February is a month filled with so much meaning. Derived from the Latin word “februa,” meaning "to cleanse" or "purification," February represents a period of renewal, and love, and the promise of Spring.

Never truer, the month of February indicates a rebirth for me. As I celebrate my rebirth day going on nine years cancer free of tonsil cancer, it brings memories of those I loved and lost to both cancer and heart disease.

My way to celebrate and find renewal is to find ways to help others and for the last 48 years, doing so as part of the Annual 98.3 WSUL Heart-A-Thon. Now, unless you live under a rock, you have heard about this event. But, as the true "Know It All," the history of what this event means to the renewal of our community and neighbors is a story to behold.

From its early inception, our community has come together annually for the last 47 years to raise funds, which have always stayed locally, to support the prevention, education, and treatment of heart disease. Raising well over 3.5 million dollars to this cause. And this year, the numbers with your help will continue to climb.

During the event, which first began at the Apollo Mall, moving to Kutcher's, Community General (now Garnet Catskill), The Sullivan, and now Resorts World Catskills, our community has come together for good to make a difference. And this year is no exception.

Kick-off begins on Friday, February 20 at 6am when I proudly am the first community member on air, taking over that position from the infamous Victor Gordon after his passing. Then throughout the day, until 6pm, community members, dignitaries, heart disease patients, survivors, and family members, share their stories in hopes of messaging heart healthy tips and lifestyles.

The day is dedicated to moving forward with love and renewing our practices for healthy heart habits. This year, from 10am - 3pm, the Rotary Clubs of Sullivan County (Liberty, Livingston Manor, Monticello, and Sullivan Central) join together to host a Health Fair. Vendors include: A Single Bite, Albee E. Bockman, CHt - Hypnotherapy, Alzheimer's Association, Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay, BOCES New Vision Program, Center for Workforce Development, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Department of Public Health, Fearless! Hudson Valley, Fidelis Health Care, Garnet Health, Gift of Life, Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Lee B. Karasik, EMT, MVP Healthcare, NAMI Sullivan County, NY, New Hope Community, New York Blood Center, Ramapo Catskill Library System, SALT (Sullivan Allies Leading Together), Sullivan 180, Sullivan County DSS, Sullivan County Public Health, SUNY Sullivan Nursing Program, The Medicine Shoppe, and The StillPoint - Mae Bonnaci.

In addition, heart-focused Mini-Class Sessions will be offered throughout the day including: 10:45am - 11:30 - New Hope Community - Heart Health and Career Opportunities with Diane Lynker, BSN, RN, Nurse Educator and Albert White, Staffing Specialist; 11:45 – 12:30 – Mind, Body & Spirit - Hypnotherapy for Your Health – Albee Bockman E. Bockman, CHt; 1:30 – 2:15 – NAMI Mental Health and Your Heart; 2:30 – 3 – Healthy Food is Good Food! (Joy Leon, Cornell Cooperative Extension); 10am – 10:45 – Drum Circle Mindfulness - Make Your Heart Beat - STEAM Fund; 11am – 11:30 am – Tai Chi for Health with Pedro Tweed; 12:45 pm – 1:30 pm – Shake Your Bootie – Dance! with Edgar and Melissa; 1:45 pm - 2:30 pm - The StillPoint Mae Bonacci - Heart Healthy Yoga for All.

And, speaking about renewal of Heart, don't miss a chance to help save 3 lives by donating a pint of your blood at the Blood Drive. With the shortage of blood, your half hour of time can renew life for our neighbors. To sign up, visit, www.donate.nybc.org . Walk-ins are welcome. Call 845 798-1770 for more information.

To donate to the Heart-a-thon itself, visit that day, or help online: https://www.givegab.com/p2p/48th-annual-98-3-wsul-heart-a-thon/sullivan-central-rotary-club-has-heart.

Community renewal is happening in our own backyard at SUNY Sullivan. Join the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce at its February Networking Mixer – Campus to Commerce at SUNY Sullivan – Paul Grossinger Dining Room, 112 College Road, Loch Sheldrake, NY, on February 19 from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Business leaders, entrepreneurs, and SUNY Sullivan students will come together for an evening of connection, conversation, and collaboration. This mixer is all about bridging campus and commerce, opening doors to new partnerships, mentorship, and growth across Sullivan County. Bring your business cards, swag, and gift certificates, door prizes will be happening all night!

And, for the kids, enjoy a free day of winter events at the beautiful East Mongaup River Park as the Town of Thompson Parks and Recreations holds its Winter Gun Day in The Park on Saturday, February 21from 10 am - 1 pm. There will be hiking, sledding (visit the “sled shed” to borrow a sled, or bring your own), plus crafts for all ages and refreshments, too. Don't miss the snowman contest!

Ya gotta eat - why not enjoy a Fish Fry sponsored by the White Sulphur Springs Fire Department and United Methodist Church on Friday, February 20 at the Firehouse from 4pm - 7pm? Call 845 701-3194 for more information.

If you missed the last one, make sure to mark your calendar for The Liberty Market, Sullivan Street Liberty on February 21 & 22 from 11am - 4pm.  From delicious foods, antiques, local artisans, and crafters, this is the place to find great items and gifts while shopping locally. Call 845 539- 5008 for more information.

Happy Birthday to Steve Nickolados (2/17), Paul Carlucci, (2/18), Lisa Salerno, Kellee Thelman, Amy Gibbs (2/19), Barbi Neumann Marty Karen Billig, Deena Mogel, Sheila Haber (2/21), Karen Aroety, Susan Wagner, and our beautiful daughter Jessica Reis (2/23). 

Renew! Have Heart! Purify! Live Life! Afterall – It is February! And, as always, just in case I really don’t “Know It All,” please keep me in the know by emailing me at LoriJames.SCDemocrat@gmail.com.