shade. It's essential to avoid the "Danger Zone" (40-140°F) by keeping cold foods below 40°F and hot foods above 140°F.
Follow the two-hour rule: perishable foods should not sit out for more than two hours (or one hour if the temperature is over 90°F). If in doubt about the safety of the food, it's best to throw it out.
Source: Serve Summer Safe with Food Safety Tips from USDA
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6 Ways Summer Jobs Benefit Teens
Summer employment can provide teens more than just a paycheck. Getting a job can be an important steppingstone, helping them transition into adulthood by giving valuable life experience.
CLICK HERE to read the complete article from HealthyChildren.org
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Edible Marijuana Dangers: How Parents Can Prevent THC Poisoning
Marijuana can be dangerous in all forms for children and adolescents, both in the short term and the long term. That's why it's important for parents to understand how much THC is contained in edible products and how THC is absorbed in the body. Parents also need to know how to keep kids safe.
CLICK HERE to read the complete article from HealthyChildren.org
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10 Ways to Add fruit to Your Diet
- Swirl fresh berries into cottage cheese.
- Blend frozen mango chunks with plain yogurt.
- Mix chopped pears into chicken salad.
- Add diced apples to tuna salad.
- Roast wedges of apple, pear, and citrus fruit when roasting chicken.
- Cut a grapefruit in half and broil it, cut side up.
- Freeze bananas, then blend them to make “nice cream.”
- Layer thinly sliced apples in a cheese sandwich.
- Core and bake an apple.
- Sprinkle granola with dried fruit.
Source: ChopChopFamily.org
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Francheska Kuilan, Community Educator
Summer is in full swing, and Dutchess County has something for every family to enjoy!
Pick fresh blueberries at local farms, cool off with homemade ice cream, and stop by a farmers' market for juicy peaches and sweet corn.
Want some fun? Here are some July events provided by Destination Dutchess.org:
Great Hudson Valley Scavenger Hunt (July 1–31): Explore local gems, collect points and enter for a chance at cash, prizes and a dream trip to Brazil!
Hot-Air Balloon Festival & Moonglow at Rhinebeck Fairgrounds and Poughkeepsie’s Waryas Park (July 6–7): balloon launches at dawn and dusk, live music, breakfast vendors, rides, games and crafts.
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For our nature lovers:
Trek or bike along the scenic Dutchess Rail Trail, stretching ~13 miles from Hopewell Junction to Walkway Over the Hudson—a summer staple.
Embrace Greens & Outdoors at James Baird State Park (LaGrange): trails, playgrounds, pickleball, golf. Perfect for a picnic or active day.
Stay local, stay cool, and make summer memories right here at home.
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Stay Safe in the Sun
The New York State Department of Health is reminding everyone to take precautions to prevent skin cancer during UV Awareness Month. Too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is the main cause of skin cancer. These rays come from the sun, tanning booths, sunlamps, and tanning beds.
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These rays come from the sun, tanning booths, sunlamps, and tanning beds.
Natural sunlight is the most common source of UV radiation. While it might give you a tan, it's important to remember that tanned skin is actually damaged skin. Each time you get a sunburn or tan, the damage adds up and increases your risk of skin cancer.
So, as you enjoy the sunshine, make sure to protect your skin. Use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and seek shade when the sun is strongest. Let's stay safe and keep our skin healthy!
Source: health.ny.gov
| | | Hudson Valley Fish Advisory | | |
LaQuan Rosario, Community Educator
The Hudson River offers excellent freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities between the Adirondack headwaters and New York City's saltwater Upper Bay. The Hudson River is also known for its world class striped bass fishery. Unfortunately, the river has been impacted by PCB contamination.
Where you fish matters
Advice if you are fishing between Catskill and the Battery in NYC:
Men over 15 and women over 50 can eat up to one, half-pound meal per month of striped bass.
Women under 50 and children under 15 should not eat any fish from the Hudson River. Have fun reeling them in, but consider practicing catch and release fishing. CLICK HERE to download an image of
If you just so happen to catch a Yellow perch along the Rip Van Winkle Bridge at Catskill to the NYC Battery and are not a part of the sensitive population.
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Catskill to the NYC Battery and are not a part of the sensitive population.
I've included a quick recipe!
CLICK HERE for Herb and Lemon Roasted Striped Bass.
CLICK HERE for health advisories regarding Striped Bass.
| | RAPP (Relatives As Parents Program) | | |
RAPP families had a blast at the annual picnic at Bowdoin Park in June. (It's one of our most popular events!) Thank you to all of the families who support one another!
We'll be meeting via Zoom during the summer months, please share this dedicated community resource to any kinship families!
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Know someone who’s stepped up to parent a relative’s child because their parents can’t?
They’re a Kinship family!
We provide a variety of services and support for kinship families throughout Dutchess County!
Spread the word:
CLICK HERE to download the program brochure to share today.
CLICK HERE for information about this important county resource.
| | PASE (Parent And Support Education) | |
Locations Needed!
We are preparing for our Fall schedule of offering this interactive workshop for parents and caregivers!
This free workshop opens exploration of five key communication tools that can enhance relationships at work, at home with your spouse or partner, and with the children in your care.
This workshop will help to support Positive Discipline & those Co-parenting by focusing on the following communication tools:
- “Encouragement”
- “Can Do”
- “Decision Making”
- “Self-Control”
- "Respect Feelings"
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We can offer this as a weekly 5-session series, a 1-day intensive and may be in-person or via Zoom.
CLICK HERE to message Heather for information and scheduling!
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July Is Social Wellness Month: Here’s How To Celebrate
Connecting with other people can be an interesting, exciting, and healthy part of being human. Moreover, social support is often integral to a person’s physical health and mental well-being. According to the APA, about 30% of Americans feel lonely. Around the world, Social Wellness Month is celebrated each July. This month was established in the early 2000s to encourage people to build healthy relationships and improve their social well-being. For guidance in cultivating improved social wellness, it may be helpful to work with a licensed therapist.
Read the complete article from betterhelp.com by CLICKING HERE.
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Todd Hill Outdoor Market
The Taste NY at Todd Hill Outdoor Market is run by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County to bring our stakeholders together throughout the summer and fall seasons. The market is a representation of our vendor's best offerings, including delicious seasonal produce, craft beverages, textiles, and value-added products that result from farming efforts or small businesses with a link to sustainable agriculture and horticulture in the Hudson Valley.
In July:
Sunday, July 6, 2025, 12- 4P
Friday, July 11, 2025, 12- 4P
Friday, July 18, 2025, 12- 4P
4640 Taconic State Parkway North
Poughkeepsie, NY 12508
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Horticulture Hotline!
Every Monday & Wednesday through the summer- is the Horticulture Hotline and Diagnostic Lab featuring our Master Gardeners. Call and speak to our volunteers from 9AM-NOON to answer your gardening questions.
Have a garden pest that you need identified or a plant that doesn't look so good?
Contact the Dutchess Horticulture Hotline at (845) 677-5067
| | | | Have an event or update for the Family & Consumer Education audience you want to share? Send a response email! | | |
The Family and Consumer Education (FCE) program strives to ensure that families facing challenges in parenting, family finances, and wellness and nutrition find the resources and education they need to improve their lives.
FCE creates connections for residents with the latest, evidence-based research and practical information that can be directly applied to their day-to-day lives.
We work to strengthen individual knowledge and skills while providing community level and County wide education.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for providing equal program and employment opportunities. This program is partially funded by the County of Dutchess, Dutchess County office for the Aging, and New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Please contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension office if you have any special needs.
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Wishes would come true with you! FCE needs ongoing supplies for our parenting programs. Click here to see how you can enhance our programming today with a DONATION or sponsorship opportunity!
Need to reach a member of the team?
Jessica M Canale- Program Leader
Heather L. Ohlson, Program Educator
Francheska Kuilan, Program Educator
LaQuan Rosario, Program Educator
Click here for previous FCE Update: Newsletters!
Thanks for your support and collaboration!
Are you a collaborative program or agency that needs information shared to the FCE community? Email Heather!
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**The Family & Consumer Education Program counts entirely on grants and donations to maintain and grow the services we offer throughout Dutchess County. Click the button below to see how you can contribute to maintaining the success of these initiatives!
Your direct support: donations, sponsorship and underwriting matter!
Please help! **
| | Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for providing equal program and employment opportunities. | | | | |
