Spring means sunshine, flowers, and warmer days.  It also means Mother’s Day is around the corner.  Remember to honor all mothers this Sunday – be it biological, adopted, step, or other, celebrate the one who has helped to shape your life and is there for you.  Happy Mother’s Day to all those special people!

The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Leadership Sullivan Class recently held a Media/Communications Day to learn about what Sullivan County has to offer in getting information out to residents and visitors.  

Students from the class visited Bold Gold Media and WJFF Radio for a tour of the facilities and to meet with staff.  A panel discussion was held which included Sullivan County Democrat Publisher Fred Stabbert, The River Reporter Publisher Laurie Stuart, and Alex Shiffer of News Atomic.  The class members also met with Franny Rambousek who conducted an overview of social media.  

The Sullivan Leadership Class consists of employees from county businesses who are learning about Sullivan County.  Classes have included Tourism, Government, Education, Agriculture and more.  

Don’t forget to pay a visit to any of the 10 Jeff Bank locations holding a Food Drive in conjunction with the Leadership Class through May 15th to help with the initial stocking of the Sullivan County Chamber Foundation “The Little Free Pantry” project boxes. Non-perishable shelf stable products are being sought.

There will be an All You Can Eat Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast at the Claryville Fire Department, 1500 Denning Road, Claryville, on Sunday, May 11th, 8am - 12 noon. Adults: $13, Senior Citizens (age 65 +): $11, Children Ages 5-11: $5, Under 5 Yrs. Free, Take-outs: $13. For more information, call 845-985-7270 $50 from the Breakfast Is Donated to the Claryville Reformed Church Food Pantry.

The Fallsburg Fire Department is hosting its Annual Bernie Deutsch Memorial Pancake Breakfast on Sunday June 1, 2025 from 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Fallsburg Fire Dept, 10 Railroad Plaza So. Fallsburg, NY 12779 Adults $13,  $8 Children under 12 and 5 and under free.

The Liberty Elks Lodge #1545 first Chicken BBQ this Spring holds its Family Night Dinner open to the public serving from 5-7 by reservation. A half chicken, homemade macaroni salad, Charlotte’s Baked Beans, roll, dessert $17, packaged to go. Please reserve on 845-292-3434 to ensure your dinner!!

Monticello Elks Lodge #1544 will hold a Prime Rib Dinner on May 9th 5pm - 7pm. This is a pre-order must event by May 8th by calling or texting 845-798-2545. Eat-in or Take-out available. 

Special Happy Birthday Wishes go out to Sullivan County Democrat’s own Joan Booth who celebrated her 90th Birthday this past week with family and friends. Joan set the standard for community column writing for so many. 

I remember her best teaching me as a young Girl Scout to make Coffee Can Stew over an open fire and the best Mom to Kathy and Jack! Love to this awesome woman!

Speaking of Scouting, did you know that Scouting America Rock Hill Troop 101 welcomes girls into its Scouting program? Formally known as Boy Scouts of America, the group has changed its name and expanded adding these wonderful scouting opportunities for girls as well. Contact Billie Waterton on the Rock Hill Troop 101 Facebook Page for more information.  PS – A fabulous Spaghetti Dinner this past weekend.  Delicious food and fantastic teamwork by all the Scouts and their families. Got a chance to see my dear friend and our NYS Assembly Member Paula Kay (who is everywhere even with the budget issues in Albany), both of us supporting youth in our community. 

The Sullivan County Historical Society will be hosting an author and illustrator book fair on Saturday, June 7,, from 12noon– 4pm at the Sullivan County Museum in Hurleyville.  All participants must have a Sullivan County connection. 

Authors and illustrators who have lived in or still do are invited to participate. Your book does not have to be about Sullivan County. Also, perhaps you have written a book - fiction or nonfiction-with the setting in Sullivan County. 

It is not necessary that you have been a resident of Sullivan County if your book has a Sullivan County setting.  Tables will be provided and there is no charge for the space. Authors and illustrators are invited to bring their books for signing and sale.  Refreshments will be available.

 If you are interested in participating in this event or have questions about the event contact Suzanne Cecil, President, at scecil@scnyhistory.org .  You may also call the museum at 845-434-8044 and leave a message. We would like all author/illustrator reservations for space be in by Friday May 16.

Condolences to the Glick and Fox Family on the loss of Barri Glick.  I grew up across the street from Barri and stayed in touch through the years.  She was a free and passionate spirit who embraced each moment of life to its fullest.  May her memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.

Happy Birthday to Marty Miller, Jaime Schmeiser, Hannah Powers, Ingrid Bergstrom, Tyla Ballard, Susan Mahan, John David Stanway, Ginger Maher (5/6),  Julian Dawson, Justin Dawson, Tony Impieri (5/7), Darryl Kaplan (5/8), Janette MacArthur, LeeAnna Maniace (5/9),  Mary Kendall,  Don Bennett,  Robert Kesten (5/10), The Honorable SC Legislator Brian McPhillips,  Brian O’Donohue, Jason Corley (5/11),  Mandi Kaufman Dickman, JR Goodman (5/12).  

Happy Mother’s Day – and remember, with caution – you can start planting after Sunday.  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.