Hello February! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner so be sure to shop local and patronize our local eateries! So many great events coming up in and around our town.

Yoga By the Lake February schedule is live! February: Sunday- 6-7pm Gentle Yoga to Start Your Week, Monday- 6-7pm Yoga for Anxiety and Stress, Wednesday- NEW Virtual: 'Bad Art', Thursday- 6-7pm Restorative Yoga, Saturday- 9:30-10:30am Morning Yoga and February 11th- 9:30-12:30pm Wellness Retreat. For more information email jodisibilia@gmail.com.

Great job to the Lake Huntington Fire Department competing in the Healthiest Fire Department Challenge. They are currently in second place!! 

What is the Healthiest Fire Department Challenge? In collaboration with Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and Garnet Health, the Sullivan 180 Healthiest Fire Department Challenge focuses on the health and well-being of our county’s firefighters. Firefighting is both a physically and emotionally demanding job. Firefighters put themselves at risk each time they respond to a call. According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, from the moment the tones drop, a firefighter’s heart rate increases by 47 beats per minute. The dangerous work, heavy uniforms, and high-risk environment; accompanied by concerns of high blood pressure, heart health, and disturbed sleep patterns, are significant health stressors.

The Healthiest Fire Department Challenge kicks off on January 1 and ends on September 1. The Challenge is designed to be easy, but impactful. Participating fire departments will engage in activities to enhance their physical and mental health, such as walking a local trail, holding a “drink water” campaign, hosting a Mental Health First Aid training, or incorporating healthy meals at drill nights. Departments will receive credit in the form of “turtle points” for each health focused activity they complete. Throughout the challenge, Sullivan 180 will track and highlight the activities and accomplishments of the participating departments. Awards ranging from $500 to $15,000 will be announced at the Sullivan County Volunteer Firefighters Parade on Saturday, September 9. The two departments that earn the most turtle points will be eligible for a grant in the amount of $15,000 and $10,000, respectively. These grants are made possible with generous support from Aileen Gunther.

Come support the Audra Sipple-Spath Scholarship Fund Benefit Basketball Games on February 11, 2023 at Sullivan West High School gymnasium. Games begin at 11 AM and run throughout the day ending with a 3:45 Girls Varsity Basketball game. Admission is by a free-will donation and concessions will be available. Support our Sullivan West teams and a great cause honoring an amazing woman. 

If you have a local business that would like to be spotlighted in an upcoming column, please get in touch! Please email jenn@jennpowelldesigns.com with any news, events, and happenings.