Greetings to all. I am writing my last Kenoza Lake news column for 2020. Also, this will be the last column until next April 16th.

On December 3rd, I was appointed the Town of Bethel Tax Collector for the month of December and then on January 1st, I will start my elected term. As this is my first year in the position, there is a lot to learn and there are only so many hours in the day. So, I will miss reaching out to you via my news column. Spring will be here before we know it.

I forgot to mention in my last column that Pucky Huddle neighbor Betty Horton saw a Snowy Owl during the first weekend of rifle season. My sister Ginny works with the EPA in Philadelphia and she told me that someone down her way saw a Snowy Owl as well. The Canada Geese have flown south now.

Many of you may know that I frequently say that Pucky Huddle Road is an incredibly special road to live on. It is a dead-end road, that is 2.5 miles long. Ray and I have lived here since we got married in 2007.

Two weeks ago, Friday, I was very saddened to learn that our next door neighbor, Al Walters passed away. I have several special Al Walters stories. You couldn't ask for a more caring and wonderful neighbor to have. If Ray and I went away and we needed someone to keep a watch on the house, he was there for us. He kept his property well-manicured and just a wonderful neighbor. Our sympathy to Phyllis and the Walters family.

I see that someone put some festive red ribbons on the Kenoza Lake welcome sign and the Stone Arch Bridge. Could that be the handiworks of our local elf, Joy Finn? Thanks for caring! Joy's sister Sue has a marvelous store. I bopped into the store this past week. Wow! Oodles of great gifts for almost everyone on your shopping list. The Secret Garden will be one on Sunday the 20th from 10-3 and Monday, from 10-5, as well as Tuesday, Wednesday and maybe Thursday.

As many of you know, I grew up on the Brown family dairy farm on Old Taylor Road, about two miles from downtown Kenoza Lake. I always wondered who “Old Taylor” was and if there was a young Taylor, other Taylors? Well, this past Sunday, I received a phone call from a Sheila Taylor, who is the granddaughter of the Old Taylor! What a wonderful surprise. She called me on my cell phone.

The call came in from Washington State and for some strange reason, I answered the phone. She told me how her folks sold the Taylor house, to George Henn. (Craig Luckey lives there now.) She asked me to check on one of the stained-glass windows in the Kenoza Lake United Methodist Church, which was a gift from the Taylor family.

Sheila reads my Kenoza Lake news column and remains in touch with her friends Joann Madden and Kathy Herbert. It is amazing how many people remain in touch with Kenoza Lake via the Sullivan County Democrat.

This year there will be no Christmas Eve candlelight service at the Kenoza Lake United Methodist Church due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be the first Christmas Eve for me, in more than 20 years that I will not be playing the organ at the Church. I listen to talk radio most of the waking day when I am sitting at the computer or driving in my trusty Subaru (which will be put to the test today with the snowstorm).

However, during this Christmas season, I have been listening to Thunder 102.1, which is nonstop Christmas music. The other day, they had Handel's Messiah on, the Hallelujah Chorus, music only. I was blasting that tune on my car radio as I was buzzing along Perry Road. What a sound. If that tune doesn't help you capture the meaning of Christmas, then listen to O Holy Night.

At this time of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the prince of peace, may I wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. The next time I write this column, I will be telling you to get out your hummingbird feeders.