Greetings faithful readers! Late April and May are my favorite times of the year. One reason is that it is after my big income tax filing deadline of April 15 and my deadlines for wrapping up my Town of Bethel Tax Collection activities, however one of the main reasons why I love this time of the year has to do with nature. Within the past week, my hummingbirds, rose-breasted grosbeaks and Baltimore Orioles arrived. I had two pairs of Baltimore Orioles for two days. What a joy to see. Last year I only had a fleeting sighting of the Baltimore Oriole. So, if you don’t have your hummingbird feeders out as well as your cut oranges and grape jelly yet, hurry! Our little hummers and other migrating birds are hungry. I saw my first batch of Canada Geese goslings the other day. I understand that several Canada Geese have been found dead due to Avian Bird Flu and that some eagles are succumbing to Avian Bird Flu as well.

Coyotes are creating lots of problems in western Bethel. Three farmers have lost livestock to coyotes. Two of the three farmers lost calves, and one farmer lost a sheep and two lambs. One of the farmers is looking for a donkey to protect their calves.  

The Jeffersonville Presbyterian Church will be having their annual chicken barbeque on Saturday, May 3. If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, please call Ruth at 845-701-3884 or Kathy at 845-482-4504. Advanced ticket purchases are recommended. $15 a ticket. Strawberry shortcake will be served. On May 10, the White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church will hold their roast beef dinner   and dessert cart. Eat in or take out. DELICIOUS! Ticket price $20.

Big Kev’s in White Lake may open this weekend. I drove by it yesterday and the rib trailer was moved into place. Fingers crossed you will be able to pick up the best ribs in Sullivan County, this weekend. 

Yesterday I spoke with Cathy McFadden, the Town of Bethel Youth Program coordinator. Camp signup has begun. Cathy is still looking for camp counselors. Contact the Town of Bethel if you are interested. The DEC camp, Camp Debruce is looking for counselors. If you know some college students looking for a summer job, please go to the DEC website for more information.

One of my pet peeves has to do with untarped garbage. Yesterday I spotted a huge bag that had apparently blown off the back of a truck on Old Taylor Road, near Behr Road. The worst is when there is food in the untarped bag. Then critters tear it open and then you have a mess. Yesterday I spoke with a Town of Bethel constable about this, and he said that any law enforcement officer can write a ticket, meaning local constable, Sheriff, NYS police of DEC officer. The fee in the Town of Bethel is $195 for untarped garbage. I recall last year that a DEC officer was sitting at the Cochecton Transfer Station and nabbed someone for untarped garbage. No warning was issued, rather a ticket written. Good news. I think that all law enforcement officers should participate in a campaign to ticket untarped garbage. We are a tourist area and the garbage along our roads is disgusting. Last weekend there was a huge Litter Pluck event in Bethel. Kudos to all who participated. If you litter pluck, please be careful. Two weeks ago, I was walking early one Saturday morning and came across a ziplock bag. I went over to pick it up and noted at least one $20 bill, rolled up like it was used for snorting cocaine. There was white stuff in the plastic bag. I called the Sheriff’s office, and they investigated the situation. You can’t be too careful with suspicious items as unfortunately they may be laced with deadly fentanyl.

Shout out to Kathy Armbrust, Bob Neumann, Brenda and John Girrbach for working on cleaning up the Kenoza Lake Methodist Cemetery last weekend. Thank you for caring. It is not too late to make a donation. Please call at 845-482-3374 if you would like to purchase bulbs for the cemetery.