Greetings to all on a very hot and humid day. Contrary to last summer, this summer is very hot and very dry. We need rain. I believe that the DEC issued a burn ban given the dry conditions. The cicadias have started to buzz. The fireflies are a delight to watch in the evening as they twinkle over the countryside. Buck antlers are feverishly growing. August 10th is the last day that the buck antlers grow.
On Sunday, July 17, the Kenoza lake United Methodist Church welcomed our new pastor, Rev. Joycalyn Jordan. Rev. Joycalyn officiated and served communion and Lay Leader Bud Leconey preached the sermon. The current plan is that Rev. Joycalyn will be participating in the Kenoza Lake church services once a month, probably the third Sunday of the month when com­munion is ser­ved.
Saturday, July 23, the Kenoza Lake Fire Department’s annual chicken barbeque. Delicious BBQ chicken basted in the famous Cornell Extension Service chicken barbeque sauce, Amish sweet corn, and other barbeque trimmings. $14.00. There are no advance ticket sales for the Kenoza Lake event. Next Saturday, July 30, the Kauneonga Lake Fire Company will have their chicken barbeque.
For those of you on Facebook and specifically, Sullivan County specific posts, including the White Lake Fire Company Facebook posts and the Catskill Animal Rescue Inc.’s Sullivan County NY Lost and Found Pets (CARE) group or you happened to drive by Perry Road and Route 17B in western Bethel last weekend, you most likely read about and saw the photos of the huge animal rescue that took place. Sometime late last Friday morning, July 15th, the person who was living at the corner of Perry Road and Route 17B was found deceased. First responders were called in, including ambulances and police officers. Upon arriving at the scene, they came upon the animal situation that could only be described as deplorable and horrific. Over 300 animals were rescued. Animal Control Officer from the Town of Bethel and Cochecton, Code Enforcement officers, the District Attorney’s office, the Sheriff’s office as well as numerous CARE volunteers participated in the rescue in very hot and humid weather and in horrific conditions inside the two buildings where many animals were housed. There was no running water on the premises. Water was being pumped from a nearby stream. The White Lake Fire Company brought a tanker truck full of water on Saturday and the Kauneonga Lake Fire Company did the same on Sunday. The rescue operation lasted four days. I drove by this place daily. Over the past few years, I reported the conditions to the authorities. I was told that local authority hands were tied, that the situation was in the hands of other authorities. I believe that this situation should be thoroughly reviewed at a local level and see what improvements to these types of situations must be made. Although there are numerous people to thank, I would like to specifically thank Henni Anker, Tamara DePaolo and Joanne Gerow. The CARE group will have their annual fundraising operation on Saturday July 30th with a huge yard sale on 263 Old Monticello Road, Ferndale. The yard sale runs from 9 to 4. Please come out and support this excellent organization.
As there seems to be a dearth of information out there in the press on the topic, may I remind you, once again, that August 23rd will be the second election day of the year. As you probably know, we do not currently have a congressman as our prior congressman, Congressman Antonio Delgado was appointed to be the Lieutenant Governor of NYS. So, on August 23rd, all registered voters in District 19, regardless of party affiliation, will get to vote for our next congressman. If you are happy or unhappy about the state of affairs in the United States and the direction of the country, this is your chance to make a difference by voting. I tell people that if you complain and don’t vote, then you have no right to complain. In addition to the special congressional election, there is a primary for the NYS Senate seat. I understand that soon everyone will be receiving little white cards in the mail regarding the August 23 election. You will vote at your normal November polling locations. So, for example, if you live in the Town of Delaware and normally vote at the Kenoza Lake Firehouse, on August 23, you will vote in Kenoza Lake. Absentee ballots are going to be mailed on Friday, July 22. Depending upon your party affiliation, you may have to complete two ballots. So, for example, if you are a registered Republican, you will receive two absentee ballots, one for the special congressional election and the other for the senate primary. In this case, you need to complete and return both ballots. Same thing will happen when you vote at your polling place. You will receive two ballots
In case you are not aware of it, there are two sold out PHISH concerts at Bethel Woods on Friday and Saturday of this weekend. Plan accordingly as traffic will most likely be jammed up on Route 17B.