Greetings to all. I will be writing the Kenoza Lake new column, once every few weeks between now and election day.

Faithful readers of this news column know that I am an income tax accountant and October 15th is a huge day on my calendar. In addition, I am running for the Town of Bethel Tax Collector, so November 3rd is another big day for me. Next column will be September 18th.

Speaking of the election, please note that contrary to the procedures used for the June 2020 primary, if you plan on voting by absentee ballot, you must request a ballot. An absentee ballot application will NOT be automatically mailed to you. Check out this past Tuesday's Sullivan County Democrat for more information on how to request an absentee ballot.

Also, one can use COVID-19 as a reason for requesting an absentee ballot. The Kenoza Lake United Methodist Women are currently planning on having their Election Day Krispy Kreme doughnut sale at the Kenoza Lake Fire house, however there will be no soup and chili sale, although the ladies plan on having a soupless and chililess election day sale, meaning, you make a donation and you don't get any soup or chili.

The hummingbirds are still here and need lots of nectar for their upcoming journey south. So, keep those hummingbird feeders full of high-octane nectar. The chickadees have arrived for their winter home. Still no reported Great Egret sightings.

Shout out to local hotel, the Kenoza Lake View Manor (845-482-2089) on Swiss Hill, about one half mile from downtown Kenoza Lake. My sister Ginny and her husband Mike recently stayed there as they have super easy access “handicap” rooms. Wonderful owners. So, keep this in mind if you have guests visiting with need of easy access walkways and grab bars.

Get well wishes to Helen Wachter who is recovering from her second recent surgery. Also, Helen has recently passed the baton on her traveling trip Catskill Travelers group.

Helen did a fantastic job with her numerous travel trips, providing many special memories for folks. Donna (nee Hassis) Schuelie of Narrowsburg will be the new captain of the Catskill Travelers ship. Email Donna at DSchuelie@knolocy.net for more information.

More get well wishes to my Uncle Mike Erlwein of Jeffersonville.

Hats off to Town of Bethel Highway Superintendent Rob Bonnaci and his highway guys as well as to Kenoza Lake Fireman Dave Slater with their help and cleanup with the Town of Bethel roads, last Thursday night, with the mini tornado that went through western Bethel last Thursday night. Rob tells me that 32 Town of Bethel roads were closed on early Thursday evening and by 11:00 pm, all roads were open. The Graham and Tegeler households on Behr Road had some significant tree damage.

Meredith Lewis, daughter of Jill Brey and Todd Lewis and granddaughter of Warren and Eileen Brey, graduated from Keene High School of Keene, New Hampshire. She was number seven out of a class of over 400 students! She is attending the University of Central Florida this fall.

As you know, the City of Kenosha, Wisconsin has been in the news the past two weeks. Every time I hear that city mentioned, it sounds like Kenoza. I did some internet searching and found out that prior to becoming Kenosha, Wisconsin, it was called Kenozia by the Native Americans, meaning, “place of the Pike”.

Our Kenoza Lake used to be called Pike Pond. It officially became Kenoza Lake on April 29, 1890. Last Sunday, the congregation of the Kenoza Lake United Methodist church heard the music of that special song from the 1970s, “Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Let it Begin with me”. A very fitting tune during these troubling times.

Mets fans are elated with the news that Steve Cohen will be the new owner of the Mets. Watch out Yankee fans!