Birthday wishes to Jonah Cohen, Sally R., June Barrett, Carla Mansfield, Marlo Motl, Carol Dauch, Evelyn Brown, Claire Sullivan, Lori Morganstein, Mary Mullen, Carole Levinson, Sebastian Pannullo, Bart Hindley, and my FAV, Logan White!

Our thoughts are with Mayfield, KY and the surrounding areas devastated by the recent tornadoes. Selfishly, what comes to mind, too, is how fortunate we are to live where we do (knock wood). We deal with a rainstorm, flooding or snow accumulations, but hardly ever weather that kills many or completely shreds the entire town’s landscape to mulched debris. This season, be especially thankful for the beautiful area that surrounds us and appreciative of the community we live in.

Congratulations to Jill Mitchell Holland for earning the Training Certificate for Firefighting Operations- completion of 79 hours of instruction- and Hazmat Training on the 11th. Also, kudos to Chad Foster and Aaron Terpstra on completion of BEFO (Basic Exterior) and the Hazmat First-Responder Operations.

Kudos to the local Firehouses’ Toy Delivery Program! Thank you to Toys for Tots, HopeAlive845, United Way, SCFHomeless, local organizations, area churches, pantries and individuals for their generosity and holiday efforts.

PSA: Follow protocols. Mask. Vaccinate. Boost. Test! Hochul’s NYS mask requirement: Facilities must insist on mask wearing unless proof of full vaccination. SC Public Health encourages vaccinating everyone over 5yo. Search on-line: vaccines.gov, Txt your zip code to 438829 or call 800-232-0233 for VAX locations. FMI: 845-807-0925. Public Health - 292-5910 Mental Health - 292-8770. Use ‘988’ for Natl Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

To Do: Send me your news. Use Townofbethelny.us for information. Include AC 845 on all contact numbers unless otherwise noted.

The Bethel Town Board meetings will be available on Zoom in 2022. Watch for link invite and stay abreast of issues. ie: Solar, Airport, Tech and Smallwood BESIDE project.

Contact Town about the CEAP Heat-Energy program or HEAP@sullivanny.us (807-0142) if struggling with heat costs.

Continue donating nonperishable food to Shepherds Pantry (White Lake Church bin) on 17B. Call United Way (Julian - 794-1771) or SC Federation for the Homeless (Kathy - 794-2604) to be a good elf!

Take to the Trails: Bethel’s Heritage Trail, SC Dove Trail, Smallwood Reserve, Van Scott Nature Reserve (Beach Lake, PA), and Trailkeeper.org. Plan ahead for the winter Eagle Watch Bus Tours through Delaware Highlands Conservancy.

Business Watch: Businesses are hiring. Check Job listings at sullivanny.us/Departments/workforcedevelopment/HotJobs. I notice signs and help-wanted posts for local restaurants, Eldred, Resorts World Casino, Kartrite, the County and the DOT.

Purchase holiday gift certificates. Patronize BBA Members: Use www.bethelbusiness.com for reference. Shop on-line, by phone or IP at most local stores.

Be a part of local history and check the GoFundMe. com page for Yasgur’s “The Max & Miriam Yasgur Barn Restoration Project” and donate!

Indie Mart’s free Opening reception for ‘Solstice Celebration Day’ is the 21st from 12-7pm and includes BCA member and local art, the music of Alec Philips and Kali Seastrand and refreshments. See details below.

Cab Frank’s hosts ‘Cab’raoke’ on the 23rd at 7pm.

Advent ends on the 24th.

Have a merry, warm and wonderful Christmas! Share joy with family and if traveling, get to your destination safely.

Kwanzaa is celebrated from the 26th to January 1st. Dr Maulana Karenga, Am Professor of African Studies, first introduced this festival in 1966, to honor cultural heritage, family and community values, and celebrate the harvest.

EB Crawford (ebcpl.org) presents a Virtual Book Discussion Group on the 27th at 1:30pm on Zoom:”Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After; A Memoir” by H. E. Harpham. Callicoon Farm Market continues every Sunday.

Culture: Bethelwoodscenter.org, Delawarevalleyartsalliance.org, Catskillartsociety.org, Hurleyvilleartscentre.org, Narrowsburgunion. com, Nesinculturalarts.org, Shadowlandstages.org. Crawford Library: www.ebcpl.org.

Support the arts! DVAA’s Annual ‘Art in Sixes’ exhibit ends December 23rd with most pieces claimed at show’s finale!

HPAC offers “Spider-man: No Way Home” on the 23rd at 4pm.

Visit Honey Bee’s ‘Pop Up Indie Mart’ at the Prestige Bldg - 980 Rt 17B. Bethel Council of the Arts members and local artists will be showcased every day through Jan 1, except Xmas day. FMI: 701-3091 or Prestige Entertainment 797-0337.

Bethel Woods presents ‘Peace, Love & Lights’ Drive Through until January 2nd (Sun-Th 5-9 and Fri, Sat 5-10pm). Mondays are reserved for Sullivan 180 Walk-Through Only. The Museum remains open until Jan 2. Newsflash! The Bethel Woods ‘22 Season Lawn Pass is now available and you can include a special enhancement-early member gate admission and free Harvest Festival parking for an additional $69.

Suz Sez, “Be Merry”