February is here bringing with it celebrations of Black History Month, American Heart Month, Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day and so many more. The one I found most interesting is National Weatherperson’s Day, and with this crazy weather, we know our forecasters need a day of recognition.  

One of my favorite days is this Friday, February 7 – National Wear Red Day for Women’s Heart Health. Be sure to wear red that day to bring recognition to the cause. I know the room will be full of red at the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce 1st Friday Networking Breakfast to be held at SUNY Sullivan at 7:30am. Please contact the Chamber Office at 845 791-4200 to reserve your seat. 

And speaking of Heart Health, The Monticello Rotary will be hosting the Healthy Heart Health & Wellness Fair from 10am – 4pm during the 47th Annual WSUL 98.3 Heart-a-thon on February 21 at Resorts World – Catskills.  This event is open to the public for free and includes mini-class sessions in Tai Chi with Pedro Tweed, Mindfulness in Motion with STEAM (a multigenerational movement class), No Equipment/No Problem with Coach Maggie Fitzpatrick, Hypnotherapy for Good Health with Licensed Hypnotherapist Albee Bockman, Hands Only CPR with Lee Karasik, Blood Pressure Screenings by SUNY Sullivan Nursing Students, the ever popular Sullivan 180 Smoothy Bike, NAMI – Healthy Mind and Stress, Sullivan County Public Health, New York Blood Center – Needs for a Healthy Heart, Sullivan Allies Leading Together (SALT), Gift of Life and more. Contact RotaryMonti@gmail.com for more.

EMERGENCY!!!! It is official that we are in a Blood Shortage Crisis and “you can make a difference,” says Sullivan Rotary’s (Monticello, Liberty, Livingston Manor) Honorary Blood Drive Chair, Sheriff Mike Schiff. 

The Sheriff has donated at every blood drive held by the Rotary Clubs over the last five years – and that is a lot of blood.  When it was announced last week that Sullivan County is in a Blood Crisis Emergency, the Sheriff was asked if he would help to reach the goal of this Blood Drive. 

Without hesitation, he accepted the request to serve.  Sixty percent of the Sullivan County population is eligible to donate blood to any blood drives held.  In total, only 2 percent of those eligible donate. Sheriff Schiff is proud to lend his support as this year’s Honorary Chair sharing, 

“You don’t have to be a First Responder to save a life! Donate Blood Now!”  

The Sullivan Rotary Clubs Annual Heart-a-thon Blood Drive during the Heart-a-thon is scheduled to take place from Noon until 6pm on Friday, February 21 at Resorts World - Catskills.  Please sign up to donate blood remembering that each pint collected saves three lives. Sign-up today at https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/321501.

The Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre will celebrate Black History Month with an evening of music, poetry, and rich history during its Harlem Renaissance: Langston Hughes’ Legacy in Poetry with performances by G. Oliver King and the Blue Heart Jazz Quartet on February 15th at 6:30 pm.  This event is open and free to the public.

The Forestburgh Play-house Academy Spring Into Auditions Workshop takes place this weekend!  Take center stage and launch your audition journey with confidence! This immersive two-day workshop offers professional coaching to refine your audition materials, polish your techniques, and build your performance skills. All experience levels are welcome! The weekend culminates in a real audition for the opportunity to shine in the Forestburgh Playhouse’s 2025 mainstage season. For more information, go to https://www.fbplayhouse.org/academy-2025/spring-into-auditions-2025 .

And if you wish to audition and can’t attend the Academy; no problem. Local Auditions for the Forestburgh Playhouse 2025 Summer Season will also be this weekend.  Opportunities for young artists for the productions of Shrek the Musical, Newsies and the The Full Monty. ALSO, talented young artists are encouraged to audition for the 2025 Junior Resident Company—The Jr. ResCo will perform in Shrek, attend free workshops, will perform in cabarets and will be invited to special rehearsals throughout the season. For all audition information, visit  https://www.fbplayhouse.org/local-actors.

The Coldest Night of the Year event to benefit locally the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless is a National Program held annually on what is, by the calendar, The Coldest Night of the Year.  Join Team Monti Rotary & Friends to help raise funds for this event.  The Team will walk on Saturday, February 22nd from 4pm – 6pm at Dos Gados in Monticello. Members of any Rotary, other service clubs or organizations, or friends may join the team or donate directly, using this link:  https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/TeamFundraising

Page.aspx?teamID =1026771&langPref=en-CA  

Remember - for most of us, we will wrap ourselves in warmth in many ways.  For many, the cold brutal nights exist regularly.  Help to help those keeping so many warm on those nights through their warming centers.  By doing so, you are saving lives, and in some cases, of people you may know. Make a difference and join the Monti Rotary & Friends team today. 

Speedy Recovery to our Congressman and his family, Josh Riley and to Patricia Ocasio.

Condolences to the Ecker’s family on the loss of mother of Linda, Grandmother to Scott, and Great-Grandmother Sylvia Cohen.  In addition, condolences to all the families who lost in loved ones in the horrific accident in Washington, DC. May the memory of all be for a blessing.

Happy Birthday to Dan Berkowicz, Tiffany Sheerer (2/4), Linda Morgan-Kenny, Ryan Tinsley, Sr. (2/5), Marian Harrison, Ester Gold, Kathy Booth Bunce (2/6), Regina Wagner, John Bernstein, Greg Goldstein (2/7), Jim Schmidt, Ryan Speer (2/8), Steve Wilkenson, Peter Briggs (2/10).

So much to do and participate in throughout Sullivan County – yes; even in the middle of the winter!  Don’t hibernate – get out and enjoy!  And don’t’ forget to Wear Red on Friday!  Take a picture with you and friends showing your support and share them with me.  

And, just in case I really don’t “Know It All,” please keep me in the know by emailing me at LoriJames.SCDemocrat@gmail.com .