December 17 - Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas wishes to everyone! If you are not done with your Christmas shopping, here are some wonderful ideas that support local businesses.

First, a subscription to the Sullivan County Democrat. It is so very important that we support our local newspapers. We truly need them, and they are a wonderful gift idea. I am sorry, there is more news than reading the obituaries online. The print edition is still the way to go.

Second, birdseed and a feeder from Cochecton Mills in Cochecton. There is a special sale going on for most of the month of December. Feeding our birds can bring great joy to someone. My favorite seed is black oil seed, followed by meal worms.

Speaking of meal worms, last weekend I happened to see for a few seconds, a flock of bluebirds along the road, near a berry bush. (Bluebirds love meal worms) It is rare to get a bluebird at your feeder, but cardinals, chickadees, blue jays, nut hatches and red bellied woodpeckers will be faithful feeders. Finally, a travel ticket for one of our local tour organizers. Donna Hassis Schuelie organizes the Catskill Travelers trips. 845-428-6773. (This was formerly Helen Wachter’s trips.) Also, Barbara Hahl still organizes trips.

The Cochecton Christian Homestead Cooperative (School) will be hosting a PENNY SOCIAL on Saturday, December 18th. The event will take place at the former church, 2 Newman Road near the Delaware River. It starts on Saturday, December 18, 2021, 7:00 pm. (I am not sure if this is when the doors open or calling hours start.) There will be live music, desserts, and a chance to win a Christmas gift basket.

This will be my last column for the year, and there will be no Kenoza Lake news column for the month of January due to my Town of Bethel tax collector’s activities with January being the busiest month. I am going to try and write a column for the February 18th edition of the Sullivan County Democrat. No promises.

I was going get my booster COVID vaccine two weeks ago at the Riverside Pharmacy in Callicoon and then I got a bad cold. If you go to Riverside Pharmacy website, you see daily updates as to how many vaccines they have in stock. Plus, if you go to the store, you can do some Christmas shopping as they sell Melissa and Doug toys.

Full Moon Saturday, December 18th. The Cold Moon. The Native Americans had special names for all our full moons. The Mohawks are credited with the Cold Moon name. However, you may find it interesting to know that the Dakota tribe named the December full moon the Moon When the Deer Shed Their Antlers.

The first day of winter arrives December 21st. The sun set as early as 4:28 pm last week, and we have already picked up a minute or two of additional afternoon sunlight. Once we get to the winter solace, we will be off to the longer days and before you know it, it will be spring.

I have spoken with several hunters and heard feedback from several other hunters that there have been numerous, very early shed buck reports. Back in 2015 and 2016, my husband Ray and I participated in a banding of a hen turkey project with the DEC. We still have one banded hen turkey come and eat our birdseed. Amazing! At a minimum she is a six-year-old hen She is truly an old hen.

As of this writing, the Kenoza Lake United Methodist Church will be having their traditional Christmas Eve candlelight services. The service will start at 7:00 pm. The church will be adorned with red poinsettias.

Tuesday evening, I was driving to the White Lake Fire House to vote in the Commissioner’s election. I had Thunder radio station on and listening to Christmas music and this somewhat familiar song came on the radio. Who was singing this song? Tom Jones. I googled the song and I just love it. I bought the sheet music and plan to sing it Christmas Eve. Please google Tom Jones, David Foster, NBC December 10, 1993 Mary’s Boy Child and really listen to the words. It truly captures what Christmas is all about. 

Long time ago in Bethlehem, So the Holy Bible says

Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ, Was born on Christmas day

While shepherds watched their flocks by night, They saw a bright new shining star

And heard a choir from heaven sing, The music came from afar

Hark, now hear the angels sing, A new King born today

And man will live forever more, Because of Christmas day

Now Joseph and his wife Mary, Came to Bethlehem that night

They found no place to bear her child, Not a single room was in sight

Hark, now hear the angels sing, A new King born today

And man will live forever more, Because of Christmas day

Trumpets sound and angels sing, Listen to what they say

And man will live forever more, Because of Christmas day

I have a card on my desk with a hummingbird and flowers. It says “Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful” by Annette Funicello. So, at this time of the year, cherish your loved ones. I hope that you are able to capture the real meaning of Christmas and best wishes to you for 2022 for a healthy and happy New Year.