Birthday wishes to Analey Dietrich Stratton, Kellee Thelman, Karen Billig, Jeffrey Cohen, Ellen G Tucker, Samantha Liff, Laura Bakos, Sue Newberg, Lisa Mason, Benji Friehling, Christian Meachum and one of our favorite guys, John Bogaert!  

Anniversary wishes to Holly and Tyler White.

Our sympathy to the family and friends of Drew Allees.

Kudos to the Aktion Club who donated winter attire to the Ted Stroebele Warming Center and also sold ‘Hearts’ with proceeds going to the 45th Annual 98.3WSUL Heart-A-Thon.

Recently announced, Sullivan 180, with a refined focus, is offering grants designed to enhance county health initiatives. FMI: SC.info@sullivan180.org or 845-295-2680.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 PSA: Vax info: 800-232-0233. SC Health: 845-292-5910. Crisis Lifeline: Call 988. Alcohol-Drug, Overdose Help: 911 or 866-832-5575. 

Bethel News: Town information: www.townofbethelny.us. For Parks & Rec, email: bethelparksandrec@gmail.com. The Town Board meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday (IP/zoom). The Planning Board meets on the first Monday of the month (IP only). Current topic: The White Lake Mansion site. There’s noise on the street about short-term rental regulation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Bethel residents can still apply for CEAP. Call 845-583-4350. Shepherd’s Pantry accepts food donations. They host pantry on the 2nd and 4th Thursday. FMI: 845-583-5885.

Two area groups have formed with concerns for their local lakes (not affiliated with the Town of Bethel). Learn more.  Contact: The Lake Association of White Lake, NY (white.lake.bethel@gmail.com). For Briscoe Lake, call 845-417-7379, 917-515-4282 or ananda.haldar@yahoo.com.                                                                                                                 Business Watch: Support surrounding area BBA member and Bethel businesses. Consider joining the Bethel Business Association during the ‘23 membership campaign. Use http:/www.bethelnybba.com for forms and as a resource for services.                                                                                                                                                                        Stop by the Alton Distillery on a weekend afternoon and meet the new owners.                                                                            Laughing Ladies Antiques is offering great February furniture sales. Take advantage of Valley Daycare’s February ‘Friday Evening Childcare’ from 6-9:30pm (845-250-4110). Sticky Fingers Delectables, open ‘long weekend’ days, has brought back more ice cream choices along with the winter soups, stews and chili. Kauneonga and Bethel businesses need local support to be open all year. All area businesses do, for that matter! 

Enjoy the season! Use the trails at the Forest Reserve at Smallwood to hike, snowshoe or possibly cross-country ski. Ask Bethel Parks and Rec about winter programs.                                                                                                                            Delaware Highlands Conservancy host Eagle Watch Observation Areas to observe and learn about eagles in their habitat (845-583-1010 or delawarehighlands.org). Also, the DHC Van Scott Nature Reserve in Beach Lake, PA offers 144 acres with 3 miles of trails to enjoy (no pets). Visit Holiday Mountain for skiing, snowboarding, tubing and ‘Thursday Night Lights’ specials (845-796-3161). Continue celebrating Black History Month!                                                                                                                         Learn more about The Black Library, a concept initiated by locals, Douglas Shindler and Michael Davis. Monthly meetings are generally held in the EB Crawford Library. FMI: Theblacklibraryny.com.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Ash Wednesday is observed the 22nd. Attend ‘Dance It Off’ on Thursdays at Duggan at 4:30pm. ESP hosts a Mixer at Albella Restaurant on the 23rd at 5:30pm.                                                                                       Bill Fleck hosts ‘Hector’s Inn Karaoke’ on Friday, the 24th, from 7-9pm. Cab Frank’s has ‘Jaketown Road’ on Friday at 8pm. Support SubzeroHeroes.org as they take the icy plunge into Berean Lake on Saturday, the 25th, benefiting the Alzheimer’s HV Chapter. Check in at 10:30 am, jump start at noon. The Annual SnO&W Snowshoe Fun Run-Walk kicks off at the Wurtsboro trail entrance on Saturday at 10am. Register before walk at the entrance (845-807-0527). Arts & Culture: Bethel Council of the Arts (fb) or BCA@bethelart.org. Bethelwoodscenter.org, Catskillartsociety.org, Cobaltstudios.net, Delawarehighlands.org, Delawarevalleyartsalliance.org, www.ebcpl.org, Hurleyvilleartscentre.org, Narrowsburgunion.com, Nesinculturalarts.org, sccoplayers.org, scdw.net, and scnyhistory.org.                                   Purchase Bethel Woods Memberships, the Lawn Pass, now at $699, or performance and event tickets already on the calendar. Check out the Winter Art and Wellness classes. The Bethel Council of the Arts Exhibit, ‘Exploring Worlds of Dreams, Fantasies and Symbolic Imagery’ continues at the Narrowsburg Union. Attend DVAA’s Salon Series events every Saturday at 2pm. 

Suz sez, “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” A Davis.