I’ll be traveling to one of the far north reaches of Sullivan County on Friday night for the observance of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. Congregation Agudas Achim of Livingston Manor. … more

There were no lazy, hazy days of summer when I was a waiter in the Catskills, trying to keep pace with guests who were devouring dishes faster than I could dish them out. If you were lazy, you … more

We bump into our neighbor who wonders what we thought of the bear? The bear? “The bear that went across your lawn,” she says. “You didn’t see it? It was just the … more

First thing that hits me walking into the new Borscht Belt Museum in Ellenville is the familiar yellow-gold neon “Kutsher’s” sign in script that for decades was located just above … more

We all can use some downtime in a dead zone. To unplug. Disconnect. Leave our emails, tweets and Facebook postings behind. To be in a place where we won’t be tempted to “just … more

This is the week that I usually share a column I wrote when my children graduated high school. I still can’t believe that it’s been more than 17 years. In that column I reflected on … more

If you’re like most Americans, you’ll celebrate the unofficial start of summer by grilling tonight. But before you light another charcoal briquette or push the igniter, let me offer … more

There’s nothing like college graduation day. You hear speeches. Lots of speeches. By politicians and business leaders. Educators and entertainers. Most you’ve never heard of. They … more

I want to throw my two cents, or more appropriately, the suggested 20 percent, into the ever-growing tip debate. Most folks agree that waitstaff should be tipped. A good percentage will tip our … more

I loved it when the Marvelous Midge Maisel shouted, “We’re Going to the Catskills!” The Catskills! As Abe Weissman tried to figure out how he was going to squeeze the … more

The other night my grandson Evan reached out so his Pop Pop could stand and hold him tight. No better feeling than to stand and hold him. And hold him. And hold him a little bit more. Until Pop Pop … more