"Kick The Tick" Fundraiser Was Fueled By Good News And Fine Wine

For those who have been stricken with Lyme disease — or fear they will be — there was good news to report at the “Kick the Tick” fundraiser on Friday, Sept. 6, held at Millbrook Vineyards & Winery. First, host Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is one of the world’s leading independent research organizations, and is located right in the Rural Intelligence region just north of Millbrook. And it is well into The Tick Project, a five-year study to determine whether neighborhood-based prevention can reduce human cases of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Dr. Rick Ostfeld, a project co-director and a tick ecology expert, explained how this project bucks the trend in the medical and scientific community. “They want better diagnosis and treatment methods of tick-borne illnesses,” he said, “but we refuse to cede the ground to the ticks themselves.” The study, which is testing two different methods of reducing ticks to see which is most effective, is taking place in 24 neighborhoods in Dutchess County, home to some of the nation’s highest rates of Lyme disease incidents. Ostfeld went on to honor two people who have advanced the fight against tick diseases: Donna Bolner for her work with The Dutchess County Tick Task Force, and Jill Auerbach, who has experienced tick disease and is chair of the Hudson Valley Lyme Disease Association. Around 200 guests enjoyed Millbrook Vineyards wines and hors d’oeuvres. Proceeds will go to The Tick Project, an effort projected to cost $8.8 million.