August 22 — Back to School is around the corner.  As we say “so long” to our summer visitors and get ready to the return of the stunning Fall array of beauty, we come closer to the next cycle of seasons. The summer has been full of bustle and our county once again didn’t disappoint.  And as the leaves begin to change, our county continues to provide us all with wonderful opportunities and happenings as long as we are willing to participate.

The Town of Neversink Recreation Department will hold an End of Summer Celebration at the Neversink Route 42 Park. This free event is for the Town of Neversink residents and Tri-Valley students, August 28 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Come enjoy music, bounce houses, Gaga Ball, Kick Ball, Face Painting, haircuts for children, food and more!

The Annual Jeff Jamboree will be held on Saturday, September 13, with a delicious Pancake Breakfast served at the Jeffersonville First Presbyterian Church from 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The day is filled with music, horse-drawn carriage rides, games, antique cars and of course the Famous Annual Duck Race at 3 p.m. And of course – don’t forget all the great food! For more information call 845 796-6966.

Fall Registration for Tweed’s Gymnastics will take place at the Gym at 33 Lakewood Avenue in Monticello on Thursday, August 28, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. The premier Gymnastics program has classes throughout the week for children from tiny-tots and up. For more information, call 845-794-2835.

The Monticello Rotary Club will hold its Scholarship Golf Outing on Saturday, September 13 at Tarry Brae Golf Course. Foursomes are sought with registration at 9 a.m. and shotgun tee-time at 10 a.m. For more information, email RotaryMonti@gmail.com.

Deacons Friendship Baptist Church Dinner Sale will take place on Saturday, September 13, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 11 Ferndale Road, Ferndale. Meals of mouthwatering Chicken, Chopped BBQ, or Fish Dinners complete with delicious sides are $20 each with chicken or BBQ sandwich for $12 or fish sandwich for $15. Pick-up or delivery available.  Contact 845 747-4016 for more information or to reserve your meals.

This may seem an event a distance away, but tickets will go fast. Get your tickets for the Sullivan County Ride 2 Survive Annual Dinner Dance at the Villa Roma Golf Club on November 1, starting at 5 p.m. This annual community event raises funds to help with the hidden costs of transportation to life saving treatments and appointments for Sullivan County cancer patients. For more information contact ride2survivesc@gmail.com.

The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce First Friday Networking Breakfast will take place at The Villa Roma Country Club on Friday September 12, at 7:30 a.m. Not the actual First Friday with the Labor Day Holiday the week before and the start of school for many, this monthly event brings together the Sullivan County business and services community to share happenings and opportunities.  Contact the Sullivan County Chamber at 845-791-4200 to reserve your seat.

The Liberty Town and Recreations Department will hold Get Faded Free Back to School Hair Cuts.  Liberty students in grades 5-12 can come to this first come, first served event where professional barbers will be on hand from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Hanofee Park in Liberty to get you ready with confidence for this school year.

The Annual Pancake Breakfast of the Smallwood-Mongaup Valley Fire Department at 181 Ballard Road, Mongaup Valley will take place Sunday, August 31 at 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Adults - $10, Kids 5-12 in age - $6, and Under 5 – Free.

Join Radio Catskill at Catskill Brewery in Livingston Manor for an afternoon of brews, beats, and community spirit to support Public Radio on Sunday, August 31, from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

On a personal note – thank you to all who have reached out to me this past week as I recover from surgery. Special shout-out to Sullivan Central Rotary Club for ensuring my fridge was stocked with delectable meals from Albella Restaurant. I am healing well and will be out and about again really soon thanks to an amazing medical team along with your concern, kindness and prayers which are so greatly appreciated.

Happy Birthday to Abe Friedman, Dawn Weiss (8/26) Nikki Dorfman, Barbara Weinstein, Jessica Gordon (8/27), Emily Pine, Catherine Addor, Ken Parks, Anna Milucky (8/28), David Kazansky (8/29), Ed Gallet, Beth Weinstein, Lori Rito (8/30), Yoeley Kahan, Lorelei Reynolds (8/31), Fay Cerullo, Beth McCormack Bernitt, Thomas Bogursky, John Garry (9/1).

Fall into September and keep getting out and about! 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.