Birthday wishes to Kim Simons, Jennifer Bitetto, Erin Slaver, Bob Ernst, Aly Steingart, Rachel Fiore, Provi, BarJa,

Mona Ingber, Martin Steinbrauer, and Carolin Walton Brown.

Happy anniversary to Barbara and Henri Shawn, Evylan and Jace Suarez, and the Kulchinskys.

Our sympathy to the family, friends and community of Marion Vassmer, who passed last week. Visitation and

services were held on January 2 and 3. Marion was a lifelong resident and active in the community. She was the

Town of Bethel Historian, and along with her husband, Art, were proprietors of the famous ‘Vassmer’s General

Store’, holding a life-long attachment to Woodstock festival history.

Betty Friedland, Monticello resident and County and Town of Thompson Democratic Committee member, died

December 26. Services and internment were private. Condolences to Robert, Marc and family and the community.

Bethel Departments, newsletter, and meeting information: www.townofbethelny.gov or 845-583-4350. Note the

Bethel Town Supervisor’s 2025 Year-End Report.

Remain interested in local issues. Watch: Bethelroundtable.com, Lake Association of White Lake, NY (Fb) and

Smallwood Residents Forum. Follow the Bethel moratorium. It’s likely to be introduced and go through public

hearing again in 2026.

Contact Cathy for the Parks & Rec schedule and the ‘Ski Big Bear Program’ (845-583-5360 /monitor their Fb site).

Continue support, donate to and use Shepherd’s Pantry (845-583-5885) and SC Federation for the Homeless (845-

794-2604).

‘Move Sullivan’ (www.sullivanny.gov) provides free bus service for Bethel on the ‘Route C’ schedule.

Support local business. Use Bethel Business Association’s Member list as a source: www.bethelnybba.com. Area

proprietors should look to join BBA when the BBA Membership Campaign opens for ‘26.

Sticky Fingers Delectables is on a short vacation until January 9. No worries, Hector’s Inn remains open while a

‘For Sale’ sign is posted. Benji & Jake’s closed for now, but promises the usual Spring reopening.

More local businesses should get creative with this collaborative marketing approach: Did you know that the

Kartrite Resort (www.thekartrite.com) offers a ‘Splash & Ski’ package: Book a hotel room with Waterpark access

and lift tickets for a day at Holiday Mountain (skiholidaymtn.com)?

Kudos to Eldred’s Corner-Monteleone’s ‘Santa’s Village’ for a great holiday light show. Did anyone hear about the

whopping NYSEG bill that Lou received for Xmas? He would never mention it… Is there something we can do?

Can we start a fundraiser for 2026? Contact me if you have any ideas.

Tamara DePaola invites you to ‘All Paws Matter Cat Rescue’s Open House’ with adoptions, taking donations and an

item and snack sale at 1980 Rt 52, Liberty on Saturday, the 10th, from 1-4p.m. The SC SPCA’s January 10 Annual

‘Fur Ball Dinner & Dance’ at El Sombrero from 5-9p.m is sold out. 845-796-3120.

Arts & Culture:

Bethel Woods (bethelwoodscenter.org): Will be back again in February.

Callicoon Movie Theater (thecallicoontheater.com): 9-12: “Sentimental Value” (all- 7:30p.m., Sat, Sun- 2p.m.).

Crawford Library (ebcpl.org): 6: Artful Afternoon, 2p.m. 7: Yiddish, 10:30a.m. 8: Community Conversations, 2p.m.

9: Friday Adult Gaming, 1p.m. 12: Writer’s Group, 6p.m.

DH Conservancy (delawarehighlands.org): Book Eagle Watch Bus Tours on January 10, 17, or 24 from 10-3p.m.

DVAA (delawarevalleyartsalliance.org): Opportunities: ’26 Artist Fellowship grants-deadline 1/31. Rolling Program

Mini Grants- open. Also mentioned, DVO Arts Nest Art Submissions for Exclusive Exhibits- rolling.

DVO (delawarevalleyopera.org) Arts Nest: 6: Open Mic, 6p.m. King’s ‘Horsebook’ exhibit closes February 28.

Eldred Preserve-Homestead Restaurant (theeldredpreserve.com): 4: Sunday Brunch, Happy Hour, Prime Rib

Sundays.

HPAC (hpacny.org): Dance, film, classes. 9-11: “Avatar: Fire and Ash”, (Fri, 6p.m., Sat 3p.m., Sun 2p.m.). 8: Senior

Cinema- “Hope Springs”, 1p.m. 8: ‘Sound Healing’ with Elenie, 6:30p.m. 7: Wednesdays: Ms. Adrienne’s ‘Kids

Programming’, 11a.m. 9: Fridays: Mat Pilates with Aly, 9:30a.m.

Resorts World Catskills (rwcatskills.com): Gaming, dining, and Dos Gatos, Bar 360, Empire Lounge entertainment.

SUNY Sullivan (sunysullivan.edu): 10: The Met LIVE in HD- Bellini’s ‘I Puritani’, 1p.m.

Callicoon Farm Market at Delaware Youth Center, Sunday, 11-2p.m.

Please send me your news two weeks in advance.

Suz sez, “AI doesn’t dream.” NTyson.