The fall foliage has certainly been spectacular this year and everyone is enjoying being outside and going to events and dining out. The downside of this is we have seen a slight uptick in local covid cases over the last several weeks. According to the Sullivan County report available on the New York Times website, there has been an eighteen percent increase but hospitalizations are way down which is very helpful. Many of my friends are sick with Covid and are now isolating at home while they recuperate. In my column last week, I highlighted the two anthropologists from Barryville, Richard Malenky and his wife Nancy Handler would be giving a presentation at the Library about their field research studying the Bonobos pygmy chimpanzees in the Congo Basin in Africa. Because both Richard and Nancy were exposed to Covid, out of an abundance of caution the Library has rescheduled their presentation for Saturday, November 12 at 2p.m. The event is free and everyone is welcome.

Speaking of the Library, they have been hosting a series of “neighbor discussions” about various topics. The next one scheduled for Monday, November 7 at 7p.m. is about Preparing for Winter. And for me my easiest prep is going to soup and bake sales and stocking up my freezer. My annual favorite is coming up soon on Saturday, November 12 from noon to 3p.m. in the Eldred Town Hall and sponsored by the American Legion Post 1363 Ladies Auxiliary. When the doors open at noon I am there. I went to the last sale and definitely stocked up on some really delicious and interesting soups. This year the Auxiliary members have expanded the variety of soups available for the sale to several vegetarian options including vegetarian minestrone, vegetarian split pea, or with ham or with kielbasa, and chicken noodle, French onion, vegetable beef, vegetable soup and a spicy chili with meat. The soup prices are $4 for a pint (or two pints for $7) and $7 for a quart. The bake sale will feature homemade breads we love-pumpkin, cranberry, banana, zucchini, and corn bread. They will also be selling some wonderful homemade cookies and brownies. The Auxiliary members have created several themed baskets to be raffled off at the event-The raffle tickets are $1 or six tickets for $5. The drawing will be held at 3p.m. the day of the sale and the winners will be called to pick up their baskets. Given the untimely death of the Auxiliary’s president Jenny Barnes last week, the members are carrying on with the sale and doing everything they can to make it a success. I spoke with the acting president Martha Worzel who told me that “Jenny was such a tireless worker that the members wanted to pitch in and make sure the sale took place. Funds raised from the sale go towards supporting the Auxiliary’s local students Scholarship Fund.” The homemade soups and baked goods always sell out, so it is a good idea to go early for the best selection. For more information you can call Martha Worzel at 845-557-6973.