Birthday wishes to Alexandra ‘Alex’ Dietz, Sarah Dittmar, Ricki Friedman, Julie Schwartz, Cindy Greene, Ellie (Gozza), Ellen Jaffe, Mona Ingber, Braydan Levine, Laura Garone, Theresa Kocijanski, Erin Slaver, Carolin Walton Brown, Jennifer Bitetto, and the lady with the biggest heart, Adrian Dollard!  

Anniversary wishes to Amy and Alan Kulchinsky and Rochi Ramos and Leon Fabio. Special wishes to my ‘sista’, Barbara, and Henri Shawn who celebrate their 50th anniversary. They should write the ‘How To’ book on love and marriage!

Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Amy Brasington Brudermann who passed in December. Our sympathy to the family of Peter Sedlack of Smallwood who died last month.

Congratulations to Steven Duarte, winner of the 50th Annual ‘SC Big Buck-Biggest Rack’ Contest and to George Dean, earning First Place with a 170-pound 8-pointer in the ‘Heavy Deer Contest’.

A debt of gratitude to all those involved in the county portion of ‘Wreaths Across America’, honoring Armed Forces Veteran’s graves at holiday time. A special nod to Kain Qumby, Boy Scout Troop #102, respectfully doing his part for an Eagle Scout Project in Highland and Lumberland.

Kudos to Elks Lodge #1544 for the donation of winter-wear to local elementary schools.

PSA: Emergency: 911. OD: 988 or 866-832-5575. SC Health: 845-292-5910. Be smart, healthy and get your vaccines.

Town Board and department information, meeting links, minutes and Parks & Rec: www.townofbethelny.us.             

There will be a Town Board Re-organization Meeting on the 3rd at 7:30pm. New Zoom links will be in effect.

Contact Cathy/P&Rec (845-583-5360) about the Bethel-Ski Big Bear, PA ‘24 Skiing/Snowboarding discount rate program.

Holiday Mountain is also offering a special rate program for skiing, snowboarding and tubing (Thursday pm dates TBD).

Winter reminder: Parking on or pushing snow onto Bethel roadways is prohibited. Vehicles will be towed at your expense.

Privately funded one-time CEAP grants are available for eligible Bethel residents at Town Hall.

Winter is a good time to reorganize or ‘clean your closets’. If you’re dumbfounded as to where to take donations and/or where they’ll do the most good, give me a call. I’ll direct you.

Continue food donations to Shephard’s Pantry. They host pantry distribution on 2nd and 4th Thursdays (845-583-5885).  

It’s always the right time to consider volunteering with or joining local organizations. ie: The Bethel Lions, Bethel Business Association, Bethel Woods, or ‘Lake Association of White Lake, NY’ (Fb). Try the Arts, Literacy, pet organizations, or Emergency Response: Bethel Ambulance, KL, SMV or WL Fire Company, etc...   

Business Watch: Dine, shop and support local small business, services and professionals! Refer to www.bethelnybba.com. Look forward to live music at Santorini Mix Grill on most weekends. Local Table & Tap is open Wed-Sun. Check Sticky Fingers hours before you go (845-475-8900). Benji & Jakes is open Fri-Sun (took a recent break). OOT: Rock Hill-Dutch’s has Friday Karaoke and DJ on Saturday. Check out Parksville’s Cabernet Frank’s or Livingston Manor’s Upward Brewing.

Chill! Sign up individually or create a Business team for the Alzheimer’s benefit, ‘Sullivan Freeze for the Cure’, happening on the 20th at White Lake Fire Co. FMI, to register or donate, call 845-866-6275 or (www.subzeroheroes.org).

Warm Up! Get tickets ahead for the SPCA Dinner Dance at ElSombrero on the 20th at the shelter or call 845-796-3120.

Stay tuned: Winter favorite, SCCC ‘King of the Ice’ Fishing Event on February 18th may expand to a weekend happening. Post holiday, if you can hold your unadorned real Xmas trees they can be recycled and used at the Bethel BBA “Big Burn”! 

Arts & Culture Events: BCA@BethelArt.org, Bethelwoodscenter.org, Bashakillvineyards.com, Callicoontheater.com, Catskillartspace.org, Cobaltstudios.net, Delawarehighlands.org, DelawareValleyartsalliance.org, DelawareValleyopera.org, Ebcpl.org, Farmartscollective.org, Fbplayhhouse.org, Hurleyvilleartscentre.org, Narrowsburgunion.com, Nesinculturalarts.org, Theeldredpreserve.com, sccoplayers.org, scdw.net, shadowlandstages.org, scnyhistory.org, waynecountyartsalliance.org.

Winter season’s a good time to respond and support the cultural organizations or places that you enjoy to keep them afloat.

Catskill Art Space offers the Turrell, Lewitt, and Cape exhibits.

DVO Arts Nest in Lake Huntington hosts the ‘Catskill Artisan & Fine Art Exhibit’ until January 27th. 

Eldred Preserve has Sunday Game specials and ‘Wine about Mondays’.

HPAC offers “The Color Purple” on the 5th-7th (F-6pm, Sa-3&7p, Su-2p).  

Callicoon Movie Theater screens “The Color Purple” on the 5-8th (7:30 Fri, Sat, Mon/2pm Sat and Sun).

The Callicoon Market operates indoors on Sundays from 11-2pm.

Look forward to Delaware Highland’s Eagle Watch Bus Tours this season, most Saturdays, starting January 6th. Reserve through their website or use 570-226-3164x2 or 845-583-1010x2.

Request and view writings from ‘Kauneonga Lake’ (yanka2@aol.com).

Send me events and personal news to share.

Suz sez: “’24! Looking forward to a great year.”