Greetings faithful readers of the Kenoza Lake news.  Although it is still officially fall, the frigid temperatures earlier this week feels more like January and winter rather than fall. Before too long one will hear of somebody who will say that they went ice fishing, which is so foolish to do. This puts our first responders at risk should the person fall through the ice.  However, in recent years, it seems like more folks and families are ice fishing. For families it is a combination of fishing and camping experience. There doesn’t seem to be as many winterberries this year, those beautiful bright red berries that show up when the frost kills the leaves on the winterberry bushes. 

If you don’t have time to bake Christmas goodies for Christmas or don’t like to do it, then mark your calendar for Saturday, December 2nd.  The White Sulphur Springs United Methodist church and the Jeffersonville church will both be having Christmas sales at their respective churches. The White Sulphur Spring’s event will be a Chrimstas Bazaar and bake sale, the Jeffersonville Presbyterian church just a cookie sale.

The Kenoza Lake United Methodist church will have their annual Christmas Eve candlelight service at 7:00 pm. ALL are welcome to join us in worship. Also, if you would like to sing in the choir, please contact me (at 917-658-4668). Note: there will be no service in Kenoza Lake at 9:30 am that Christmas Eve Sunday morning, rather there will just be the candlelight service at 7:00 pm.  The Western Sullivan Parish of the United Methodist Church will have their fifth Sunday service at the Kenoza Lake United Methodist Church on Sunday, December 31st, at 10:00 followed by a fellowship. 

As many of you know, I am the Town of Bethel Tax Collector. For the past number of years (15 years? 20 years?) most/all Sullivan County town tax collectors used a tax software called “TaxLookUp”.  The website address was super easy to remember and super easy to use. Most school districts in Sullivan County used it as well (except for the Monticello School District). However, beginning January 1, 2024, most towns in Sullivan County will be using a new tax collection software. Taxpayers will NOT be able to find their 2024 tax bills at www.TaxLookup.net.  There will be a new web address, as follows:

https://ny-sullivancounty.totalcollectionsolution.com/

USERNAME: sullivan-public

PASSWORD: public

I will be working diligently to make this transition to the new tax collection software as smooth as possible. I am working on a special insert for the Town of Bethel tax bills. Rita Sheehan, the Town of Bethel Town Clerk, is working with me on getting links from the Town of Bethel website (for those taxpayers who live in the Town of Bethel). I have been in discussions with Tess McBeath of the Town of Delaware and Kim Klein of the Town of Callicoon. We are working together on this major tax collection/payment change, comparing notes to make this as easy as possible for you.

I watched some of First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s funeral service. What a remarkable life she led. The Garth Brooks/Trish Yearwood rendition of Imagine was very touching. (If you didn’t see that, may I encourage you to check it out on YouTube.) The song, “Let There Be Peace on Earth” was played during the First Lady’s funeral service. I play that hymn every Sunday at the Kenoza Lake United Methodist Church, the last hymn every Sunday.  The words are so meaningful. How true. “Let There Be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.” A wonderful message and a wonderful hymn for a remarkable First Lady.  

Advent begins on Sunday, December 3rd. That is the first day that I put up Christmas decorations. At this time of Christmas, I do my part to keep the Christ in Christmas by wishing people Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays. The White House was showing off its holiday decorations and trees.  Holiday? Christmas! Last night I watched the Christmas Tree lighting that took place at Rockefeller Center.  They still referred to that majestic tree from Vestal, NY a Christmas tree. Amazing! Remember, He is the reason for the season, keep the Christ in Christmas!