April 20 – Mother Nature is at it again! Don't put away those coats just yet. You may need them as you head out the door to some amazing Sullivan County events!

For a guaranteed evening of pure Americana entertainment, head over to the Ethel B Crawford Memorial Library in Monticello tonight, April 21 at 6pm for Salt & Sweetwater Songs. Join Donna and Rick Nestler to explore the music of America and songs of the sea. Foot taping and singing along is encouraged. Not only the music, but the song banter will have the audience wanting more. Admission is free and will take place indoors in the Norris Community Room. Contact the Library directly for more information. 

Wednesday, April 22 is Earth Day. Begun in 1970, Earth Day has become a day to recognize the collaborative efforts in creating a healthier environment. In 1990, the initiative went global with now than 200 million people from 141 countries celebrating Planet Earth. Sullivan County has programs throughout the month of April to mark this world-wide day of people coming together to make a difference through learning and opportunities.

The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce will hold “Networking In Bloom,” an Earth Day Chamber Mixer at Benji & Jake’s in Kauneonga Lake from 5 PM – 7 PM on April 22. Co-sponsored by Bethel Sanitation and the Bethel Business Association. A special ribbon cutting event for Bethel Sanitation will be held at 5:30 PM. In addition to the lively networking opportunities and a special curated menu and signature cocktails available for purchase, participants will be encouraged to sign-up for the Town of Bethel Litter Pluck on Saturday, April 25, 2026 where volunteers can adopt a road and help keep our community shining. For more information, contact Geri at 845 791-4200.

And don’t forget to become part of The Challenge!  The Sullivan Central Rotary Club Beautification – Clean Up Sullivan County Challenge has begun. Between now and the end of the month of April, collect at least one bag of Litter Pluck Trash in your Community. Take a picture of you with the bag(s) of trash collected and post the picture on social media of your choice tagging Sullivan Central Rotary Club NY and hashtag #SCRCRotaryCares.

This is an open challenge to all Rotary Clubs, community members, students, other service clubs, businesses – the more the merrier. Top collectors in each category will be recognized at our Rotary Epic Day of Service in May. For more information, contact SullivanCentralRotaryClub@gmail.com .

The Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development will hold it, “All In Quarterly Meeting” on Thursday, April 23 at Resorts World Catskills from 3PM – 6PM. Community Partners, Leaders and Elected Officials will gather for project updates, collaborations, and winning strategies for the months ahead. Special Guest Speaker will be Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay. Tickets are priced at $75 for members and $95 for guests/non-members which includes a buffet dinner, salad bar, assorted desserts and coffee. A cash bar will be available. For more information or the RSVP contact The Partnership at (845) 794-1110.

Need some yummy, yummy, in your tummy?  Mark your calendar for the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Club’s Baked Ziti Dinner Fundraiser at Rockland Central School District High School, 19 School Street, Livingston Manor from 3PM – 6PM. This take-out only dinner includes homemade baked ziti and meatballs, dinner roll, and cookies all prepared by the FFCLA members. Donation - $12. For more information, contact Kathy.Poppo@rcsd.us .

The Liberty Mall Market is back this weekend, April 25-26 from 11AM until 4PM. This will be 

the final indoor market of the season. From food, crafters, local artisans, and antiques, this is the place to be. This is a fully enclosed indoor market located in the former Sullivan’s Mall on Sullivan Avenue. For more information call (845) 539-5008. Open Vendor spaces also available.

Sullivan County has been hit hard these last two weeks with the passing of four pillars who have shaped our community. Last week we lost “Jimmy” Nikolados, and Al “The Heart Man” Frangipani. This week we lost former Sullivan County DA Steve Lungen, and former Sullivan County Veterans Commissioner Al Etkin. I wrote about the first two in my column last week. I would be remiss if I did not take a moment this this week’s column to write briefly about Steve and Al. 

I had the distinct honor of knowing both of these gentlemen. I got to know Steve and his beautiful wife Eileen and his children through politics, quickly becoming friends. Sadly, I learned about Steve as DA when my house was burglarized. Once you feel violated by a crime, you change. Steve was a strength that found justice for us along with the other 90 victims of this long thread of burglaries in Sullivan, Orange, and Rockland Counties. He kept me and all of those effected constantly informed, gaining a maximum sentencing. Then 27 years later, when Steve was dealing with his own personal and courageous fight and no longer the DA, my phone rang. It was Steve letting me know that the perpetrator was released from prison and what steps I was entitled to as one of the victims. He never forgot who he served, and Sullivan County was the better for it. A man of ethics, kindness, devotion, and honor in all he did. 

Al Etkin called me on Veterans Day, November of 1987 to see if I was available to sing our National Anthem for the ceremony being held because the person scheduled was unable to make it in the unexpected early season snowstorm. I said yes, and the rest is history. I traveled with Al and her hooked me up with other events to sing for our Veterans. From County Post Dinners, July 4^th, Memorial Day, POW Day, Veterans Day, 9/11 County Service, and more, I became Al’s partner in ensuring the solemn reflection that should be for these events was appropriately executed. To this day, I sing when invited, always remembering Al’s passion for his fellow Veterans and his dedication to our community. 

Condolences to both the Lungen and Etkin family and friends on the loss of these gentle giants.  May their memories be for a blessing for those who knew and loved them. 

Happy Birthday to Robin Stacy Schnee, Sonia Ward, Kelsey Conklin, Kara Passante (4/22), Rick Belyea, Nel Miros, Susan Hurlbut Smith, Roy Moskowitz, Cristie Bendi (4/23), Danielle Cassidy, John Bell (4/24), Vicky Simpson, Michele Klugman Resnick, Charlotte Quinn, Eli Van Etten (4/25), Tim Hamblin (4/26), Molly Dunbar, Jill Meltzer, Amanda Lanseder, Allen Frishman, Michael DeAngelis, Illana Shapiro Yahdav, Todd Cellini (4/27).

Gardeners’ reminder - Hold off planting until at least Mother’s Day! 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.