In this episode of Hudson Valley Storycatcher, host Jen Lee sits down with Frank Pepe, a retired school superintendent and community leader from Stanford, New York. Frank shares his lifelong journey of finding where he fits in and his commitment to fostering a caring community amidst modern political and social turmoil.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

The Heroic Legacy of Charlie Johnson

Frank discusses his commitment to share the story of Charles Johnson, an Arlington High School graduate (Class of 1951).

• Breaking Barriers: Johnson was the only African-American male in his school but was so beloved he was elected class Vice President within weeks.
• Battlefield Heroism: During the Korean War at "Outpost Harry," Johnson saved nine of his fellow soldiers—including a friend from his high school—before being killed in action.
• A Living Lesson: Frank uses this story to illustrate some of the great values found in all religions: compassion, selflessness, and the breaking of social barriers.

Stanford: a Caring Community

Born out of the unrest following the murder of George Floyd, this organization seeks to provide “ a view of community and unity for all people."

• Mission: Standing in solidarity with those whose identities—racial, religious, or LGBTQ—have been attacked by hatred or violence.
• Building Bridges: Since Stanford is a small town with limited diversity, the group partners with more diverse organizations across Dutchess County to foster dialogue.

The Art of Connection
Frank shares his "nitty-gritty" tools for strengthening community bonds:

• Active Listening: Learning to listen without ego or the need to have an immediate answer.
• Humanity First: Finding common ground with neighbors despite oppositional political views.
• Presence: Creating safe spaces for others to speak of their pain or life experiences.

About Our Guest: Frank Pepe

• Professional Background: Retired Superintendent of Schools with a lifetime vocation in education.
• Public Service: Former member of the Stanford Town Board.
• Human Rights: Served three years on the Dutchess County Human Rights Commission and currently serves on the board of the Dutchess County Interfaith Council.
• Community Advocate: Founder of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Stanford: a Caring Community.

Resources Mentioned:

• Stanford: a Caring Community–sign up for the event newsletter by emailing Info@StanfordCaring.org
• Dutchess County Interfaith Council
• Stanford Free Library (Event partner)
• The Grange (Community partner)
• Arlington High School

Find more episodes, show notes and transcripts at hudsonvalleystorycatcher.com. Support the show by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. To recommend a future guest on the show, email: hudsonvalleystorycatcher@gmail.com.

Jen sits down with Judge Jonah Triebwasser to peel back the curtain on the local judicial system. Moving beyond the "whooping and hollering" of television courtrooms, the Judge shares what it really looks like to serve the community of Red Hook from behind the bench.

Inside the Episode:

• TV vs. Reality: The Judge clarifies that real courtrooms prioritize dignity and civility over the dramatics seen on shows like Judge Judy.
• The Philosophy of Fairness: He describes local courts as "the courts closest to the people," where the goal is to ensure every individual feels heard and treated fairly, even if they don't agree with the final decision.
• Essential Qualities of a Judge: Patience is the most vital trait, guided by the principle of treating everyone as you would want to be treated.
• The Challenges of Human Nature: Judge Triebwasser discusses "frequent fliers" (recidivists) and the difficulty of balancing compassion with the law in sensitive cases like landlord-tenant disputes.
• A Call to Service: Beyond the bench, the Judge emphasizes the "crying need" for volunteers in organizations like the Fire Department and local service clubs to keep the community thriving.

About the Guest:

Judge Jonah Triebwasser has been a resident of Red Hook since 1979 and has spent over 50 years in various facets of the legal system. His diverse career path includes:

• Starting as a police officer in New York City.
• Working as an investigator for the Attorney General's office.
• Serving as a prosecutor for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
• Serving as both a Town and Village Judge in Red Hook.
• Hosting the long-running radio program At Your Service.

Connect with the Community

• Listen to Judge Triebwasser: Tune into his radio show, At Your Service, on WGHQ and WBPM, or wherever you get your podcasts.
• Get Involved: Learn more about the Red Hook Rotary Club and their local initiatives like Apple Blossom Day.
• Support the Show: Subscribe to Hudson Valley Storycatcher and leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts.
• Nominate a Neighbor: Do you know someone who would be a great guest on the show? Email us at: hudsonvalleystorycatcher@gmail.com

"Right now is the one time that we are all here together. And if we can figure out how to make that better, let's figure it out.” – Erica Brown

In this episode of Hudson Valley Storycatcher, host Jen Lee sits down with Erica Brown, the Community Engagement Coordinator at Radio Kingston. Erica also serves as a board member for TMI Project and Good Work Institute. This conversation dives into her personal philosophy of community as a lifelong calling, a thread that runs through so many of her life’s spaces and seasons.

Key Highlights from this Episode:

• Community as a Calling: Erica discusses how her roots in community engagement began at age seven, volunteering at Thompson Memorial Church in Auburn, NY—the final hometown church of Harriet Tubman—and how that experience, along with her upbringing, planted the seeds of volunteering and showing up for others.
• The Reality of 2020: Erica speaks candidly about the "nakedness" she felt as a Black person following the murder of George Floyd, and her journey through the feelings and experiences that followed.
• Fasting from Urgency: Erica shares her current practice of “fasting from urgency" to allow herself to be more present and to sit with decisions rather than rushing through them.
• Language Justice: Why true inclusivity requires more than just a translated flyer. Erica explains how the Hudson Valley Language Justice group is working to make spaces and programs truly accessible through interpretation and translation. She also shares how asking, “What about…?” can widen who is at the table for (or considered during) discussions impacting wider communities.
• Universal Love: A closing thought on the attempt to love everyone and anyone, and why connecting with one another matters.

Resources Mentioned:

• Radio Kingston: Erica’s professional home in Kingston, NY.
• Thompson Memorial Church: The historic church in Auburn, NY, where Erica’s ancestors attended with Harriet Tubman.
• Kingston Resilience & Mutual Aid: Grassroots groups Erica worked with to provide food and resources during the pandemic.

Connect with Hudson Valley Storycatcher:

• Host: Jen Lee
• Website: HudsonValleyStorycatcher.com
• Recommendations: Have a neighbor with a story? Email us at HudsonValleyStorycatcher@gmail.com