I was very happy to see a notice on our local Facebook page that Irene’s Diner in Eldred has reopened. Irene Jakubowski, the long time owner and chef, was back in business and had the diner back open last Saturday. Irene had to take some time off and close down the diner for several months while she was on medical leave. When I visited her this past week, she looked great and doing well and has recovered from her medical care. Her grill was sizzling like mad with eggs and bacon, and she was cooking up a storm. I was delighted, and I immediately ordered my favorite, the Queen Bee breakfast from her menu which was completely delicious. The hours of operation for the Diner remain the same as always-Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday Tuesday 7am-3pm and she is closed every Wednesday and Thursday. Glad you are back making the absolute best breakfasts and lunches in town!

The official first day of Spring is coming up on Tuesday, March 19th-the vernal equinox-or when we supposedly change from winter to spring. I say supposedly because Mother Nature seems to have a mind of her own and weatherwise does whatever the heck she wants! So, we still have a few more weeks of winter left. But as the perfect precursor on Saturday, March 2nd, the Greater Barryville Chamber of Commerce is having their Annual Winter Warm-Up from 6:30-9:30pm at the Rivers Edge Bar, Restaurant and Hotel in Barryville. The Barryville Chamber is one of our town’s blessings and contributes so much to local businesses being successful but also sponsors a ton of free public events and projects that keeps our town a fun place to live and looking beautiful and vibrant. Whether it’s Pumpkin Fest, the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, the gorgeous Art Banners along Route 97, or the beautiful street mural at Barryville River Access Cul De Sac the Chamber’s positive imprint is everywhere around us. I was able to speak with the Chamber’s President Laura Burrell for a bit about the event. Laura said the Winter Warm-Up is the Chamber’s biggest fundraising event of the year and all the funds raised go to their scholarship grants and their beautification plans. And she added that to date the Chamber has awarded $39,000 scholarship funds to graduating seniors from the Eldred Central School. According to Laura there was a lot of interest now for scholarships and the Chamber has gotten many applications. This year the members of the Chamber increased the scholarship grant to $1,500.00 and will focus on those graduating seniors interested in pursuing additional educational opportunities at professional trade schools. All of the applications are being reviewed and the scholarship awards will be announced during the Warm-Up. There is also a Silent Auction planned at the event with great items from our local businesses. How about bidding on a gift certificate to The Outpost Bar and Restaurant (for a Byway Burger please) Back to Bakers and Ill Castillo Restaurant? Or specialty curated olive oils and vinegars from Ghiggeri’s. You may prefer theater tickets to the Forestburgh Playhouse or the NACL theatre for their upcoming season of performances or natural wines from the new wine store on 97-Cottage Wines or fine jewelry donated by AccessPT or fabulous yoga class passes from Highland Yoga and Dance. 

In addition to supporting the work of the Chamber, another real plus about the Warm-Up event is the Rivers Edge will be having a buffet dinner in their very spacious ballroom which will feature just about everything that usually is available on their regular menu which means that there will be some exceptional food available. Another fun feature is a live DJ-the fabulous Cre8tive DJ- who is Marlon a professional DJ and the owner of the MT Nest in Pond Eddy. So, make sure you have on your most comfy dancing shoes. Tickets for the Winter Warm Up are $75.00, and there are very few tickets left and it’s almost sold out. To get one of the remaining tickets you can purchase them through PayPal or in person with cash or a check. Email info@barryvilleny.com to secure your reservation or go to the Chamber’s website www.barryvilleny.com. See you there!